The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in October 2023 released its latest report on recreational hunting and fishing. It revealed that only 9 percent of all American males ventured out into the woods to hunt wild game in 2022.

Several Founding Fathers saw outdoorsmanship as beneficial for society, and many were avid outdoorsmen themselves. During his time as a surveyor and farmer, George Washington spent much of his life in nature. Beginning around the age of 16, Washington especially enjoyed fox hunting, which Lord Fairfax introduced to him.

For many years, Washington kept a diary of his frequent hunting expeditions, and it shows his virtuous character. There were times during his hunts when he would corner a fox but then decide to spare its life. He wrote about the end of one hunt, “finding therefore that he was a conquered Fox, we took the Dogs off, and came home to Dinner.”

The decision to take the life of an animal to harvest food or clothing is not one to be taken lightly. Hunting is a practice of taking dominion over creation, but it is also an opportunity to exercise patience and restraint. As Gandolf instructs Bilbo in The Hobbit, “True courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one.” Modern men are rarely placed in situations where they can exercise this kind of restraint and courage.