CLOSING THE GAP

Although we aren’t out there hunting as part of our programs, there are those of us in our team who are passionate hunters and we enjoy promoting the many health benefits that come with time spent in the outdoors, connected with our environment and sharing great experiences with good company.

Each edition we will aim to share some interesting insights on mental fitness and its relationship to hunting.

In this edition, we will have a look at ‘closing the gap.’

Closing the gap is a very relevant title for any hunter. It is certainly becoming more relevant to me as someone who transitioned from hunting with firearms to archery. Working with challenging winds and thermals, avoiding detection from other critters, maintaining cover, avoiding cracking sticks and leaves under foot — the list of challenges goes on and on. Many of these I point out because they have been the cause of my many learnings as an archery hunter.

Closing the gap is something all hunters are challenged by and, I think, equally excited about. When I recall my favourite hunts, the locations and the people I shared it with always come to mind. But the pinnacle of the hunting experience is always recounted most vividly in those final metres.

I am sure we can all account for similar attitudes. Navigating through those final challenges certainly carries a depth of perspective for the hunter when everything goes right.

Closing the gap is not just a hunting narrative we can all relate to. But closing the gap on help-seeking and mental health challenges is something that needs our immediate attention.

Research by the World Health Organization shows men demonstrate low help-seeking rates for both physical and emotional health. Reluctance was found to be more pronounced for emotional and depressive problems.

Roadblocks to seeking help include a reluctance to acknowledge weakness, scepticism of both mental and health professionals, the value of therapy and a viewpoint that feelings of depression and anxiety are just a normal part of our life.

Although the research that founded these observations was targeted at male populations, it is just as relevant to our female counterparts.

The reality is, we as Aussies aren’t very good at reaching out when facing mental health challenges.

So how do we, as a community, close the gap when mental illness lives silently in our community?

Firstly, we can take encouragement that there is a great deal of clinically backed evidence that outdoor-based activities like hunting and fishing can have a significant and positive impact on wellbeing and scope for conversations. Outdoor stimulation mixed with exercise significantly elevates mental health and regular exposure to nature reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol and reduces heart rates and blood pressure.

Put simply, those big hikes and conversations we have next to the fire are really good for us.

Although we may not be intentionally looking after our mental health when we head into the mountains for a stalk, it is important for us to consider the direct and positive impact hunting has on our wellbeing and those we share it with.

Hunting and fishing are not only valuable lifestyle pursuits, but they can be used as a powerful tool to break down barriers and close the gap on help-seeking and support for people struggling with challenges in life.

I encourage everyone who reads this article to pick up the phone, connect with their hunting friends and family and lock a hunt in the calendar. It is a great opportunity to check-in, clear the head and take time to invest in our own wellbeing and conversations with those we care for.

Enjoy your next hunt and be a part of closing the gap in your hunting community.

Mental fitness is just as important as our physical fitness. We encourage you to check out more from The Fly Program and even book a mental fitness retreat with us in the NSW Snowy Mountains this year.

It is important for us to consider the direct and positive impact hunting has on our wellbeing