What is it to you?

I was thinking about Bowhunting and when I was scouting an area of Public land that I am going to hunt and I thought about what that was like.
The only thing I can think of is to compare it to the book, "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe".
If you are not familiar it is a story about a family of kids playing hide and seek when one of the children hides in a wardrobe and when he closes the door he realizes he is in a new and completely different world.
I thought how as I stepped out of my vehicle the place I was stepping into was a whole new different world.
The sights, the sounds the smells, the colors, the feeling of the woods floor under my feet, the energy of the woods. All of these things hit me all at the same time. It was overwhelming and calming all in the same moment.
I live in the suburbs outside of Syracuse NY. Wow, is it different there than in my new hunting spot! I teach at a high school not far from my Public land area and Wow is it different than my new hunting spot! All hustle and bustle!
I choose to be a traditional Bowhunter because I really love tradition.
I want to be simple.
Now simple does not mean easy!
I have worked very hard to be a good enough shot that I feel I can take a game animal. I have worked really hard to put together my equipment, a lot of which I made myself. I studied and read and participated on sites such as this one to become as good as I can be.
I look to the challenge of woodsmanship, and pursuing my quarry on their terms, in their home environment, their skills against mine. Returning to the past times when these skills meant eating or not. Getting up close and personal. Enjoying the ride as much if not more than the actual harvest.
As I stepped out of my vehicle it was like stepping out of the darkness and into the light.
Back in time, when life was simple and not so complex and hustled like it is now.

How, what is it for you?

well said, its about the same for me.

The woods and water are therapy for me. I also feel closer to God when I'm in the woods, in awe of His creation.

The outdoors has always been a special place for me. Somewhere that was free from all that the world can throw at you. It has a spiritual component for sure , one I dont really understand all the way, other than being in Gods creation is an absolute reward.

Making my own gear has always been a major part of it all for me too since I was a kid...bows to fly rods...I have always appreciated Native American Culture and their approach to nature. Being a part of it rather than dominating it in an arrogant way, and maintaing the respect for it that it truly deserves.

Harvesting creatures for food, and using their hides etc for memories has always had a special allure for me too. A trophy is for me anything that rekindles a special time...scores on big racks are cool, but not by any means the most important component of this all.

I feel sorrow for the new generation of hunters that places so much value on things that were given by our creator for our pleasure and use. And making "the kill" or perfect antlers or horns some sort of real denominator for value...For me the most memorable times are ones of enjoying good meals w/ my family provided by a harvest, being in the mountains in September with the aspens all golden and a bull Elk bugling in the distance. Or having gin clear water run by my boots in a favorite stream.

thats what it is for me.

Thank you all for the responses.
These responses are great!
I feel closer to the Creator as well and, it very definatly calms me for sure.
Wandering Monk, welcome to the site!
This is a very Spritual place for me as we'll, and the connection to Native Americans is something that has influenced me and had a lasting effect on how I perceive and look at things.
It seems you think some what like I do. Again welcome to this site.

There must be more out there! 

Yep it's like another world, even if I'm only 100 yards off the road. Amazing how you can go from peace and quiet to rush hour traffic in about a minute.  

To me it's the real world. Nothing phoney, no gimmicks, no free rides..it is what it is.