 Ghost of the Hunt
By Kurt Zuelsdorf Most big bucks have their place on walls in dens or over fireplace mantles. Mine hang in a different place. As we pulled through the ancient oak tree trellis gate of Wekiva Falls on the eve of opening day at Rock Springs Run, clouds of sulphur rose from the springhead, growing pungent as they blended into the Florida mist. As with nearly every hunting eve, I rummage through my memory banks and find old childhood hunting trips. Any other time of year, these memories appear a little tattered, torn, and cloudy, but today they are as clear as cinema. Growing up, I usually tried to stay away from all the “missed” opportunities so as not to psych myself out for the next day, but they were there, every one. My first miss was on opening day of my first deer gun season, a long time ago. I got to sit with my dad in the stump of a giant marsh oak where he had hunted for 25 openers. Armed with an old Stevens 20-gauge bolt-action shotgun, I somehow figured it would be a good time to take the bolt out and tinker. Little did I realize the opening light was upon us. The night drifted into half-light, revealing a nice doe standing broadside about 20 yards away. My dad, unaware of what I was doing, coached me to take my time and squeeze one down the barrel. “Okay, now!” he ordered. I began to reassemble the breech, bolt, and clip with the precision and speed of a first-year army officer on a pistol test. When he looked down and caught me fumbling, I could see his eyes pop in disbelief. “What the heck are you doing?” he asked. I responded, “I just wanted to see how it worked…” My dad then raised his shotgun and fired. I shouldered my weapon and fired shortly after. I missed. Meanwhile, the doe just stood there, wondering where the sound was coming from. I jacked another round into the chamber and took my time. Missed again. The deer finally realized where we were and bolted. My third and final shot was probably five feet over her back as she bounded through the canary grass. At first, I couldn’t look up at him. I could hardly stand the thought of my dad staring down at me in disappointment for blowing my first opportunity at a deer. I fought back my emotions, which slid into sadness, then tears. Slowly, I pulled my chin out of my jacket and nervously looked out from under my wool cap, only to find my dad staring back at me with one of the friendliest smiles I’d ever seen. “Well, that was fun!” he said with enthusiasm. “Don’t worry about not getting that one. It’s not always about the ones that hang in the trophy room or fill the freezer,” he added. On that day, I didn’t understand what he was talking about. In 1998, a good stiff bout of morning wood was ruined when the call came from the nearby tent that it was time to get up. Not knowing the area beyond aerial photos and maps, I planned on taking the simple approach. Many a time, the big trophies on opening day run through the parking lot, so I sought out the nearest, biggest tree, believing that animals use landmarks generation after generation. I quickly found the perfect oak about 100 yards from the truck. It was massive, with thick branches that grew horizontally about 10 feet up. With little effort, I was in position, overlooking a thicket that connected the hardwoods to the swampland. Everything looked good until the first truck came along and spotted me sitting on a limb overhanging the dirt road. By the time they reached me, you’d have thought they were attending a comedy show. The driver was wheezing with laughter, and the other was sobbing. When they got directly below me, one poked his head out, looked up with tears streaming down his cheek, and asked, “Seen anything? Nice stand ya got there!” Then they drove off. Not trusting my sweet spot, I bailed out of the tree before the next traffic show began. I slowly walked down the road to a trail that took me to higher ground. Now about 100 yards from the wise old oak, I turned to see the biggest Florida buck I’d ever seen standing in the road, right below the limb I had just left! His beautiful white rack pierced the fog, and his majestic body stood bold and unstartled. At that very second, that trophy became forever mine! Now it hangs on the wall of my mind with a plaque that reads, “There’s no way I could have missed!” I haven’t missed since then, but I suppose a few more may follow—not without the swearing, cussing, foot-stomping, grief, sorrow, and second-guessing that accompany such would-be tragedies. I finally understand what my dad was talking about in that old, worn-out oak stump, and I’m really quite pleased. So many times, we dream of the deer we’d like to bag and hang on the walls of our offices and homes to remind us of the successes of the hunt. But I’d like to think the real trophies are the ones we missed, the ones that stir our emotions and burn memories into the pages of our minds. I can try to describe them. I can tell the stories over and over again, with little or big variations, but one thing remains true—and I think you’ll agree—you can still see ‘em!  The Woods Weren’t My Retreat—They Were My Elixir
By Kurt Z I didn’t grow up in a whirlwind of noise and pressure, I stumbled into the woods and found a pulse I couldn’t shake. From day 1 those wild places became my obsession, my lifeblood. Now, science is finally catching up to what hunters and outdoors folk have felt in their bones for generations: the wild is medicine. It’s not just balm for the soul—it’s a tonic for the body, a spark for the mind, a fire for the spirit. Every step into the forest or cast across the water does more than chase game or hook fish. It’s a ritual that recalibrates us. The woods strip away the static of modern life, sharpening focus like a blade on a whetstone. They demand patience, keen observation, and raw presence—qualities that forge mental steel. Out there, we’re not juggling notifications or deadlines. We’re locked in, senses alive, tethered to the moment. The trees themselves are alchemists, exhaling phytoncides—nature’s own compounds that supercharge our immune systems, unleashing killer cells to battle disease. Maybe that’s why I was rarely sick, spending countless hours cradled by oaks or leaning against pines, their rough bark a quiet companion. Dawn’s crisp air, the rhythm of a hike, the gush of a stream washing across my hand—they reset our internal clocks, coaxing sleep into a steady cadence. And the hunt? It’s a primal spark, igniting testosterone and dopamine in ways no screen or cubicle ever could. Facing biting cold, gnawing discomfort, or the uncertainty of a missed shot builds a resilience that modern life can’t touch. It teaches us to adapt, to endure, to hush the inner grumbler—though, at my age, I’ve earned a few grumbles. When we hunt or fish, we’re not just feeding our bodies. We’re nourishing identity, purpose, and legacy. Those hours in the wild forge us into stewards. We become fierce guardians of the land, the rivers, the creatures we share it with. We fight for conservation, for ethics, for the truth carved in dirt and water. The woods and streams aren’t just playgrounds—they’re sacred trusts. For men like me—and maybe you too—the wild was never a hobby. It was a crucible, burning away the noise to reveal our truest selves. It showed us who we are when the world isn’t watching. And that’s why we old-timers keep returning, season after season, creaky joints and all. Not to escape—but because we’re addicted to becoming.  What a Hoot
By Kurt Z Picture this: you’re strolling through a twilight forest, the sky blushing with hues of lavender and tangerine, when a soft hoot slices through the hush. An owl, with eyes like twin moons, locks its gaze on you. Your heart skips a beat—because in Native American folklore, an owl encounter isn’t just a wildlife cameo; it’s a cosmic nudge, a feathered whisper from the spirit world. Across tribes, owls carry a kaleidoscope of meanings, from harbingers of wisdom to messengers of the unseen, each tale as vivid as a desert sunset. In many Native American traditions, the owl is a shape-shifter of the spiritual realm, cloaked in mystery like a starry night. For the Apache, an owl’s call might signal a warning, a heads-up from the ancestors to tread carefully—think of it as the universe’s version of a flashing red light. The Hopi see owls as guardians of the soul, guiding spirits through the shadowy veil between life and death. Imagine an owl perched silently, its feathers ruffling like pages in a sacred book, escorting a loved one’s spirit to the next chapter. Yet, for the Cherokee, an owl’s hoot could spell mischief, a sign that unseen forces are stirring up trouble. It’s like the forest’s own gossip column, spilling secrets from the ether. But let’s not paint the owl as just a spooky specter. In some tribes, like the Lakota, owls are wisdom-keepers, their wide-eyed stares brimming with ancient know-how. An encounter might mean the spirits are dropping knowledge, urging you to listen to that gut feeling you’ve been ignoring—like a celestial Post-it note saying, “Hey, trust your inner compass!” Whether it’s a warning, a guide, or a sage, an owl crossing your path is never just a coincidence. It’s a Technicolor invitation to pause, reflect, and tune into the universe’s wild, whispering frequency. So, next time those amber eyes find you, tip your hat to the owl—it’s got stories older than the pines and a message just for you. #OwlEncounter #NativeAmericanFolklore #SpiritualSignificance #WildlifeWisdom #TwilightForest #ApacheWarning #HopiSoulGuide #CherokeeMischief #LakotaWisdom #NatureSpirituality  The Mighty Acorn
by Kurt Z Picture this: the *Farmers' Almanac* and its sassy old-school folklore are out here whispering, “Whoa, Nelly! Look at those trees practically pelting the ground with a bazillion brown acorns this fall!” According to these rustic tales, that nutty avalanche means Mother Nature’s sending a not-so-subtle RSVP for a brutal winter—think snowpocalypse, teeth-chattering cold, and weather so wild it’d make a polar bear grab a parka. The idea? Squirrels are out there hoarding acorns like doomsday preppers, stashing snacks for a frosty showdown. But hold the hot cocoa—modern science is side-eying this nutty wisdom with a smirk. Turns out, these so-called “mast years” (when oaks go full Oprah, yelling, “You get an acorn! And YOU get an acorn!”) happen every 2–5 years because trees sync up like a forest flash mob. It’s less about forecasting blizzards and more about biology—pollination weather, tree vibes, and a clever trick called “predator satiation.” Oaks drop a gazillion nuts to overwhelm hungry critters like squirrels, deer, and birds, ensuring some acorns survive to sprout new trees. Wildlife gets a buffet, but winter? It’s not spilling the tea on that. So, while the squirrels are living their best nut-hoarding lives, don’t bet your snow shovel on a harsh winter just yet! Cultural and Spiritual Significance of a Large Acorn Crop
 GET UP! GET OUT! UNPLUG!
In an era where curated Instagram feeds and viral TikTok trends dominate our screens, a growing number of voices are expressing a profound sense of disillusionment with the modern world. For many, the pressure to conform to societal expectations and project an image of happiness masks a deeper struggle: the yearning to be authentically seen in a landscape that often feels superficial and orchestrated. Take Sarah, a 29-year-old graphic designer from Chicago, who recently shared her frustrations on social media. “It’s exhausting,” she wrote, “trying to be noticed for who I really am when everyone’s chasing likes and followers. It’s like we’re all living a life of fake happiness.” Her words resonate with a generation grappling with the tension between genuine self-expression and the shallow validation offered by digital platforms. The constant demand to perform—whether for algorithms, employers, or social circles—has left many feeling like actors in their own lives, disconnected from their true selves. This sense of inauthenticity extends beyond personal identity to the very systems shaping our perceptions. Across platforms like X, users are increasingly vocal about their skepticism of societal narratives peddled by institutions, media, and authority figures. “We’re taught to believe what we’re told, not what our gut says,” tweeted @TruthSeeker23, a sentiment echoed by thousands. From government policies to corporate advertising, many feel bombarded by messages designed to override their instincts in favor of compliance. Some go further, pointing to what they call “media psyops”—deliberate psychological operations orchestrated by powerful entities to manipulate public opinion and behavior. Dr. Emily Harper, a sociologist at NYU, explains this phenomenon. “We’re seeing a growing awareness of how information is weaponized,” she says. “Whether it’s sensationalized news cycles or algorithm-driven content, people feel like their reality is being shaped by forces they can’t control.” Her research highlights how media conglomerates and tech giants leverage psychological tactics to keep audiences engaged, polarized, or docile, often blurring the line between truth and manipulation. At the heart of this unrest lies a pervasive fear about technology’s role in eroding personal autonomy. With smart devices in nearly every pocket and home, concerns about surveillance and AI-driven manipulation are no longer fringe conspiracies but mainstream anxieties. A recent post on X warned, “The powered world listens through our devices and uses AI to nudge our thoughts and choices.” From targeted ads that seem to know too much to algorithms curating what we see online, the invisible hand of technology feels ever-present. A 2024 Pew Research study found that 68% of Americans believe their data is being used to manipulate their behavior, yet most feel powerless to opt out. For individuals like Sarah, this reality fuels a call to action. “I’m done just going along with it,” she says. “I’m trying to listen to my gut, to question what I’m fed.” Across the country, others are joining her, seeking to reclaim authenticity and intuition in a world that feels increasingly artificial. From digital detoxes to grassroots movements challenging institutional narratives, people are pushing back against the systems they believe obscure truth and stifle individuality. As the lines between reality and manipulation blur, the question remains: can we break free from the curated facades and hidden influences to live authentically? For now, the silent struggle continues, but voices like Sarah’s are growing louder—demanding to be heard, not just noticed.  Bobcat Encounters
by Kurt Z In Native American spirituality, a bobcat encounter holds varied significance across tribes, often tied to its traits as a solitary, elusive, and powerful animal. Generally, the bobcat symbolizes **intuition, independence, and stealth**. It’s seen as a guide for navigating life’s mysteries with keen perception and adaptability. Here are key spiritual meanings: - **Intuition and Awareness**: The bobcat’s sharp senses and nocturnal nature represent heightened intuition and the ability to see through deception or hidden truths. An encounter may signal a need to trust your instincts or pay attention to subtle signs in your environment. - **Independence and Solitude**: As a solitary creature, the bobcat embodies self-reliance and the strength to walk one’s path alone. It may encourage embracing personal power or taking time for introspection. - **Stealth and Strategy**: The bobcat’s silent hunting style symbolizes patience, timing, and strategic action. An encounter might suggest moving discreetly toward goals or conserving energy for the right moment. - **Protection and Mystery**: In some tribes, the bobcat is a guardian of sacred knowledge or a protector of spiritual realms. Its presence may indicate spiritual protection or an invitation to explore deeper mysteries. **Tribal Variations**: - In some Southwestern tribes, like the Hopi or Navajo, bobcats are linked to spiritual warriors or messengers, carrying warnings or guidance from the spirit world. - Among Plains tribes, the bobcat may symbolize cunning and survival, reflecting the need for resourcefulness in harsh environments. - In Eastern Woodland traditions, it’s often associated with secrecy and the ability to move unseen, encouraging discretion or vigilance. An encounter, whether in the wild, a dream, or as a recurring symbol, is often interpreted as a call to embrace these qualities or heed a specific message tailored to your life’s context. Reflect on your circumstances—what might the bobcat be urging you to notice or embody?  **Daylight on Whiteside**
By Kurt Z Ninety minutes to sunrise, and the coffee’s creeping into the crevasses of the Love Shack. Carol and I (mostly me) agreed my wonky sleep schedule, nightly pee strolls, and early-morning energy are best exiled to the barn. Yesterday was pure recovery mode from our chaotic travel. Harvey was up at 8, then crashed from 10 to 2 like a pro. We boys chilled on the porch, soaking in the calm. Ran down to Highlands to snag some fishing flies, only to hear the outfitters’ thick Southern drawl declare the water’s too warm for bites—give it a month. Never heard a twang so rich it could season grits! Quick grocery store raid, then back up the hill. Post-lunch, my emotional and physical detox shifted into overdrive with an unplanned colonoscopy prep—rivaling my worst from seven years ago! Waddling from the big house, I dropped my phone and got marooned on the Shack’s throne for 90 entertainment-free minutes. Poor porcelain. My sinuses are also throwing a fit over the elevation, moisture, and pollen explosion. As I scribble this, a half-box of soggy tissues lies crumpled at my feet on the porch, waiting for daylight on The Old Man. Gotta say, Whiteside Mountain’s ever-changing colors and moods keep me hooked. Through the spotting scope, we spied hikers cresting the peak and a climber working an upper wall—thrilling stuff! I’ll save my rant about the eerie lack of birds, wildlife, or sound at 3,576 feet for another day. **Hiking Whiteside:** After 3 p.m., fresh diaper in tow, the fam hit Highlands proper. You know the vibe—stumble, mumble, gawk, and hunt for the best margarita. Dave’s dead-set on a fancy dinner this week, but our recon mission yielded no consensus. My only stop? Bardo. Pure bliss. Highlight of the day: watching yuppie outdoorsy types scatter to their $200k rigs when a thick cloud bank rolled through town like a Stephen King flick. Harvey and I stood there, tongues out, tasting the mist. “Grampa, I can taste the clouds!” he says. We turned around to find ourselves alone in a mountainside ghost town. Perfect hiking weather all week! Whether my creaky knee’s up for the big climb is TBD. Either way, my sunrise chore of collecting a suspicious number of beer cans from last night’s fire pit ritual is training enough. Onward and upward, sir!  Whispers in the Moss
by Kurt Z The Earth beneath pulses with a quiet, ancient energy. I wasn’t prepared for what came next. At the foot of a weathered granite gate pillar, I found something. When my fingers brushed against those old reading glasses, half-buried under 75 years of spongy moss, whose shiny frame worn dull by decades of rain and wind, the air changed—sharp with the flavor of pine and soil, heavy with elevation. I almost dismissed it as coincidence, a forgotten relic in the entangled terrain of the forest floor. But the moment I touched them, something shifted. It was as if the glasses held whispers of their past—a flicker of someone’s life, their joys, their losses, etched into the cracked lenses. You ever touch an old object and feel flashes of its history? It’s like the earth itself is sharing its secrets, grounding you in a moment that stretches beyond time. It wasn’t just a pair of glasses, it was a tether to something deeper, something alive. A bobcat’s shadow flickered in the underbrush, silent but watching. A bird’s call sliced through the stillness, and a snake’s slow glide across the moss seemed to hum with purpose. This wasn’t just a place; it was a pulse, a living memory I could hear a voice, “You can turn back now… or step forward and let the earth pull you in.” I’m not pretending to be some mystic—pretentious, I’m not. But intuitive? Yes. There’s a rhythm here, a grounding force that speaks if you listen. It’s in the turtle’s steady crawl, the hummingbird’s frenetic dance, the way the spongy moss cushions your steps like it’s holding you up. Time faded as I breathed in the flavor of the air—crisp, alive, grounding me to this moment, this place. The earth doesn’t just hold you; it teaches you to belong.  Living in the Clouds of Whiteside Mountain
by Kurt Z High above the rolling valleys of Western North Carolina, Whiteside Mountain pierces the heavens, its sheer granite cliffs cloaked in mist that feels like a whisper from the ancient past. Being here, in the clouds that drape the mountain’s 4,900-foot summit, is to dwell in a world where earth and sky blur into one. The air is sharp, scented with pine and damp moss, and the silence is broken only by the cry of a peregrine falcon, a crow, or the distant rumble of thunder. The landscape is a tapestry of rugged beauty—jagged outcrops, dense forests of rhododendron, and streams that carve their way through time itself. To call this place home is to feel both humbled and elevated, as if you’re suspended between the mortal world and something far older, far wiser. The Cherokee, who have walked these lands for millennia, knew Whiteside Mountain as a sacred place, a realm where spirits lingered. Their name for it, “Kûwâ′hĭ,” meaning “mulberry place,” hints at the abundance of the land, but their stories speak of deeper mysteries. Local folklore tells of the “Little People,” or Yunwi Tsunsdi, mischievous yet protective spirits said to inhabit the mountain’s crevices. These beings, no taller than a child, were believed to guide lost hunters or play tricks on those who disrespected the land. Elders spoke of strange lights flickering on the cliffs at night, attributed to the Little People’s fires, a reminder that the mountain was never truly yours—it belonged to forces older than memory. To BE here is to sense their presence, a quiet reminder to tread lightly and honor the earth. Whiteside’s history is also etched with the footsteps of the Cherokee’s Trail of Tears, a somber thread in its story. In the 1830s, as the U.S. government forced the Cherokee from their ancestral lands, these mountains stood witness to their sorrow. Some hid in the dense coves and cliffs, resisting removal, their resilience woven into the mountain’s spirit. Today, living among the clouds of Whiteside feels like a communion with those who came before. You wake to sunrises that paint the ridges gold, hike trails where warriors once walked, and listen to the wind carrying tales of the Little People and the enduring strength of a people who called this place home long before the clouds became your roof.  Sweet Mountain Rain
by Kurt Z In the shadow of the ancient Man, where the mountain shower descended like a mischievous sprite's laughter, I trudged onward, my Brazilian tarp hat—a weathered relic from a forgotten Rio market—clinging stubbornly to my brow. Rain dripped off it in rhythmic Morse code, each plink a reminder of storms I’ve outrun too many times, but not today!. A pause by the babbling brook that flanked the trail, its waters gossiping secrets to the mossy stones, frothy with the thrill of unchecked freedom. "Why flee what refreshes?" the brook seemed to whisper?”. Indeed why run from something completely harmless yet so invigorating—a downpour that stripped away pretenses, leaving you raw and alive, like a secret you'd confessed to the wind. High above, a pair of peregrine falcon sliced the veil of mist with effortless disdain, its wings carving stoic arcs against the gray. It didn't bother with the squall; to the falcon, the mountain shower was merely a sweet shower between hunts, a brief interlude before the next stoop into oblivion. So why not me? I envy that nonchalance, watching them vanished into the roiling clouds, shadows among shadows. The rain, undeterred, pattered on, inviting surrender rather than sprint. Perhaps the real cleverness lay not in evasion, but in dancing through the deluge—hat askew, brookside echoes urging me to embrace the harmless thrill that made a pulse sing like that distant, diving raptor. |
AuthorKurt Zuelsdorf. Published author, Urban Tracker, Outdoor Enthusiast & Kayak Nature Adventures Owner Operator Archives
September 2025
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