Interesting perspective, Lloyd. I think it was more likely true for our generation than it is today. I didn't grow up hardscrabble, but my father certainly did. We always had food to eat, but meat was limited. My mother only fried half a chicken for our family of 4 and we each got one piece.
The exception to that was fish and game, and then I usually got all I wanted. There were no deer or turkeys when I was born, but they finally both had huntable numbers when I was about 10 and it was great to get one. Not only my father hunted and fished, but both grandfathers and all 6 of my uncles. It was just something we were expected to do, just like working in the garden and the fields
My children had the opportunity to hunt and fish, but it was optional to them. I carried 2 of my granddaughters fishing this morning and we are going to eat the fish we caught for dinner. That will be an unusual experience for them.
I grew up with the understanding that the purpose of hunting and fishing was to put food on the table. It's been decades since it made economic sense to do either, but I still have the desire to go. But I can't shake the idea that the purpose is to provide food. I don't have much desire to pursue anything I can't eat. I will chase a turkey for miles, but hiking seems pointless.
I think the world is passing me by, but I feel blessed to have gotten to live my life in the era that I have.
