Totems

[tailfeather]

#5290

I don’t usually talk with folks about some of these things as they’re kind of personal, but many of you seem to be kindred spirits and if you can’t relate, you can at least overlook my craziness.:D

Does anyone have an animal that, when seen, seems to indicate good things around the corner? A totem, so to speak? For me, it’s a gray fox…..when I see one while hunting, I almost always see game and have a great hunt. It’s uncanny how often it has happened….I’ve watched them touch noses with deer, feed with deer, etc. Really cool animals.

Only slightly related, but I made a small medicine bag out of braintan….used to hunt with one years ago, and wanted to again. Inside I placed some special things…..a lock of my child’s hair, juniper berry from near an old Kiva, red flint chip from a special campsite, pebble from my Father’s grave, a sage sprig and corn. Just feels right and good to wear…..Anybody else have anything special you wear or take hunting?

[grumpy]

#39129

Have different hats for different things, ie fishing hunting, concerts, etc

[Etter1]

#39154

I carry rocks from different places and relocate them. Apparently Reg Darling has been copying me for a long time.:D

I’ve kept a few.

Tuscarora Forest in PA

Several from Quebec

Sawtooths in Idaho

Chattooga River GA

Jasus Creek GA

Tallulah Gorge GA

etc etc

[Etter1]

#39218

Also, I have, since birth, felt an incredibly magnetism for black bears. If I were a creature, other than a human, I would be an Ursus.

[paleoman]

#39247

Squirrels always seem to precede everything…so no, I wish I had something like your gray fox. On the other hand I do carry an arrowhead fragment I found locally for the connection. Good post. You can’t get this stuff in a catalog.

[James Harvey]

#39287

The first animal I ever killed with a bow and arrow was a duck. I kept one of her feathers which I tied to my bow to honour her and remind me of how bad I felt killing her (it should have been a clue that I would end up trad, that I was tying a feather to my compound bow when my friends were attaching pin sights and stabilizers). I’d like to do the same with my longbow. Hopefully it’s first kill will be a bunny or a fox or something… I don’t want a pigs foot hanging off my bow 😕 😉

I always take wise old crow as a good omen. If he’s hanging around he must be optimistic for me. Or he thinks I’m so dumb I’ll break my leg and he can peck out my eyeballs 😆

[tailfeather]

#39300

I dunno, Jim….a nice curly pig tail or muddy, floppy sow ear may look right fancy hanging from that bow.:D

[Ben M.]

#39360

Go after the camel first, Jim. Hang its toe from your bow.

Cooper’s hawk, Tailfeather. Cooper’s hawk. They almost always make an appearance during especially great hunts, and I note their presence every time.

[Brennan Herr]

#39410

Great Horned Owl for me…I see them constantly while hunting and have always held then in high regard. Last month while working I located one off the side of the road. I turned and stopped my car and saw he was injured. I was able to cover him with my jacket and used the heavy insulated leather gloves we carry in the trunks of our cars and put him in the back of the car. I took him to a nearby animal rehab center but he only made it a few days. He had a nearly amputated wing and punctured lung. I was glad to have helped him and to see him so close was a great gift. Simply wonderful. Wish he had made it.

[Wolfshead]

#39832

I have always felt a connection with Native American beliefs(Spirituality for lack of a better term).

It is extremely coincidental as I have been reflecting a lot about this lately. Kindred spirits I guess so.

Animal totems seem to appear regularly for me. I seem to be connected with Redtail Hawks, Great Blue Herons and Crows.

It always seems that one (or more)of these birds appear before or after something of significance. It seems more than coincidental as they seem to really make their presence known….

I am still trying to interpret their meanings if such exist.

I also have an affinity towards Wolves too! 😉

The medicine bag is interesting as well. Right now I have experiences to complete before I take care of that one.

Very, very interesting thread!

[Stephen Graf]

#39900

Wood Thrush for me. Seems every time I am in the woods, there is a thrush nearby. It doesn’t portend anything, because they are always there.

And unlike the squirrels which are always there, but could care less if I am, the thrush seem interested in me and seem to watch me the whole time. Makes me feel a little self-conscious 😳

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#39960

“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,

Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before…”

[james gilmer]

#39967

I also carry a medicine bag. in it is a spear point a rancher in ND gave me many years ago. with each new kill i touch it to the wound and feel connected to the hunter who carried it a long ago. I also carry tobacco to offer to the spirit of the animal . A unique bit of crystal my wife gave me years ago and the leg of a bard owl.

The owl is my totem

[William Warren]

#40128

I’m not sure if there is any native American blood in these veins but there is no doubt at all about my Scottish heritage. These ancient people who lived close to the earth also shared a belief in the spirits of the earth, often carrying something on their person into battle or on a hunt. Today’s translation of this is that of a “badge” and was believed to protect the wearer from harm. My badge is the firclub moss.

“No sprite can slay me,

No arrow can pierce me,

No fay or dun nymph can tear my flesh,

The firclub moss is on my person”

I also believe I am attracted to certain animals and they to me. The crow, the wren, the wood thrush, the Coopers Hawk are the birds. The squirrel, the fence lizard, the toad, and the box turtle are the animals. These together may make up my totem as each has its own attributes. The crow and the squirrel are gatherers. The hawk, wren, lizard, toad and turtle are hunters. See like the hawk. Persevere like the wren. Stealth like the lizard. Be still like the toad. Move slowly like the turtle and observe the things that will never see you. The crow, the wood thrush, the wren, and the squirrel entertain and console me. They also raise alarm. They have my back so to speak.

[Troy Warner]

#40131

I haven’t shared this with anyone else except my close friend and hunting partner, from SW Colorado, that also knew and hunted with my brother.

When my brother died in ’95, my dad, brothers and I spread his ashes at his faverite nap taking pond in the mountains of SW Colorado. While spreading the ashes we were gathered around just remembering Steve through stories of our times with him, when a pair of Coyotes came out of the woods on the far side of the pond and went past us at a slow trot never seeming to pay us any mind at all, it seemed to us that they were welcoming our brother home. I have never been able to bring a rifle to my shoulder or even draw a bow on any coyote I have seen with the intent to do harm, even before spreading Steve’s ashes but especially since.

Ever since, just before seeing game, during hunting, or just after a good shot one Coyote makes an appearance.

I feel connected to my brother through this cunning survivor of human encroachment.

Telling this now brings fond memory’s to my mind and tears to my eyes…..

I also carry a “medicine bag” with special items in it.

[garydavis]

#40183

I’m honored to read these very personal posts. Thank you all for sharing them.

Like Mr. Smithhammer, the raven is special to me and sightings are fortunately a daily event here on this patch of the island where I live.

I’ve tried to imagine a thread such as this thoughtful one on other sites I’ve visited and it’s just not the kind of awareness I would expect to see there. Thanks again.

[shreffler]

#40405

I’ve never gotten any sort of reading on my animal totem or anything like that but ever since I’ve been in the woods I’ve had a certain feeling of closeness with black bears.

It’s just something I can feel deep down that it’s almost like we’re somehow connected.

[Etter1]

#40416

Steve Graf wrote: Wood Thrush for me. Seems every time I am in the woods, there is a thrush nearby. It doesn’t portend anything, because they are always there.

And unlike the squirrels which are always there, but could care less if I am, the thrush seem interested in me and seem to watch me the whole time. Makes me feel a little self-conscious 😳

My very very favorite bird song. I’ve spent hundreds of hours sitting in a tree in the boreal forest of Quebec listening to that eery, flute-like song.

[skinner biscuit]

#40448

For me it’s the mountain lion.My wife pointed it out to me as I have quite a collection of black panther figures.I have a mountain lion leather stamp that I put on my homemade bow holder.(the pocket for the bow tip on parracord tied to the belt) and on my armguard as well.Just for luck and stealth as a hunter.I always get as much meat as possible from a kill (I butcher myself) and never throw away wild meat (I’ll finish the kid’s plate) out of respect for the animal.To waste is taboo.To consume a religious experience.

[William Warren]

#40602

etter1 wrote: [quote=Steve Graf]Wood Thrush for me. Seems every time I am in the woods, there is a thrush nearby. It doesn’t portend anything, because they are always there.

And unlike the squirrels which are always there, but could care less if I am, the thrush seem interested in me and seem to watch me the whole time. Makes me feel a little self-conscious 😳

My very very favorite bird song. I’ve spent hundreds of hours sitting in a tree in the boreal forest of Quebec listening to that eery, flute-like song.

They are migrants and some usually nest here. But I’ve not heard them at all this year.

[David Fudala]

#41325

I don’t know if there’s a spiritual connection to them for me but, one of my favorite critters to encounter during a hunt are the nuthatches. I have always enjoyed watching them do their thing and listening to their calling just makes me smile. It seems over the years I’ve been able to tell by their calls whether or not there are other animals in the area, perhaps a learned observation or perhaps a deeper connection? I’m not intelligent enough to challenge either theory. Nor would I want to. What I need to know, is I feel better when they’re around and they stay here year ’round so I can always look forward to seeing them. That’s all the connection I need. If it is truly deeper? Than I am a very lucky person!

[Ralph]

#41351

Very good Bruce, the wisdom of Poe!

`’Tis some visitor,’ I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door –

Only this, and nothing more.’

I’ll add a little, only me tapping at nature’s door. There is a spirit within me that is of nature. She and it must unite and I’m lucky to be along for the ride.

I don’t know why but when I see coyotes it makes my day. I know when they’re moving about others are too. Or will be if the coyote’s having a good day 😀

[Bunyan Morris]

#41523

This may seem a strange choice since I love to hunt them as much as any animal on earth, but the eastern wild turkey is my totem.

I keep feathers from turkeys on the dash of my truck. I take feathers to school for my students to make art.

Wild turkeys have appeared to me during the off season in several peculiar ways. Once while hunting whitetails in the fall, a thunderstorm was in the distance. I had at least three different gobblers gobbling to every clap of thunder. I know this is a natural phenomenon, but I saw several deer that morning and had already experienced a heavy footed deer walk right by me before daylight.

It seems a sense of belonging to the woods always comes over me in their presence. Maybe its because if the turkey does not see me or does not mind me being around, then I’ve truly been accepted by the forest.

Etter I do the rock relocation thing too.:) However, I don’t limit it to rocks. It can be anything special that I’ve found in the woods. I call it borrowing.

[Mark Turton]

#42214

I have a short length of bow cord with an old stone bead on it, its only the size of a pea so how I saw it I don’t know, I’m told its prehistory but difficult to date, often wonder how it was used.

On the same cord is a small silver skull that was on the fringes of a friends leathers when he hit a fuel spill at well over 100 mph he walked away without a scratch so I hope there is some good luck attached to this.

Next to me I have a pebble from a canoe trip that I took with my daughter.

Memory stones work well for me just by looking at them they create a map in my mind.

I like to take sometime when hunting just to sit, meditate if you like and if I’m ‘really in the zone’ as the young folks might say, animals and birds just seem to accept me especially pheasants but then they are stupid so don’t know what that says about me, deer grazing within feet and quite aware of my presence, crows skipping about all appear to just accept me.

Always like to have a knife and a silver coin about me for fear of dying without one, have a silver Crown that my grandfather carried throughout WW1, he was a boy bugler at 14 or 15, 16 when it all kicked off.

Like others have said I don’t speak about the above and its weird to see it in print but feel I’m in good company.

Mark.

[Col Mike]

#42838

Like others have said I don’t speak about the above and its weird to see it in print but feel I’m in good company.

Mark.

Mark that you are–and well said.

Mike

[Wolfshead]

#44848

Well, just today my Fiancé and I had just picked up our wedding bands from the silversmith as we had them custom made.

As I drove on the on ramp to the highway there were two Redtail Hawks performing what looked to be the Thatch Weave low in the sky just in front of us….

Just like I mentioned I seem to be visited by them when something of signicance happens.

Made me feel pretty good!

I took it as a good sign!

[tombow]

#44879

There ARE others who are as I am. I don’t have any direct associations between seeing an animal and then realizing good luck that has happened after seeing said-animal. If there was one I would have to pick, it is the Pine Marten, I have gotten inspected several times as I sat in a tree.

This thread brings up several thoughts: I too have always had great respect for the Native American vision of our connection to the earth and the animals, plants and nature all around us. As I gaze around the house, there are Eastern Wild Turkey feathers accenting wall hangings and art in every room of our house and there are wing feathers in the shades of both our trucks.

As I have noted and said many times, there is something unique about the thinking of those who are chosen by the stick and string simplicity of what is defined as “Traditional” archery (Original Archery, no?) and I swim well in the deep pools of earthly knowledge that are offered to me by others of my ilk. Sharers of the connection between ourselves and our environment, collectors of associations between ourselves and animals around us. Heady stuff for sure but I feel these connections within myself. Thank you for the opportunity to feel the kindred spirits which have been around me but unrealized.

Best of Luck, may each hunt, each shot, each effort you make relating to archery and your love and respect of nature bring you satisfaction and peace.

[BuckyT]

#50396

Guess I’m a simple redneck from Ga compared to you enlightened fellas! 😆

I always carry a buckeye with me. That’s about it.

I like to see Bobcats. I’ve had some really good hunts seeing them in the past. Plus, they’re my favorite predator in the woods.

Also, I’ve had some good hunts seeing Fox Squirrels. Everytime I see a Fox Squirrel, I’m expecting to see a deer very shortly.

[Ralph]

#50420

Hey Tombow. Me and a pine martin have a bit of an issue. Only one hungry one though. I’d hiked three miles into a series of lakes on the Grand Mesa, fishing, had my gear laying up on the bank a ways behind me and was tending to my fishing business when I heard some noise. That hungry pine martin was starring me right in the eye with both my sandwiches half eaten and the rest hanging out of his mouth. Dang. I had an issue with him for sure. You’d think after 40 yrs. though I’d have forgotten and forgiven. :D:D I have! Forgiven anyway. Hell, those guys gotta work harder for lunch than I. Didn’t consider that on that day though.

It is totally amazing to watch the agility of both squirrels and pine martins as the martin is trying to catch lunch. Feed a martin, save a squirrel. Kind of a “green” day. 😀

Was a good fishing day. Skeeters feasted well that day also.

[William Warren]

#50809

BuckyT wrote: Guess I’m a simple redneck from Ga compared to you enlightened fellas! 😆

I always carry a buckeye with me. That’s about it.

I like to see Bobcats. I’ve had some really good hunts seeing them in the past. Plus, they’re my favorite predator in the woods.

Also, I’ve had some good hunts seeing Fox Squirrels. Everytime I see a Fox Squirrel, I’m expecting to see a deer very shortly.

I used to pick up a fresh buckeye if I saw any while out scouting. Then I’d carry it until the season went out. After that I’d add it to my little buckeye collection. You know those things are pretty toxic so don’t let the kids play with them unless they are old enough to understand not to take a taste.

[Ralph]

#50834

OK, you made this Texas Panhandle redneck look up “buckeye”

Nuts to you:lol::lol::lol:

Thanks, my curiosity always working.

[Etter1]

#50836

Duncan wrote: [quote=BuckyT]Guess I’m a simple redneck from Ga compared to you enlightened fellas! 😆

I always carry a buckeye with me. That’s about it.

I like to see Bobcats. I’ve had some really good hunts seeing them in the past. Plus, they’re my favorite predator in the woods.

Also, I’ve had some good hunts seeing Fox Squirrels. Everytime I see a Fox Squirrel, I’m expecting to see a deer very shortly.

I used to pick up a fresh buckeye if I saw any while out scouting. Then I’d carry it until the season went out. After that I’d add it to my little buckeye collection. You know those things are pretty toxic so don’t let the kids play with them unless they are old enough to understand not to take a taste.

Beautiful little trees. They look sort of like another plant that I adore.

I’ve carried them for luck as well, but eventually they always shrivel up like a raisin.

[Author]

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