Hunting is hard. Flat out. It takes patience, courage, and grit. More often than not you are left with an unfilled tag in your pocket and a long walk back to the truck. So why do it? Why put in so much time, money and effort if percentages do not go in your favor? I know why I do it. I do it because the effort it takes to successfully harvest an animal is unlike any other feeling in life. Because with no risk there can be no reward. It is what makes hunting and harvesting your own meat so special.
Being new to hunting, I constantly second guess myself and have doubt about if I am doing the right thing, especially since I never had a mentor to bounce questions off of. It is my weakness. It is the internal battle that I struggle with when hunting. Have you ever had questions about what others would do in certain situations? Maybe you catch yourself not staying in the game mentally. I know I often do. I find myself double guessing a move or a plan of attack when I hunt. Whether you are new or experienced, hunting can be frustrating and defeating.
This series is meant to be a way to inspire, educate and motivate you when it comes to hunting. Hopefully the advice and insight shared by our guests can help you feel like you are not alone in your struggle against the wild, while you build confidence in your chase.
WBC: What is your name?
Christian: Christian Armstrong. Most people know and refer to me as “Rev”, which is short for Reverend – due to my innate nature of “preaching” or sharing my disposition in a passionate and unique way.
WBC: Where are you from and where do you currently live?
Christian: Born and raised in Western Oregon. Only time I have spent away was during my time in service with the U.S. Army.
WBC: What is your day job?
Christian: I am a Journeyman Electrician for a small family owned outfit out of Springfield, OR.
WBC: Do you have any family or pets?
Christian: Yes, I have a beautiful Wife, 2 sons (5 and 10), twins due this September, and our 1 year old GSP, Mila.
WBC: How and why did you get started into hunting?
Christian: I was raised by my father in the outdoors. As a kid, I was introduced to fishing and rifle hunting mule deer in central Oregon. It was a yearly ritual to head over, set up base camp, and hunt with my brothers, uncle, cousins, grandpa, and family friends. Those were defining moments that lead to me branching out later on in life to pick up a bow and really dig deep to learn more about hunting.
WBC: Did you have a hunting mentor? What did you learn from them and or what did you want or wished to learn from them?
Christian: My Father. He taught me everything from how to shoot a rifle to how to process game. He will always be the greatest hunter that I know, and his ability to track and hunt Mule deer will always inspire and motivate me to become better at whatever I do.
WBC: What has been your favorite hunt? Why?
Christian: Arguably, my wife’s first rifle hunt in 2018. Watching her develop an understanding and passion for what I do, meant the world to me. Seeing her natural instincts start to develop, and her willingness to explore the lifestyle I am passionate about, was so rewarding for me.
WBC: What has been your biggest struggle when it comes to hunting?
Christian: Learning how to accept struggle and losses as gains. Understanding that mother nature has no rule book and that every second spent pursuing these phenomenal animals of North America is a blessing. You have to submit your vanity and pride to truly become the greatest hunter possible.
WBC: Our strengths can also be our weaknesses. What are your weaknesses that can inhibit you on your hunts?
Christian: My impatience and inability to quit. Sometimes, it’s better to sit back and wait out a storm or pull back off a stalk to wait for better conditions. My ambition has hurt me, just as much as it has helped me in many scenarios.
WBC: What piece of gear can you not hunt without?
Christian: That’s definitely conditional on the hunt, but without a doubt my Superfeet insoles. My back, hips, and legs got pretty jacked up during my time of service. I can hunt twice as hard, twice as long, twice as far with those in any pair of boots.
WBC: What is your favorite place to hunt and or species?
Christian: So far I have only ever hunted my home state of Oregon, and I am addicted to hunting Elk. The unique thing about being a PNW resident, is the opportunity to hunt different species. I love hunting the east, with the big draws, canyons and basins of the Rocky Mountain Elk, but have been getting pulled west with the challenge and reward of figuring out the Olympic Roosevelts. Those Elk are a whole different breed, and have so much character and drive its incredible.
WBC: What is one piece of advice you would have liked to have or know when you first started hunting?
Christian: You’re gonna fail more than you’d ever like to admit. You need to learn to value it and grow from each circumstance that is presented. Enjoy the process and love the experiences along the way. Honor the traditions of being a hunter with integrity, and share the wonders of outdoors with others to enjoy and pursue as much as you can. Just like all things in life, anything worth having, never comes easy.
WBC: What is your social media account handles or website?
Christian: You can find me on on Instagram @reverend.armstrong.
We want to thank Christian for sharing his insight and thoughts. If you want to know more about Christian and what he does, be sure to follow along on his journey by checking out his Instagram account.
If you enjoyed reading the article or can think of anyone that could benefit from the insight given, please share it with others. It is “OUR” job to continue the growth of the hunting and outdoor community. Be sure to invite someone to start hunting with you. You never know what type of impact it may have for them and their life. Remember, mentorship is conservation and you cannot out give good.
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