Wildlife Wall Decor

Once again the “Spirit of America” is finding it’s way back into the forests, the wilderness, and our surrounding landscape.  I’m seeing more eagles, bison, and wolves as I travel thoughout the untamed lands of USA. 

Driven almost to extinction, these three wildlife images represent America’s freedom more than we realize.  The eagle symbolizes the swiftness and deadly efficency through flight much like our Airforce.  The bison symbolizes the gentle strength with a powerful resourse representing the capabilities that unites our Armed Forces.  And the wolf is the symbol of cunning leadership, wise, alert, with the ability to attack any enemy with deadly force.   These three once again maintain their freedom to roam in safe numbers as they represent the Spirit of America.   

Do you know if you have the right gun to hunt down a big game animal?  To capture that wildlife wall art trophy to decorate your home or den, you best be sure you carry the weapon that brings that wild animal down.

I recently read an article written by Haunes Wessels, June/July of 2008, pages 91-94 called “Cat Nipped.”  It’s a short story of a large Leopard that had been shot many times . . . yet had the power to attack his shooter with deadly  vengeance!  It could happen to any hunter and by any wild beast.  So, as a warning, be sure when you’re hunting, carry the right weapons - - a pistol powerful enough for backup, and a large knife sharp enough to finish the job, especially if the animal has a demon that needs destroying.

Just like his dad and grandpa, my son has an innate fascination with wild animals, and has loved animals since he was just a little boy.  When my son was 6, he told me that he wanted to redecorate his room with a wildlife theme.  I thought about a safari theme at first, but that seemed too cliché, so I decided to go with a wilderness theme.  I bought animal wall art and placed it all around his room, then I had my wife paint a wilderness mural on the wall behind his bed (which turned out great!).  I also found this unique bed at a furniture store, and the frame was modeled to look like an elephant. 

When my son saw his room for the first time, his eyes lit up, and then he threw his arms around his mom first (of course).  But when my wife told him that I had done most of it, he hugged me too and it felt great.  I’m glad my son can have a fun room… at least until he becomes interested something else! 

There are nine states that populate great herds of ELK: Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado.  Each state is unique because of weather, licensing laws, environmental conditions, the increase of natural predators, and the destruction of forest fires.Modern hunting of big game like ELK has become highly technical with the use of computers, GPS mapping services, consultants, guides and, of course, gaining permission to hunt on private lands, public property, government-owned National Forests, and wilderness areas.

An informative article to read is in the Field & Stream magazine, October 2008, pages 52-60.  The ELK hunter has choices: hunt by yourself, get some help, or seek a lot of help.

Love and romance are alive and well in the bow hunter’s wildlife scene.  What I’m referring to is an article written by Ted Nugent in the Texas Fish & Game magazine, October 2008, pages 52 and 53.  His love for her is obvious by the pride and choice of words used by Ted describing his wife Shemane and her bow hunting abilities.  Romance and chivalry are not dead, I witnessed it in this article.  Cupid’s arrow is truly in flight . . . and deadly as well. 

The skill of this woman’s bow and arrow makes them a “Bow Hunting Duo.”  Ted writes, ”Shemane brings home the bacon nearly every time she hunts.  Her Queen of the Forest segments on our Spirit of the Wild TV show are by far the most popular.”  I would love to see the trophies in their wildlife game room.

As I read this article to my wife, I could feel the love arrows piercing my wife’s heart, as indeed they brought warm feelings to us as we embraced!  It was . . . Wild!  Love is good!  Thanks, Ted and Shemane, for this good example.  Keep it up.

When it comes to decorating spaces like your shed, fence, or even the side of your house, most people just think of paint.  But with outdoor wall art, you can accentuate all those outdoor spaces that look just a little bland.  For the shed, consider some metal wall art that compliments the purpose of the tools in the shed.  Whether the shed is used to house gardening equipment, hunting gear, or automobile parts, there’s metal wall art to suit all kinds of themes.  Place outdoor wall art around the fence in your yard to create unique images of the wild.   For the side of the house, create a wilderness scene with just metal images.

 You and your guests will love having something to enjoy other than painted wood planks.  Outdoor wall art also fits well inside; if you like a piece just that much, wash it off, and bring it indoors! 

A parent, family member, or friend is usually the best teacher of survival experiences in the wilderness, because they make learning fun!   However, referencing survival skills in the wild can also be acquired by reading someone else’s wisdom, especially if written in detail with good illustrations. 

Here is an interesting article published in the Outdoor Life magazine, May 2008, pages 45-56.  Keith Sutton demonstrates “Basic Training” while hunting in the wilderness.  He teaches 101 simple survival skills that are nicely illustrated by Dimitry Schidlovsky.

Check it out!  We never gain enough information on survival in the wild.  Especially if your life or the life of others depends on whether you remembered how to survive on nature’s gifts.  Your ingenuity . . . your cleverness will someday help you  live within extreme conditions.

Once in awhile, I will read about the musical sounds of nature.  My mind immediately returns to the cooing of the mourning dove and sweet, glorious chorus of the bobwhite quail.  When the seasons are right, and there’s adequate rain-fall, the harvest of wild foliage with seeds are plentiful.  Populations of all wild birds, including the quail and dove, increase during this time.  That’s when Mother Nature’s melodious chorus is orchestrated.  

Among the songs of wild birds that I love to hear include the meadowlark, the red-winged blackbird, the warbler, the kildeer, and the mocking bird.  There are many others, too, but these are my favorites.