Journaling, Conservation, and the Call of the Wild

Dillan fishing in Baja with His grandpa, Larry

Stillness. Adventure. Risk. Challenge. Skill. Grit. Clarity. Gratitude.

These are the things we pursue when we step into the wild. We came into this world with everything we need to thrive. We are called to create order out of the chaos of the wild. We return to the wild to rediscover what it means to be alive. The world is a living, breathing being, of which we are all a part. Yet for so long, it has seemed to be humans vs. nature. We conquer instead of living in accordance with it. No matter how many AI data centers we create, how much material wealth we achieve, or how far we advance technologically and scientifically, we remain beholden to the forces of nature. This is exactly why our outdoor experiences are so meaningful and enlightening. This is exactly why these experiences must be documented and preserved.

Seldom do I drive down a western two-lane highway, surrounded by mountains and river bottoms, without imagining what the landscape looked like before westward expansion. Ghosts of the past reveal themselves in my imagination: legendary herds of bison grazing the open plains; Boone and Crockett mule deer; elk and antelope in plentiful numbers; self-regulated, self-sustaining natural systems unbroken by the tidal wave of human “progress.” I feel deep gratitude and appreciation for being able to partake in the mostly intact remnants of the Wild West. Though broken by fence lines and two-tracks, and constantly encroached upon by housing developments and city skylines, the West is still preserved. How is it that, in a world of constant technological advancement and destruction of natural systems, we are still able to partake in the adventure of the wild? Stories.

The journals of Lewis and Clark describe: “The buffalo and elk are astonishingly numerous on the banks of the river on each side… The elk lay on almost every point in large gangs… We saw buffalo, elk, and deer in gangs in the prairies.”

The accounts of Theodore Roosevelt at the tail end of the Wild West era helped pave the way for conservation and stewardship of the lands we now inhabit. I don’t believe that, at least in my generation or the next, we will ever see the West return to its historic glory. However, we are still responsible for the stewardship of the land and wildlife. Someday, 2026 will be remembered with the reverence of the 1800s. There are actions we can take to preserve these landscapes for future generations — ethical hunting and fishing, donations, legislation, and mentorship. Journaling is one of these actions that is often overlooked.

Storytelling is a cornerstone of conservation. Stories inspire conservation and participation. They inspire the spirit of adventure and the tantalizing wonder of possibility. Stories also give us wisdom — clever tricks and lessons safeguarded from the passage of time by ink on paper. These stories give us a glimpse into the glory of the past — an assurance of possibility, the possibility of returning the landscape to its former glory. I was inspired as a young man reading the journals of Lewis and Clark. I have even owned the same breed of dog the expedition had — Newfoundlands — since I was 10 years old. This is why I journal my hunts. Reading about the great American frontier before it was scorched by the ever-reaching fires of “progress” inspired me to find my own adventures and share them with others. I believe sharing our stories is a fundamental key to protecting these landscapes.

I can tell many stories of my time in the wilderness, pursuing wild game and wild fish. I certainly can’t tell them all, but I will do my best to share these experiences through these blog posts. My ambition for this company is to help people create and preserve their own memories, in the hope that these memories will inspire future generations to create their own.

With an adventurous spirit and a grateful heart, may your time be filled with tight lines and cherished memories.

-Dillan Spence

Mountain Country Outdoors