Can you get ADDICTED to HUNTING?!? w/ Jim and Linda Ryser

Zach talks to Jim Ryser (THP Music Producer), and his wife Linda, about behavioral and situational addiction and how it relates to experiences they've had with addictive tendencies in hunting. This podcast delves into some more serious topics and stories from Jim's experience with substance addiction over 20 years ago. Jim formerly worked in the health care world and specialized in treating addiction, and more recently has befriended the entire THP crew and has become a beloved member of the THP family.

[@etage88]

Took me a while to listen to this podcast because I didn’t think it was something I’d like. Turns out it’s my favorite one you’ve ever done. Some days you just need to hear things. Thanks guys, let’s do this again sometime 😂

[@mathewsiwinski5813]

As a recovering speedball addict with three years of recovery and a lifelong passion for the outdoors I found this podcast very relatable. When he mentions the high of killing a big buck or gobbler surpassing the high of many recreational drugs I couldn't agree more. That adrenaline rush can blow even the best heroin or coke out of the water.

[@daveyboy8907]

Yep

[@andrewchandler9197]

If i listed my addictions it would take all night, but thank you guys. Its a very important topic and i think y'all covered it very well, and brought up that even at times "good addiction" can be bad, and the enlightenment of how to recognize the issue could possibly save many people from the lows that come with it.

[@Damon_Outdoorsman]

There’s a fine line between addiction and passion. Without passion you’re nobody, but it doesn’t take too much to where you cross the line and start burning bridges. Putting your passion as a priority over more important matters makes it an addiction 💯.

[@lukustroyer3731]

My wife and I have been married for almost 2 years now and I’ve found myself already at times where I’ve prioritized going to the woods over her and she’s made it known to me. So when Jim’s wife talked about that it really hit me. Thank you guys for sharing that podcast!!! Very meaningful! Thank you for what you guys do!

[@tammyhill4703]

Your wife’s comments sound so much like myself. We have been married 22 years and I still feel like my husband chooses hunting over me. He traded an alcohol addiction to going even more overboard with his hunting. Anniversary, sons birthday, holidays has to be planned around hunting.

[@daveyboy8907]

I know all to well the sound of the cough and can pop.I thought i was the only one that did that.

[@BG-bx4ey]

What's balance? Lol.

[@SellsZac]

There are a million different things I could try to explain to someone about why I love hunting so much, but the #1 hard truth is its when I feel most "alive". Those moments right before a shot, as that bull/buck/strutter are taking the final 2-3 steps into your shooting lane are seared into my memory forever. I think about them every day years or even decades after it happened.

[@indyhunter9541]

I have been watching THP from the beginning. There are no accidents, this is a God thing! I have hunted and fished most my life and girls and others were defiantly on the back burner. As I had kids it gave me the best excuse to be outdoors ever. Now that the kids are older and gone it hit a wall this season. Half way through deer season my wife of 27 years stopped and me said the same words, if I had to choose she felt I would choose hunting. I Told her I would stop and not hunt again until she told me to go. So I didn’t hunt the rest of the year. Hopefully some of you younger guys take the knowledge and be careful. This can also be considered an idol for us Christian’s who know not to worship false idols. Our hearts are where our time is spent. God Bless!

[@BludauTX]

Perfectly appropriate timing on this topic of discussion for someone like me who is addicted to hunting and hunts on average at LEAST 50-60 days during deer season and usually more. Many relatable points from the last day of season feelings/relief, to consequences & cost effects. I don’t personally know anyone like me in this aspect so it’s enlightening to know I’m not the only one dealing with it. This post season depression & withdrawal has existed for several years with me. Still shocked this was a topic and so well discussed so openly. Nice topic guys

[@atsection]

Great stuff! My wifey was on the outside looking in when it came to hunting…never hunted before. We married and her father gave us permission to hunt their farm in Ohio…years passed and she passed on buck after buck (said she wanted them to grow). Finally she got her deer…a 250 lb monster 8 point. Not only was I ecstatic about her buck, but very interested in her reaction (psychologically and physiologically). She ended up accidentally leaving all of her gear in her stand and her hands were shaking uncontrollably…her eyes were insanely wide and she was out of breath. A few second time frame from totally relaxed to a full on adrenaline high. It was crazy to see that reaction…no Narcan needed. Just a great moment for her.

[@shawnkane7152]

We are taking a life, deep down it’s a different state of being to each of us. Adrenaline, excitement, success, accomplishment and livelihood are all factors that are experienced. Unexplainable feelings to someone that has never experienced the situation.🦌🇺🇸🙏

[@Dinkslayer681]

Very interesting/relatable topic for a lot of people! Good idea!

[@christopherblackmer7476]

Wholesome.

[@theswampernation6265]

Those turkey mounts are gorgeous

[@MY_OUTDOORS.]

Most definitely addictive, make it a family affair!

[@bmxican9274]

A stuffy wife that doesn't put out that stares at a phone. Or go hunting. Tough choice.

[@alexcoleman1772]

👍

[@michaelschnitzer4054]

Sorry during hunting season she’s gotta realize it’s HUNTING season. After it’s back to all about her lol. So we can do it all over next year.

[@austink2084]

I’ve adrenaline dumped and threw up 20 ft in the stand after a 40 minute stand off with a nanny doe

[@anthonyfiducia]

Thanks for sharing, and points you made here. I prayed for wisdom this morning and came across this podcast, I am in recovery for about 30 years, I just recently got into hunting in the last 7 years, and it’s been turning into an addiction.

[@ShaneBolerHunting]

I was addicted to opiates for 17 years. I’ve always had a passion for the outdoors. At age 28, I had a knee surgery that lead me down are dark miserable road for 17 years. I’m so glad to have my life back & healthy & able to hunt. I can see now how addicted I can get to hunting….ive always had the passion since I was 6 when I started squirrel hunting. I think this needs to be talked about more!!

[@ShaneBolerHunting]

@@JimRyser no one knows until they’ve been there., I was never a drinker & started treating my untreated depression with opiates. There was nothing like that warm blanket OxyContin put over me & cured my depression, but my oh my what a demon in disguise. I’m so grateful to be clean. I loved meeting the guys at NWTF last year. I really enjoy when they come to Mississippi Turkey hunting. Good to know you understand Jim!!!

[@yankeehunter3466]

I was going down a dark path, as a kid I loved nature and spent hours looking for snakes and frogs. Over time my addiction became women and fun/partying. I Still smoke weed but hunting and hiking in the mountains opened my eyes to a future I didn’t think existed for me. I give a lot of that credit to The Hunting Public

[@jacobneill5711]

I try to just keep myself in the outdoors it seems to help I go from deer season to shed season to spring walleye to mushrooms then it’s time to start scouting for deer again. it’s very obsessive I literally know where 90 percent of the deer are all the time in my area.it’s part of my addiction and it’s helped me out many big bucks on my wall. Hunting specific bucks is like a drug to me I just can’t get enough and when it does come together it’s a whole different level I get so jacked up I literally black out and don’t remember parts of the hunt. There is no other feeling quite like it to me!!

[@MrCamo-mn1yk]

that was a for real down to earth podcast for those who have fell beneath the master of puppets !!!!

[@nvojc8617]

See you all on the road to Happy Destiny