ABUSE VS. NATURE
I would like to take this weeks blog and dedicate it to telling all of you, a little about myself and who WE are at Ridge Patrol.
Let me tell you a story about the younger version of Draya.
I grew up in the rainy pacific northwest, in the small town of Longview Washington. I was one of fourteen children and one of hundreds in the Grangroth family line. We grew up on ten acres of land, harvesting every fruit and vegetable possible. Many of my summer childhood memories are of picking blackberries or weeding the garden. Being a part of a large family meant we all had chores, which had to get done everyday before going off to plat. As a matter of fact, most of my memories from my childhood are of being outside, and I’m so grateful for that. But, the memories that stick out most in my mind are of those quiet moments alone in the forest. Having suffered sexual abuse at a young age (roughly 10-12) from a brother, had me constantly living in a fight or flight mode. All it took was for a sibling to tease me, or not let me play with them and I would take off, running towards the dark timber on the borderline of our property. With tears rolling down my face I questioned what was wrong with me, as I curled up under the tall ferns. I was terrified being in my own home, with my family. There were nights that I would pee on the floor for I was too scared to leave the safety of my room. The hallway to the downstairs was dark, and what if my brother was hiding, waiting for his next opportunity to put his hands on his little sister.
When I turned 12 I was able to take the hunters safety course, and so my best friend and I took the three day class, followed by a field day and written test. We had so much fun, walking the course they made, as we hopped over fences and crossed creeks, and doing it safely with our weapons and packs. Every year I would anxiously count down the days till opening day of season. When season did come along, I wasted no time grabbing the shotgun or muzzleloader as I’d head for the woods behind our house. As soon as i crossed the field and into the timber i felt a wave of relief come over me. It was just me and the wild now. Nobody or nothing was chasing me. I was the hunter, in which I had to be completely aware, present, and calm to be successful. I had no idea at this time in my life how important hunting was for me and how it saved my life, and gave me a purpose. Many of you many ask ‘why didn’t you tell someone?’ We all know in life that term is easier said than done. So for fifteen years i didn’t tell a single soul about my abuse and to be honest I had turned it into a suppressed memory.
The religion my family did and still does practice, preaches that as believers we “forgive and forget.” I remember sitting in the pew at church, accepting the words of forgiveness and told myself ‘I guess I’ll be okay.’
Growing up with a body that had been raped and molested I lacked self-confidence, self-love, compassion for myself and others, and the list goes on. But yet, I always had a smile on my face. Everywhere I went, I was the entertainer. I was a social butterfly that would always have to be hanging out with someone, or doing something. I was restless and emotionally unstabble. Trying to place emotions that would try and show themselves was too much work and so I pushed them aside, and as long as people were laughing at me, I knew I would be okay.
But yet despite the storm in my mind, I would always find my calm as I wondered the forest and ferns. As I grew into a teenager I became consumed by photography. Grabbing my moms camera, I would head outside to sit along the creek, or the pond behind the house clicking away at the natural beauty around me. It became another escape that I grasped onto, spending hours walking around, or sitting still in one spot, observing. Letting nature loose me in its natural entertainment and ability to bring me peace. I often would go behind the house to the area we hunted and would intentionally look for wild game, and when I’d find a species I would see how close I could get to it, so I could get a great photo.
As the years went by and I found a new home in Colorado and my passion for hunting only grew. Taking a few years to learn from my dad and brothers, I became and sponge, soaking up ever moment we had hunting, so I would once again in the future run around the forest by myself again. I missed the connection that I knew so well when I was a young girl. Looking back, I realize now this was all part of my journey, steps along the way to discover the girl I never really knew. The more time I spent hunting alone, the more I learned about myself and the more I started to believe in myself.(To read about my first solo successful hunt, head back to my blog and give it a read. It connects with this blog)
As time went on, I guided for a company in Paonia CO for a few seasons, in which I made so many great friends with co-workers and clients as well. Many of these clients who I’m still in touch with, they were the ones who believed in me, and at the end of our five day hunt my heart was warm as I got to share something so special with them. Whether we were successful in the field or not.
Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve known I wanted to work in the hunting industry and as I would watch Primos Hunting with my dad, I would dream of someday being their videographer. When the opportunity to become part owner of Ridge Patrol presented itself there was no way I was saying no. I knew this was my opportunity to be filterless and to tell my story, and how its impacted me not only as a young girl but as a strong, independent women. Hunting has always been my passion and we are so grateful that Ridge Patrol gets to be part of YOUR hunting journey.
Hunting has taught me the most important lessons in life. People often comment on how ‘obsessed’ I am and how I spend all my time I can in the wilderness, and they're right. I am obsessed. Hunting saved my life when I was a young girl, and I often wonder who I would have become if it wasn’t for hunting and the great outdoors. It’s the best therapy I’ve found yet. It’s free and it will teach you the most important lessons especially while chasing wild game. If your not a hunter and have interest in becoming one, I fully support it. Perhaps you have been looking for the vice for a while now to calm for storm in your mind, I recommend getting outside, sitting in a aspen grove or along a stream and soon you’ll understand this feeling I am talking about. YOU GOT THIS!!!
Ridge Patrol is much more than just a clothing line and we are really excited (and grateful) to watch it all evolve and have you there with us. Ladies, you don’t need a man to hold your hand. Not only in hunting, but in all aspects of your life. Here at Ridge Patrol, we hope we can be a safe space for you, along with a space that brings you motivation to hunt harder and further.
I am so beyond excited for the future as we have some amazing opportunities coming your way. If you have a personal story or experience you’d like to share, I would love to share it on my blog.
Let us band together and change the stigma related to women and hunting. Let’s talk mental health, and the natural and free benefits nature brings us.
LET’S OWN THE LIGHT