As autumn begins, millions of hunting enthusiasts across America flock to the wild lands to hunt birds and game.
Traveling along Interstate 25 North, our car entered the state of Wyoming under the gentle golden sunlight of early fall. On both sides of the road, vast plains stretched out, occasionally interrupted by clusters of uniquely shaped rocks (the result of geological shifts) standing tall. The road was quiet, and it took a long time to see a house; Wyoming is nearly as large as Vietnam but has a population of just over half a million people! Just as my friend had described, this “rural” state represents a vision of America that few can imagine, a place where the human footprint is incredibly small compared to the vastness of nature, where people still maintain close ties to the land and where the joy of hunting is regarded as the most famous “specialty".
1. The Joy of Rural America
As autumn begins, millions of hunting enthusiasts across America flock to the wild lands to hunt birds and game. Located north of the Rocky Mountains, Wyoming is often favored by those who enjoy hunting large game such as bison, wolves, mountain lions, elk, mountain goats, and wild sheep. Joining an American family's deer hunt provided me with an opportunity to learn more about rural life in the land of the free.
Rural scenery in Wyoming
We stayed at the farm of an 80-year-old man. His children had long since moved to big cities, but he still tended to the farm alone every day. Farming in America isn’t too strenuous for older folks who are still sharp. Our host doesn’t need to hire anyone because the farming machinery and equipment are very modern. While the other family members busily prepared for the hunting trip, I watched the neighbor's children playing. Life in rural America is quite slow and relaxed. In the mornings, the men drive out to the fields, the children go to school, and the women take care of the household. On weekends, the whole village gathers at the church for sermons and then holds feasts and community activities, including sports.
It must be said that American farmers live quite well; even abandoned fields bring in a steady income. To manage the surplus of agricultural products and keep prices low, the government encourages farmers to rotate their crops and let land lie fallow for certain periods. Farmers only need to submit forms detailing how much land they have, what they are currently growing, and how many acres they plan to leave unplanted. If they meet the government’s requirements, they receive 75% of the typical income as subsidies. However, the government also requires farmers to plant grass in the fallow areas to provide a habitat for wildlife. Thanks to this policy, hunting tourism services have emerged and flourished. At this time, farm owners advertise how many acres of land they have available, what types of game can be found, and their estimated populations. Hunting clubs and tourism companies use this information to arrange programs, hotels, and restaurants. Many companies also organize annual hunting trips for their employees, which reportedly cost an average of $200 per person for a single hunting outing.
To hunt wild game, visitors need to purchase hunting licenses for each area and species they wish to hunt. Additionally, they must have a hunting rifle and binoculars or a scope to spot animals before they notice them. We obtained licenses to hunt antelope, mule deer, and elk. On the first day, we spotted a herd of elk at the foot of the hill. The elk were too far away to shoot, so as they began to move farther away, we decided to head down the hill and follow them, trying to get close enough to take a shot.
Amateur hunter and the wounded deer.
About ten minutes later, as we followed a small stream in pursuit of the elk herd, five mule deer suddenly appeared from the nearby valley. I shot at a young doe but missed. A minute later, my friend successfully shot one. We continued along the stream and made our way up the hill where my friend's mule deer lay. At that moment, another deer suddenly stopped in the distance and looked our way; immediately, my friend took aim and hit it from about 110 meters away.
2. Conquering the Grand Teton Range.
The hunting adventure of the group is far from over, but for me, the natural beauty of Wyoming is more captivating than the thrill of the hunt. Following the winding mountain roads, we ventured into Grand Teton National Park. The road was quite easy to navigate, with stunning scenery on both sides: a meandering river beside lush green pastures and bison grazing peacefully. In the distance, a calm blue lake reflected the towering snow-capped peaks and the vast evergreen forests. Before merging onto Highway 191, the road traced the Snake River. The river's swift currents and twists attract many visitors for thrilling white-water canoeing. From our elevated position, we could clearly see canoes filled with people in red life jackets paddling vigorously through the raging waters.
The picturesque scenery in Grand Teton National Park.
The majestic Grand Teton range boasts 12 peaks over 3,500 meters high, with snow covering the mountains year-round. Before entering the national park, we took a break in Jackson, a small town where the buildings and streets are made from logs, reminiscent of a cowboy film. From above, the town appears nestled among four towering, lush green walls of mountains. Right in the town center is a square with four gates made from thousands of antlers intricately arranged. Jackson is quite fascinating, offering various thrilling activities for visitors, the most adventurous being bison riding. We were all left in awe as we watched riders cling tightly to the necks of the wildly bucking bison. Our negative impressions of the bison faded when we enjoyed a delicious lunch featuring various dishes made from this animal. Bison steak and ground bison burgers were absolutely mouthwatering. Everyone was so engrossed in the meal that we forgot to save room to try some Native American dishes!
The park entrance is adorned with thousands of elk antlers in the town of Jackson.
Vehicles transporting tourists through the national park.
From Jackson, we took Highway 22 and then turned right onto Highway 390 to reach the Jackson Hole Mountain Ski Resort. This winter resort is situated in a narrow valley, where visitors often stay in Jackson Hole to ski or partake in various activities based on their interests. For a scenic ride on a cozy train, one can choose the Teton Wagon Train, while those looking for a boat tour can opt for the Scenic Float Trip or Grand Teton Float Trip. For an adventurous experience navigating rapids, there are tours for white-water rafting on the Snake River or mountain climbing excursions. We continued north for a few more miles to see the crystal-clear Jackson Lake, its surface reflecting the towering, snow-covered Grand Teton range like a giant mirror. Along the Snake River, there are six picturesque blue lakes, with Jackson being the largest, separated from the river by a sizable dam.
The train carrying coal crosses the prairie.
Giant coal truck.
Open-pit coal mines have their own unique grandeur.
Before the hunting season ended, we left Wyoming via Highway 89. The sky was gloomy, and the landscape felt even more desolate with the vast prairie stretching endlessly. Everyone only shook off their sleepiness as we passed by the largest open-pit coal mines in the United States. Unlike underground mining methods in Quảng Ninh, open-pit mining involves stripping away layers of soil above the coal to be extracted. The coal mines in Wyoming resemble giant pits, each with its own unique grandeur. From the mines, numerous trains carry coal to power plants. These coal trains are incredibly long, sometimes reaching hundreds of cars. The railroad tracks cutting across the prairie appear as thin threads from a distance, humbly positioned within a landscape dominated by endless green.
