What’s in a Name?
Posted by deerphd.previous on August 16, 2007
I thought I’d mention briefly what the deerPhD name means and where it comes from. There are several meanings. If you read my profile, you’ll learn that I’m pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology. I’m about 2 years away from completion, and the only hurdles left are the biggest ones – my dissertation and internship (much like a residency for medical students). The deer part, well, I love deer. I love to hunt them and observe them, and I want to work harder at protecting their habitat. I also enjoy fishing (I grew up fishing the trout streams of PA, and there is world-class Steelhead fishing near my home in northeast OH) and many other outdoor ventures (hiking, rafting, biking, etc.)
My goal or I guess mission statement for deerPhD.com is to offer a positive portrayal of the outdoors and outdoor pursuits. At this point, my intended audience is anyone who drops by, but overtime, I want to become a positive voice for the outdoors in a world where many outdoor pursuits are frowned upon: academia. I’ve always had to be very careful about who I share my passion for hunting with (see article posted on Kristine’s blog). I want to be part of a growing community of hunters who are good news to the world, and I want the world to see this community. I want to be a part of a movement that takes people away from “Oh, you hunt, that’s cruel” and closer to “Oh, you hunt, thanks for protecting our lands and animals”.
If you read my profile you may also know that I call myself an outdoor writer/speaker. In my talks and writings, I enjoy combining my love of psychology with my passion for the outdoors. You likely have heard of and maybe experienced buck fever. Well, there are many psychological techniques that hunters can practice to control symptoms of buck fever to help them make the best shot under intense pressure. There are also simple things hunters can do to enjoy their hunts more by actively pursuing not just the quarry, but the outdoors itself.
I’ll be sure to keep readers of this blog posted on any writing/speaking developments. Check back tomorrow for my outdoor conservation piece. Here’s a hint of what’s to come: “Welcome, my friend.”
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I think you have a great goal. I talk a lot about the need for hunters to be aware of the image they project and that the best way to attract new people to the outdoors is to be the best outdoorsperson you can be. It sounds to me like you’ve got that down.
August 16th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Sounds like a great idea to me. I think between all of us we’ve already taken a good direction on how our image is portrayed. As long as we keep it up the possibilities are endless.
August 16th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
It is a very worthy mission! Thanks for sharing it. It reminded me that I still haven’t posted my Mission/Vision. Thanks for the reminder.
August 16th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Good luck with that whole thing! Glad to have your voice amongst the chorus.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Very cool. I look forward to the next installment.
August 17th, 2007 at 2:31 am
Thanks for the comments and support. You are all very encouraging!!!
August 17th, 2007 at 5:32 am
[…] Bryan Karazsia of Ohio has joined the Skinny Moose Media Network with his new blog deerPhD. Bryan will be blogging about hunting and has some interviews lined up that you may find interesting. So what does deerPhd really mean? Bryan explains here. […]
August 20th, 2007 at 6:51 am
Bryan
You had said this in “what’s in a name”,
(I’ve always had to be very careful about who I share my passion for hunting with)
Let me tell you that I never had to and never will be worried about who I share my passion for hunting with. Reason being if someone agrees with me about deer hunting then that is great and if someone disagrees with me about deer hunting then they don’t have to listen. You will find people who absolutely love deer hunting like you and I and you will find people who don’t and that is ok. What you have to remember is that there are more of us then there are of them, you just need to know where to look. I have been deer hunting for 17 years now and i am completely hooked on hunting as well as just plain watching them and learning about them.
In short, please feel free to say what you want about deer and deer hunting because there are those who will listen and not critisize you for it.
Rick @ Tails and Trails
p.s. If you have any decals left I would love one for my truck.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:18 am
Rick, thanks for your comments! You are right that I need to know where to look, and I am very thankful for an awesome and supportive network of online bloggers.
Thanks also for your interest in the deerPhD.com stickers. I’ll be having a giveaway this week!!! (see today’s post).
August 21st, 2007 at 1:57 pm