Hunter Confession: The Surprising Story About Why I Like Pinky Rings

Anyone who knows me can certainly attest to the fact I’m not overly concerned with fashion. From my L.L. Bean relaxed-fit jeans to various hoodies, I dress for comfort, not style. That said, there is one fashion item that appeals to me — a pinky ring.

It all started when I was in junior high. I arrowed my first deer with a bow, a 1.5-year-old Wisconsin public land forkhorn. Unfortunately, a driving rainstorm arrived minutes after I released my arrow, and I was unable to locate the buck until the following weekend. The deer had run only 100 yards, but based on poor information from another guy who was bowhunting nearby, I spent several hours that evening in pouring rain walking the rows of an adjacent standing cornfield looking for my buck. Instead, it had run the opposite direction.

Crows tipped me off to the buck’s final resting place, and even though the carcass had been almost entirely consumed by coyotes, I wanted to honor the buck in some way. So, I attached my nonresident archery deer tag (bag limit was one buck or doe in those days) to the deer’s head and headed out of the woods. Instead of mounting the tiny rack on a plaque, I decided to craft an antler ring. Because the rack was so small, even at the bases, the antler diameter required that I make a pinky ring.

I wore that DIY antler ring on my left pinky for two decades. It was always a constant reminder of my love for the outdoors, as well as my commitment to make wiser decisions in the future when it came to “shoot or don’t shoot” decisions.

I provide this history for no other reason than to explain my affinity for pinky rings. I often notice when men wear them, either in person or on TV or in the movies. I stopped wearing my antler ring when I was married in 2000 — one ring is enough, right? — but I recently started wearing a pinky ring again.

What changed? Nothing really, except I found a new one I really like and decided to go for it. At 53, perhaps I’m a bit old for a midlife crisis, but if that’s what it is, then spending $40 on a new ring is a heck of a lot smarter than dropping $80,040 on a 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Z06.

Specifically, I chose a slim and comfortable silicone ring that has a combo arrow and fish hook theme (photo above). The design is simple but attractive, and the ring’s olive color is identical to that of my first hunting truck — God I loved that 1989 Ford Ranger pickup!

My new ring is called the QALO Strata Arrow and Hook. FYI: My second choice was the Strata Arrowhead and Fish. I would have purchased both designs if I thought I was man enough to wear two pinky rings. Of course, silicone rings can be worn on any finger. Maybe someday I’ll expand my collection.

How long will I wear my new pinky ring? I don’t know. It’s on my right pinky this time instead of my left, and it flat-out looks good IMO.

As I said earlier, fashion isn’t really my forte, so we’ll see if my hunting buddies laugh the first time they see it. But I don’t think they will. In fact, I’m guessing they might buy one of their own. Just call me a trendsetter.