DH1213--difficult situation to say the least. Your mother is entitled to her opinions (as is everyone else), including you. I don't hear you mention your father, so I assume you are in a single-parent household. And there may well be some underlying, unresolved issues on her part there as well, that impedes her relationship with you. It sounds like face-to-face talks end up in confrontations, so any future attempts would seem fruitless. You may want to write here a letter telling her that you are just as passionate about your cause as she is hers. Additionally, ask her if she enjoys hurting you the way she has by throwing out things that are important to you, and trying to keep you from something your truly enjoy. (Any parent worth their salt, would never intentionally try to hurt their kids). There are a lot of good suggestions in these posts, so try and incorporate some of them into your letter (e.g.- negative alternatives to hunting). Also, the suggestion of counseling is appropriate; and if she chooses not to, you may still want to ask her if you can go (on your own) to try and find ways to cope with your situation until you're out and on your own. Going to live with your grandmoter is not the issue. While it may relieve you of the battles with your mother; running away from obstacles in life (unless life threatening) will never help you. Good luck, and keep on hunting....

Even a bad day in the woods, is better than any day out!