Rags to Ridges, Presented by onX Hunt, Explores the Redemption and Healing that can be Found in the Mountains of the Pacific Northwest
“One quick decision, and now it’s all gone, and you’re back to seeing nothing “ – Eddie Boyer, Washington bowhunter.
“Rags to Ridges,” the latest short film presented by onX Hunt, explores the story of Eddie Boyer, a convicted felon from the state of Washington, as he reflects on the path that led him to the mountains—from a troubled childhood to finding purpose in the backcountry and now fatherhood. Now streaming on YouTube, this film goes beyond a typical hunting story, and highlights the many reasons people hunt and the redemption that can be found in wild places.
In 2012, Eddie did something not uncommon to any young person: He made a mistake. Eddie would go on to spend the next six years behind bars. One year after his release, the person who supported Eddie through it all, his mother, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.
During his time in prison, a fellow inmate introduced Eddie to something that would end up changing his life: hunting. As a convicted felon, and with no path forward to firearm ownership, bowhunting was his only option—and it became an obsession. Facing a new reality outside of prison, and facing life without his biggest supporter, Eddie found solace in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest.
“‘Rags to Ridges’ shows what hunting actually is for most people. A return to something essential. A return to what it means to be human,” said Bubba Durket, onX videographer and the director of the film. “In a media landscape that often defines hunting by what’s harvested, we made a film about belonging—and what it means to step into the outdoors as a participant instead of a spectator.”
“Rags to Ridges” tells the story of how the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, and the birth of his daughter, River, became Eddie’s “why.” By finding purpose in the outdoors and as a father, Eddie set out on a path of redemption that his mother would be proud of.
To watch the film, please visit the onX Hunt YouTube channel at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adgg9Q5X4WU
About onX
Founded in 2009, onX is a pioneer in digital outdoor navigation, developing software that helps inform, inspire, and empower outdoor recreationists. onX Hunt, onX Offroad, onX Backcountry, and onX Fish make up the company’s suite of apps and are built by explorers for explorers. Because off-the-beaten-path experiences are at the heart of what onX does, the company also leads initiatives to protect and expand access to public land. Since 2018, onX has worked with various partners to secure and improve public land access through direct funding and by supporting key legislation with data analysis and research. Learn more.