Why do you hunt?

Rhino · May 29, 2004

Reading some of the responses to popguns post got me to thinking about this especially with the inference to hunting being a sport. I don’t think of myself as a person that kills for sport and I certainly don’t think of myself as a crop gatherer either. When I head to the woods I’m out there for many reasons but I can’t and won’t deny the fact that the final goal is to kill one of God’s creatures. Hunting is not a catch and release sport or a sport at all in my opinion. I won’t deny the fact that I don’t get the same deep feeling of accomplishment when I’m carrying a camera as opposed to the role of provider either. Whether it’s instinct or not the fact remains that hunting is a pastime of personal involvement for each one of us. I don’t hunt to control game populations and I really don’t go for the, I eat what I kill theory either. If I did I’d be eating mosquitoes, roaches, mice, etc. Fresh venison and a nice rack is a benefit but it’s not the primary motive for why I hunt. Seriously, why do you hunt?

Tominator · May 29, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

silly goose, i hunt because i can.

seriously, much the same as you Alan. rack, meat, outdoors are all cool, but i think what it boils down to is that it's part of me. it's who i am. the 3 environments i'm most comfortable would have to be at home with my family, in a classroom full of students that want to learn, and ooootside preferably hunting.

JimPic · May 29, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

Kinda like that bumper sticker--"If I have to explain,you wouldn't understand."

VTbowman · May 29, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

There is no 1 correct answer here obviously, but to me I'd say for the thrill of it...along with the other benifits I gain while participating in the hunt.

Meat, the love of archery and the hunt, antlers when I am lucky, friendships shared, and the memories of the outings are the benifits I get out of hunting.

Time spent outdoors, not only while hunting, but also all the pre-prep of stand sites, figuring out which trail, timing, scouting, etc. is all part of the hunt to me...

All these things are part of me. If I were not able to do them, I would not feel complete..

I enjoy a lot of outdoor and indoor activities, but not one of them comes close to the drive, sacrifice, and passion I have for bow hunting.

No one other activity gives me the extreme joy or utter disappointment I get when hunting.

BTW I do not think of my family time as an "activity", thats a whole other part of me...much more important then hunting will ever be....

But hunting's close.....

JimT · May 29, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

What Chris said.

whitetailkiller · May 29, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

enjoy being outdoors, the excitement when that deer aproaches shooting range, last but not least.....the venison...yum.... racks are a bonus!!!!!!!!

Swamphunter · May 29, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

I hunt mostly for enjoyment but secondly for the venison.

KTMMIKE · May 29, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

Therapy! That's one of the main reasons I love hunting. It's a good change of pace for me. I love my job but it is still a job!

I also enjoy seeing all types of animals. If I'm deer hunting & don't see any deer I'm not disappointed. I still had fun. More than likely I saw something else.

I do have a catch & release program for hunting. I just shoot them with a camera instead of a gun. Don't get me wrong I'm by no means against hunting & i take my fair share of game but by using the camera I can take more!

Rhino · May 29, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

[ QUOTE ]

"If I have to explain,you wouldn't understand."

[/ QUOTE ]

Sure I would Jim. That’s why I’m a part of this forum.

I’ll admit when I first went hunting as a young boy I wanted to kill something. I guess that was the instinctive part of being a provider that was bred into us. Now I place restrictions on myself and try to be more selective in what I kill but as I matured, hunting became far more than that. I enjoy the thrill of the hunt along with an appreciation of experiencing so many things in nature that many non-hunters can’t understand. The peacefulness of the dawn of a new day from a deer stand. The many different sounds of nature coming alive in the morning and the stillness of an afternoon as daylight slowly comes to an end. The thrill of a sound of what might be the prey. The enjoyment of watching animals go about their daily routines undisturbed. Sharing outdoor experiences with family and friends. These are just a few of those things that make me feel more alive being a hunter. It’s all a part of me just like it is for so many of you. I enjoy scouting and preparing my stands to hunt almost as much hunting too. I sometimes feel sorry for some guys that won’t do that because I know they are missing out on part of it and don’t realize it. Maybe I just have a heightened sense of appreciation for nature that they don’t have. Now that I realize that I have fewer days ahead of me than behind me to enjoy the wonders of the outdoors that God has provided us, I keep more detailed records in my journal. Sure I use them for reference purposes to better my odds for encountering deer but I also want to preserve the memories if the day comes when I’m physically unable to hunt anymore. I hope that day never comes.

popgun · May 29, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

That is the same thing my wife asks.

Meat: I like deer meat but I’m like tominator, I prefer Angus Beef if given a choice.

Equipment: I like guns, bows, and other huntin’ stuff , but I could have those whether I hunted or not.

Shooting: I really like to shoot, but rarely do when I’m hunting, except when the occasion arises. But I could shoot all I want at the range.

Economics: I can afford to buy food.

Excitement: I could always go to Six Flags if I wanted to wet my pants, or puke from excitement.

Ego: I have killed deer before and can do it again, so have nothing to prove.

Nature: I love to watch the sun come up, but I guess I could do that at home.

Weather: I love a nice crisp day outdoors, but then again, I don’t particularly enjoy being wet and cold, or hot and covered with mosquitoes.

Enjoy the outdoors: Yea, that may be getting close, but I sure enjoy indoor plumbing.

Camaraderie: I enjoy hunting with my Son and my friends, but I could talk with them more on the front porch.

Exercise: No, that's against my current energy conservation policies.

Hot coffee taste better in the woods: “That’s it, That must be it.” !!!!

That was a tough question……..popgun

FSU_Seminole · May 29, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

I hunt to get away and enjoy myself in the outdoors. I enjoy the relaxtion.

But I won't sit here and type a lie. I hunt to test my skills against mature bucks. When October and November roll around I'm an anxiety adrenaline junkie. It's like I'm a drug addict looking for a high because you just never know when that buck of a lifetime is going to step out. He could step out in Sept or December but something in me really clicks in those 2 months. Even if I don't kill a mature buck its still fun going through the wait.

Chrud · May 29, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

It's something that has been in our family for a long time. I really enjoy being outside watching all those animals in their natural state, being closer to God, it's just the best there is.

too_pointer · May 29, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

I was brought up by my father to love and enjoy hunting. We ate everything he brought home, and I still love game meat anytime over store bought. I rarely kill anything I can't eat, but will take predictors that hurt my populaton of game animals.

I have every antler from every deer I shot hanging somewhere, big or small. I also have pics of every doe I have killed, or most of them. I enjoy the memory of the hunt, from preperation, to the hunt itself. No, I don't have to kill anything everytime to have it enjoyable, but if the opportunty comes, I will take it.

too_pointer

christsavedme · May 29, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

I would have to say that in the beginning I hunted for blood. The excitment of the kill was the rush that any kid wanted and needed. I loved going outdoors and being with my dad and our friends, but whose kidding who. I couldn't wait to blast something.

Now as I am getting older and have taken just about ever huntable animal in my area and others, things have changed. Don't get me wrong, I still love seeing that arrow hit the perfect spot, followed by that perfect "thud", and leap of life that follows and almost always leads to death. But now I can go all season and pass on buck after buck after buck waiting on the right one.

Like I have said before, I usually take a couple of does early on in season to put meat in the freezer but after that there is no rush.

Over the past couple of years I have come to a new sense of the outdoors. I was sitting in a climber one morning and there in front of me were 4 whitetails, 12 turkeys, a lot of squirrels, birds and it was totally amazing. Then it hit me, there is no where else that I can feel as close to our Creator than in His amazing outdoors. From that day on I looked at my hunting trips with a different attitude and perspective.

I am so thankful that God has been so gracious and blessed us with His ultimate creation,,,,,,,,,The Great Outdoors!!!!

archerjg · May 30, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

I hunt for meat.I hunt to control the population and the spread of disease. I also hunt because I like to hunt it is my time alone to gather my thoughts.

Archerjg

camelNS · May 30, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

i hunt because i love to be in the outdoors close to nature trying to outsmart a big ol buck or what presents itself.its a time to relax and unwind and be with friends and family.its pure excitement when the time comes and a great appreciation for nature when i get one one the ground or just seeing something.its GREAT!!

buckee · May 30, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

I love your reply Popgun

Every time I hear this question brought up, my first knee jerk reaction is to try to defend what I do and why I love hunting. Then as I sit and think about the question my mind starts to wonder back in time to all the wonderful places I've been, all the wonderful meals I've had, all the great and not so great hunting partners I've had, all the good and very bad experiences I've had in the woods, all the wonderful animals and places I've seen and the special moments that I've witnessed and cherished while in Gods creation. All the hard work and enjoyment at sighting in my equipment, the excitement of waking up early and going hunting the next morning, the excitement of waking up to fresh snow on the ground, the many wonderful deer and other critters that I've had the blessing of Harvesting (killing) to put some much enjoyed meat in the freezer. Then of course there's those wonderful antlers, that are like a bucks finger prints, because they all seem to be unique in their own right, and leaves you with something to remember that particular hunt by.

The quietness of the woods, the liveliness of the woods, the solitude you enjoy when your all by yourself, the comradeships you enjoy while hunting with friends. This mountain, that valley, that lake or stream that comes to mind.

Man my mind just keeps wondering remembering all the precious moments of solitude and the reward of the fresh meat on the table afterwords. The patience it has taught me for other things in life. The heart-aches, the adrenalin rushes, the surprises and a few scary moments.

Then my mind goes back to when I was young. Some of you know I grew up in a home with a pretty abusive Father, but I'll tell ya, the only times I can remember feeling safe and comfortable around him, was when he took me hunting or out on the muskrat and mink trap-line. It's the one and only thing from my childhood that stands out in my mind as being peaceful, enjoyable, rewarding and left me feeling like a human being again when the time in the bush or field was over.

I've never really been into sports much, but I can see a certain amount of sport involved, not in the killing, but in all the preparation, planning and patience that leads up to it. The only real excitement I feel in the kill is knowing I did it quickly as I possibly could, and the satisfaction in myself for doing it. The real excitement lies in everything that has lead you to that final moment.

The gratitude I feel toward God, who made all of these wonderful creatures, valleys, forests, mountains and plains. Just for us to enjoy watching, taking care of, and utilizing for our human needs, is just awesome.

You know, I could ramble on for an hour and still not touch on why I really love hunting.

It makes me feel alive, it makes me feel like part of Gods great plan, aside from all the other things he wants us to do. It gives me peace and renews my spirit, it makes me feel young again and brings to mind some of the better memories of my life.

It's me, it's part of what makes me, ME, and will always be till the day I leave this earth.

WHY indeed

Doc · May 30, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

Hunting, fishing, trapping, camping and hiking are all inter-related and inseparable for me. All these activities have one thing in common, and that is the connection back to my history, heritage and culture. Yes, in spite of the attempts of some to deny our American heritage and culture, we do have these things. There are few outdoor activities that I engage in when I do not spend some time thinking about historical life of pioneers, ancestors and all those that have come before us.

There is also a self-reliance thing that factors into my relationship with outdoor activities. Knowing that I can survive in nature and become a part of it is a very satisfying feeling. It's also an independent feeling of survival without the reliance on others. Even though it doesn't directly relate to today's life-style requirements, there is some level of reassurance and satisfaction in that.

Another thing that cannot be ignored is our genetic make-up as predators. Man has many centuries of evolutionary and genetic re-enforcement that causes predatory feelings and tendencies. This is not a bad thing any more than it is for cougars, wolves and other predators. It is just the way humans are. We have some elitist members of our population that would try to bury or deny those tendencies, but those of us who are hunters have a little more honest approach to life and understand this is a part of us that should be celebrated rather than artificially buried into our subconscious. I think the reason it is so difficult to explain and put into words is because this is just the natural way of man and is genetically structured into our being without our ever having to really think about it.

Doc

wtnhunt · May 30, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

Most simple way I can answer this is because I enjoy it. The feeling of excitement that you get watching is incredible even when you know you are not going to kill the animal you are watching it can still be a real rush.

I can be happy sitting in a tree just watching or shooting an animal with my camera or taking a shot on a deer with a weapon.

One of the best hunts of my life yet was last year closing afternoon of the muzzleloader I had already taken my ml buck, and had really just gone to get my daughter out and possibly kill a doe. My daughter and I watched a pretty good 8 pointer walk within 50 yards of us offering countless shot opportunities. Hard to put into words the excitement.

With experiences like that I dont know how I could not hunt.

Tsmola · May 30, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

to get out in the woods and away from it all, and to enjoy all of nature's wonders, some of my favorite hunts are ones where I didn't take a deer

Tony · May 30, 2004

Re: Why do you hunt?

i have thought about this and i guess its a combination of a lot of things. being with my dad at first and showing him i was proficient as a hunter. being in the outdoors where i can realize that life is better at a slower pace.

enjoying nature and its wonderfull creatures. the taste of wild game meat. the thirll of chasing a buck for the whole season and taking him .

the satisfaction in making a good shot and also the sadness of the kill. honoring the animal i have just taken and thanking the good lord for all his bounty .

I hunt because i love it.

Shoot Strong

Tony

Tominator · May 30, 2004