I have been asked to be part of a study.... what does it feel like to hunt...

[Wobbly_Alaska]

Well a most unique opportunity has presented it self this week.. i have a young man from northern Ireland coming to visit this weekend...

he is working on his anthropology degree and doing a study/thesis on what it means and feels like to hunt.

i suspect he will have many differing feelings from many people, even though as hunters we have similar emotions there are varying reasons for WHY we hunt..

in my case it is a subsistence issue. we depend on the meat i harvest each fall. store purchase is not an option when i have two girls allergic to the hormone levels of commercially raised meat, we subsidize our wild game with farm raised, and process 99% of it all our selfs... i was raised with a skinning knife in my hand on the farm, and honestly feel that grocery store meat, is not only BAD for you... but taste awful as well... I am not a trophy hunter by any means and the moose in my avatar. though not a big one is the largest of 19 i have personally harvested, and would prefer to eat cow moose when given the option....

so? what does it feel like to hunt?

[Tominator]

Personally, it's just an inner drive for me. It just feels like what I was meant to do.

[RangerClay]

I cannot find it right now but if you can find Will Primos explain "The truth about hunting", it pretty much sums it up for me.

[Dawg]

What it feel like to hunt? For me it's instinct or in other words an inner drive like Chris said. I believe all human beings are born with the instinct to hunt (some choose not to for various reasons). Our ancestors done it to stay alive and though I don't do it to stay alive, it gives me an opportunity to get away from soceity, clear my mind and get closer to God.

[bbgatech]

A lot of folks including myself feel it's as you are a little closer to God in away, because your in his creation out in the woods. Its surprising to me to see 2 people see a waterfall for example and one says that's pretty and the other see's the work of God.

[Orion_70]

That's one of those "feelings" that's hard to sum up as there are so many influences. I can't say there's not that predatory instinct that kicks in, that's definitely part. The act of being outside and part of nature and to figure out your quarry all play a part. Supplemental food that's better for you is a definite plus. There's the admiration and respect of the animals senses and the surroundings it lives in and just being a small part of it.There's the elation from the accomplishment of harvesting the animal, and the the sadness from a lost life of one of God's great creatures all at the same time.

[TBow]

WB,

Unless you know this guy doing his thesis personally, I'd be leary about opening up to anyone asking questions about your lifestyle, especially when there's so many groups sniping at outdoorspersons these days.

I recall back in the 70s, CBC did a documentary on hunting and called it "The Guns of Autumn". The people shooting the footage and interviewing the various hunters came across as the hunters' best buddies, but the highly edited footage was anything but positive in regards to hunting or the individuals depicted in the documentary (?).

If you don't know the individual personally, do some background checks to ensure they're legit before opeing up your lifestyle to them. Sorry if I'm paranoid about this, but I quite simply don't trust the anti-hunting community to be objective and I personally believe they'll stoop to any levels by using honest people to prop up their tunnel-visioned and biased opinions.

BTW: If I recall correctly, CBC was sued for falsly slandering certain individuals in that farce they called a documentary, but it took years to render a guilty decision against the network and the biased producers of that one hour special, but the damage had already been done.

I'm sure Sarah Palin has raised the awareness of hunting in a modern society, particularly in Alaska, and would be suspicious if that isn't the reason why a foreign student (?) is focusing on your state.

If it's all legit, best of luck with your interviews. You sound like a prime candidate to represent why people hunt in a modern environment.

TBow

[rhine16]

A lot of folks including myself feel it's as you are a little closer to God in away, because your in his creation out in the woods. Its surprising to me to see 2 people see a waterfall for example and one says that's pretty and the other see's the work of God.

Agreed... Let him watch this...http://video.primos.com/streamPlayer.aspx?TID=dfb9f668-b530-49d8-bd1a-67155f7ae1d5&type=0

That encompasses alot of why I hunt.

[Wobbly_Alaska]

sorry i had to cut the first post short... a client walked in ....

TBOW, i met this young man on our Alaska forums he has spent time in the field with several of those members and worked hard in participation. he comes with good referrals from many that live a soul subsistence lifestyle...

Orion, you nailed it for me. i can say i throughly enjoy my time away from people, and the adventure that ensues of it. i have shed many a tear over the animal, and often for the gift of it. there have been many many years that the paychecks did not go near far enough and food was often the bare essentials and fresh game meat given to us is always viewed as a gift from god to our family. that is one reason i can not pass on an opportunity for any legal animal in hopes of a " better speciman..." the reward is for our perseverance and patience

i will take notes of his interview and post the questions back on here also... this is a good time of year for reflection, remembering, and honoring that which we have harvested and will again seek to harvest....

Edited March 17, 2010 by Wobbly_Alaska

[TBow]

WB,

Glad to hear you know the individual and some of his background. Good luck with the interview.

i have shed many a tear over the animal, and often for the gift of it

RIGHT ON! Far too many hunting shows I watch depict hunters slapping high 5s, jumping up and down and focusing solely on the head gear on a downed animal.

A life has just ended so that others may continue and I truly believe there should be a solemn moment of respect for the animal. Yes there's cause for celebration as well, but also for respect and thanks.

BTW: I just took a small moose roast out of the freezer last night and it is currently in the oven as I write.

TBow

[fly]

Something primitive. A drive established long ago (primarily in men and perhaps some women). The thrill of the chase, the rush of adrenaline just prior to the kill and the satisfaction of meeting the challenge with the final blow. Followed by the feast and well deserved nap.

[m gardner]

I've spent months at a time being "homeless" in my tent enjoying what God made instead of trying to fit into what men made. It just seems to be what I'm made to do in spite of my education and abilities here. Love the hunt, the kill and the processing and eating of it.

Mark

[Wobbly_Alaska]

just met paul and what a neat guy, he popped in early just to say hello. this should be interesting the next few days!

[stevebeilgard]

for non or anti hunters, i always start with a mouse. if it's in your pantry, set a trap and kill it. then, move up to a bog old rat. i immediately jump to another memeber of the rat family, the praire dog. they carry plague and other diseases, and are lots of fun to shoot. we have them by the millions in wyoming. over 20mm is the count. so, i take them out for a "rat" hunt with a 22 anschutz. they love it. then, i simply explain to them that killing a mouse is the same with killing a polar bear, only more fun.

you can also point out that he's wearing leather shoes, belts, eats steaks, and lots more. have fun with him.

[Wobbly_Alaska]

for non or anti hunters, i always start with a mouse. if it's in your pantry, set a trap and kill it. then, move up to a bog old rat. i immediately jump to another memeber of the rat family, the praire dog. they carry plague and other diseases, and are lots of fun to shoot. we have them by the millions in wyoming. over 20mm is the count. so, i take them out for a "rat" hunt with a 22 anschutz. they love it. then, i simply explain to them that killing a mouse is the same with killing a polar bear, only more fun.

you can also point out that he's wearing leather shoes, belts, eats steaks, and lots more. have fun with him.

LOL this gent is a LONG way from an anti.. very pro hunting

[bbgatech]

Agreed... Let him watch this...http://video.primos.com/streamPlayer.aspx?TID=dfb9f668-b530-49d8-bd1a-67155f7ae1d5&type=0

That encompasses alot of why I hunt.

What a great video. That song sums it up for me. Its not that I harvest game, it's being out there that's special.

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

so? what does it feel like to hunt?

I'm just the opposite of you - I am almost exclusively a trophy hunter, but I do enjoy eating wild game and never let any go to waste. But if it wasn't for the biological necessity of controlling the herd, I doubt that I would ever kill a female or smaller male of the species. When I kill an animal, even a trophy class one, you'll never see me jumping up and down, fist pumping, hyperventilating, or otherwise overcome with emotion. The feeling I get is more like one of deep satisfaction, similar to what I feel when I build something with my own two hands and it turns out really, really good.

BTW - I had moose for the first time this year. Totally awesome!!! I think I might like it better than elk.

[Prairiepredator]

Sure...harvesting an animal is the true purpose of hunting, but there is so much more to it than that. It is about having fun with family and friends in the outdoors, taking in the scenery, and watching the wildlife. There is no better feeling then harvesting any animal with any weapon...nothing beats it. I find that hunting is my way of just forgetting about all of the stressful parts of my life and just enjoying myself.