Calling all Hunters/Gatherers

MattDelR wrote: »

Kate14987,

Sadly, you're not in the minority when it comes to misunderstanding hunting. Unfortunately it's poorly represented to the majority of folks that aren't involved in it. Most people simply don't know the truth about it, simple misinformation leads to wrong judgement.

The vast majority of hunters are not "trophy hunters", no one I know wastes the meat and I've known a LOT of hunters. It all goes to good use. Sometimes it feeds homeless or hungry, sometimes it feeds us and our families. No matter what, it's some of the healthiest meat we can consume and we don't let it go to waste, even if we also mount the animal it came from.

As for feeling bad, I've been hunting for 26 years now and I have killed a lot of animals. If you don't feel a little remorse, there's probably something wrong with you. It's not something you should ever take lightly, you are taking a life. Personally, for me it's a huge mix of emotions.

First it's not nearly as easy as most people believe. I mostly hunt whitetail deer, and mature deer avoid hunting pressure incredibly well. So there is always a sense of accomplishment and excitement when you get the deer you're after in range and make a clean, ethical shot. Followed by a great feeling of relief.

When I lay my hands on the animal for the first time I feel great sadness that I've taken the life of a beautiful animal, but at the same time, you can't help but be completely overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude or thankfulness that you are able to use this animal to sustain your own life.

It's the most natural thing humans do right there with breathing.

I often wish there was a way to eat them and breathe life back into them and do it all over again, but it's simply not the case, so we simply respect them and utilize them to the best of our abilities.

I truly love animals, probably more than most "anti-hunters". I study them, I enjoy photographing them, viewing them, learning everything about them, donating to help them thrive. I've adopted abused dogs, rescued and raised orphaned raccoons, helped abandoned cats, etc. I have a great respect for all animals, but at the same time, I understand that I need them as food to survive. So I have to kill some of them.

Far better for us to utilize them than have them going to waste being hit by cars or starving to death from exceeding the carrying capacity of the habitat. We are meant to eat them, but meant to respect them.

Until you kill something for your own food, it's hard to understand all that though. I always suggest people at least be a part of butchering at least one animal to get a sense of appreciation for where their cheeseburgers come from.


Anyway, good luck to all my fellow hunters and huntresses this season. Be safe and shoot straight.

Oh, and someone else mentioned it, but yes, if ever you have the chance, you must visit the West even just to see it. But if you can, hunt elk!!! I bowhunted elk a few years ago and lived in the mountains of Idaho for a little over a week. DIY backpacking adventure. Called in three different quality bulls and one cow to 50 yards or less, but never could get a clear shot. Also saw 3 grizzly bears, a mountain lion, tons of mule deer and pronghorn, and a big horn ram silhouetted on an adjacent mountain ridge. Just an absolutely incredible experience that everyone needs to try....I can't wait to do it again when I can. Good exercise out there too, because everything is way further away than you think....I'll just hike over that hill over there...(three hours later) lol It's beautiful out there.

-Matt

Rocknut53 wrote: »

kate141987 wrote: »

I apologise if I came across as being judgemental, the majority of hunting stories iv read about have been trophy hunting and it absolutely disgusts me plus the fact I love animals and am passionate about animal welfare. Also iv just started becoming vegetarian lol

So anything about animals can get my blood boiling, plus I don't know anything about hunting my reply was genuine I don't understand how anyone can kill and gut an animal, but I do realise now it's perhaps part of tradition and you can enjoy completely free range meat, instead of meat from caged animals which is obviously better.

I still feel kinda bad for the animals...but I'm not judging you, il leave you's to enjoy your hunting

I appreciate your honesty in discussing this topic. That said, most hunters feel some compassion and sadness when killing an animal for food. It's human nature. I don't hunt as much as I used to but we still manage to put an elk in the freezer every year to go along with all of our produce we grow. We've always done it and will continue until we can't. Unfortunately, there is growing pressure to change our attitudes about it because a lot of people just don't understand.