The real reason for the Hunt

[Zeek5793]

I'm almost 60 now, and as i think back, when i was a kid all i wanted was a kill, but now a lot older and i hope a little wiser, I know that the hunt is all about being with the people you care for and respect & love,I have experenced some of the best Deer and Elk hunting anyone can ask for,, and with the most wonderful people in the world, I've taken many wonderful animals and have thanked GOD every time, But it's not how big the trophy is but who you are with that really matters, The best hunt i've ever been on are when my two Grandson, brothers, one was 17 and the other 14, we all drew on a very hard to get Bull Elk hunt, On the 3rd day of the hunt the 17 yd old shot a 6X6 340 green score Bull, 380 yd with a 30 06 what a shot, 2 steps and it was down, On the 6th day the 14 yr old took a 6X6 a 309 green at 180 yd with a 338 Win, I've never seen a Bull Elk go down Quicker, All of us had many chances and good Bulls , I never fired a Shot that Hunt but It was the best hunt I've ever been on or ever will, If you are my age or close to it you will understand,, For you who are not just think of what you have to look forward to ,, Remember the reason for the HUNT
GOD BLESS
Zeek5793

[stuckon308]

Nicely said. This year I was bugging my dad to come out hunting with me for pretty much anything. He's always super busy with working and helping other people. But on the second last day of whitetail there was a ice/snow storm and school was cancelled (he's a teacher). So we fired up my brother's 71 Bronco and headed out to the nicest place I've ever hunted. The snow was incredible. Walking and "hunting" with him was even more incredible. I'll never forget the day that I first hunted with my dad. And I hope it wasn't the last. Oh we never fired a shot. We saw a couple of does and one nice buck. None worth shooting at though. I don't mind paying my $20 just to walk with my gun in the woods with the chance of seeing something. It's so much nicer than living in the city and walking on a street.

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=22384&d=1169483832

[castnblast]

Guys, I can't agree more. My dad passed away this December. It's been rough, and everytime I'm out in the field, I think of him. My fondest memories were with him on hunts. Stuckon308, MAKE SURE YOU TELL YOUR DAD HOW MUCH THAT AND OTHER TRIPS MEAN TO YOU. Don't be afraid to tell him. Too often us guys get the macho and afraid to tell our father's how much we love them, and I try to remember that as a father as well. Show him your post. Show him mine. Get him on this site. It may change your life, and I gaurantee it will have an affect on him like you won't believe...

I'm going to start a thread, probably tomorrow, titled memorable hunts with dad to comemorate the close of this season, and to celebrate the times I had with him. I think you dad will appreciate this as much as you will. I hope you share your thoughts with him.

God bless and take care!

[stuckon308]

Oh don't worry. He knows how much it meant to me. We even did the sharing of hot chocolate on the way home. I think that has to be one of the best days in my life. And right now I'm literally crying.

[FirstFreedom]

Agreed; cept for me it's not to be with ones I love; it's to be ALONE, and witness sights like the utmost beauty shown in stuckon's pic there. Connecting with nature. I suppose if I found a real soul mate who thinks just like me and can enjoy things QUIETLY, I could favor the being-with-someone over the being-alone as the purpose.

[stuckon308]

I totally agree with you FirstFreedom. There are times to hunt alone. And I mainly do that. When I take out my cousins or brothers I don't really expect to kill, or even see much on those days. But they're fun days to be walking in nature with people you care about.

[Kreyzhorse]

My Dad just turned 63 and I'm 37. This past year was the first time that I have ever hunted with my Dad who retired from hunting at least 20 years ago.

I take a yearly hunting trip to Wyoming each year and this year I was able to convince him to join us. He hadn't shot a rifle at any living thing in 20 years but my Dad killed a doe and a nice buck within his first 2 hours of hunting on opening day. The buck he killed was one hell of a nice one and I could see the pride on his face after each. It was a great feeling to see him enjoy himself in the outdoors.

I was able to take two antelope myself with my buck coming in at 15" with 3" cutters. This is most likely the biggest antelope I'll ever get hunting public land. While I'm proud as hell of my buck, what really makes me happy is that my dad was laying in the same ditch with me scanning a hillside looking at a smaller buck when mine crested the hill. Dad and I both saw him and just as soon as my Dad said "Do you see that one?" my 7mm roared and the buck dropped at 176 yards.

No matter how long I live, I'll never forget that hunt with my father. Once that buck dropped, I don't know who was prouder, my Father or myself. It was special and long overdue. You see, I always wanted to learn to hunt from my Father but never had the chance too. I learned from others and I have developed a great love for all things outdoor. Finally getting a chance that share that with my Dad made for a great trip and memories that will last both of us for a lifetime.

[Trip20]

I know I'd feel the same way as the OP if I had family with which to hunt. But for me, right now, it's all about the connection with nature. It's about time standing still such as in moments like that photo above. It's about being humbled by my errors and triumphant in my success.

Nothing quite like the hush of a forest after a fresh snow.

I come back with a new perspective; refreshed.

I hunt alone.

[castnblast]

Trust me, I hunt for solitude...it recharges the batteries. I do try to involve my son whenever possible, but like a lot of you, I love to be out there...no TV...no phone... no computer... and when I'm really lucky, just a sleeping bag, a fire and no eletricity. It does not get any better than that. But the camplife with the one's you love are truely cherished times too.

[BIGR]

Your right. Hunting is not just about klling something, its about getting outdoors breathing the fresh air and enjoying the peace and quite of the great outdoors. Sharing time with a family member or friend. A bad day of hunting is better than the best day at work. :D

[jrothWA]

the solitude for your soul. The exercise for the body. The reconnection with nature.
To go to a new area and read sign to place yourself accordingly.
To get yourself caught by a animal as you quietly round a trail bend, or get woken @ 4:30Am as a deer round a game trail and ran into your tent. (Darn, sleeping bag zipper tags should be luminiscent and as large as possible).
Having come back to your camp well after dark and find an invite to another camp for dinner. Helping another hunter with directions after "lites out"
Going to the friendly tree, because the kidneys' say so and have the late moon illuminating the countryside.
Having your dog (Springer) give you comments (looks could kill) on your shooting abilities, after she spent twenty minutes scenting a rabbit in a Ohio public game area after the morning assault waves crash and spent themselves in vain chase.
Add-in guys, we know what is all about!!!

[Foxman]

You guys are bringing back memories. Years ago I bought a Sako 243 super deluxe ( I still have it) and took it round to show my Dad who was an engineer all his life. He went round showing every body saying "look at the quality, this is one beautiful rifle, I bet it is a real tack driver" (it is).
I said I'm going to work up a load this week, want to come out on my next deer hunt? you bet he said. He did and I got a nice doe first time out, we dressed that out went on a ways and came on another, I gave him the rifle and he shot it clean a little over 100yds, boy was he happy!
We have talked over that day and many others, fishing trips too, too many times to mention.
He died last year just over (92 yrs) and I can still see the exitement and pleasure on his face when we went out, he always treated it like a new adventure every time, sure do miss him.

[Clayfish]

I must say that I hunt alone mostly because, just like others have said, it recharges the batteries. I can think and pray and just relaxe.

I really like the tasty critters too. :D

[Desertfox]

Thanks to all of the above members. I agree with the hunting alone and I appreciate hunting (both times) with my daughter.

I have read the above statements about 5 times now and I feel like I have been in the same state of mind in the woods as you.
When I am alone in the woods or on the mountain from now on, I will be reminded that other hunters are out in their respective spots enjoying the same solitude I am. To say it is a religeous experience sometimes is not easy to understand unless you have experienced it.

We may be out there alone, but it is nice to know we are sharing the same experience as other outdoorsmen. I am 41 years old and can appreciate the memories past and the ones being made still.

[USNairman]

I will agree with you that who you hunt with and the time that you share with them has a huge part in the hunt but a nice trophy always makes the hunt a little more enjoyable. I love to be with my family and friends when I hunt but the truth be told, I would still be out there after that trophy even if I was all by myself. :D

[ForksLaPush]

I hunt alone too, so I have thought about why since it has nothing to do with memories, or family, or something I've been taught. I think the feeling of recharging, etc., as has been said above, is because we are getting back to something we are missing in our "civilized" lives. Man has been a hunter since before Esau picked up his bow. I figure it's like a sled dog pulling or a retriever retrieving - It's in our genes so it feels exactly right.

[skeeter1]

I love to be out there...no TV...no phone... no computer... and when I'm really lucky, just a sleeping bag, a fire and no eletricity. It does not get any better than that.

Man, isn't that the truth. One bone-headed acquaintance of mine went afield and was yakking on his cell phone. Guess who never saw a deer? ;)

[shotguna]

I know what you guys mean, however, I am 16 and my father loves to hunt, but has always drank too much to do so effectively. I go out hunting with him a lot though, even though I know I wont ever see anything. I just went down to my aunts to hunt there about a month ago and got 2 deer. However, I dont really care about the meat as much as the experiance of it. People around me have started looking at me in a higher light now that I have gotten a deer. Cause in my family, it makes you a man! :o

[DReicht]

Personally I can't go hunting. There's simply too much violence in this world and I can not morally justify killing another animal. To experience nature I go hiking and rather than taking meat with me when I leave, I take pictures. Killing is simply somethign I don't want to do.

[Charles S]

Killing is part of the life cycle whether you choose to participate or not.

Violence is also part of life. Choosing to ignore that fact, can be very dangerous. I also admire natures beauty, but I do not delude myself into thinking that things won't die if I don't kill them. There is a food chain and I choose to (for the most part) be at the top.

Don't think your chicken, beef, or pork committed suicide to get to your table.

I don't hunt for the kill, but I will and do kill at the appropriate times.

[stuckon308]

A nice clean kill with a gun or bow is much nicer to experience than to think about how they do it in a factory. At least the animals in the wild have a chance. They also taste better and cost less to harvest yourself. Mind you, some hunters give other ones bad names. Like when they take too much or wound and not track an animal.

[skeeter1]

...Why exactly are you posting on a hunting forum? Just trying to push your own politcal agenda?

Personally I can't go hunting. There's simply too much violence in this world and I can not morally justify killing another animal. To experience nature I go hiking and rather than taking meat with me when I leave, I take pictures. Killing is simply somethign I don't want to do.

Did you ever eat a hamburger or checken breast or piece of fish? Then you're a complete hypocrite. That hamburger came from a once-living cow, the chicken breast from a once-living chicken, that salmon-fillet from a once-living fish.

Hunting is a camaraderie among those who enjoy the sport and like to put food on the tables for their families.

You're nothing but a troll and shouldn't be here. :barf:

[DReicht]

That was a totally unwarranted response, something I usually don't find here. I in no way challenged the idea of hunting merely addressed my viewpoint on it. I eat free range and organic meat however I do realize my viewpoint has a sense of hypocrisy however I am not involved in the killing of these animals. I hope to never have to pull a trigger on a living thing no matter what species it belongs to for no matter one reason. This does not prevent me from being an avid shooter though. Shooting for me will never lead to hunting. That doesn't mean I am making any judgements about what you do with your guns.

Please don't try and jump down my throat next time :(

[Capt. Charlie]

All right guys. This is a great thread. Let's not ruin this one by going off topic on an age old debate, OK?

[DReicht]

Honestly there's no reason to have an argument about this.

[Zeek5793]

I am really So sorry to have started a fight over something so Dear to my heart,, But I do have to agree with Charles s and Sheeter 1, on this, and as far as DReicht , you have your own right to do and think as you please,
God Bless you all,!!! PLEASE, Let's all remember who we are?? and what we are?? and why we are here,??? GOD BLESS
Zeek 5793

[stuckon308]

I think we responded harshly because we were talking about the reason for hunting. Not the reason for not hunting. It's kind of like walking into a police station and talking about anarchy. You just don't do it. But whatever..... free speech.

[DReicht]

Zeek it was in no way you're fault. And Skeeter I was simply giving my opinion on why I don't hunt, I just wanted to be part of the group! :) In all seriousness, I promote hunting for a variety reasons I just know that it isn't for me.

[Charles S]

In all seriousness, I promote hunting for a variety reasons I just know that it isn't for me.

I respect that. I hope I did not come across too strong.

I do firmly believe hunting is essential to the health of our game animals now. Balance is part of nature and part of balance is preditation. I believe that we have a responsibility to take manage (read that as kill) a certain amount of the game in order to prevent over population and depleation of resources.

I do respect your views and your feeling.

[Foxman]

I'm with Stuck on 308, gotta call B******t on the reason for posting just wanting to join the group!
If you dont like hunting, post on the target forums, no need to come on here whining about how it isnt for you, if it isnt thats your choice, but this thread is about hunting period.:barf:

[piercfh]

Awesome picture of the woods. You kind of motivated me to put my camera in my pocket on the way to the stand.

At just 20 years old I love to hunt, and have shared it with everyone I have gotten a chance to. Im allready responsible for many first deer, and I love it. I spent more time this year worrying about where I was going to let my friends hunt than where I was going to set up myself. I have never before felt so dissapointed that deer season was over as I have this year. O well turkey season will be here soon, and I think im going to go try some some squirrels this afternoon.

heres a picture od the sun coming up over the backside of our property in central alabama. got to love it.

[BIGR]

Hunting started hundreds and hundreds years ago and people had to hunt to survive. If our ancestors had not hunted, there is a posibilty that you would not be here today. Today our survival does not entirely depend on it but if SHTF atleast we would know how to hunt and fish for food. Hunting also keeps nature in balance. Over population of animals only leads to disease and starvation. Animals suffer alot more under those circumstances. It is a check and balance system. If you do not believe in hunting then don't try force your agenda on other people. If you want to go around and hug trees and kiss the earth go ahead, you have that right, but just don't come into the woods doing that while I am hunting.

[Trip20]

That's a great picture, piercfh.

I snapped a similar picture this season:
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g317/trip2077/IMG_1490.jpg

Also, here's a panoramic view of the tree stand. It's a bit distorted due to stitching individual snap shots together. The tree line on the left and the tree line on the right form a straight tree line behind me as I was snapping the pictures. Can't wait to sit there again next season!
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g317/trip2077/StandView.jpg

[Yellowfin]

The fact that too many people don't hunt today explains much about how societal values and people in general have become distorted, fragmented, and run amuck. Among people I grew up, though they left lots to be desired in other aspects, they always suspected something to be decidedly wrong with those who didn't hunt or fish or have some regular form of outdoor sports activity like it. Life ever since then has only confirmed the theory.

[rem33]

Zeek it was in no way you're fault. And Skeeter I was simply giving my opinion on why I don't hunt, I just wanted to be part of the group! In all seriousness, I promote hunting for a variety reasons I just know that it isn't for me.

The guys are right DRiecht, your comments didn't belong here. sorry but is is impossible for you to understand having never walked in those shoes.


Zeek5793,
I know what your saying for sure. There are memories with my farther or son, who is no long here, That I will cherish forever and wouldn't trade for a winning lotto ticket. Dad's 83 now and I as time goes on I find I am looking forward to hunting season more than in times past as I know some day we can't do that together again. He took me deer hunting when I was 12. I will never forget it.
Those boys will never forget those elk with you as I will never forget the one my boy shot when we were hunting together, or being with my Dad when I shot my first.

[skeeter1]

Too often us guys get the macho and afraid to tell our father's how much we love them, and I try to remember that as a father as well.

My dad taught me how to shoot, camp, and hunt, yet we never really expressed any affection for one another. That's a shame. The only talking we do now is in my prayers or when I go to visit his gravesite. :(

[el Divino]

I'm 43 and in my hunts everytime a good deer (130-140 B&C) crooses in front of me I just think of next day when one of my children will be hunting so he can take the shot, some exceptions when is an excelent deer 150+ I just take it :D and if one of my boys is with me he will take it:cool: , GOD BLESS AMERICA

[fisherman66]

great photos!

I have a fresh desktop covered in snow and a sunrise for later.

Nothin like cooking a meal of wild game and reliving the memories. There is something deeply satisfying about hunting that is hard to express in words. I guess it relates to touching roots in today's busy world. Sort of a psychological orgasm. Probably only makes sense to me...

[DWARREN123]

I think it goes something like this in hunting, start out wanting to have fun, wanting to kill the most, wanting to kill the biggest, wanting to have fun.

[Art Eatman]

DWARREN123, there's a natural progression with age that's been noticed many, many times.

We start out rather eagerly to kill something, not being particularly selective. We progress to being selective for various reasons, such as herd numbers, habitat, trophy size, barren doe, whatever. The deal is selectivity.

Somewhere in one's forties, approximately, the idea of teaching others enters into the equation. By one's fifties, teaching and/or helping other, younger or newer hunters, quite often becomes more important than one's own success.

One reason I enjoy the Internet is that I can pass along many of the bits and pieces I've learned over a rather large number of years. "Satisfies that school-teacher part of me."

Still learnin' stuff, too.

Art

[Caimlas]

I'm only 25, but I've seen enough hunts and I'm generally experienced enough with life to know this holds true - not just for hunting, but for any cherished activity. My grandfather, who I hunted pheasants with during my teens, still rants and raves about my first pheasant and one particular day's hunt in which we only got one bird, where he winged it at a distance and then I and the dog ended up chasing it for a good half mile before I jumped on it. That second hunt is his most favorably recollected hunt - and, for someone who has hunted almost every year throughout his life in 3-5 different states for deer, elk, moose, and birds (as well as a very extensive trapping history), that's saying something! (I'm the eldest grandchild and the only one who's ever gone hunting with him due to age and interest.)

My father really enjoys working in the "yard" (4 acre wooded area); he's an engineer, so he does it from the perspective of a pharaoh (heh): excavation, cutting trees, planning a garden, making a duck pond out of a natural spring, etc. This past winter was pretty warm, and so we (my father, myself, and my - at the time - 3 year old son) were out and about, cutting and moving deadfall trees for the wood stove with the tractor. My son was having a blast, but my dad was obviously enjoying it just as much, if not more so.

http://hodgens.net/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13380&g2_serialNumber=2

Folks, this is what we live for; it is the very purpose for which we should aspire to live: the transmission of non-quantifiable value from one generation to the next.

[Full-choke]

Agreed. My friend and I sit up in the tree stand for hours on end when we are both home from school. We don't really get any shots at Coyotes, mainly because we are talking too much, but it is when we catch up. Sitting out in the calm night, little tape deck playing some calls, it really doesn't matter. It is time to catch up, to talk and to remain friends. I look forward to days like that Elk hunt, I want to be able to see my kids and grandkids take their animals and be there to teach them what it is all about. Well said.

[jhgreasemonkey]

Adventure in the beautiful outdoors. That says it all for me. :)