Love guns but have never/would never hunt?

[Larry Ashcraft]

but those Pueblo-area prices sound a bit steep!

Actually, that's Black Forest Bison in north Colorado Springs, but I was working from memory. It may have been a bit less. I know that it was excellent. I would go as far as to say it was the best filet I've ever had.

And thanks for the link. Premium meat is usually worth the extra money.

no one in my family, aside from me, will eat most game meats (crazy huh ?)

Yes, and way too common. How anyone could choose commercially raised and processed meat over game meat is way beyond me.

 

[Mike1234567]

Actually, that's Black Forest Bison in north Colorado Springs, but I was working from memory. It may have been a bit less. I know that it was excellent. I would go as far as to say it was the best filet I've ever had.

And thanks for the link. Premium meat is usually worth the extra money.


Yes, and way too common. How anyone could choose commercially raised and processed meat over game meat is way beyond me.

It's a cultural thing and what we've been "programmed" to receive. The more processed it is the better. I should know... I'm one of the programmed ones.

 

[FoghornLeghorn]

I wouldn't consider you a hypocrite unless you condemned others who hunt.

I remember taking my son squirrel hunting. I was content watching the squirrel play in the tree above me.

The squirrel made his way to my son's stand. Sounded like a war.

 

[Skribs]

I don't hunt because it's not for me. It's not that I can't kill an animal, but all the other stuff involved in hunting that I wouldn't do.

I got interested in guns for the fun of making things go boom and for having a hobby that will save my life during a home invasion. I don't currently - or ever plan to - hunt.

 

[wacki]

Hunting is a recreation for anyone with a decent paying job. I'm simply not the type to take pleasure in killing anything.

 

[Danb1215]

Hunting is a recreation for anyone with a decent paying job. I'm simply not the type to take pleasure in killing anything.

So if you've got the money you should be at the grocery store basically?

 

[Robert]

Hunting is a recreation for anyone with a decent paying job. I'm simply not the type to take pleasure in killing anything.

Well I wish some one would stop taking my check cause my job is less than decent paying and I enjoy hunting. The kill is only one very small part of hunting. And as far a pleasure I am not sure that is the right word. I do not revel in the kill, but I am thankful for the meat.

 

[Warp]

I have never hunted, although I have killed a handful of birds with my old .22 pellet rifle for no particular reason other than being a teenager.

I'll hunt one of these days. I've just never had a serious urge to and nobody I know well has ever pulled me along or anything

 

[D-Day]

I wouldn't mind hunting to give the meat to a needy family. For myself, I have no taste for it.

 

[tarosean]

Hunting is a recreation for anyone with a decent paying job. I'm simply not the type to take pleasure in killing anything.

There are still poor people who have no choice other than hunting to put food on the table.

 

[MyGreenGuns]

Hunting w/o weapons and RE:

A friend of mine is a hunter. He invited me out to camp and scout deer before the opening of the season. We spent an evening in the 4x4 on the ridgetop watching the herd move thru the valley below. We woke early and rode out to the valley. The sun rose and slowly filled the valley. He pointed to the river ahead of us and the biggest buck I had ever seen (never seen many ) raised its head. My friend told me he'd probably never see that guy again. We moved slow and crawled until we were probably about 50yds away. I remember thinking that I could probably hit it with my Mosin. We had not brought rifles, as it was not quite season. We layed on the sharp pokey sticks and rocks for an hour just watching these tasty animals eat. The whole scene was ruined by a DNR helicopter swooping low and chasing the herd into the hills.

I have always wanted to go hunting but never seem to have the time off work. The only animals I've ever shot were mice (two of em), with my shotgun, not much left.

(Was it just me or was THR down for 2 hrs?)

(My replies to what I've read

This is America. You don't have to hunt to own a gun and you don't have to drive fast to own a Ford Mustang.

^Love this!

Why not a digital camera integrated into a scope, trigger activated?

^I remember reading about a guy who did this. Gutted a rifle and made a camera so he'd blend in with the hunters. (It may have been in a book tho. )

Remember that when an at-large pit bull is attacking you and your child while walking down the street

^Why always a pit bull? Think about how racist this would sound if it were (insert ethnic group) people. I've never met a mean pitty. Been bitten/snapped at by a few "friendly" dogs tho. (edit: removed off topic rant) "At times, it seems like we are our own worst enemies, spreading myths about each other without doing any research."

 

[Ole Coot]

Back in the '50s growing up in E KY everyone hunted for meat. I have hunted and trapped for 50yrs or so but for meat and varmints only. I haven't hunted in 10yrs or so simply because I would rather buy a steak than hunt. Except for varmints I don't hunt but I think everyone should be able to hunt and prepare meat just in case. You can hunt with a camera to give you experience in stalking and if you're hungry you'll kill it.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Hunting is a recreation for anyone with a decent paying job. I'm simply not the type to take pleasure in killing anything.

I have a somewhat decent paying job. I hunt, because wild game is a lot healthier than processed meat at the grocery store. I also grow my own vegetables, not because I need to, but because I want to. Just because I make decent money doesn't mean I don't need to save a little where I can. I suppose I shouldn't have chickens either?

So I suppose by your your standards, ONLY poor people should hunt? Sounds like you're trying to justify your own behavior and demonize others.

 

[bhk]

I know several 'trophy' hunters. Some are quite successful, sometimes due to skill and sometimes due to luck. Even though they manage to get nice racks on the wall, I have yet to see any of these folks waste one ounce of meat from these trophy quality animals.

I, too, have seen evidence of trophy animals with just the antlers cut off (and maybe the loins taken). Most have been found near roads and were shot out of season by poachers or during the season at night. These guys are not true hunters and never should be grouped with those that are.

I usually bag two to six deer a year. Although I am not a true trophy hunter, if two bucks came by at the same time I will shoot the bigger one for the antlers. That that make me criminal? The meat is consumed regardless of the size of the animal.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Although I am not a true trophy hunter, if two bucks came by at the same time I will shoot the bigger one for the antlers. That that make me criminal? The meat is consumed regardless of the size of the animal.

also, you'd get more meat from the bigger animal.

 

[Shienhausser]

I will shoot pest animals but have no ned to hunt for food.

 

[bhk]

I will shoot pest animals but have no ned to hunt for food.

I also have no NEED to hunt for meat, either. It is, though, very satisfying harvesting and preparing your own meat in an ethical manner. The animals I harvest have not been injected full of hormones, confined into tiny spaces for feeding/fattening, and stored/shipped in a manner I have no control of. As I said in my first post, I like being PART of nature, not an outsider looking in from the outside.

 

[oerllikon]

I love guns, and I love the meat. I just dont like ANY of the steps before the meat. Its kind of a pain, but a great skill to have. I dont really enjoy killing or skinning animals, but I do love the outdoors and guns. lol

 

[mrbro]

+1 with oerllikon, dressing the game and lugging it out of the woods is more work than I want to sign up for.

 

[InkEd]

It appears to be a fairly even split on hunting participation. The majority of non-hunters (like me) support it for overpopulation and food purposes. Trophy hunting is more of a split, even amongst the hunting community. Lastly, the majority of members seem to fine/favor shooting pests like destructive rodents and snakes. That's about how I figured this would end.

 

[buck460XVR]

I think you need to rethink your mis-perception of hunting.
Hunting is not all about killing something.

I have spent many a wonderful & memorable day hunting and never fired a shot or killed a thing.

.........exactly. There's more to a true hunt, than just pulling the trigger or releasing the arrow. A successful day hunting does not always mean coming home with something dead in the back of the truck. True hunting isn't just sitting in a elevated box over a bait pile like it shows on most TV hunting shows. There's a big difference between a hunt and a shoot. There's the gaining knowledge of the outdoors and spending quality time with friends and family. There's the once in a lifetime experience that can only be viewed from being in the right spot in the woods/field at the right time.

I grew up being taught the guns were tools for hunting. You shot them only enough to make sure the sights were true and no more....as one had to save those expensive store bought rounds for the task at hand. Thank goodness that has changed for me as I spend many a day at the range with friends and family shooting hundreds of rounds at a time. But with the exception of the Colt 5'' Government, all of my handguns, long guns and shotties are hunting firearms and are used as such, altho they see much more range time than woods time.

 

[xwray]

Remember that when an at-large pit bull is attacking you and your child while walking down the street....................

While I can't disagree with your statement, on the other hand:

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[bhk]

I am not a trophy hunter but I am still confused about the problems with 'trophy' hunting. It is against the law to shoot animals just for the antlers and to let the meat go to waste. Even those hunters who pursue 'trophies' eat the meat or make sure it is donated to someone who will. Those that don't are lawbreakers and not members of the real hunting community. When caught, they can be subject to heavy fines and adverse publicity.

Somewhere out there, anti-hunting groups are spreading the message that my above statements are not correct. And a whole lot of folks seem to believe that nonsense.

 

[rogerjames]

I am not a trophy hunter but I am still confused about the problems with 'trophy' hunting. It is against the law to shoot animals just for the antlers and to let the meat go to waste. Even those hunters who pursue 'trophies' eat the meat or make sure it is donated to someone who will. Those that don't are lawbreakers and not members of the real hunting community. When caught, they can be subject to heavy fines and adverse publicity.

Somewhere out there, anti-hunting groups are spreading the message that my above statements are not correct. And a whole lot of folks seem to believe that nonsense.

This is just my personal opinion but...

I hear a lot of "hunting folks" that share their "love of nature" as an integral part of the hunting experience... all the while... intending to kill or destroy a portion of that nature.

I am sure many are able to separate the two, but to me personally, this seems a little hypocritical.

Kind of hard for me to say that I cherish the rainforests, but work as a logger. Easy for me to say that I enjoy "sitting amongst them in the early morning"... but then participate in their demise

I also don't understand the "thrill" of using an advanced rifle with optics and "long-range" capabilities as some form of "conquering nature". If my family needed the nourishment I wouldn't blink... but I hardly think that is the case here on THR with those of us that have computers and internet access.

I don't have any problems with killing of varmint, or overpopulated species that effect other natural resources, etc.

I just do not find any enjoyment in killing something that does not NEED to be killed.

I don't see how a creature that has fought and survived nature and all it's obstacles, deserves to hang on my wall dead as some "trophy" to me and my advanced tools

You hunt me, man or beast, I'll kill ya best I can... otherwise live and let live... but that's just me.

 

[Mike1234567]

Thank goodness for the first colonial settlers in the eastern USA and, later, early plainsmen who blazed the trails toward the west. They were all hunters by necessity.

I know that most hunters take pleasure in the "hunt" but not so much in the "kill" and this I fully understand. However, what I'll never understand is why there are those few who take far more joy in the "kill" than the "hunt". "Some" enjoyment? Sure, okay, he/she made a good shot. But in the kill itself? I just don't get it.

FWIW, I eat far less meat than I once did because I feel guilty about the life taken to feed me. I do eat some meat so I'm no vegan and I don't want to become one.

I'm repeating myself here but, if I HAD to hunt to survive I would. The only reason I don't hunt now is because I'm a coward and want others to do that dirty work for me. This is brutal honesty on my part.

BTW, I never run away from a fist fight. I'll try to deescalate the situation but I'm not going to cowar.