Great to see a couple of new hunters joining the ranks this year. Good luck to you both!

 

That's why I don't hunt. I would love the actual "hunt", but I couldn't gut the animal.

 

They are fun. It is kinda dangerous how it leaves the trigger without a guard when you work the lever action. My Dad modified the sights a bit with a few drops of florescent paint. It certainly helps in low light conditions.

 

No problem. Go hunt with a camera. I know several people that do that and can get some amazing close up shots. Give it a try sometime. There's something about being within 10 yards of a deer when it doesn't know you are there.

 

+1. It is fun watching them come towards you through the dense underbrush. After a whole morning of silence they come come walking through breaking branches and crushing leaves. Your heart starts to beat faster and faster as you wait for a clear view.

 

I still don't understand the challenge here. If you are hunting because you need it to eat... fine. But anything else is just lame. There is nothing more creepy than walls full of stuff animal heads.

If you want a challenge... pick up a rock and jump the damn thing and club it to death.

Otherwise... using a gun to kill something isn't hard... the respect level goes up for bow hunters... but even then the technology of todays bows diminishes the difficulty also.

Just do this... go and enjoy the woods and enjoy nature... unless you need to eat to survive, there is no reason to go kill things.

I own guns... I shoot... but from all the years I've spent camping across the US and hiking through the moutains/parks etc..... hunting is to easy and sad for me to support. (don't bring up population control... that has its place... and it will hardly ever be the reason a hunter go out)

 

There is a lot of prep that can be done before you even go out on opening day. You scout for signs and animal activity in the area. You find trails and possible vantage points. You build multiple stands. You prep in the morning to cover your scent. I don't mean to start a fight or argument but unless you have actually done it don't say that it doesn't require skill/hard work.

Go ahead and say that you disagree with the principal but if you do then I would expect you to never go into McDonald's or ever enjoy a steak.

As for population control, you've never been to Northern Minnesota. I hit 2 deer in one year. That is only counting the ones I've hit. Screw autocross. Just go to Northern Minnesota and dodge deer.

 

Splitime,

I respect your position and won't try to rationalize or justify mine. I appreciate your post and am happy that you chose to voice your opinion. Frankly, I was a bit suprised to see it take 23 posts to see a dissenting view, although generating one wasn't my intent when starting this thread.

 

I understand all that having tracked them through the hills and watched them up close for fun. It doesn't justify the kill... unless its to feed the family.

Heads on the wall /= feeding the family. Making a trophy out of a living creature is just well... disgusting. If I needed to hunt to eat, I would in a heartbeat. Would I waste part of the dear to make a trophy... no... it fed me... why take it beyond that?

When I fish... I eat them and thats it. Why bother with anything more?

I know we'll just have to agree to disagree... but yah... as Stein was thanking me.. I do need to voice my opinion.

 

Not sure if he helps or not, but to give some support to my outdoor activities/knowledge/whatever... I'm an Eagle Scout who grew up in the woods. I consider it a home away from home.

 

In all actuality I partially agree with you. Shooting something just for sport doesn't really sound that appealing. I enjoy venison and have survived off of it before.

 

Not necessarily. My ex was an avid hunter, and also had many trophies, including exotics. However, we ate everything he killed. I disagree with trophy hunting, but if you are going to eat it, who cares? As to a trophy on the wall, that is some one's personal preference. I think the trophy's are beautiful. I could do without the boar's head though.
Stephanie

 

Deer are very beautiful animals.

As for the boar, you should put it outside with it's head sticking out of a dog house and see what the neighbors say.

 

Wow, me too. What caliber is yours? Mine is a .44 Rem Mag, and the thing is a tack driver inside of 75 yards. When I last sighted it in, I put 3 rounds nearly on top of each other at 50 yards. I cheat, and use a 3-9X scope on mine. I use a 12 ga, to deer hunt, though.

 

i also disagree with "trophy" hunting. if you are going to kill something, eat it. deer meat is freaking awesome!