redfoxster wrote:
I love hunting, im leaving for the deer lease for 3 days tomorrow, then off home fro turkey day until school starts again in a little over a week. I think hutning is a great thing. Hunters have a greater appreciation of the outdoors and the environment, than the average person I would say. Most hunters also understand the importance of regulating populations of wildlife to prevent over population and resulting starvation. Its also great quality meat, far better than anything you can buy at the grocery store. The list goes on, it's jsut a very good thing. People say that some hunters just enjoy killing and do it for the thrill and there's no reason to hunt anymore. I'd just point out that those kinds og hunters account for less than 1% of outdoorsmen, and as for people that say its not neccessary anymore, well, perhaps not to put food on the table, but as a population control and way to raise money for conservation, its a great thing.
I agree. If you haven't gone hunting, you really don't know nature. People say "oh, i go for walks in the forest all the time" yea, but the animals are watching you while you do it. Ever notice that it is really quiet when you walk? I used to think nature was quiet, before i started hunting. Now, i know it's loud as all Hell. After a while of sitting still, the animals forget you are there, and go about thier business. To me, it's really fun to watch all the different kind of animals interact. Also, i would like to point out most hunters DO NOT use the "if it's brown, it's down" theory. I have let more small bucks(and does with fawns) walk than i can remember. Hunting is NOT just about shooting an animal, it's about the experience, and joy of nature.
Those who don’t hunt cannot understand the ecstasy with which we enjoy the outdoors. The burning in your lungs as you inhale your first breath of cold air outside the camp. That sting in your toes that reminds you that you forgot an extra pair of socks. The awe-filled gaze covering your face as you stare at the stars with no lights from the city to dirty their beauty. Those few moments in the stand right before sunrise when every shape and every twig snapping is a massive antlered buck trying to slip past you.
Then daylight comes and the woods erupt with the sounds of nature undisturbed. Not a creature knows you are there except the aggravated squirrel barking in the tree next to you. Acorns fall and sound just like hooves crunching years of leaves on the ground. You start to settle in because now the hard part of hunting begins. You must sit still. Any motion might give away your presence. You must endure every mosquito bite and every itch and the numbness in your fingertips creeping up your hands. For hours on end you are part of nature. You are nature. Where God intended you to be.