Hunting: Not for the sentimental?

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dannyhavok

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Hey guys,

I'm getting into shooting and really enjoying it so far. I'm also curious about getting into hunting. I believe in the food chain, I know the horrors of factory farming, and I understand that a quick death is the best a wild animal could possibly ask for in the brutal, natural world. However, I'm kind of a pussy. I feel guilty leaving my cat home alone when I go on holiday. I don't like to kill spiders unless they look venomous. What if I kill a deer, get all teary-eyed, and can't bring myself to gut it? Have any of you started out in this position? Any advice for someone on the fence?

Thanks
Dan
 
I am going to go ahead and say if you don't want to kill something, don't kill something. However it just and animal and who care about bugs. Start by killing spiders when they are in the house and mosquitoes when ever you some.

After that get a .22lr and shoot:
mice- they cause havoc in the world and spread disease
squirrels- there are a billion of them. Who cares
Crows and ravens- these birds are the biggest di$%s in the bird world. They kill or injure small birds just for the heck of it, eat all the food out of bird feeders and scream at 4 am on a Sunday
Magpies - next in line for biggest di$%s. They will peck out cow's eyes while the cow is alive.
Coyotes - overpopulation will just make them starve and they are considered a pest to farmers. They eat pets, and scare cows and horses forcing them run into fences and then have to be put down
Deer- again overpopulation is bad. There are people who monitor wildlife population and hand out tags accordingly to keep numbers healthy but not over populating

If you still can't handle that hunting is not for you. Not to mention having to cut up and animal after you shot it
 
first get rid of the cat and get a dog, start killing every single spider, and get to know some farmers and you'll see that the factory farm stuff is mostly peta bs.

on a more sober note I never have and never yipped and yelled after killing a deer. its a happy feeling yet there is still some regret about taking its life. I thank my creator for a successful hunt and in the end when its all processed and in the freezer its a great feeling. I do have a lot of respect for the animal though. no yelling and cheering and fist pumps for me.
 
Thanks for the reply, Gnome! I should clarify that I ####ing hate birds. It's mostly cute mammals I think I might have trouble with.
 
dannyhavok said:
Thanks for the reply, Gnome! I should clarify that I ####ing hate birds. It's mostly cute mammals I think I might have trouble with.
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You are welcome. That's why I through squirrels in there. They are cute and cuddly so if you can shoot those you should be fine.

I also forgot to throw in that farm animals are not treated as badly as city people seem to think. Yes there are psychopaths out there but they are usually treated good.

Pig pens often look small and dirty but pigs roll in mud to cool off cause they can't sweat. it looks small but how much room does a pig need? Are you going to give its own bed room and a lazy boy? No, its a pig. They walk around a bit, sniff each other and lay down. Same with chickens. What does a chicken need? All they do is walk around funny and lay down in hay. Then you want to look at how they kill cows. Usually a nail or bullet to the head. Got a better solution? How about beating it with a 2x4 or slashing it so it bleeds for 15mins? Farmers will not poison it for obvious reasons and they are not going to give it a last meal then strap it to and electric chair.

Also prepare for an onslaught of being called a pussy. it was my first thought but I will give you the benefit of the doubt and say you did not grow up near a farm or having a hunting family
 
I actually do know a few farmers, guys who raise pigs and chickens. I just included that line to illustrate that I don't think that hunting is in any way cruel. A deer that lives according to it's nature and then is dead before it knows what happened probably had a better life than your average feedlot hog. I'm not a PETA member or a vegetarian, I have no beef with ranchers either.

My post was a little hyperbolic. I do kill bugs, and I'd cleanse the earth of seagulls if given the opportunity. I did grow up in the city and no one in my family hunted, so it's a very new world to me.

I've been on the internet for a long time, I'm not worried about some name calling... just here for some input, negative or otherwise ;)




Gnome75 said:
You are welcome. That's why I through squirrels in there. They are cute and cuddly so if you can shoot those you should be fine.

I also forgot to throw in that farm animals are not treated as badly as city people seem to think. Yes there are psychopaths out there but they are usually treated good.

Pig pens often look small and dirty but pigs roll in mud to cool off cause they can't sweat. it looks small but how much room does a pig need? Are you going to give its own bed room and a lazy boy? No, its a pig. They walk around a bit, sniff each other and lay down. Same with chickens. What does a chicken need? All they do is walk around funny and lay down in hay. Then you want to look at how they kill cows. Usually a nail or bullet to the head. Got a better solution? How about beating it with a 2x4 or slashing it so it bleeds for 15mins? Farmers will not poison it for obvious reasons and they are not going to give it a last meal then strap it to and electric chair.

Also prepare for an onslaught of being called a pussy. it was my first thought but I will give you the benefit of the doubt and say you did not grow up near a farm or having a hunting family
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All spiders are venomous.

I saw a guy get all teary eyed once after shooting a moose. He got over it and I gutted it for him. I've found that on average few people gut their first deer themselves. If you have to, it isn't rocket science. Just unzip them and sever everything that is holding the I needs on the inside. Freshly killed animals aren't gross or disgusting, so as long you don't faint at the sight of blood you'll do fine. If not, that's what cell phones are for.
 
I agree with get rid of your cat and get a dog. That's the first step. :)

But seriously, if you have doubts then I would say don't go shoot a deer. Try some small game. Snowshoe hares and cottontails are cute as hell. They even look kinda like a cat. If you can blow one of them away without peeing your pants, then continue with your quest.

I recommend going out with some hunters and seeing what its all about before investing the time and money in a hunting course.
 
dannyhavok said:
Hey guys,

I'm getting into shooting and really enjoying it so far. I'm also curious about getting into hunting. I believe in the food chain, I know the horrors of factory farming, and I understand that a quick death is the best a wild animal could possibly ask for in the brutal, natural world. However, I'm kind of a pussy. I feel guilty leaving my cat home alone when I go on holiday. I don't like to kill spiders unless they look venomous. What if I kill a deer, get all teary-eyed, and can't bring myself to gut it? Have any of you started out in this position? Any advice for someone on the fence?

Thanks
Dan
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Hunting is more about getting outside then shooting somthing. Maybe you will not have a chance to harvest an animal anyway.
 
These replies nailed it. Killing an animal to eat is a sober thing. I believe it is the responsibility mature adults to experience doing what they usually pay some else to do. Many folks I know, especially ones who can afford to eat whatever they want, "hunt" lots but often don't get around to shooting big game very much. Start small, grouse etc.
 
prairie lover said:
first get rid of the cat and get a dog, start killing every single spider, and get to know some farmers and you'll see that the factory farm stuff is mostly peta bs.

on a more sober note I never have and never yipped and yelled after killing a deer. its a happy feeling yet there is still some regret about taking its life. I thank my creator for a successful hunt and in the end when its all processed and in the freezer its a great feeling. I do have a lot of respect for the animal though. no yelling and cheering and fist pumps for me.
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I'm a farmer, and will very firmly say there are factory farms a plenty. Hog barns, chicken barns and feed lots are all factory farms. You want to see normal farms, go find the few left that are variety farms and have chickens pigs cows turkeys you name it.

OP, if you are to big of a pussy to hunt and process your own meet, but would like to eat better, find a farm with free range animals and make a deal with the farmer for a 1/4 of beef and some chickens to put in your freezer.
 
If you are worried that you may burst into tears and be rendered helpless after getting meat for your freezer, I suggest you bring your husband out with you so he can take care of the chore while you are curled up in the fetal position sobbing, and using up all the kleenex in your purse.
 
Gatehouse said:
If you are worried that you may burst into tears and be rendered helpless after getting meat for your freezer, I suggest you bring your husband out with you so he can take care of the chore while you are curled up in the fetal position sobbing, and using up all the kleenex in your purse.
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Hah oh #### we've got a tough guy over here!

Thanks for the replies guys, lots of good advice here. I'll have to look into what kind of hunting options are available here, fowl and small game sound like good places to start. I guess I have an excuse to buy a shotgun and a 22LR as well.
 
Amelio said:
Hunting is more about getting outside then shooting somthing. Maybe you will not have a chance to harvest an animal anyway.
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This is my experience thus far. Lol

There is only one way to find out if you've got what it takes. Go shoot something. And then go gut it. Once you've pulled the trigger, you owe it to the animal to make it into some steak'ums, so its time to man up and just deal with it.
 
I agree, Suther.

Once an animal is on the ground, one's sense of respect and responsibility should easily outweigh any pussy-factor.

If not, then don't post back here with your horror story, please - and consider killing yourself.
 
prairie lover said:
first get rid of the cat and get a dog, start killing every single spider, and get to know some farmers and you'll see that the factory farm stuff is mostly peta bs.

on a more sober note I never have and never yipped and yelled after killing a deer. its a happy feeling yet there is still some regret about taking its life. I thank my creator for a successful hunt and in the end when its all processed and in the freezer its a great feeling. I do have a lot of respect for the animal though. no yelling and cheering and fist pumps for me.
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This is my take on it as well. Regret isn't quite the right word, but it's probably the closest I can think of. Shooting and gutting a deer is indeed a sobering, visceral experience. It gives you a different perspective on the steak on your plate, but it is a truly rewarding experience, and one worth pursuing for sure.
 
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