Killing ... how do you feel ...

All aspects of the hunt, planning, stalking/waiting, the kill itself & the dressing of the animal afterwards, are all a rather spiritual experience for me - I don't believe in "God" but I do believe we have a connection somehow to the earth and the animals on it. Be it a squirrel, rabbit, goose or white-tail deer ... that animal died so that I could eat for another day. I do feel a great sense of pride in my ability to feed myself off the land, so there is a sort of happyness involved with any kill - but that joy has more to do with my skills, and very little to do with "the kill".

What I do find odd though is the polar opposite I feel when I am fishing. I am quite vocal and very excited when I have a largemouth bass or good sized grass pike dancing across the water (essentially fighting for it's life) at the end of my line. I could not count how many "high fives" I've traded with my fishing buddies over the years/ Hell, we even have ongoing bets over it ... $2 for first fish of the day, $2 for largest fish of the day - yet we would never consider something like that during duck season.

There is a spiritual conflict in me regarding hunting & fishing ... I have no qualms about hooking a fish, enjoying the battle with it and then clubbing it to death. But I know for a fact that I could never do the same with deer (the old apple on hook on a fence post method comes to mind). I don't see fish as a "lesser" animal - but something in my upbringing has conditioned me consider fishing a "Sport" and therfore something to take joy in, whereas Hunting is anything but that for me.
 
I get a feeling inside that I can't describe... It encompasses my whole body, I suppose the best description is elation but even that doesn't do it justice.... I generally just sit and relax after the shot and take as much time as I can to enjoy the feeling... I say a prayer inside for my good fortune and the opportunity to take part in something I love so much..
There is nothing else in the world that gives me the same feeling as I get when I successfully take an animal and I suppose that is because only I know the time and effort that I put in, in order to be successful.
Do I hollar and scream, no... Am I at my happiest and most satisfied, yes

DL
 
More of a sense of accomplishment after all the time, scouting, equipment , etc, that you put into the hunt.No big celebration or end zone spkies just as content as I am sitting in my stands before the kill as after.

That being said there is no sense of defeat when the tag isn't filled,it's the relaxtion and time away from work that is the therapy.

As others have said of big celebration depicted on TV is almost to a point of disgust.When the animal is harvested should be a time of reflection for ourselves and what the wildlife gives us for a hobby and lifestyle we enjoy.
 
You said don't lie....

I yell, hoot, half freak out....

My first buck I shot, was 413 yrds away. One shot and dropped him... I lost my mind...... I was sooo excited... prolly heard me for miles around... lol
 
All depends. I'm mainly a bird hunter so I shoot quite a few a year. Sometimes I'm really excited, especially early in the season, more to reaffirm to myself that I still got in. By the end of the season when the freezer is getting full, I start to get more sentimental, seeing those late season mallard goes down saddens me a bit. When you look around and there's only you and the birds out in a december snow storm, it feels like you and the birds are the only one that understand each other.

I know I sound sort of rainbow but...
 
Satisfied with a job done to the best of my ability, fortunate, maybe lucky. I take a good look at the animal; it's physical condition, signs of age, etc.

I love to be out. I love the sights, the sounds, the smells. I love how when I'm hunting I can hear a mouse in the grass and notice a shrew. I enjoy casually looking for new plants I've studied. I also take pride in knowing when I see my chosen quarry, judge the distance and angle I know exactly where my bullet will hit and how it will perform.


As far as the actual kill, I feel about the same as I do when I kill a chicken, or put it in the oven for that matter. I like to eat, and so does my family. For me it's strictly about the hunting experience, and the meat.
 
After a kill, I feel wonderful. I blame it on a couple million years of evolution hardwiring us with predator instincts. Your heart rate increases, you breathign gets faster, giving your moscles much need blood/oxygen for the chase. Your nerves flood with adrenaline. It's a pretty great feeling, really. And it's supposed to be.

There is always a little bit of celebration. A few hoots and hollers and a high five never hurt anyone. Think of this: Imagine someone gave you a $500 food voucher. Would you calmly shrug it off, say a prayer, and go on without feeling at least a LITTLE bit happy, excited, etc? No...I don't think so.
 
Claybuster said:
A fleeting twinge of sadness followed by considerable but quiet personal satisfaction.

I've always agreed with Ortega y Gasset's observation that "One does not hunt to kill but kills in order to have hunted."
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Like that. And I feel lucky.

And if I don't kill, I feel bad because for me to have been drawn for a tag means someone else wasn't.
 
For me, it depends a bit on the animal. There is always a certain sense of relief when the dog brings a bird to hand (I really HATE losing crippled birds). With big game, I've only shot four deer (and I use the terms "big game" loosely here - we're talking smallish whitetails!), so there is definitely a sense of relief when I see my animal go down immedately (the two I shot with the rifle) or when I find my dead deer (the two I shot with the bow). I think I'd really beat myself up about a lost deer - more than a lost pheasant or duck. If I'm with a buddy and we're bird hunting I will usually give or receive some positive feedback about a good shot. No whoops and hollers, but maybe a "NICE!" or "Good shootin' Tex!" before turning my attention to the dog for the retrieve. With the four deer that I shot I always had a bit of some feeling that is hard to describe - a combination of awe (is this REAL?) and maybe a bit of remorse. I usually touch the animal a bit - smooth its fur, maybe pat it a little. I'm a atheist, so it's nothign about giving thanks to some creator or anything like that, but I guess it's just part of the awe and fascination that the animal is now "in-hand", and a symbol or affection and respect for the animal. Then I usually end up with a huge grin of satisfaction on my face. Being first and foremost a meat hunter though, my attention goes very quickly to the job at hand to do whatever is needed to ensure the best possible meat quality. As far as the TV shows go, I cancelled WILD TV - 'nuff said...
-DW
 
I feel pretty good; sense of accomplishment. I use low-powered, close range calibers mostly. 38-55 is my favorite. I think that they deserve a fair chance at life. If my woodcraft is down that day ( or their senses are more vigilant ) and I can't close the gap to 150 yds...they live to see another sunrise.
I think that they are getting a fair shake that way. Meat tastes better too as you have to shoot them cold.
Hooting and hollering, nope. Mostly I hunt solo, so that would be a bit pointless; who would I be celebrating with?
Mostly respect I suppose
 
I am happy and high five...if I am with someone. Why not? Alot of hard work has come to an end...and I now have lots of meat to fill my freezer with! I don't think its disrespectful....nothing wrong with a nice, clean kill. Some of you guys ACT like you hate killing so much...then why hunt more then once...that way you can say you at least tried it. Why spend tons of money and time on hunting?
 
It's a mix of emotion for me. Exciting, humbling... Sad even...

But... I choose to eat meat & accept responsibility for where it comes from.

Cheers
Jay
 
Jay said:
But... I choose to eat meat & accept responsibility for where it comes from.
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Amen. A perfect answer to the recent thread that asked the question, "What do you say to a person who eats meat but is against hunting?"

When I hunted, it was with the view of getting the meat. I found the hunt exhilarating, but directly after the kill and making the cut to bleed out the animal, I would take a moment to gather my thoughts, and contemplate what I had just done, because I do believe taking a life is a resposibility, and should not be taken lightly.

Sorry, no prayer, no whooping and hollering, just a moment of quiet contemplation.
 
After the excitement of the shot wears of and I've found the deer I usually give it a pat and thank it for its sacrifice. I'll then usually excitedly discuss with my friends how the shot developed as we dress out the animal.
 
Jay said:
It's a mix of emotion for me. Exciting, humbling... Sad even...

But... I choose to eat meat & accept responsibility for where it comes from.

Cheers
Jay
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This sounds a lot like what I feel. I have to admit there is more than a bit of the predatory "sheep dog" reaction there too, coupled with the solemnity of taking a life and watching it end.
 
It's a really good feeling to finalize the hunt, even though to get to that point, was just as much a part of the hunt as the pulling of the trigger. I feel a bit of sorrow for the life I've ended, but also give thanks, admire the animal, and know that I'd be a hypocrite to condone a steak in a package yet shun killing. I sleep good at night knowing that I turn out the lights quick on whatever I shoot, and pass on shots beyond my abilities.

I don't understand the fist pumping, high fives, ass grabbing, leg humping you see on some shows though. Have a bit of respect for f**k sake.
 
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