Killing ... how do you feel ...

sealhunter said:
No hooting and hollering or high fives, no prayers no drinking blood or such.

It is a quiet moment when I reflect on the shot, the animal, and a lifetimes of hunting. I think hard about the fact that this animal was alive just a few minutes before.

With friends, it's usually a handshake, maybe a pat on the back...." good job"
" nice one"

Not being religious, but it's like a moment in church. Quiet, respectful, ...
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Kinda the way I feel. Usually have to call a hunting buddy or two after to tell them how I made out though. There's a lot of pride in having a successful hunt.
 
I usually read more than I post, but this subject sort of hit my heart. The kill... I don't get the adrenaline rush at all, if anything I feel like a piece of s!@t. Deer, grouse, bear doesn't matter, a lot of sorrow I guess, but I know it's meat.

The worst I ever felt was two years ago, I was going out the back door for my last smoke of the night and my dog would always come with me. Well it so happened a momma bear, a yearling and two cubs were in the yard only a couple of yards from the deck. Well momma bear gets up on her hind legs and growls and my dog went to protect me. Well bear vs. a collie lab cross, I knew how that was going to go. My dog got pretty torn up trying to protect me. I was forced to get my bow and shoot the momma bear. I called the CO, explained what I did, my wife took our dog to the vet ($800 vet bill). What sickened me the most was having to shoot the yearling and the cubs as they were sticking around the yard and getting aggressive. This was 10+ hours after I shot the momma and the CO was with me. Basically he stated that they were not going to leave and or survive the winter on their own and "we" should shoot them. I did all the shooting with my bow and the CO just observed. I felt really bad, really really bad. Felt like a little boy again, and actually had to go to my room and cry after we loaded all 4 bears onto the CO's truck. So long story short, I have A LOT of remorse for my actions when I shoot an animal... But sometimes things happen for a reason....
 
I always feel a little saddened after shooting an animal especially big game THEN I start thinking how good this animals going to taste.Something I've come to really dislike is these guys that go parading around town with deer or moose etc.hanging on or out of their vehicles.I know,I used to do it.Now I tarp it till I'm in my own driveway.No sense eggin' on the antis!
 
I try not to overthink the whole process - everything dies eventually. This is one of those things in which many hunters view the attitude of others as morally inferior to themselves.

High fives and whooping - that's ok.
A smile and that's about it - ok too.
Thank the dead animal and burn some incense - I'l give you a moment.

As for me, I'm happy that I made a good shot, and it's always exciting to walk up to the animal to examine it. After 2-3 minutes when that's over, I sigh and the work begins. When it's a deer, I took up the practice of filming myself right after the shot and for the walk up to the deer - that captures the moment quite well.
 
One thing I wonder about is the hatred of wolves and coyotes,
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They're predators after the same prey. We compete for that prey. I am at the top of the food chain and I will kill other predators in my territory.

Many people don't like to think of this, but it's the reality of the natural world.
 
It's a pretty complex emotion to be summed up in a bit of typing.
Pride at a job well done, mixed with a tinge of remorse but overall an enjoyable feeling. A bit excited on top of that.

Difficult to describe.
 
I also feel a mix of emotions. Mostly pride in a successful accomplishment, tinged with a little remorse on behalf of the animal. I usually lead and end a hunt with a short prayer as well, just to thank the Almighty for the beauty of nature and the abundance we enjoy. But there's nothing like the feeling you get when you look at a freezer full of venison at the end of a hard week.
 
that is a tough deal to explain for me, a bit sad a bit happy and sort of alone. I don't know if there is one word that sums that up, sorry best I could do. yes I say a little prayer while I sit with the animal awhile after I thank them for the fine hunt and for their meat and fur.
 
I feel nothing but pride watching my dog come back with a goose.

A bit sad too though because I know we have such a short time together.

Dog's give you a quality of life, not quantity.

Now get off the computer and go spend some time with your dog.
 
I was in my 30's when I shot my first deer. Despite a relatively good shot, through and through, it nearly did a backflip and flopped around pretty good for what seemed like an eternity, but was probably a few seconds. I had a strange feeling of elation that I'd gotten my first deer but I have to admit that the image of that small buck thrashing around kind of disturbed me a bit.

This year I nailed a turkey with a head shot that should've finished it immediately, but, that thing flopped and thrashed around for a good minute. I actually considered plugging it again but didn't want to destroy the meat. That kind of disturbed be as well. However, considering that being killed in a slaughter house, or starving to death in a harsh winter, is probably a worse way to go, I've stuck with hunting and look forward to heading out again this year. If I'm lucky there'll be some good handshakes and a few drinks to celebrate but no yelling and screaming thats for sure.

I read one story in one of my hunting mags about one guy who took a minute after the animal was dead to reflect on how lucky he was to have the chance to harvest his own game, take in the scenery, then stroke the animals fur/ feathers, admiring its plumage or colour, and quitely thank it for giving its life.

After reading that article I decided it was good advice. So, thats what I do and I'll suggest to my sons, if they hopefully choose to take up the sport, to do the same. To each his own I guess..
 
slaying multiple opponents and air guitar

Dogleg Wrote " I catch the spinning empty out of the air, fist pump the air while saying "woo, woo, woo" while high fiveing with the other. Then I pretend the rifle is a broadsword and swing it around like I'm slaying multiple opponents, before settleing into playing air guitar on the same rifle while jumping up and down in what has to be an annoying fashion."

I'm at work and nearly cried I laughed so hard. Seriously, my eyes are still watering..I'm going through these posts, some very deep and thought provoking, then this. Brilliant !
 
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Wow O, tough to put onto words. I feel like I'm taking my rightful place in natures food chain. I'm usually alone so no high fives but I am worked up. Do I feel sorry for the animal.... no, but I know that I had the responsability over its life so I honor it by making sure to preserve all the meat that I can.
I lost a sister to cancer 3 years ago at a very young age. Hunting has helped my healing process in a strange way. By understanding the circle of life and by activly participating in it I have come to terms with my sisters passing.
I could go on and on about the different feelings hunting brings out in me........
 
I get a rush when I see the deer drop, then I feel sad for a minute or two when as I walk up to the fresh carcass, thankful when I see how much meat I will have, a bit pissed off when I am dragging it back to the truck through thick NE Alberta bush and very content and satisfied when I see it hanging in my garage.
 
There are two forces working within me: the modern man and the visceral animal.

I would tell you, using modern language, that I do not particularly enjoy taking the life of another living thing. However, my body says something quite different: my heart beats in my throat and sends a hot surge of adrenalin as the big game animal walks into view. I throw a blanket over it in the form of respect for the animal. But who is really being shielded?

Otokiak - you're going to owe me for a shrink.
 
There are two forces working within me: the modern man and the visceral animal.

I would tell you, using modern language, that I do not particularly enjoy taking the life of another living thing. However, my body says something quite different: my heart beats in my throat and sends a hot surge of adrenalin as the big game animal walks into view. I throw a blanket over it in the form of respect for the animal. But who is really being shielded?

Otokiak - you're going to owe me for a shrink.
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:D

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA
 
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