Carphunter
Commander
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2002
- Messages
- 2,061
My boys, (ages 7 and 9), are in the early stages of learning the basics of hunting from 'ol Dad. While on a squirrel hunt this year, my oldest boy asked me why we hunt. "Good question", I said. ...........And as a Dad can only do, I proceeded to confuse the heck outta him. 
<br />I eventually gave him an answer that he understood, but it got me to thinking, what is it about hunting that has such a strong draw for me?<br /><br />~ I believe there is a primal urge, in most males, to hunt that goes way back to our ancestors. The "thrill of the hunt", actually matching wits with a wild creature in his realm. <br />What many of the anti-hunters don't understand is that I have the utmost respect for all of the animals that I hunt. It would be a dull existence for me if this world were devoid of Whitetails. I want my boys to experience what I have experienced while hunting. I don't want them to only be able to see these animals in a zoo. I feel I am doing my part to help control the population, while providing my family with an additional source of food. <br /><br />~ I attend Church regularly, but I will tell you, many times I have felt closer to God while sitting in a treestand then sitting in a Church. God and I have had some really good conversations on those cold November mornings. He has taught me to appreciate my time here, for in reality, that time is very short. He has let me become a part of his world as he created it. The woods, the squirrels, the deer, the wind, the cold, the sunrise, the puffy clouds, the sound of a woodpecker, the crunch of the dead leaves beneath my feet, the sunset, the sound of acorns falling from a mighty white oak, it really makes a person feel small and insignificant. There is an awful lot of good in the world that goes un-noticed.<br /><br />~ I absolutely feel remorse for the animals that I have taken, but, at the same time, a complete satisfaction that I accomplished what I set out to do. You respect what you hunt, at least that is what I was taught, and that is what I am teaching.<br /><br />~ Some of my most memorable hunts have come without harvesting anything, just witnessing what goes on in the woods, right behind peoples houses, while they are inside watching football, or they are asleep, and knowing that they have no clue about the world just beyond their backyard. Its amazing to me. Its amazing that an animal the size of a whitetail can hide, and never be seen in cover that would barely hide a rabbit.<br />They are amazing creatures indeed.<br /><br />~ The memories made while hunting last a lifetime. For me, those same memories have helped shape my existence on this planet. If more kids were introduced to hunting, I am sure there would be less gangs and violence. We need to recruit more of tomorrows generation into the hunting fraternity. Teach them the values that we were taught. Hunting does not promote violence, as the anti's have suggested, it teaches respect for our fellow creatures on this planet, including our fellow man. <br /><br />This is some of what hunting means to me. I apologize, I am not very eloquent, and some things are hard to put into words, but I tried. <br /><br />I know we have a lot of fella's that like to hunt here, please add to this list. Why do you hunt? <br /><br />Have a nice day.
<br />I eventually gave him an answer that he understood, but it got me to thinking, what is it about hunting that has such a strong draw for me?<br /><br />~ I believe there is a primal urge, in most males, to hunt that goes way back to our ancestors. The "thrill of the hunt", actually matching wits with a wild creature in his realm. <br />What many of the anti-hunters don't understand is that I have the utmost respect for all of the animals that I hunt. It would be a dull existence for me if this world were devoid of Whitetails. I want my boys to experience what I have experienced while hunting. I don't want them to only be able to see these animals in a zoo. I feel I am doing my part to help control the population, while providing my family with an additional source of food. <br /><br />~ I attend Church regularly, but I will tell you, many times I have felt closer to God while sitting in a treestand then sitting in a Church. God and I have had some really good conversations on those cold November mornings. He has taught me to appreciate my time here, for in reality, that time is very short. He has let me become a part of his world as he created it. The woods, the squirrels, the deer, the wind, the cold, the sunrise, the puffy clouds, the sound of a woodpecker, the crunch of the dead leaves beneath my feet, the sunset, the sound of acorns falling from a mighty white oak, it really makes a person feel small and insignificant. There is an awful lot of good in the world that goes un-noticed.<br /><br />~ I absolutely feel remorse for the animals that I have taken, but, at the same time, a complete satisfaction that I accomplished what I set out to do. You respect what you hunt, at least that is what I was taught, and that is what I am teaching.<br /><br />~ Some of my most memorable hunts have come without harvesting anything, just witnessing what goes on in the woods, right behind peoples houses, while they are inside watching football, or they are asleep, and knowing that they have no clue about the world just beyond their backyard. Its amazing to me. Its amazing that an animal the size of a whitetail can hide, and never be seen in cover that would barely hide a rabbit.<br />They are amazing creatures indeed.<br /><br />~ The memories made while hunting last a lifetime. For me, those same memories have helped shape my existence on this planet. If more kids were introduced to hunting, I am sure there would be less gangs and violence. We need to recruit more of tomorrows generation into the hunting fraternity. Teach them the values that we were taught. Hunting does not promote violence, as the anti's have suggested, it teaches respect for our fellow creatures on this planet, including our fellow man. <br /><br />This is some of what hunting means to me. I apologize, I am not very eloquent, and some things are hard to put into words, but I tried. <br /><br />I know we have a lot of fella's that like to hunt here, please add to this list. Why do you hunt? <br /><br />Have a nice day. 
