I have a lot of friends that don't hunt. Many of them don't understand why I do it. For a long time I have tried to explain why I like to hunt. It usually comes out in a short answer such as "I just really like spending time in the outdoors. You see all kinds of cools stuff out in the woods, and it makes me happier." Then I get a response that something like "well I just don't get why you would want to sit out in the cold for hours. Plus I really don't like to kill things."
I always find myself think "man they just don't get it. If they would just try it out I think they would enjoy it." Hunting is about a lot of different things to me. Its partially about killing animals yes. I do genuinely enjoy the time alone to think. It brings me a sense of peace. I love watching the animals. I find that I am always learning something new about them.
Its also about something deeper than that. Maybe I'm just weird, I don't know, but I really find it helps me to be happy in a way that almost no other activity can. I also love to fish, but hunting I feel has a greater lasting affect on me.
Doesn't sound weird to me at all. Most of us have come across such views, sometimes it is simply ignorance or inexperience of those who don't understand.
I've been thinking about the exact same things lately, thankfulness and gratefulness.
Sometimes, I have been simply thankful for waking up another day, or having air to breath, or having water to drink, or ...
This week I am especially grateful for the beautiful outdoors we enjoy in Michigan and surrounding states, and for family. Particularly, I received a call on Sunday for an invitation to join some of my family out of state for Thanksgiving day; and dinner in part will be courtesy of their success that day at taking six beautiful pheasant between three of them. For travel, I'll need to forego volunteer activity on Thursday this year.
Thankful \Thank"ful\, a. (AS. (thorn)ancfull.)
1. Obtaining or deserving thanks; thankworthy. (R.) (1913 Webster)
Ladies, look here; this is the thankful glass
That mends the looker's eyes; this is the well
That washes what it shows. --Herbert. (1913 Webster)
2. Impressed with a sense of kindness received, and ready to acknowledge it; grateful. (1913 Webster)
Be thankful unto him, and bless his name. --Ps. c.
thankfulness n 1: warm friendly feelings of gratitude (syn: gratefulness, thankfulness, appreciativeness)
My first response is always "are you a vegan"? When most reply no, my reply is "then you are a mafia boss"? and when they ask me what I mean, I explain that they merely hire someone to kill things, therefore they kill things.
I have never met a hunter that is out there for the joy of killing things. Not saying they don't exist, just saying most of us don't hunt for the joy of killing animals. I spend hours in the woods and the killing is only a second or 2 of that time.
Haha I like the way you put that. Its true though. If you are not a vegan, but still eat meat, than you really are just paying people to do the killing for you.
I would almost have to say I have more in common with the Vegan than the person that eats meat but has no real concept of where it comes from. Almost.
Been having very similar thoughts lately as well. Hard to explain, but the time alone in the woods reflecting on your life is almost spiritual for me. Especially in the silent north woods of the UP where our camp is. Its just where I'm supposed to be.
The funny thing is my old man grew up in the city, never hunted or fished in his life. For whatever reason when I was a very small child, I had an undeniable attraction to the outdoors. Might sound ridiculous to some, but it's definitely an obsession that makes me a better and more happy person. I have a lot to be thankful for, the woods reminds me of that.
Oh yea, pretty thankful this 10 point walked by on 11/16 as well haha.
I had a similar experience growing up where my dad was not into hunting much but it became my main interest and most of my free time is spent on it or preparing for the season. Just seemed to have an attraction to the woods and the wildlife in it. Must be something you are born with to a certain extent.
I believe those of us that hunt are most thank full and great full just for the fact of watching His Creation in the forest, field and woodlot come to life or go to sleep.
If I didn't hunt I would never sit for 3-4 hrs in the woods, watch an entire sunrise or sunset, be teased by a squirrel, see a bobcat, coyote, porkie pine, partridge,pileated wood pecker, whiskey jack and on and on. I would not sit and de stress and forgot about the world and all its trouble's!
Thank You Lord for all these fall seasons you've given me in the fresh Autumn air, to reflect on my life, family and friends and another chance to slow down and refresh & restore my soul and give Thanks for another year!
Been having very similar thoughts lately as well. Hard to explain, but the time alone in the woods reflecting on your life is almost spiritual for me. Especially in the silent north woods of the UP where our camp is. Its just where I'm supposed to be.
I had a similar experience growing up where my dad was not into hunting much but it became my main interest and most of my free time is spent on it or preparing for the season. Just seemed to have an attraction to the woods and the wildlife in it. Must be something you are born with to a certain extent.
I think you are right. If you parents were into it I think there is a better chance you will be too, but some people are called to it. I think some people need it. I know I do. I can't imagine what I would do with out being able to hunt or fish. I would probably go crazy.
I have actually spent a decent amount of time evaluating vegans and their views. Like most view points there are things that I can agree with and things that I don't. I will commend them for their dedication and care for animals, but I think you are right. I don't believe they can truly appreciate or understand life the way hunters do.
I believe those of us that hunt are most thank full and great full just for the fact of watching His Creation in the forest, field and woodlot come to life or go to sleep.
If I didn't hunt I would never sit for 3-4 hrs in the woods, watch an entire sunrise or sunset, be teased by a squirrel, see a bobcat, coyote, porkie pine, partridge,pileated wood pecker, whiskey jack and on and on. I would not sit and de stress and forgot about the world and all its trouble's!
Thank You Lord for all these fall seasons you've given me in the fresh Autumn air, to reflect on my life, family and friends and another chance to slow down and refresh & restore my soul and give Thanks for another year!
Exactly! Hunting is what gets me out there. Its all of the other things that keep me coming back. If I had to spend all the hours I do in a stand each year, just to kill a deer, I don't think I would be able to do it. Some of the things I have see are pretty crazy!
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