Do you think of hunting as a sport or not?
-
From treestands to ground blinds, all your hunting must-haves can be found at Bass Pro Shops. Shop Now.
Little Roober
It's a lifestyle, but I crave the challenge. Take the challenge away and I might as well be hiking. That's why I love to pursue a mature buck. It's the challenge of matching wits with a mature whitetail that gets me out into the woods.
If challenge equals a sport, than I guess it's a sport....but it's also a way of life.
If challenge equals a sport, than I guess it's a sport....but it's also a way of life.
Deer hunting is many things. I agree that it is often a lifestyle. However, it's also a management tool, a public service, recreation, relaxation, getting in touch with your natural being, competition against ones self, a test of ones skill, a test of ones patience, etc, among other things. What it is not is a game.
It isn't a sport to me, it is an activity that defines who I am. You couldn't describe me (accurately) without using the word "hunter". If you didn't use that word you wouldn't completely describe me and if I couldn't hunt, I wouldn't be complete. I hunt every day during turkey season, helping others'. I find a youth to take out on that hunt, my g/f Scarletfever hunts, and I help friends and family.
Let's see what Mr. Webster says:
sport n.
Set of Rules? - Absolutely
Competitive? - Hmmm? Against each other, sort of. Against the Wild Game? I think so.
Active Pastime? It is for me!
Recreation? You Bet!
Ok it's a sport, at least by definition in the dictionary.
sport n.
- Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.
- A particular form of this activity.
- An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively.
- An active pastime; recreation.
Set of Rules? - Absolutely
Competitive? - Hmmm? Against each other, sort of. Against the Wild Game? I think so.
Active Pastime? It is for me!
Recreation? You Bet!
Ok it's a sport, at least by definition in the dictionary.
Lil' Tanker said:
Then you never played football in my neiborhood....
I would have to agree that it is many things, but when you sort it all out, there are some aspects that are very sporting. There are different reasons to hunt, and one of them may very well be the sporting aspect. I personally just love being in the woods, and my family loves most of what I bring home. My youngest daughter isn't to keen on rabbit yet, but she surely loves venison. Sport or not... I know where I like to spend my time.
Thanks for all the replies so quickly.
I thought of another question, why are we called sportsman if hunting isn't a sport? JUst curious.
I thought of another question, why are we called sportsman if hunting isn't a sport? JUst curious.
I believe it to be a sport. Guess it all spends on how you look at the word sport. As far as sportsmen, because we give the quarry a "sporting chance" or some might say "fair chase", hence the laws we follow and each of our own personal ethics on top of that.
As far as a way of life, many play sports and make darn good money at it and are called professional "baseball", "football", etc., players but it is still a sport and a way of life for those individuals. Overall, I do like BBT's post too, although I can also believe it to be a game, just depends on who is playing the game, us or the quarry.
As far as a way of life, many play sports and make darn good money at it and are called professional "baseball", "football", etc., players but it is still a sport and a way of life for those individuals. Overall, I do like BBT's post too, although I can also believe it to be a game, just depends on who is playing the game, us or the quarry.
I think it's the most admirable sport. There is no discrimination for age,sex or race.Anyone can participate.There are all levels of talent from novice,intermidiate to profesional.
Pros may not be household names in every home,but there is money to be made from being at the top of your "game".
Although I personally think of it as a lifestyle and not really a sport.By definition I would say it is a sport and one I will "play" until the day I die
Pros may not be household names in every home,but there is money to be made from being at the top of your "game".
Although I personally think of it as a lifestyle and not really a sport.By definition I would say it is a sport and one I will "play" until the day I die
Definately a sport. Going by websters description it is definately a sport. But I agree 100% it is more of a lifestyle than anything. And I believe it to be competitive with ourselves. Well at least I know I am.
Dan
Dan
I'd disagree in calling hunting a sport.
Hunting, for me at least, is more than just getting outside, relaxing, enjoying the thrill of the chase, etc...
I hunt for the food. Realistically, although I could and probably would survive without venison, I haven't bought hamburger or steaks from a grocery store for over 20 years. Have you priced a beef roast lately? I've never shot a wall-hanger. I've never scored my buck's rack. And you can't eat the antlers. I shoot bucks generally because they are usually bigger than does and have more meat. Shooting a buck also means I still have a doe tag to fill yet, which means more meat in the freezer.
I'm sure than in today's society my reason for hunting is in the minority, but that's really why I do it. I hunt for all of those reasons listed above, but I more than anything, I hunt to put food on my table for my family. The other things are just extra benefits!
Hunting, for me at least, is more than just getting outside, relaxing, enjoying the thrill of the chase, etc...
I hunt for the food. Realistically, although I could and probably would survive without venison, I haven't bought hamburger or steaks from a grocery store for over 20 years. Have you priced a beef roast lately? I've never shot a wall-hanger. I've never scored my buck's rack. And you can't eat the antlers. I shoot bucks generally because they are usually bigger than does and have more meat. Shooting a buck also means I still have a doe tag to fill yet, which means more meat in the freezer.
I'm sure than in today's society my reason for hunting is in the minority, but that's really why I do it. I hunt for all of those reasons listed above, but I more than anything, I hunt to put food on my table for my family. The other things are just extra benefits!
mainly because a sport consists of a competition in which the participants willingfully take part - the wild creatures we pursue are not willing participants.
Hunting could be called a competition between the hunter and quarry. The elements that make it up, like marksmanship, orienteering, etc are definitiely skills.
Don't forget also that the anti's love to criticize us for "killing for sport", so I tend to avoid framing it that way.
I've heard this debated at great length, and it makes for great discussion and gets us all thinking about just why we do what we do, which is good.
A lifestyle, endeavor, obsession, hobby, pursuit, purpose in life - yes, but not a sport imho
Hunting could be called a competition between the hunter and quarry. The elements that make it up, like marksmanship, orienteering, etc are definitiely skills.
Don't forget also that the anti's love to criticize us for "killing for sport", so I tend to avoid framing it that way.
I've heard this debated at great length, and it makes for great discussion and gets us all thinking about just why we do what we do, which is good.
A lifestyle, endeavor, obsession, hobby, pursuit, purpose in life - yes, but not a sport imho
One main essence of sport is that it is a contest with winning and losing. How do you define a win or loss after a hunt? I certainly do not believe it is whether or not I bring home game. If you go hunting and the deer doesn't show (there was no contest) did the sport take place?
I think hunting is an activity (for some a lifestyle). I think "sportsman" defines a select group of people that engage in a particular form of the hunting activity.
A couple examples:
1) 1,000 year ago primative man killed game any way possible, a hunter...yes, sportsman...no.
2) A person who stalks and kills a deer in June is a hunter but not a sportsman.
3) A person who takes a deer while following all hunting laws of the state is a hunter and a sportsman.
The other essence of sport is that at the begining of the contest the competing bodies are equally matched in the rules. Both teams start at zero. Both need 10 yards for a 1st down, the three point line is the same distance from each basket, etc. If one follows all laws in the pursuit of game then there exists a "sporting" quality with respect to this fairness essence in the hunting activity. But in my opinion is not a sport.
I think hunting is an activity (for some a lifestyle). I think "sportsman" defines a select group of people that engage in a particular form of the hunting activity.
A couple examples:
1) 1,000 year ago primative man killed game any way possible, a hunter...yes, sportsman...no.
2) A person who stalks and kills a deer in June is a hunter but not a sportsman.
3) A person who takes a deer while following all hunting laws of the state is a hunter and a sportsman.
The other essence of sport is that at the begining of the contest the competing bodies are equally matched in the rules. Both teams start at zero. Both need 10 yards for a 1st down, the three point line is the same distance from each basket, etc. If one follows all laws in the pursuit of game then there exists a "sporting" quality with respect to this fairness essence in the hunting activity. But in my opinion is not a sport.
I think of hunting as a harvest when I am hunting at home and a sport when I go to the big woods seeking a specific buck. I dont beleive the deer share my distictions.
According to my professor in sports history at MSU, There are a few criteria that need to be met to make something a sport, rather than an activity. One of the criteria is man vs. man competition. Because of this hunting is not a sport, but rather an activity. And unfortunatley for all of you nascar fans, nascar isnt a sport either because the machines are racing each other, and the drivers are just controlling the machines.
If you figure outhow to get blue cross to pay for it I want to be the first one to know how you do it!
For me its not a sport. I dont feel like Im being competitive when I hunt. Im not trying to outdo any one else. Its not the same feeling as when I played sports in Highschool. There are similerities but I look at it more like gardening. Its the best way I know of to put meat in the freezer and do something enjoyable. Sure I could work to buy more meat but thats not as enjoyable as hunting for it and not as much satisfaction either.
There is nothing like going into winter with a freezer full of fresh fruit and vegis, fish, squirl, rabbit, deer and elk. And a cubberd full of canned fruit & vegis.
Ok now im hungry!
For me its not a sport. I dont feel like Im being competitive when I hunt. Im not trying to outdo any one else. Its not the same feeling as when I played sports in Highschool. There are similerities but I look at it more like gardening. Its the best way I know of to put meat in the freezer and do something enjoyable. Sure I could work to buy more meat but thats not as enjoyable as hunting for it and not as much satisfaction either.
There is nothing like going into winter with a freezer full of fresh fruit and vegis, fish, squirl, rabbit, deer and elk. And a cubberd full of canned fruit & vegis.
Ok now im hungry!
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
