Hunting just for the kill

[Mike7]

I like Kevin Dill's take on it. I would have to say that the "kill" is down on the list of priorities for me for many hunts, even if that is the ultimate goal which gets me into the woods. I think that the number one thing for me most times is the challenge, or the hunt itself.
Certainly, killing something that I like to eat is part of it but not the only thing either.

I think that if it was just about the kill to me, then I would enjoy sitting in a duck blind along side 5-10 other paying duck hunters. I have been invited on a couple of these hunts where the guide sets up the blind, manages the dog, and does all of the calling. I then sit with my head ducked down waiting shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of guys who the guide keeps having to suggest politely that they quiet down. Then its time to raise up and fill the air with lead. These guys love it. But as I am getting pelted in the side of the face by spent shotgun shells, and have no idea if any of the falling ducks were actually hit by me, I can't help but think that this is not totally my thing, even though I could come home if I wanted with a whole pile of ducks that were prepared for me by someone who in all liklihood is probably an illegal alien.

On the other hand, I really enjoy the masochistic sport of chukar hunting which typically takes place in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by snow covered peaks and wintering animals...ahhh, just relaxing to think about. I may only get one chukar for the entire day but that is more than enough prize for a trip like that. I might hike up and explore a new area, and find and get that one chukar on top of a mountain. Now neither my dog nor I are perfect chukar hunters, so when I hit a really challenging shot and when my dog finds that bird trying to escape a few hundred yards down the hill and out of sight of both of us but gets to the chukar before the circling golden eagle above, and then he carries that bird back up over cliffs and through deep snow before placing it in my hand...well now that's hunting to me.

I don't care what other people do, as long as they have a tag and don't waste the meat.

 

[coyoteman]

To each his own just as long as the meat isn't wasted. I'll never buy meat, its always venison, fowl, or fish that I've shot/caught myself. If there ever comes a day when I don't need or want the meat I will definitely still be hunting though and giving the meat so someone who does want it. I truly live for the thrill of the chase and everything that goes into it like the planning, ordering and studying maps, practicing with the bow for months leading up to a hunt,and staying a shape.

The kill is not my only reason for hunting but it is the end goal, and to me the awesome feeling of success once a kill is made and the last load of meat is packed out on a long tough hunt is truly priceless and almost addicting in a way. Success to me though is also not solely based on making a kill, but more so on what I get out of and can take away from the hunt such as learning and becoming more familiar with the game I am hunting, overcoming hardships while afield, and being alone in the wild with minimal contact with others and the true feeling of freedom that it brings.

 

[Bar]

Some of you who hunt to get outdoors.

Need to get outdoors more.

 

[Johnboy]

Have any of you shot prairie dogs? Just wondering what the general opinion of that is in the context of this discussion.

 

[Bar]

Have any of you shot prairie dogs? Just wondering what the general opinion of that is in the context of this discussion.

It's ok if you don't eat them.

I don't eat coyote either.

 

[kodiakfly]

I guess I'm not the natural born killer that some are here. Seeing that I didn't buy my first hunting license until I was 30 or so I suppose that ain't a big surprise.

I could easily enjoy hiking and photography as much without a weopon as I can with one. I will say though that hunting does get me outside more and watching a good bird dog work is one of my greatest joys in life.

So I'd say that my love of wild game is the great motivator and killing is just a means to an end.

I've always figured there were three parts to a great hunt. First is all the planning, scouting, map wigging etc. Second is the actual hunt. And the third part is serving a great meal to friends and family around a campfire while telling lies. Without the third I'm not sure I'd put in a whole lot of effort, time and money into the first two.

I think being a "natural born killer" is a bit strong. But yeah, that's the point of hunting, is to kill something. I hike and go out taking bird pics in the off season, and I do enjoy the journey, experience, challenge and all the other poetic stuff guys talk about. But I'm out there to kill something. Not for blood lust, but it's just like fishing. If I wasn't out there to catch fish, I'd just be a boater and save the money on fly rods. I can have a great time not killing something, but coming home without a dead animal is disappointing. I enjoyed the couple weeks of goat season I had, but the fact I didn't kill one; I feel like I failed because I was out there in hopes of killing one.

 

[Kevin Dill]

I think being a "natural born killer" is a bit strong. But yeah, that's the point of hunting, is to kill something. I hike and go out taking bird pics in the off season, and I do enjoy the journey, experience, challenge and all the other poetic stuff guys talk about. But I'm out there to kill something. Not for blood lust, but it's just like fishing. If I wasn't out there to catch fish, I'd just be a boater and save the money on fly rods. I can have a great time not killing something, but coming home without a dead animal is disappointing. I enjoyed the couple weeks of goat season I had, but the fact I didn't kill one; I feel like I failed because I was out there in hopes of killing one.

Perfect example of how we are all individuals. Some guys are out there to be in nature mainly. Some guys go hunting to go, well....hunting. I know and have known guys who hunt with the sole objective of bringing home game. To some of them the hunt is a failure of sorts if they don't get the animal. Some hunters are more practical minded...they want meat and this isn't about enjoyment or sport. There are simply as many ways and reasons to hunt as there are people who hunt. AND some of them happen not to be focused on the edible benefits of their successful hunt. I think that's partly just a matter of modern evolution. Hunting used to be a necessary activity, integral to our human existence. We've evolved (as a society) to where that is largely a non-factor for the majority. Hunting for food is mostly optional for many (like me) and the focus these days is more on recreational value. If I come home disappointed in a no-kill hunt, it might be due to not achieving my core objective. Sometimes that objective is honestly meat only. Other times it has to do with my desire to take an animal which presents great challenge to me, and I didn't meet the challenge well enough to succeed. I personally hunt for the main objective of beating my quarry and having the opportunity to kill if I choose to kill. If that happens I win, whether or not I choose to kill. The shooting is always optional, as is the eating.

I like to eat wild turkey...nothing like a strong-flavored and rubbery drumstick. I guarantee you I'm not out there hunting them because I need them on my plate. I can't throw them away however. Fact is, I'm finding it harder and harder to justify killing something I don't want to eat or somehow use. My days of killing because I can are long gone. Maybe that's why I'm not very interested in killing the many coyotes I see out my windows, or the whitetails which eat my landscape to death at times.

 

[Nalgene]

I had a similar discussion with a guy the other day about hunting being a sport. I do not think hunting is a sport, it is not a game. It is bigger and more primal than a game. It takes physical abilities, skill and a host of other things but calling it a sport cheapens it to me. Each to their own I do not look down on anyone for calling it a sport it is just not what I choose. I will not look down on anyone wanting to hunt for the "sport" of it either.

 

[Bar]

Killing coyotes is animal control. It's conservation. Our deer herds are in trouble in Colorado. Let coyotes get out of hand, and they'll be in your yard killing your dogs, and attacking your kids. It's the reason in Colorado you can hunt the whole state all year long with no limits for them. Coyotes need to be killed, or all those who don't want to kill them will be whining about them.

 

[MuleyFever]

I enjoyed the couple weeks of goat season I had, but the fact I didn't kill one; I feel like I failed because I was out there in hopes of killing one.

I would feel the same way on a goat hunt. When I finally draw a goat tag I will take a gun because I want to kill a goat. It is one of those animals that I know I will probably only get one chance at and I want very badly to be successful. Now deer hunting is different here at home. When I come back from my weekend hunts, usually bow season, empty handed I do not feel my hunt was a failure. I usually get to see some awesome nature and learn something new about my area and the deer that use it. I would really, really like to get a big deer but at the end of the season I am usually more concerned about the venison level of my freezer.

 

[jmez]

Killing coyotes is animal control. It's conservation. Our deer herds are in trouble in Colorado. Let coyotes get out of hand, and they'll be in your yard killing your dogs, and attacking your kids. It's the reason in Colorado you can hunt the whole state all year long with no limits for them. Coyotes need to be killed, or all those who don't want to kill them will be whining about them.

What about areas where deer are overpopulated? Suburban areas specifically. Most places far exceed carrying capacity. Since it would be conservation to kill them and they need to be killed is wanton slaughter and leaving them lay ok?

 

[kodiakfly]

Perfect example of how we are all individuals. Some guys are out there to be in nature mainly. Some guys go hunting to go, well....hunting. I know and have known guys who hunt with the sole objective of bringing home game. To some of them the hunt is a failure of sorts if they don't get the animal. Some hunters are more practical minded...they want meat and this isn't about enjoyment or sport. There are simply as many ways and reasons to hunt as there are people who hunt. AND some of them happen not to be focused on the edible benefits of their successful hunt. I think that's partly just a matter of modern evolution. Hunting used to be a necessary activity, integral to our human existence. We've evolved (as a society) to where that is largely a non-factor for the majority. Hunting for food is mostly optional for many (like me) and the focus these days is more on recreational value. If I come home disappointed in a no-kill hunt, it might be due to not achieving my core objective. Sometimes that objective is honestly meat only. Other times it has to do with my desire to take an animal which presents great challenge to me, and I didn't meet the challenge well enough to succeed. I personally hunt for the main objective of beating my quarry and having the opportunity to kill if I choose to kill. If that happens I win, whether or not I choose to kill. The shooting is always optional, as is the eating.

I like to eat wild turkey...nothing like a strong-flavored and rubbery drumstick. I guarantee you I'm not out there hunting them because I need them on my plate. I can't throw them away however. Fact is, I'm finding it harder and harder to justify killing something I don't want to eat or somehow use. My days of killing because I can are long gone. Maybe that's why I'm not very interested in killing the many coyotes I see out my windows, or the whitetails which eat my landscape to death at times.

Wow dude. Nailed it. I wish I hadn't posted now, because you said it so much better than I did. Even down the thing about turkeys. I love hunting turkeys, but dang if they're almost not worth killing for the meat. People don't realize how small a wild turkey breast is, especially relative to how much work it is to call one in.

 

[Bar]

What about areas where deer are overpopulated? Suburban areas specifically. Most places far exceed carrying capacity. Since it would be conservation to kill them and they need to be killed is wanton slaughter and leaving them lay ok?

No way to kill too many coyotes. They breed like rabbits. Over population of deer is much easier to control than coyotes.

 

[realunlucky]

Coyotes don't eat high priced flowers and shrubs though

 

[Kevin Dill]

Coyotes don't eat high priced flowers and shrubs though

Just high-priced lambs, chickens, cats and teacup-dogs.....

Funny thing about coyotes for me. I have a very large and healthy 'yote population surrounding me...I see and hear them constantly. At the same time, I have the highest number of deer right here that I have ever seen. Nothing to see 8-12 deer pop out into my fields every day. Does with twin fawns were the norm last year. I get out a LOT and I spend time afield, but I can find no evidence that my large population of friendly coyotes is harming the deer population. If they are picking off the occasional unlucky deer that's okay with me. They could pick off a few more and things would still be good. I don't eat coyotes. I don't shoot them simply because they might kill deer. If I kill one it has to do with brazen proximity to our home, or as a hunting challenge. I've passed hundreds of shooting opportunities at coyotes over the 35 years I've lived here. If they were tasty...maybe I'd hunt them more. I have no desire to kill and then toss them aside. The absolute truth is that deer are far more destructive around here than any number of coyotes. If I was of that mindset, I'd have more legit reasons to kill (and not eat) deer simply because they are a nuisance...at times. Anyway...I believe I need a good reason to kill something these days, and if it's generally not edible I will probably have a harder time killing it simply because I can.

 

[Bar]

Just one article. I can show you hundreds.


Coyote Problems in Colorado
Colorado is like many other states! Due to the fact the environmentalist have all but eliminated trapping, coyotes have no natural predators. Hunters are lucky to put a small dent in the coyote populations, so now the coyotes are attacking city dwellers and probably eating the pets of the same environmentalist that try to say coyotes aren’t a threat. From the outside looking in, coyote must look like cute Little dog to an environmentalist…
What people don’t understand is the coyote is an opportunist that kills for a living. When coyote populations get out of hand you will see deer, elk, antelope, waterfowl, turkey, sheep, goats, cattle, and many other populations struggle. Coyotes prey on the week. They mostly prefer killing defenseless babies in their bedding areas.

 

[jmez]

Can you show any that contain actual data? Something other than poorly worded conjecture?

 

[Bar]

Google...Are coyotes a problem?


btw...When a pack of coyotes kill your dog in your backyard. You'll start to kill them too. I have no remorse. I always have a small game license in my pocket, and will kill every coyote I see. They're a problem, and they killed my best friend.

 

[realunlucky]

I will agree with you bar coyotes are a problem across the west. About the only thing I agree with Utah about is our bounty system it makes for aggressive population control also when people let illegal wolves out of thier car they have less chance to establish themselves

 

[Kevin Dill]

I'm not arguing anything here, and certainly no defense of the coyote. They are opportunistic killers, but around here they are not decimating our deer even after decades of reestablishment. I don't have an explanation, but if someone lived here a year they would get it. Lots of coyotes and basically too many deer around my place. Maybe I have a Walt Disney adventure going on and am unaware... That said, I can't kill a coyote for simply being what it is, if it isn't being a destructive animal. Killing fawns doesn't count as destructive in my book. If worthless and wanton waste of deer was really a huge concern to us...well....read on.

Ohio drivers hit over 20,000 deer in 2013...last year I could find stats from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. There were nearly a thousand people injured in those accidents, and nine people were killed. Despite the huge loss of deer, huge loss of dollars ($79 million estimated) and the loss of human life I don't think any of us favors killing cars or shooting every deer within a mile of a highway. We tolerate the negatives that deer bring. If one jumps through a windshield and the wreck kills a wife or child....maybe the outlook changes. Ohio deer present a far greater problem to us than do coyotes. I find it ironic however that we tend to advocate for killing every possible coyote because they eat venison, but we pay so little attention to the thousands of rotting adult deer carcasses laying along our roads. That's a lot of lost protein and lost dollars.

I'm hungry....