Killing an animal

[Hogie135]

I dont know if I'm over sensitive or not. I love hunting. I love taking an animal that I've hunted. I love the whole process and dont usually have second thoughts. When I see my pics of my kills or when I see pics of others kills I have I big sense of remorse. I have feelings for the animal taken. Is it normal? I'm not sure. I dont take, taking a life easy. I love it, but I hate it.

[Mavrick]

If you didn't feel that way you wouldn't be normal. I take animal lives both on the farm and in the wild every season. Respect and use what I kill is what controls any remorse I might feel.

[Xiph0id]

Originally Posted by Mavrick

If you didn't feel that way you wouldn't be normal. I take animal lives both on the farm and in the wild every season. Respect and use what I kill is what controls any remorse I might feel.

I agree 100%

Although I'm not religious, I spend a minute or 2 with the animal after the kill.
Thank it for it life, admire its beauty and such.
Makes me feel at peace with what I've done.

[guywiththemule]

You are a human being(a predator)... animals are prey or competition predators ... you have the largest brain(you can thank the animal`s spirit if it makes you feel better) .. you decide when,where and why to take an animal.. Live with your choice...

[3blade]

You have a young kid at home? Lot of guys report these kind of feelings after becoming a parent. Hormones I guess

IMO most people aren’t natural predators. That why there are those “stages of being a hunter”, defines how a lot of guys focus on other (not killing) parts of the process throughout their hunting careers.

Some guys are natural at and comfortable with killing. Those are the guys with full freezers and no concern for inches, who usually camp solo and pack meat out. Precise, dedicated, lethal.

I describe it as “guys who like hunting” vs “hunters”...though I admit that’s a bit vague. Guys who like hunting will go through the phases and have varying emotions and practices. Sounds like that’s where your at. Nothing wrong with being either one, and both categories can have very successful hunting lives.

[Hogie135]

Originally Posted by 3blade

You have a young kid at home? Lot of guys report these kind of feelings after becoming a parent. Hormones I guess

IMO most people aren’t natural predators. That why there are those “stages of being a hunter”, defines how a lot of guys focus on other (not killing) parts of the process throughout their hunting careers.

Some guys are natural at and comfortable with killing. Those are the guys with full freezers and no concern for inches, who usually camp solo and pack meat out. Precise, dedicated, lethal.

I describe it as “guys who like hunting” vs “hunters”...though I admit that’s a bit vague. Guys who like hunting will go through the phases and have varying emotions and practices. Sounds like that’s where your at. Nothing wrong with being either one, and both categories can have very successful hunting lives.

When I'm hunting, and its game on I dont think about it. Is what it is. Afterwards, I think about it. I love what I do. But I also respect what I kill, and sometimes I fell bad for killing.

[Hogie135]

Originally Posted by 3blade

You have a young kid at home? Lot of guys report these kind of feelings after becoming a parent. Hormones I guess

IMO most people aren’t natural predators. That why there are those “stages of being a hunter”, defines how a lot of guys focus on other (not killing) parts of the process throughout their hunting careers.

Some guys are natural at and comfortable with killing. Those are the guys with full freezers and no concern for inches, who usually camp solo and pack meat out. Precise, dedicated, lethal.

I describe it as “guys who like hunting” vs “hunters”...though I admit that’s a bit vague. Guys who like hunting will go through the phases and have varying emotions and practices. Sounds like that’s where your at. Nothing wrong with being either one, and both categories can have very successful hunting lives.

I'm older than you think. Got kids.

[3blade]

Cant really provide any more insight man, I’m firmly in the second category. Get super stoked whether it’s a 60” bull, doe whitetail or snowshoe hare. I love the smell of fresh meat, the knife work, the memories, and definitely the meals. No remorse. Look at the pics (or freezer) and feel pure pride and happiness.

Ive seen the other side (stages, emotions) happen to many others, so I dont think there’s anything wrong with you.

Maybe camp out in a tent for a few days without any food...go hunt for it. Takes all the BS out of it and brings back that sense of an immediate primal need.

[Twobucks]

I don’t think it’s weird at all. I kill two or three big game animals every year and a bunch birds. We eat it all and buy almost no meat in the store. I don’t love killing things. I love the hunting more than anything and I’m just as happy watching wildlife go about it’s business. But I can’t imagine ever stopping.

Not everybody feels like you or I, but there’s nothing wrong with it either.

[CaberTosser]

I certainly feel remorse after killing something but not as much as with the first couple. The first times I went hunting was as a tag-along and I was already in my 30's; I didn't hunt or even have a firearm, I was just invited by an older co-worker and thought "Hey, why not?". I was not exposed to hunting as a child or anything, so it took a bit to get some of that urban-raised kid squeamishness drilled out of me, but I was determined that I had to do just that. I think its normal to have a bit of remorse and to show respect to the critters you'll soon be digesting.

For me this is way more a thing for mammals than for fish, I can't really feel anything for fish at all.

[raw outdoors]

When I was a kid I was ruthless killer birds, gophers, skunks everything I could. Now I have much more respect for life. If I kill it I’m going the eat it or use it somehow. Edible game I always have a little silent moment in thanks. Then back to business bringing the meat home for the family. The best way I feel to respect the animals you kill is to use them the best you can.

Gophers on the other hand I still like to vaporize them. I haven’t grown out of that.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Hogie135

I dont know if I'm over sensitive or not. I love hunting. I love taking an animal that I've hunted. I love the whole process and dont usually have second thoughts. When I see my pics of my kills or when I see pics of others kills I have I big sense of remorse. I have feelings for the animal taken. Is it normal? I'm not sure. I dont take, taking a life easy. I love it, but I hate it.

It's normal.....your ok.

[Pathfinder76]

Don’t lose site of the fact that cropping and controlling game populations is a conservation tool. It’s not just about sport and meat.

[Bigwoodsman]

I always enjoyed the hunt. The kill was part of the hunt, too me it was, what made the hunt successful. That being said I never had to kill something for the hunt to be fun. I hunted with my dad at a very young age and hunted up until a couple of years ago. I still go out with the dog, and when I do it’s for the hunt not the kill as the guns stay home. I like the early morning or the late afternoons. It’s about getting out of the city, admittedly I’m usually carrying a camera and a fishing rod.

I only recall one hunt where I wish I hadn’t been there. It wasn’t because of the hunt it was a result of the people in the hunt. The hunt was very successful 3 antelope out of four tags. The unsuccessful hunter had opportunities to fill his tag yet when the end of our hunt was near and we were packing up he went on a rant blaming everyone of us successful hunters for his failures. It was a long drive home and I never hunted with him again.

BW

[Savage Bacon]

I think that just shows some respect that you have. Not saying that people who don't feel this way have no respect. Some show it differently. I kind of mentally thank the animal when I first kneel down and pick up their head. That's when I show my feelings. You've been waiting since this time last year for this moment. That's a lot of build up. Keep having respect and keep filling your freezer with delicious ground and steaks!

[Dewey Cox]

That's how vegetarians feel when they mow the lawn.