Evolution of a hunter

[spuzzly]

As I was sitting in the tree this past weekend, I was thinking about how I have evolved as a hunter and person. As I grow older, only 37 now, I am starting to see things in a different light in regards to hunting. Particularly deer. When I was younger, harvesting a deer every year was a burning desire I had. It really did not matter what size, sex of the deer. I just had to have one. My mind set changed about 5 years ago. I harvested a beautiful 10 pt, which I had the head mounted. Ever since then, I really did not care if I harvested a deer or not. Instead, I found myself looking around and appreciating the little things nature offer us on a daily basis. For example, I watched a red fox stock and kill a chipmunk from my tree. I thought that event in nature was the best thing I have seen in a long time. Or having a deer walk within 5 yds of your tree stand and not have a clue you are there. Or watching the geese fly overhead heading south for the winter. Or passing on smaller (but legal) bucks knowing that they will fulfill their potential and become a trophy someday. I was just wondering if anyone had an epiphany like my self some time during their life?

[DWB]

+1 spuzzly.

When I started, it was about tagging out - the first stage of hunter evolution.

Later it became about getting the biggest possible buck in the country - the second stage of hunter evolution.

Following that, it was more of matter of making a clean stalk (anything within 50 yards was rewarding), then deciding to shoot or not - tagging by choice or desire - the third stage of my evolution.

The past few years, I am content to listen to the stories of the younger hunters after a good day (and enjoy watching them recount their success), spend time with my son in the woods and watch him grow through these stages of hunter evolution, take my time on the still hunts and cover maybe a mile or two over the course of a day, watch the critters, maybe make a clean stalk, sit on my backside with a rifle in my lap with a pinch in my mouth and a thermos at hand, and maybe tag if I want to - these are things I consider the final stage of the hunter evolution.

The epiphany continues, hopefully, for all of us for a lifetime.  Otherwise, it isn't much more than just going out and making a kill.

[Gaterskiner]

Sorta how I feel about women.

[FourFortyFourFred]

Where I live Tagging out was Mind boggling. 
Deer gun season generaly from Middle of Nov till end of January limit a buck a day Plus during the time of
doe season that varied a buck and a doe !

[ElmerFuddsRevenge]

  I always hunt for food . Being the oldest of seven kids it was easy to consume all we killed as a teenager .Now it takes some planning when hunting big game as there is more meat than I can eat but thankfully there is people more than willing to take and use what you can't . In Maine the game wardens will process and distribute the meat to family's that need it . Other areas I have found that several of the Native tribes will help you pack out bison or elk and are very greatfull for the game . I was never impressed when I came across a carcas with the head removed .

[Halwg]

I pretty much went through the same metamorphosis, only I was about 40 when I made the change.  I still like to be in the woods, and I like to shoot a deer or 2 for the meat, but having to fill tags doesn't compel me.  It's funny, because I have tags for 7 deer.  I'd like to shoot one for the freezer, and probably one more to donate to Hunters Helping the Hungry.  That would be a very successful season for me.

When I was doing the controlled hunt at Stonewall Jackson, I had a lot of time to just sit in the woods and enjoy the day.  I watched hawks soar, squirrels bark, chipmunks scamper, deer run, and crows caw.  It was a very relaxing day away from the office and all the noise and confusion of the real world.  Luckily it was warm and I was able to sit still all day!   

[FWiedner]

I have enjoyed my time in the outdoors since I was a boy in scouts.  Never needed to have a firearm to enjoy the wonders of nature, but it does add to the experience.

I was taught from a sprout that we eat what we kill, and nowadays I hunt with a single focus:  To make fresh meat for my family table, and I generally get what I hunt for.

I've killed some handsome animals while hunting, but I have never cared about trophies any more than what it took to make an animal legal for harvest.

My evolution is that I now kill bigger and better tasting creatures.

 

[Fordster]

Totally awesome Spuzzly  Its hard to read all this and then have to go to work tomorrow

[WyoStillhunter]

I began hunting whitetails in Missouri in the early 1960s before I was old enough to drive.  For years I would be depressed weeks after an unsuccessful season.  And there were plenty of those.

I was never into the trophy head thing that is so out of control these days but I valued bucks over does for a time.

Now I am a trophy meat hunter and have been for several years.  We like the meat.  It is still important to me to be successful filling a tag but it does not throw me into a blue funk if I don't.  My focus is on hunting well and a clean kill.  Missing or making poor shots really disappoints me with myself.  Numerical antler scores, yardage of the shot, weight of carcass, caliber, ballistics, etc. are irrelevant in my world.  In fact they are obscene to my way of thinking.  Stats are for sports and politics, not hunting.  Hunting is not a competition in my mind, it is a personal pursuit.  Did you get close to undisturbed game?  Did you make a good shot?  Did you respect the out of doors in every way?  Did you give thanks for the Gifts of Creation and the physical ability to receive them?  Bottom line questions.

At age 63+ it is very satisfying to me and an important part of my self-image to go out into the mountains alone, find and take an antelope, deer or elk with a good shot, retrieve the carcass without 4-wheeler or horses, and process it myself.  Doing this says to me I am still fully functional on this planet.  I can admit that in the great scheme of things this is all trivial but as long as I am able to enjoy hunting safely and ethically it's still important on a personal level.

[Goshawk]

I am 62 and retired so have plenty of time to hunt. Hunted 23 days with my longbow and another 7 days with my 30-30 and never took a shot with either. One of my best hunting seasons yet!!! But those dang Moose better look out next year. Goshawk

[spuzzly]

Thanks guys for all of the responses! It is good to know that you are not the only one out there that is changing with age. My goals for this season (and beyond) is to assist the other fathers in our hunting camp. They are bringing their 12-13 yr old children for their first deer camp. Although I do not want to interrupt their moment with their children, I going to be the guy behind the scenes who does the cooking, cleaning, driving etc. I want them to cherish their time with their children without interruption. In other words, I will do all the heavy lifting while they hunt with their kids. They only have their "first deer camp" once so I want them to spend all the time with their kids to make it a memorable hunt for them. Looking forward, I am starting to groom my son for hunting. I will start mentor hunting with him this next spring turkey season. I already have his deer rifle picked out, 1894 C  ) and I am looking at a Cricket .22 for plinking. When he graduates to small game hunting, he will tote my grandfathers Stevens O/U .22/.410. I am looking forward to spending time with my son and sharing with him what my father and grandfather shared with me. That's to me what hunting is all about. And if I never harvest another deer again, well that's OK by me. I have seen that there are bigger things in life than just filling a tag.

[WyoStillhunter]

Noble duty, spuzzly.  My hat is off to you, sir.

[bigjeepman]

Noble duty, spuzzly.  My hat is off to you, sir.

+1 from here ... and I tip my hat to you, WyoStillhunter, for the way you feel about our great outdoors and  the game available to us to hunt, enjoy, and appreciate ... it is not trivial at all ... it is doing it honorably.

bjm