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Post by MuzzleLoader on Dec 25, 2019 21:13:29 GMT -5
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Post by span870 on Dec 26, 2019 5:51:27 GMT -5
I'm there. At some point you just get tired of seeing stuff die and it becomes less of a need.
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Post by genesis273 on Dec 26, 2019 6:40:32 GMT -5
That was one of my favorite articles I've read in that magazine. I was actually pondering that article yesterday. I'm not quite there yet. But, there are times I've just enjoyed the presence of wildlife and opted not to squeeze the trigger.
My dad passed away in February 2012. During that spring turkey season, one of my first times out since he passed, I called in a lone tom from over 300 yards out. As I watched him get closer, the desire to end his life drifted further. As he entered my firearms, and my, effective range I left it in my lap. I just watched him. I felt more successful that day letting life move forward than I would have bringing it to an abrupt end. Something I was unable to do for my dad.
Since that time I've let other game I've pursued walk. Not too often. But, when your quarry draws near and that gentle tug tells you "Not today" I will harken to it. Life leaves us with enough regrets. No sense in adding one more.
Thanks for sharing it with those who may not read the magazine or get it online.
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Post by jjas on Dec 26, 2019 9:42:00 GMT -5
I think many hunters reach this point in their hunting career.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2019 9:58:10 GMT -5
I had that issue this year. It seems my three huge projects (two large retaining wall, and barn) that took 3 years caught up to me this season.
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Post by Woody Williams on Dec 26, 2019 10:15:35 GMT -5
Yeah, I've probably reached that point. It would not bother me IF I never killed another deer. The last three years it was I went because my grown grandson has taken an interest in deer hunting. It has all been about getting him a deer and we've done that the last two years. He had his opportunity this year but missed.
I haven't been back out since the firearm season, but we will try one more time with archery equipment the last weekend. If I kill one it will be about getting him some deer meat as he thoroughly enjoys it.
My deer hunting "career" is winding down..
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Post by featherduster on Dec 26, 2019 10:36:07 GMT -5
You guys sound like a sad bunch of tag soup eaters.
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Post by tynimiller on Dec 26, 2019 12:34:22 GMT -5
Love it, and honestly 100% get it. Folks that point or state this mindset is messed up, just haven't gotten there yet...I mean I've written about the emotional feelings which harvesting an animal drum up a lot and that stuff takes a toll on you. It is draining, and honestly I still feel that with every arrow I release or bullet I let fly shortens my time in the woods a little more each time.
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Post by esshup on Dec 26, 2019 13:16:47 GMT -5
You guys sound like a sad bunch of tag soup eaters. LOL, Gotta have a reason for the unfilled tag!! I deer hunt because I eat venison, and will put 2 in the freezer every year (if possible). Since I have a lifetime license, and already own the tools to harvest the deer, venison is less expensive (for me) than beef). I have no problem just watching them walk by, and watching wildlife in general when I'm out hunting is a big part of why I like to hunt. Maybe that's why it's called hunting and not shooting? BUT, the older I get the more I dislike sitting out in the freezing, blowing, wet, cold weather, so as the years pass I'm making an effort to have the freezer meat in the freezer earlier and earlier every year. This year a relative had surgery and couldn't hunt, and some other friends wanted meat so I shot more than I could personally use, but they were very happy to get the deer.
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Post by genesis273 on Dec 26, 2019 13:52:41 GMT -5
No tag soup here. Just a realistic post.
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Post by lawrencecountyhunter on Dec 26, 2019 14:00:05 GMT -5
There are a lot of ways to enjoy nature without being the person to actually pull the trigger or release the arrow. What I find to be truly sad, have seen it in several people close to me, is when they lose their love and passion for the outdoors in general.
An able-bodied person who parks themselves in front of the television all day is a sad existence IMO.
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Post by parkerbow on Dec 26, 2019 15:00:33 GMT -5
I am there as a hunter. I seem to always let the does go when they have their fawns with them in early bow season. I don't even reach for my bow. It is just a joy to watch the fawns and their mother mess around together. There is something inside a person that does say "Not today, let them walk" To me it is respecting the animals we pursue.
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Post by bowonlykindofguy1 on Dec 26, 2019 15:34:38 GMT -5
I am there as a hunter. I seem to always let the does go when they have their fawns with them in early bow season. I don't even reach for my bow. It is just a joy to watch the fawns and their mother mess around together. There is something inside a person that does say "Not today, let them walk" To me it is respecting the animals we pursue. I always do that,i refuse to shoot a doe if fawns are near her.
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Post by treetop on Dec 26, 2019 15:55:50 GMT -5
Yeah, I've probably reached that point. It would not bother me IF I never killed another deer. The last three years it was I went because my grown grandson has taken an interest in deer hunting. It has all been about getting him a deer and we've done that the last two years. He had his opportunity this year but missed. I haven't been back out since the firearm season, but we will try one more time with archery equipment the last weekend. If I kill one it will be about getting him some deer meat as he thoroughly enjoys it. My deer hunting "career" is winding down.. The last few years it seems I’m the same way I have a few kids I’ve been helping learn I find more joy in them taking a deer than myself I still go out by myself and hunt but watched deer walk by and never lifted my bow. I did take a doe this year but it was more I wanted deer meat than hunting. My biggest accomplishment this year happened just the other night a young man who had came over with my nephew and helped clean his first buck asked if I could help him get a deer. So next year God willing I might be able to help another person get a deer .
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Post by MuzzleLoader on Dec 26, 2019 18:04:56 GMT -5
Glad I am not the only one. After 40 years of hunting, It gets harder to pull the trigger. Thought I would get ridiculed here for the post but I see other are at the same point in our careers. The article just struck a cord that has been there for several years.
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Post by jjas on Dec 26, 2019 18:13:14 GMT -5
Love it, and honestly 100% get it. Folks that point or state this mindset is messed up, just haven't gotten there yet...I mean I've written about the emotional feelings which harvesting an animal drum up a lot and that stuff takes a toll on you. It is draining, and honestly I still feel that with every arrow I release or bullet I let fly shortens my time in the woods a little more each time. I've been hunting deer since the early 80's and I have no issue admitting that killing one every season is really not that big of a deal to me anymore. Would I like to take a bigger buck than the ones I have on the wall? Sure. But I didn't get a shot at a bigger buck this year so I'll likely go a couple of more times this season and if I don't see that buck, I'll start working on next year. I really enjoy the process of scouting, stand placement and putting in food plots. It's fun to have deer walk right by areas that you figured they would and they don't see or smell you. That's the part of deer hunting I enjoy the most.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2019 18:32:23 GMT -5
If I ever get to that point, I just really have to feel that my life would need to be done. Take me now Jesus. If that`s extreme, so be it. I`ve been so into deer hunting for so long, it`s all I know, all I do. I don`t golf, don`t take vacations, and every gift I get, whether it`s Christmas, birthday, or Father`s day, they`re all something to do with deer hunting. I wouldn't know how to act, what to do, how to move forward. And yes, I`m saved, born again, and I full well get that we are called to fulfill the Great Commission, and that ought to be the reason to keep going, but deer hunting has been my obsession for so long, I just wouldn`t know what to do.
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Post by genesis273 on Dec 26, 2019 19:27:06 GMT -5
It seems to me that a few years ago another gentleman on this forum had suddenly given up hunting and was parting ways with his gear.
If that does happen to me, I'll sell my gear and buy a dang nice camera and video camera. I may stop killing but I won't stop going to the woods.
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Post by span870 on Dec 26, 2019 21:57:27 GMT -5
It seems to me that a few years ago another gentleman on this forum had suddenly given up hunting and was parting ways with his gear. If that does happen to me, I'll sell my gear and buy a dang nice camera and video camera. I may stop killing but I won't stop going to the woods. May have been me. I sold everything but one tree stand. Bought beagles and make every excuse I can not to shoot them
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Post by duff on Dec 26, 2019 22:01:03 GMT -5
Not shoot the beagles
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