Just Gutted and Skinned my first deer...

Years ago, back when dirt was invented and I was a teenager, I went rabbit and squirrel hunting. Got back, cleaned a bunch of rabbits and squirrels, and my mom pan-fried them, and we ate them with mashed potatoes, gravy, and I think green beans.

Nothing like fresh meat right on the table.

reply to post by spinkyboo


Certainly no dis respect but yes, you are missing some thing. Mainly the fact we are hunters. its in our primal instincts. A person can in fact have respect for the game and thrill in the kill. If that piece of you is missing I do feel sorry for you. Again no dis respect meant and no malice intended.

Were not talking about whole sale slaughter here. Were talking about taking the few to help the many and using what were taking.

Originally posted by spinkyboo

How can you have respect for anything that you refer to in this way?
The thrill of the kill? I'm missing something here. I don't see any inkling of respect.

It isn't something I can fully explain to you in words, but yes you are missing something.

Perhaps this can help. Fishing.
I love to fish. One day, many years ago on Bob Hall pier at Padre Island I was fishing at the very end of the pier and up until this time the biggest fish I had ever caught was a 24 inch fresh water Pike, but this day something really big hit my line. Bent the rod like it was nothing at all and me with only 20lb test line on the reel. I kept my cool and set my drag and started working this fish, keeping the pressure on the line but not too much pressure as to snap the line, reeling in what I could when I could only to feel him “run” time after time. 75 minutes later, I reeled in a 52 inch Bull Red Drum (redfish), my arms were so tired, they both cramped up like crazy, but there he was this big beautiful fish, that I caught and landed after a long and exhausting fight. And he was beautiful, his golden red scales iridescent in the sun, there was at least 50 people out there on the pier that day, all applauding. Quickly, we took pictures and lowered this mammoth beast back into the water in a net basket and watched over him as he gathered his strength and swam off.
The thrill was in the accomplishment, not everyone has done this, the respect was in that I made sure this creature was safely returned to the water in good condition and health. I even let him keep the bait from my hook, he earned it. If that story doesn’t touch you, I can’t help you but to only let you know you are missing out on some of the best aspects of life.

Hunting is the same way, it is a process of decisions and skill that can reward you with a tasty meal or leave you to go hungry. There are times when I hunt, I basically just watch nature, things must be a certain way before I squeeze that trigger. I never want a creature to suffer and if I can't take him with out him suffering, I don't take him....respect.

I hope this helps you to understand.


[edit on 12/29/2008 by eaganthorn]

reply to post by spinkyboo


You'll never understand. You're not Klingon. Go back to Vulcan and meditate.

Hunting satisfies a primal urge in all male humans. In my case, if not for the opportunity to hunt at least once a year for deer, I think I would go "Crazy Horse" or "Geronimo" on some people!

Congratulations OP on your first kill. This is my buck this year in Iowa. I hope I'm not breaking T&C:





I've been at it a few years!

[edit on 29-12-2008 by CreeWolf]

reply to post by CreeWolf


"Hunting satisfies a primal urge in all male Humans.."

YOUR words....yet, that killa from Wasilla, that 'you Betcha' Gal went on and on about how she could shoot, kill and dress a moose....what was her name???? It's on the tip of my tongue....SARAH!!!

Yeah, seems the 'primal urge' exists in the female, as well....

BTW, as a male Human, I have no 'primal urge' to hunt and kill.

With respect, CreeWolf, I disagree with your premise.

Also, with respect....IF it is a matter of hunting in order to feed, well then THAT is the order of nature....it IS survival of the fittest. However, hunting for 'sport'....NOW we've gone into new territory. THAT is just gross, and unnecessary.

reply to post by Jkd Up


Congratulations. I have only done this once, and I will never forget it, for me it was a good thing to learn, but not something I want to do reguarly, I admit to having it proccessed for me, but if need be, I would know how.

reply to post by weedwhacker


I appreciate your opinion. I should also explain to you that hunting for me is a spiritual thing. I wasn't raised "urban" and learned about the "circle of life" through experience rather than watching "The Lion King".

As for Sarah Palin, she probably just does it for sport. What about Hillary and her "pant-suits"? What do you think Cree women did when their mates brought home a moose? Was it already butchered and cut into little neat packaged steaks? Some people its a hobby or "nostalgia"; they just need to prove to themselves that they could survive without all these modern ways of "hunting" in the wilds of the SUPERMARKET.

You're not vegetarian by chance? You probably heard the contemporary popular saying among hunters or seen it on a bumper sticker:

"Vegetarian" is an indian word for "bad hunter".

More animal life is killed harvesting bean sprouts than a hunter who "targets" one particular animal. Think of the poor little bunny rabbits, mice, voles, and other prairie life!