MSU Red Cedar Message Board

My bear-hunting uncles do. I've never had it before- or shot anything because I'm a huge pansy and hire others to cage them up and force feed them and slit their throats. I just can't pull the trigger.

Yea, I guess I'm a hypocrite in that regard.

I'm not condemning hunting as a means to eat. I just don't understand the appeal of killing something so massively beautiful for a photo op.

What's wrong with that?

My point is there are a lot of reasons why people do things like hunt...why do we need to understand every one?

I never said there was anything wrong with it.

I hunt and fish and enjoy it more and more everytime I get out. I hunt, birds, turkey, deer, fish for just about every species we have in MI, I do not hunt for trophys animals, I don't see the appeal but if someone else wants to go kill some massive animal that is their right to do so, if they buy the permit that is. Some of my favorite hunts and most memorable are not shooting or killing anything. Just being out and watching the birds or seeing deer run around and play.
To me being out on the water or in the woods is kind of like going to church. It's the one place I can go and be alone and not worry about all the bullshit in the world, just focus on the task and enjoy mother nature and everything she offers us.
So that is the appeal to me

Please see the below thread for my thoughts on this subject,

signed,
a Hunter..... out of tradition, and enjoying the taste of meat.

I don't get it personally. I don't participate but I don't care if other people do it.

To change the OP's original question, I would ask "why do you golf"? Is it a challenge? Can it be comptetitive? The same answers can apply to hunting. Why do people climb mountains? Why do they have to progressively climb higher mountains to the point that they kill themselves on Kilamajaro? Must be some thrill in it for them.

I subscribe to catch-and-release "sometimes" depending what I am fishing for. If it is salmon, I might keep one or two to eat and release the rest. Steelhead, never since I want to see the population increase. I Never keep a fish that is spawing in the river. Walleye and perch are gonna end up on my plate.

I used to hunt deer avidly but lost the "thrill of the hunt" but that doesn't mean that I have a problem with anyone who still has the thrill. And yes, hunters do play an avid part in population control. After this non-existent Winter, I would suggest everyone check their collision coverage on their car, cause the deer population is gonna explode and the deer will be flying like pinballs.

Why stop at bears? Why not hunt owls, dogs and kittens?

Excellent points.

Personal examples, I remember seeing my first wild turkey, now seeing them is no big deal. I remember seeing a coyote for the first time. While they are skittish and remain hidden, evidence of their presence is everywhere.

My grandfather talks of seeing a deer for the first time as a young teen. This was before management practices were installed.

"We have a terrific show for you today: we're gonna kill some elk, and we're gonna kill some mountain goats. Now, the new law passed by Colorado legislature, which Ned and I call 'Pussy Law #4', states that we can no longer kill animals in defense. In other words, our old line of 'It's comin' right for us' no longer works. So now, we only kill animals to, quote, thin out their numbers. If we don't hunt, then these animals will grow too big in number and they won't have enough food. So you see, we have to kill animals, or else they'll die."

I actually don't disagree when it comes to hunting a bear. They shoot them from 1000+ meters with high powered rifles. Too damn easy. Make it hand to hand combat only.

But hunting in general? No issues with it. I wish deer and turkey season was longer