The crisis of conscious.

[John3]

don't worry what "others" might say.. Trad hunting is for you.
Doing it right is what this is all about. Getting close with a perfect shot is all that matters. If things for the perfect shot don't work out so be it. Tomorrow is another day with another chance...


JDS III

[BLACK WOLF]

I see nothing wrong with generalizations as long as a person is not being judgemental or claiming that everyone is one way or the other because the majority may be.

Generalizations are based on data or evidence and when comedians make jokes regarding them we often laugh becuase there's usually some truth to it.

I've always believed that actions speak louder than words. Actions are the fulfilment of a person's words.

A person can often show their heart better through their actions than through their words.

You did good  

Ray  

[Blackhat]

When I was 13 or so I had a daisy bb gun.  Usually I would set up senario's with my army men on a bank behind our house and shoot at them.  one day a hummingbird flew by and I took a snap shot at it.  not meaning to I hit it.  but I did. It devistated me for quite a while.  Knowing I had killed something so beautiful, and not putting it's death to a useful purpose.  I balled like a baby for a while. It was a waste of life that I have never forgotten.   I take  life and death seriously. I don't waste either one.  

[George D. Stout]

[Yolla Bolly]

You did well, with your demonstrated valuation of the gift of life embodied in that doe.  I expect you would be welcome at my fire any night.

[Dave Lay]

Blackhat, kinda reminds me of when I was about 10 ( I am 55 now)  and I shot a sparrow at about 10 ft with a 12gauge.. That really bothered me and to this day still does... killing a critter for no reason and with no challange..I dont want to sound all PETA like cause I hate those bastards, but my concience was deeply affected by that action 45 years ago.

[Widowbender]

Having a conscience is no crisis and while it may or may not be true that Traditional Bowhunters in general possess higher levels of conscience than the average, conscience has more to do with your internal moral compass than the type of equipment you shoot or hunt with. "It was only a doe" is not something I would let pass if said in my company. It makes it sound as if people try harder when its a trophy buck or something. Taking a life deserves more respect than that. Unfortunately, these sentiments seem to be more common these days...Thanks for the story, hopefully your buddy will learn from it, I bet he will. Experience is the best teacher...

David

[adkmountainken]

look hard at what Killdeer siad and let that sink in, "A life is a life and it is all that she has." man does that make you stop and ponder the difference between taking a world class buck or a doe?? they are indeed one and the same, they are both life not just "a doe". that quote will definitly stick with me.

[Longbow rookie]

Sounds to me like your conscience/judgement is right where it needs to be.  However, I can't lie - and I hope you don't take offense but the attitude displayed by your buddy made my stomach sick.  Sorry but I'm speaking the truth.  

I can't and will never understand a thought process that says "leave a poorly hit deer to suffer - it's just a doe."  Unacceptable to me in every sense of the word!!!

I'm a very tolerant person - however lately I've experienced some stories similar to this one in my own backyard and they make me sick!!

I'm glad that you feel the way you do in regards to the choices we make before we release the string.  I hope you rub off on your buddy.

Some one up top mentioned that we should think about what if we were on the receiving end of an arrow.  Very interesting and valuable perspective.  Good thought!!

Don't know about others but I'd want it quick and clean!!!

Sorry - as you can see this is not something I take lightly.

[Shakes.602]

"Look Hard at what Killdeer said and let that sink in", "A life is a life and it is all that she has."
    AMEN  to  ALL  of This, Killie Said What We ALL  Should Take Heed.Bless You KillDeer, for the OutLook that Passing a Shot isnt a Sin, and as Long as  YOU  are Shooting Your Very Best, and the Voice In Your Head Is There For a Reason, If it Says "Not Yet..." is Better than Boogering the Shot!!
   Turkeys Be My Critter of Choice for Me, Rookie-ism<----<<<< but I havent Scored a One in my One Attempt.
    Like My old Man Once Told Me "Use FIRST Instinct, 99%of the Time Its The RIGHT Decision!!
    Hold Your Head Up, and  DONT  Listen to the  B.S.  Your Partners Throw. Kinda Shows What & Where  THEY  are Made Of, Or they Would Have Piled Out into the Rain to   HELP ANOTHER HUNTER  In The "Camp" or WinnyBago  Find The The Deer That Has Not One But 2 Arrows in it, if Memory Serves.
   Your Frame of MIND,And Ethics, Were In the Right Place!!!  THAT IS  What is all About!! Deer,Elk,Moose, and The Like.
   You Did What You Could, with the Situation, so PLEASE Dont Dog Yourself and Beat Yourself Up About It!! Do, Learn & Retain and InGrain, Right ???      

[Brent Hill]

A friend once told me the secret to parenting and life.  Don't tell your child what to do.  Ask them the following, " Is what you are doing the right thing to do ?"   I hope that I can live by that.  I will ask my daughter that as well.  
The only problem I see in your experience is the failure of your hunting partner to respect and appreciate this great opportunity to share with nature.  I applaud the generous respect you gave to that doe...  I know gun hunters who are "traditional" in their heart regardless of what they choose to hunt with.  I know guys who shoot stickbows who aren't worth the powder to shoot.  We become soleless killers if thats all we choose to be.  You have shown your true nature.  Welcome to the campfire.  Bhill

[Curtiss Cardinal]

I don't think I could ever hunt with someone that said,"Oh well it was just a doe." ever again. It's like wheel bow shooters I used to know up in Michigan that said, " Well it was just a hog so I went ahead and took a quartering to shot. I'll always take a shot on a hog no matter the angle. Funny how a guy will take a shot at a hog he'd never take at a deer." to me on a league night. I looked dumbfounded at the guys that agreed and said, "I always thought any animal you hunted deserved the same respect and humane dispatch. How would you guys like to hear a waterfowl hunter say something like,'it's not how well you shoot it's how much lead you get in the air.' Sky busters are looked down on for a reason. If you just fling, poke and hope on anything you're not doing right." I got a lot of "geeze man lighten up" and "Now tell us how you really feel." comments and wasn't invited on anymore hunts with these wheel shooters. However other bowhunters heard me and introduced themselves and I was invited to join their deercamp.
To thine own self be true and welcome to the side of Light.

[trashwood]

wihill - I understand your crisis and your ethics. I try not to be to judgemental of others hunting ethics.  If i deal to far into the crisis i find things like

Every day, almost 16,000 children die from hunger-related causes--one child every five seconds. 12

and I spend $4K to $6K a year hunting and yet I know it could feed hunger kids????? ya can't cure the world's problems.  ya can just march to your own drum and do what you feel is right.

if ya look to far ya find ya have done sumpin worse than the guy ya just judged.

rusty

[wihill]

I just want to thank everyone for their insights and thoughts.  Ultimately my crisis was how I wanted to deal with my hunting partner, in such a fashion as to allow my beliefs to be known, my displeasure with his choice(s), and the best way to console not only myself over a matter I had little control over, but a mindset to not allow it to happen again.

I've talked with him off and on, I  believe the reality of what happened is starting to  sink in.  Please believe me I'm not trying to shame or brow beat him into an admission of failure, just open a door to a different perspective.  We're still friends, we will continue to be.  We'll still hunt together, share stories around the fire, and poke fun at each other when the time's right.  He hasn't shown interest in traditional archery, though I often kid him that his aged compound might as well be..  who knows where the future will go, friends aren't perfect - but the good ones can be hard to come by.

On a side note..

I did find it interesting that the other forum largely discarded it, only to see a post on "hail mary" shots appear in due time.  To each their own, I suppose.  All I can do is try to influence those I can in a positive manner..