Killing vs .........
So i was pondering today why sometimes when I kill / harvest an animal their is such a big difference in the way I feel. For example there are times my main goal is to just fill the freezer and other times I am looking for a spiritual experience with nature and the way I choose to take the animal.
I know allot of it all has to do with where my heart is at, at the time. I also struggle with the method even though I know there is no wrong way as long is its not wrong to you. (legal methods of course)
Example 1. I shot a doe and a 5 or 6 year old 10 point in Iowa this year within 30 min of each other. Was it great? YES! I did it with a long time bowhunting friend I have not seen in 8 years. But it wasn't the same as a solo hunt doing everything your way. The visit was greatly needed and we laughed are butts off in the stand numerous times over the trip! I wouldn't change it for anything we had a blast with each other.
Example 2. Jan 1 last day of deer season in MI right on dark and I wanted one more deer for the freezer. I had a good sized doe walking down the trail and made a loop around me I shot her and she went 40 yards and piled up. Meet in the freezer YEP but not much of a feeling of satisfaction. Maybe it being almost dark made it allot less intimate, I have noticed that in the past. I now leave stands early (usually LOL) just for that reason. Its great to see that monster buck in the waining minute of legal shooting light but if you shoot I feel like you rob yourself of the allot of the moment. It not wrong but not the same in full daylight when you can see every detail and take in every second with clarity.
Example 3. Three years ago I trained hard all year got my set up down perfect and was shooting great. It was the rut in Northern Michigan and I had a few days of bowhunting set aside. It was Pre-rut and had a great evening hunt seeing lots of chasing. The next morning I shot a doe she went down in sight with a short 20 yard chip shot.
The next morning I see deer but no shooters and nothing with in shooting range anyway. I dropped my tab out of the tree and couldn't find it when I got down. Oh well I have like 5 more in the truck helps to make my own.
Walking back to the barn wind in my face its just whipping I see antler tines just above the raspberry bushes about 30 yards in the woods! Its a good buck P&Y all day but NO possible shot what so ever, thick as thick. I remembered passing a deer trail coming out of the raspberry 15 or so yards back so I unsnap my pack and leave it on the ground that I am already practically laying on. I crawl back to the trail and think if he comes this way I will get a shot. If I can pick a hole.
About 5 minutes later here he comes headed my way. I’m frozen not moving a muscle already at full draw when he hits my shooting hole. Of course a mature deer any where but in Michigan to boot have a sixth sense and I just don't look right sitting on the ground to him. Half a step more I might have a better / bigger hole to shoot through but he isn't moving. I had a 67# limbs on my recurve at the time shooting 750 grains of bone crushing mass. Ive now been at full draw for over a minute with bare fingers. Finally I settle in on my little hole and let loose!! The buck crashes through the brush and woods GRUNTING / GROWLING LOUD over and over again like he is enraged with anger he has been out smarted. I am shaking real bad now this is the biggest buck I have ever seen in Michigan in person while hunting and I just pulled a hat trick on him on the ground!
I wait the 3 hours before I go inspect the the shot location but was sure I heard him go down. With the loud wind there was no way to know for sure. He broke my arrow off past the footing about 10" total and I had good blood. I tracked him with good blood to a bed about 100 yards away and then NOTHING! I was broken what could have happened? I backed out again and waited for my pops to show up and we looked till dark and then again in the morning until the rain started pouring down. I told the neighbors about it and 2 weeks later Andy from across the street shot it during gun season on the run chasing a doe. I had shot him through the shoulder and it was already scabbed over! Still don't know how I didn't kill him with the blood and penetration I had. Amazing animals they are tougher then I will ever know or could be. Honestly one of the best hunts of my life.
So what is my goal memories, meat? Depends on the day? I guess I am still trying to figure it all out. Allot has to do with where my heart is, and my stress level is at with work and family. It also plays a huge role if I am alone or with a hunting buddy. There is no easy answer no easy way to figure it out unless you reflect and I guess that is what I am doing here.
I know this I love hunting, my family, friends and God. I think when the magic wears thin we are just walking down the wrong path in life. Do what makes you happy and do it for yourself! Use guide lines and reflect on what brought you the most JOY. More than likely it will again if we repeat the methods and are doing it with the right state of mind and heart.
May you all find peace and fulfillment in the woods this year that can only be found with a relationship with God and a heart in the right place. Don't ever let yourself be put down by the method you choose to hunt. There are always easier ways but the end of the hunt is always better when you choose to do it your way!
Topic: Killing vs ......... (Read 771 times)
