this is why we hunt

[Adirondack Bowman]

We've all heard this one- " one does not hunt in order to kill, but one must kill in order to have hunted'  ( not an exact quote)

[Killdeer]

Kenny...female redstart.  

[Mark Baker]

Without the hunt, would the scenery be as beautiful?  Without the hunt, would the animals draw our attention as easily?   Would every sound snap you to attention, and make your heart beat a bit faster?  Without the hunt, would you take as much notice of the feel of your bow, the heft of your shafts and taughtness of your string?   Would you notice the bind in your clothing as you try a practice draw from you stand, while bundled up on a cold day, without the hunt?    Without the intent to kill, that day, would it be different? Less shiny, less musical, less spiritual?   I think we as hunters all go to the woods, primarily to hunt....to kill, and the emotions brighten the whole picture for us?

If the deer hid in the nastiest hole in the woods, I'd sit there, instead of where the view was better.   I'd endure the colder weather to get a shot, wait for hours in a blizzard, get up early and walk through the dark on a moonless morning to climb into a dark tree...and it all is magical, because of my intentions that day.

[Widowbender]

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones in that most of my work days are spent in and around the woods. I love being outside absorbing all the sights, smells and sounds. However, I feel I'm never more connected to nature than when I have a bow in my hand and in "predator mode". I can certainly identify with what has been said by everyone. To me, a day spent in the woods bowhunting is a special time, kill or no kill.
When I first started hunting, if I didn't get a shot at something, I didn't consider it a successful hunt.
But, as the years passed and the circumstances of life made their impression, I came to appreciate the total experience of the hunt, more. I think today I am a better hunter than before and I have learned much more from the ones that got away than the ones that didn't.

David

Plus, I still like to shoot stuff