First trad deer traditions and such.........

[cmh]

Was talking with a friend of mine. We started a discussion about traditions rituals whatever you want to call them that alot of folks do on the taling of their first whitetail etc......... Anyone got any they would like to share? Thanks, Craig

[the not so straight arrow]

well when i killed my first deer it was with a rifle so im not sure as this counts, but any deer i take i do the same thing reguardless of what ive killed it with but anyway...after i locate the deer i like to kneel next to it and just relax, close my eyes and take in the situation and the emotions you feel at that moment becuase they are so rare and specail. After that i place both hands on the deer and say a kind of prayer, same one i say everytime, to show respect. just between me and the animal. i guess you could say im a pretty spiritual hunter. i just think its important to pay your respect's after depriving anything of life. I was all alone when i killed my first deer, but i still say the same prayer everytime i make meat, that memorie just stuck with me i guess.
Some guys i know had blood smeared on there cheek by there fathers or whom ever they were hunting with at the time after there first kill, always wish i had some one to smear my face during my first kill but my dad wasnt around for that hunt wich was a bummer, he was still pretty proud though.
-cory

[cmh]

[mscampbell75]

Everytime I get out of the truck and start to my stand, I stop close my eyes and Thank God for giving me the opportunity to be enjoying his outdoors and for a safe hunt.

[the not so straight arrow]

craig, do you have any traditions of your own? just wondering, thanks.
-cory

[Plug]

cut the liver out and eat it raw

[pintail_drake2004]

i take a bite of the raw heart. and leave a plug of tobacco where the critter fell.

[cmh]

Personally I do not have one yet....... but I had always heard about takling a bite of the heart.

[Montyc]

I always bless my stand (ground hunter) when I first set up with tobacco, and if I am lucky enough to shot a deer I will set with the deer holding it's head in my lap, and say a prayer thanking the deer for giving its life to help feed my family.  I will also bless the deer and where it fell with tobacco.  I have always had a great respect for the animals that I hunt, but it just seems as I get older the respect and love I have continues to get stronger.

[the not so straight arrow]

its nice to hear that as a group hunters are such spiritual people. i feel i find more and more guys out there who just want to hurt and kill things. i like to hear e everyone talking about the respect they have for their quarry, its the most important aspect of hunting in my opinion.
-cory

[SOS]

I always give the the deer the "letzte biss" or last bite.  A little bite of green browse in the corner of its mouth.

[adkmountainken]

i give an offering of tabacco every time i head to the woods for whatever reason, hunting, hiking, fishing ect...  i also give an offering for any gifts i may take including the life of an animal.

[cmh]

Thanks for the replies fella's........ nice to be amongst like minded folks    

[b.glass]

I came across some tobacco leaves given to me by a friend. I crumbled it up and am keeping it in my hunting pack. I offered some up as a token in the ancient Native American way when I acquired a road killed doe. And I gave a prayer of thanks.