Do you talk to them?

[Stumpkiller]

In reading KentuckyTJ's post something occurred to me.  Am I the only person who, on walking up to the deer and preparing to field dress it, starts to talk to the deer?  First I say a prayer of thanksgiving, then, as I shed layers and lay out my field dressing and clean-up gear, I find myself talking to the deer.  Usually starting with an apology.  I guess I feel a bit guilty in with all those other emotions.

Years ago one of the older hunters in our group taught me to break off a hemlock twig and dip it in the blood.  Then a piece is slipped into the deer's mouth or just placed on the deer and the other piece is tucked in the brim of your hat.  A German hunter on a muzzleloading site told me this was called the "last bite" ( "Der letzte Biss") and still done in Europe.  

Also, anticipating the drag out, I eat a candy bar and take a swig of water.  One of the local deer and hide processers with Native American blood asked me if I ever gave anything to the deer when I did this ("Something of yours - the deer already had the trees").  That kind of struck me as odd, and aparantly it is along the same lines.  So now I shave a bit off the candy bar and offer it with a word of thanks to the deer's spirit.  Am I an Animist?  Nope.  Episcopal.  But it is true that poor deer died at my hands and, whether his spirit, The Great Spirit, God or just circumstance played a role it is a polite jesture if nothing else.

So, what say ye?  Any other kooks out there?

[Lin Rhea]

I dont have an outward visible ritual, but I seem to always apologise. As you say, a polite jesture. It bestows dignity on the animal. Lin

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I do it all the time, I also pry to them and the Great Spirit to show them the way. I also go as far to ask them to forgive Me for ending their Earthly Life.

[straitera]

Excellent Charlie! I always say a prayer of thanks to God & the animal. Bottom line, I dig your respect for our animals.

[Kip]

I sure talk to myself when I miss in not so nice words.Kip

[shortstroke 91]

I don't think I've ever said an apology but I do always THANK the animal for what it's going to give me and mine.

I do always leave a bit of tobacco, something I learned many years ago.

[Ragnarok Forge]

It is good that you respect the life you have taken.  I always take a moment to stop and reflect on the life I took, to thank the creator for that life, and to feel the remorse that comes from killing such a beautiful creature.  True hunters know the thrill and sadness that come in their fair measure when a kill is made.

[A.S.]

I never apologize, but I say of word of thanks.

I was taught the "last bite" ritual while hunting in Namibia several years back. I have never done it to a whitetail, but it does seem appropriate.

[highpoint forge]

I always say thanks and a word to whomever or whatever offered the deer that day. A pang of guilt, yes, but I'm a textbook co-dependent....

[Mudd]

I have been known to talk to them while they are still on the hoof.

I have had to apologize to deer(does mostly) for lying to them.

As they are approaching I am telling them they are safe because today I'm just buck hunting and will not shoot a does but at the last moment I let them know that I was not telling them the truth. Usually the arrow is already on it's way by the time that's happening.

I do thank them and God for allowing me to have such good meat to feed myself and in some cases a needy family or two.

God bless,Mudd

PS: I found that they seem to stay more relaxed if I'm not actively thinking or talking about killing them.

[Stumpkiller]

Originally posted by Mudd:
. .  . but at the last moment I let them know that I was not telling them the truth.

Treachery!  Treachery! . . . but you say it works?      

It's like a new Aesops Fable - the Mudd and the Doe.

[Hawkeye]

I just thank the Lord for the bounty He has provided...

[Jim now in Kentucky]

I have always thanked God. If I thought the animal had a spirit that needed to be thanked, THERE'S NO WAY I'D SHOOT IT!

Really...

[ChristopherO]

I'm not cold hearted but as man was given a soul with an eternal destination I thank God, not the deer, for allowing me to kill and enjoy the animal, which was made for God and man's enjoyment but not in the image of God with an eternal soul.

[Killdeer]

Mudd sounds like something out of Mark Twain to me.

My body language lies for me when deer approach. I do thank them, their Creator and the spirits that conspired, the wheels that meshed, or whatever it was that allowed me to bring home food from the woods. I am sad for a life that I have cut short, and grateful for my acceptance into the vast Web of the Universe. I have become one with it, as belonging and proper as any other creature out there, at that point.

What I do to express that is between me and God.
Killdeer

[TxAg]

not me

[xtrema312]

I say a prayer of thanks to the good Lord for the meat and successful hunt.  As far as the critter goes, I do recall saying a calming word or two every now and then, or maybe “there you are” or “you are going to be good eating”. I have said a few apologies now that I think of it, but only when I have had to dispatch something because it was not killed clean.  Something like “sorry I have to shoot you again, or ring your neck”.  Anything I do say is for my own benefit and me talking to myself the way I look at it.  The animal doesn’t here and if they do they don’t have a clue what I say.  I don't know if I should be more concerned that I talk to myself out loud or talk to dead animals.  :confused:

[xtrema312]

Originally posted by ChristopherO:
I'm not cold hearted but as man was given a soul with an eternal destination I thank God, not the deer, for allowing me to kill and enjoy the animal, which was made for God and man's enjoyment but not in the image of God with an eternal soul.

X2

[wapiti792]

I always thank them and just take a moment with my eyes closed to burn the memory in my mind. I also do something a bit different. I remove the heart and go to a soft place and bury the heart. I have done that since my great-grandfather helped me field dress my first deer 30 years ago.

[bornagainbowhunter]

I also say a prayer to God to thank him for the blessed hunt and the guided shot.  I talk to the deer when they are coming in, I think I try to guide them.  Sometimes they listen, sometimes they don't.  

Not really the same, but I hold conversations with my horses.  They will tell you alot if you will watch them.

God Bless,
Nathan