What a place to say this. But first. Some of my best days are in the upland field with my dog. If I could do it with my rifle it would be bester. LR hunt/shoot is my real thing. So here's my problem. ( I couldn't pull the trigger on a easy coyote shot ). Im getting old this days and just couldn't being myself to kill it. Any of you old guys getting there or am I tuning into a wimp.
Losing my killer instinct
- Thread starter mike a
- Start date
GT Accuracy
Site $$ Sponsor
I am that way with deer. I just cant bring myself to shoot them. That said, Yotes or ground grizzly's have no chance
Well thanx Greg. I really expected to be told to get lost. I eat deer so I'm ok there but no way I'm eaten a Yote.
CJ6
Silver $$ Contributor
I've had a few hunts where I never pulled the trigger...I don't regret it one bit.
GT Accuracy
Site $$ Sponsor
Just remember, yotes eat deer!
timeout
Silver $$ Contributor
I'm getting old, but I love to kill deer. Had quit deer hunting for many years. Started again with the basically unlimited CWD season bag limits. Had a ball. I do relish venison and what my friends and and I don't eat, we give to the food pantry. Haven't killed a pheasant or turkey in decades and no longer have any desire to kill small game. Give me a deer permit though and I am in 7th heaven!
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
I'm not old yet, but I quit killing anything I dont eat a few years ago. I had a very bad burn that took almost a year to totally heal, since I have felt REAL pain I lost the desire to inflict it on animals. I still dont like humans though 
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
I will eat deer but my wife doesn't. I still take deer from the herd on my land but I have let many nice bucks go by over the last five years or so just to take the does out biologist says we need to harvest. Those deer go to feed others thru my state's hunters for the Hungry campaign.
As for coyotes, they never belonged in my state and I will do all I can to rebalance the the odds toward the deer and turkeys they are killing.
I have a friend who got the opportunity of a lifetime to hunt for a TV show in Africa. It changed her life in many ways and she in turn helped to improve the lives of children while she was there. I was proudest that she refused to take a Zebra for the camera since they couldn't tell her how the animal would be used.
OP, it often takes a great deal more courage to stand in your shoes than is does to pull the trigger and I commend you for that.
As for coyotes, they never belonged in my state and I will do all I can to rebalance the the odds toward the deer and turkeys they are killing.
I have a friend who got the opportunity of a lifetime to hunt for a TV show in Africa. It changed her life in many ways and she in turn helped to improve the lives of children while she was there. I was proudest that she refused to take a Zebra for the camera since they couldn't tell her how the animal would be used.
OP, it often takes a great deal more courage to stand in your shoes than is does to pull the trigger and I commend you for that.
Alex, I also suffered a severe injury two years ago. Sure changed my outlook on life. Slowed me down a lot and the up side is I think it improved bench rest technique. MikeI'm not old yet, but I quit killing anything I dont eat a few years ago. I had a very bad burn that took almost a year to totally heal, since I have felt REAL pain I lost the desire to inflict it on animals. I still dont like humans though
There was a time not that awful long ago that I did my best to kill every duck and goose on the continent! I finally figured out that was not going to happen and quit! Well almost and now only carry 12 GA. 2 3/4" loads, 20 and .410 when I do go with my Son and his friends. Still help out the local farmers with Chucks and deer that decimate there crops though. Anyone want to buy an SP-10 from the custom shop that never misses?
Yep, I've been in that mode for at least 12 years, I do still hunt deer every day of the season, but am extremely selective when it come to pulling the trigger....it's got to be already wounded or a wall hanger...and close to camp. Too many seasons (celebrating 50 this year) where it was an insult to your manhood not to bag a deer. Now, here in N.E. Pa, I see the results of that mentality......very few deer.It's so bad, I have to let my kids ask me if it's OK to shoot the groundhogs on the home patch. Shooting bullets in one hole in paper targets give me a bigger thrill anymore. I'll let the kids and grandkids keep me in venison. I've culled my share.
I think it's a natural progression. Nuts for it when one is young...Not so much as you grow older.
My Dad market hunted ducks in the 1930's as a kid. After the War he hunted them again as well as small game. But within game laws.
As he got in his 60's he simply didn't care to kill them anymore....any of them. At mid 60's I'm in the same boat. with the exception of coyotes, gophers and skunks.
I have deer and elk literally in the yard but I think I have killed my last one several years back. Let the youngsters have at it.
My Dad market hunted ducks in the 1930's as a kid. After the War he hunted them again as well as small game. But within game laws.
As he got in his 60's he simply didn't care to kill them anymore....any of them. At mid 60's I'm in the same boat. with the exception of coyotes, gophers and skunks.
I have deer and elk literally in the yard but I think I have killed my last one several years back. Let the youngsters have at it.
I'm in the same place in life. I have sat in a deer stand on the home place for at least the last 10 seasons and not done any more than put the cross hairs on any of the hundreds I have seen. I still love duck hunting and dove shooting. I chased pointers on horse back in 4 states when wild quail were plentiful. The quail are scarce now. In my 60's I still love wing shooting so long as I have a retriever at my side. I will shoot coyotes here because they don't belong here. When I do, I'm saddened.
ab_bentley
I fix stuff, sometimes....
I feel bad every time I kill, but that is quickly dissipated with some salt or pepper.
Adam
Adam
Yea I am getting that way I feel bad about all the deer I shoot..I tell myself well we eat them and everything we eat has been killed by someone...Last Thursday we had deer tenderloin OMG good...my sister marinades it all day. we then cook it on the grill, my brother in law makes a horseradish diping sauce we slice it thin and dip in the sauce wow! we had steaks on the grill also and I have to say the deer appetizer was better than the steaks.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.