Mountain Project Logo

Shooting/Hunting-why do you do it?

Tim M · · none · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 293

+ another one - lefties with guns

willeslinger · · Golden, Colorado · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 25

I hunted on my family farm when I was younger, I guess I was a pretty natural marksman, but I find it all pretty boring. I'll occasionally break out my bow and send some arrows down rage, but that's kind of like a zen meditative thing for me, because when I shoot with my bow, I feel like a lot of the other stuff that worries me just falls away. Kind of like climbing, just less strenuous and time consuming. Basically, it's a nice thing to do for a half hour every so often, nothing more.

Love me some deer meat though, but I live in the southeast, and that stuff gets given away like acid at a Grateful Dead concert when the season opens.

Buff Johnson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 1,145

Just be glad Bambi doesn't have a fully-auto

Leo Paik · · Westminster, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 22,800

One thing to keep in mind is that hunting is far, far more than killing. That's just the tiny part before you dress the meat.

Safety is huge, especially, as others mention, when it comes to others in your household. You HAVE to teach everyone else in your home how to deal with weapons safely if you own.

Shooting and hunting can be an excellent complement to climbing activities...especially using traditional bows.

Finally, one thing to strongly consider is chronic wasting disease, possibly our local version of kuru/scrapie/Jacob Creutzfeld/mad cow. Stanley Preussner was thought to be a wacko...then he got the Nobel prize for his work on prions. We don't really understand all that is involved in cross-species transmission.

Olaf Mitchell · · Paia, Maui, Hi, · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 4,190
jim-c · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 265

Another tree-hugging liberal with a gun. We have a farm and raise our own meat, so I don't see the need to hunt as much when I can go to the pasture more easily. In the end, I raise/hunt for food, not for pleasure. I'm not looking to hang a trophy but to stock my freezer. Circle of life and all. I am an omnivore and a predator and I like knowing how my food was prepared.

It surprises a lot of my right-wing friends. There is that stereo-type that says if you are liberal, you cannot own a gun or hunt.

I will say that I am not a fan of handguns - different purpose than a rifle. I have never felt the need to carry one or have one around. But each to his own.

Buff Johnson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 1,145

After this, did Olaf take up surfing???

The Deer Hunter

Cpt. E · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 95

yeah, i go in and out on the hand-gun thing too....

Olaf Mitchell · · Paia, Maui, Hi, · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 4,190

Mark, I must admit that some of my best naps have been at about 10am on a clear,sunny Rocky Mountain morning sitting under a tree after freezing my tail off since way before dawn.

Lee Smith · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2003 · Points: 1,545

I am taking my new piece out to shoot this weekend. Anybody want to join me?

My new gun

1Eric Rhicard · · Tucson · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 10,101
Mark Nelson wrote:As far as safety, you probably want a gun safe. Keep mags and guns separated to prevent accidents. I think training & practice are important in proper use of fire arms as well as gun safety education. Hunting is a matter of proper land conservation and I feel should be supported as a normal part of herd control. I think most that participate in hunting are incredibly conservation responsible about their mannerisms when participating in this activity. They are usually experienced or with someone experienced. Certainly exceptions exist, maybe a game warden knows better about what they actually see. Recreational target shooting is certainly enjoyable, it's expensive though; but it's fun. Overall, I have no problem with guns used responsibly, which they are frequently used in my area, a rural/mountainous environment. Urban is different; I guess if I felt a gun was needed in an urban setting, maybe it's better not to be in that setting. Maybe it's just me, but I do feel safer at a gun show than at the airport. Philosophically, guns are guns, they are not good or bad. They are just not toys and should be respected. Teaching kids early on about them is important, I feel.
I am a pretty far left liberal for the record. Got to agree with Mark. Safe should be your first purchase. I have hunted my whole life. Gave up guns as it was too easy. I am a bow hunter because I love the chase more now. Love to eat wild game. No steroids, no antibiotics and if you hunt close to home it is environmentally a pretty sound practice.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Other Sports
Post a Reply to "Shooting/Hunting-why do you do it?"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.