I watched a moose die on TV

“I was channel surfing this weekend and came across a channel showing a huge bull moose and all of a sudden a shot rang out and the moose ran a couple dozen yards then keeled over dead.

I was raised as a hunter and had always enjoyed it until about six or seven years ago. For some reason it didn't make much sense for me to kill something when all I was going to do was give the meat to someone else. I passed up on a kill while deer hunting that year and felt liberated. It was an experience I'll never forget. I had the deer right in my scope and I didn't pull the trigger. I didn't tell my dad or brother about it - My dad would have thought I was nuts!

I've had a lot of great times going hunting with my dad and brother. Most of the great times were sitting in the camper telling stories and playing cards. I could have done without sitting in a tree stand waiting for a deer to come along and blasting the hell out of it.

When I saw the moose being shot on television, I came close to being sick. Heart-sick for sure. I'm not going to start banging pots telling people to not hunt, but I won't be supporting it any longer. I believe in the right to own guns and would never give mine up. The only thing that's an endangered species around me is a clay pigeon and the odd plate of lasagne.

Are there any other non-hunting, hunter raised persons out there?

Just wondering.

BTW, thanks to the good people here for getting rid of the thread "Rocking the suburbs", that was truly sick.”

“Did the moose keel over dead, or just keel over? The moose hunt is a big deal here in Maine, but I could never participate. I really believe you should be a dead on shot to hunt anything - and for moose - seems you'd have to have an elephant gun to make a quick, clean kill. In the home videos I've seen of the actual hunt, even when the moose falls after being shot he still gets a few bullets in the head from a handgun.

Like you, I'd never be anti-hunting - I do love wild meat, but I can't do it myself.”

“I'm more of a non-hunting raised hunter,since I grew up in the city. I only like to bow hunt. Shooting deer with a gun is just too boring, and too easy (when they show up). Getting close enough for a clean kill with a bow is much more challenging. I enjoy getting back in the woods trying to find the perfect spot for my climbing tree stand, and the hours of silence that follow. The woods really come alive when you stay quiet. Sure, I could climb up there with a camera, but it wouldn't be the same (for me).

I'm probably just nurturing my inner cave-man , but I do find it rewarding. Success with a bow comes very infrequently, since I pass on any shot I am not confident I can make.”

“I think we all agree that hunting is not inherently wrong. I agree that hunting is a private decision that a person has to make. Many times a species needs to be managed. Snow geese and whitetail deer are classic examples. The part that bothers us all is when a kill is not clean. I have spent hours looking for a bird I knew that I had hit. It happens.
Nature can be cruel also. Hunting is an honorable pursuit if approached correctly, period. Idiot hunters, like idiot backpackers are the real problem. Hunting traditions run strong in many families. We need to keep that alive with good hunting practices.”

“In the early 70`s I watched on TV a man with his hands tied behind his back, with a board behind his head that must have read trader or something to that extent. I saw another man shoot him and walk away without so much as a glance back at him. That to me was a bad thing and I`ve never forgot it.

I`m a hunter and a crack shot, but I don`t kill just to be killing. I don`t want to rake you over the coals, it`s not my place to, but someone killed that chicken, or cow you`re eating.

If you don`t eat meat I hope you don`t worry about how your belt or shoes got on your feet either. It`s easy to pick and chose and say you`re not effected by any of it, but much harder not to be.

I don`t kill for the thrill!”

“No matter how ugly it looked, it’s the circle of life my friends. I find a beautiful wild creature being shot in it’s natural habitat for less disturbing than going to a slaughterhouse. Now THAT will turn your stomach! Things must die that we may live weather we kill it ourselves or the local butcher does it for us. I'd rather cap it in the woods myself.”

“Thanks Nigal, you said it much better than I did and with less words!”

“Like you, I am a crack shot as well. While I was in the Army I won several trophies at shooting matches and love to shoot.

I'm not meaning to say that hunting is wrong or the people that do it are bad. Please don't take this the wrong way. I'm just trying to say that for me, after a lifetime of hunting, it's not my cup of tea anymore.

I just find it kind of odd that after all those years of hunting, I'm much more sensitive to these things and was just wondering if I was the only one or if there were others like me out there.

I do enjoy a good cut of beef, chicken and pork. I've been in the lockers, slaughterhouses and farmyards. I know what goes on. I was raised working on a farm, done extensive work in IBP (Iowa Beef Process). I've had to kill many farmyard animals because they were too ill or whatnot. I've had to shoot numerous stray dogs that would have just been euthanized at the shelter while on the farm. But that was in my younger days. I regret some of those things, I emphasize the some in that last statement.

I am NOT an anti-hunting freak, nor do I want to become one. I just choose not to hunt any more and was just wondering if there were others out there that were making the same choice.

Happy trails. :)”

“I don't see anything wrong with hunting so long as you eat what you kill. I personally get a bit irked when some people say how hunting is cruel and barbaric and then they go eat a 1/2 pound hamburger without thinking twice. I can't help but think, "so, it's okay to support an industry that harvests animals in cramp and less than ideal living conditions, only to have it's miserable life ended by a mallet or jackhammer to the skull so you could eat and enjoy that juicy cheeseburger." Can't give that person's opinion any respect whatsoever. Vegetarians and Vegans who oppose hunting at least aren't hypocrites, and I can respect their viewpoint.

I've done quite a bit of boar hunting growing up. What was killed, was eaten. Females were most often spared, and even given a worm shot before being released.”

“I didn`t mean to take it wrong,.. sorry if I did, or just sounded that way. I love to hunt and it`s not because of that moment of pulling a trigger either. Killing is such a small part of hunting and maybe one of the parts I hate most. Never do I take a life that I don`t reflect on what I have just done and what I`m about to do.

I enjoy most just being out there and being a part of nature, there`s no wolves anymore to cull the weak, young, or old and if not for hunters the game and fish would poision off the surplus and it all just rot, or kill more song birds, birds of prey, small animals that would also eat the rotting flesh.

What I do is not a waste, or a waste of my time, in some small way I`m helping nature, it`s my money and taxes that pay to set land and wild places aside so that wild things will always be with us and not wiped out by those that have no love for them.

I`d have much more respect for those that want to stop hunting if they`d pay to have wildlife taken care of and fund the money it takes to set aside land for such a thing, instead of beating their chest and acting like they give a damn just because they don`t want to see anything killed.

I pay to set land aside I`ll never get to hunt, I pay to keep the wetlands from being drained and paved over for yet another parking lot to another mall we don`t actually need, in hopes some wild things will stay that way. I hope you`re paying your way too!”

“Amen Bigfoot!”

“From what I've read, moose are some of the hardest N.A. Big game animals to bring down. They're huge ugly tough animals. I don't believe I would ever hunt one. My house is too small!

I should be getting back my 'first' WT buck sometime this week. I set some standards along time ago before I got serious about deer hunting. I swore I would wait for the right buck to take. Something that would be impressive. I've let many a younger bucks pass by through the years only to tag out with doe or a buck/fawn. I really hate taking those buck/fawns.

I never try to waste a thing. I have is the past stumbled upon runners, those hit deer that have never been found. This past find was a crossbow hit. It appeared to be a frontal shot that missed its mark. The bolt had landed in what I would call the arm pit area and skipped down a couple of ribs before entering the body cavity. Not the worlds greatest shot. This doe must have ran its self to death. It was frozen solid for the most part. Its tailend had been chewed on and most of the hide was still in good shape. Y'll never guess what I proceed to do... I cleaned and cut away the gangerous underside and kept the remaining hide for future use.

Any of you hunters out there that have hides to burn or sell cheaply let me know!”

“I still hunt, more for the fact I can be "outside" I Bow, rifle, handgun, and shotgun hunt, T will only take a shot if I know 100% that I can drop it with only 1 shot if not I let it go. I get upset when I hear a volley of shots flying & I have had to lay flat to the ground to avoid being hit. There are responsible hunters, let them hunt but we must remove the irrisponsible ones, in our group we no longer ask irrsponsible hunters to hunt if all would do the same and teach our sons & daughters to hunt humanley we could all get along in this hunting world. I pride myself in my ability to hit my target exactly where I should to drop it as quickly as possible.”

“I saw a deer (forgot which species) die on T.V last week...it was taken down by a pack of cheetahs on the Nature Channel.

Like Nigal said, it's a circle of life...we're part of the animal kingdom. As long as it's a responsible hunter with a crack shot, I have no problems with it.”

“Soooo, you guys like to go for the "crack shot"?

Isn't there already a hole there?”

“It's harder to hit than you think TT! :)”

“One of the proudest times I've ever had in the outdoors is the day I got this fella . I don't know of anyone...ok, maybe Ted Nugent, that actually enjoys the kill.”

“Arthur, circa 1978 or so:

"You muss have hated that moose."”

“Nice deer!!

I hunt, always have and likely always will. I used to be nationally ranked in rifle . Dad hunts, grandad did, etc, etc. I don't particularly enjoy the killing part and absolutely won't shoot unless its a good shot because I can't stand hurting one. Sort of an honor thing I guess. If I wasn't eating whatever it is I would probably hunt with a camera. The challenge is the fun part, the meat is the payoff. If you don't want the meat what's the point in shooting. I'm OK with that.”

“Rules My Dad Taught Me:

1) Respect the animal, respect the art of the hunt.

2) Use as much of the animal as possible to feed your family.

3) If you can't use it or don't want to use it to feed your family, don't kill it.

4) Furthermore, don't hunt it if you won't use it. There is no need to disturb the animal.

5) Know your weapon, use it safely (around humans and animals), and maintain it properly.

I went hunting w/ my Dad for the first time when I was 12. I had to first take hunter's safety courses and learn how to use and care for my rifle. And regardless of being a girl, after I got my animal I had to skin and gut it myself. When we got it home I had to help my Dad butcher it. The name of the game is respect.”

“Newgirl, I have a daughter like you and one you need to talk to.”

“Dang newgirl, you're just about the coolest girl I know!






















(Sassafrass still holds #1 cause she eats food dropped in the dirt!)”

“newgirl, you're a 6th Density Positive in my book!”

“Aero, you aren't supposed to be able to see us 6th Density positives! What's happening to the system?! I don't know how cool it is, it's just part of the responsible, respectful approach to hunting. (If you're goin' to be a pu$$y about it, you shouldn't be doing it. HeHeHe, just a little tough girl talk!)”

“I think I've decided who I'm going to marry now.”

“Newgirl is 5th Element.”

“Sorry, Artex, I'm not on the market. Uh-oh, did I just use chick bashing remark? LOL!”

“I guess we know who wears the pants in Newgirl's family.”

“Don't worry, you'll come around.”

“Newgirl you rock in my book!

8)”

“I like that about Newgirl too, but there`s several women on TT that hunts and even killed a deer last year. I`m not sure if Sassy ever got to get out last year, but she sure wanted to go and for the same reason as the rest of us. She told me she just loves being there and that`s good enough for me, I knew what she meant with that.

This playhouse may be for backpackers, but many of us share a love for a lot of things, hunting and fishing being just a few. I don`t think it`s in question we love nature more than most and therefore tend to be a bit more respectful than others with the things of nature.

Someone has to be out there like us to watch on the ones that don`t love it as much and just love to shoot their guns.

I`ll get off of this soap box and give someone else a turn at it!LOL”

“Newgirl and everyother member that's posted to this thread is alright in my book!

From what I've read here, I'd feel comfortable tromping around in the woods with any of you. That's saying quite a bit for me as I'm a very picky and quirky person. I don't like a lot of people, but you all ROCK!”

“A few days ago, the CourtTV channel had a story about a shock jock DJ who killed a pig/boar on his program. Of course people were appalled and took him to court, but he got off without any reprimand. He insisted that an experienced hunter performed the kill and it was done lika anybody would do in the wild, and said that's more natural than a slaughterhouse killing. Regardless...what's the point doing it on the radio???”

“1st Nigal wow nice "rack" I,m sure it was a rush ! Bow or Gun?

2nd Mtnman I agree with you

3rd Newgirl your dad taught you well, you should be very proud of him.”

“Newgirl, my wife is like you...bow hunt, gun hunt, fish, hike....well almost no do gut!! but she does help process the meat(Animal). Also I carry my camera to hunt with..shot a Pine Marten he had an attitude! little animal with an attitude of a big on made me more nervous than a black bear. see ya
gtg”

“I got him with a shotgun. It was my first and so far only one I've managed to get (I did hit a doe on the interstate doing 75 on my way to go hunting the next year [three weeks after dropping my full coverage!]). I plan on dusting off the bow this summer and try to be ready for bow season. I have eaten no meat but fish for the last year and fresh venison is the only meat I'd consider now.”

“What a handsome deer!!! Nigal. I never would have thought it. What learning experience wasn't it!! He's not hept in storage, does the idea of hanging a dead animal in your abode run against any beliefs. I bet you can still remember that day like it just happened.”

“No doubt! I acredit my years of rabbit hunting to getting that buck. I jumped him out of a fence row and hit him running. No skill, just reflex. I have a tall stairwell that I am going to hang him in but I haven't a latter high enough. I need to do that soon though.

The funny thing is that I don't even trophy hunt. I'd much rather get a doe than a buck because all I realy need is the meat. I can't say for sure that I'd let a twelve pointer walk by me but does taste better IMHO and cost less (no mounting the head).”

“I've let forks & 6's buy waiting for a trophy like yours. Beginners seem to get the racks! Except the year I Began! good job. Farmers around here consider the deer as big rats, we hunt for the meat down here, all corn and bean fed. almost tastes like beef, Xcept UP deer they taste like acorns and cedar trees. good for jerky and sausage. again congrats!!!!”

“I'm with Muttley. 90% of the red meat in my house is venison. I did an entire 8 point as burger last time because we use it in everything (tacos, spaghetti, you name it) much better than beef.”

“Whoa, nice deer...congrats...especially when it was shot while moving.”

“I think newgirl rocks too, but it has nothing to do with hunting.”

“when the buckshot struck, she folded and fell instantly.

Except her head. As she was falling, she raised her head and let out a gut-wrenching bleet. Then, she laid there moving her head oh-so-slightly and let out more sounds. It took her prolly three minutes to "die".

I wanted nothing more at that moment than to hold Sarabelle...”

“I was lulled by the whisper of the wind and then I heard a stick crack
like a shadow, or a ghost the buck made his way down the worn track
just bits and glimpses of the deer, a leg, an ear and then his back
slowly, but surely he made his way up to me until I could see his rack
I gathered myself and steadied my aim and slowly I took up the slack
bow drawn in readiness I waited making sure there was nothing lack
not a window of opportinuty, but there was that tiny bit of a crack
I let the arrow fly on it`s way and then I heard it hit with a smack
happy just to be out in the woods, but now I`d be happier going back”

“Okay, Fritz, thanks. I'm sure there are alot of women on this board who do some hunting. Mtnman, my family does the same as yours. We make alot of burger, a few steaks and roasts, and some jerky. My Grandma can make great deer and elk jerky. Gojo, raises an important point. It is never pleasant to watch the animal die, but it feels good to know you have taken the responsibility of the hunt seriously and helped feed your family. One thing I should admit . . . I've never had to drag my animal out. I'm not strong enough.”

“I developed a rule years ago after dragging a 200 pound 9 point a half mile up hill that I would not shoot a deer that I can't at least drive close to again. Draggng five feet ..pant pant..five feet... Nothing like a venison roast out of the ole crock pot.”

“Yeah, I'm lucky. My Dad took care of that part for me. I haven't hunted in the last few yrs., been too busy w/ the other areas of life, but I would still have to bring my Dad. I'm a wimpy about the dragging part.”

“Got a trick for you, if you`re caught out like that and need to get a heavy deer in by yourself. A real old mountain man taught it to us many years ago and I have to admit it works.

We killed this big buck on the side of a bluff and sure enough he fell over the edge of that sucker and rolled to the very bottom of the steepest draw in the place.

We tried everything to get him out and each time he fell back down and we had to start over again. We gave up on him and went back to camp to get a bite to eat before we tried again.

When we got back to camp this dried up old fart of a mountain man was there keeping a fire going and wanting to share some coffee with us. He turned out to be a wealth of imformation and a lot of fun to just set and talk to. Turns out he was raised just across the branch from where we`d put up our camp.

Talk turned back and forth to hunting and best places and he knew a lot of `em. We told him about our morning hunt after he confessed his to us and he got a great kick outta what we`d got ourselves into. After he quit teasing us, he admitted to having had a deer down in that draw before too.

He asked us how long we`d be before we headed back for another attempt at that deer and he told us to just hang on a bit and he`d be right back. Good to his word he was, in no time at all.

He honked his horn on his old truck and called out you boys come go with me and we`ll get your deer. We loaded up and he knew right where he was going without us having to so much as say a word. After a while he pulled to a stop and we unloaded and started heading off in the direction of the deer. Right off he called us back to him and his old truck and when we got there he droped the tailgate of the rust bucket and started hauling out an old bicycle. We couldn`t for the life of us see how he was going to ride that back off into those woods, but we all wanted to see him go off the side of that sheer bluff on the thing.That`d be a hoot, but turns out he tells us to bring it along and he trails off leaving us to fall in behind him.

We get to the bluff with no problem and he scurries down the side of it like a kid mountain goat leaving us behind him a ways. Old fart can move on a slant and you could see the steady flow of each movement he made and each counted for something, nothing wasted. He wasn`t even winded when we hit bottom and him at least 40 years older than the youngest of us there.

His old gnarled hands were just as slick as his steps had been and he had the deer hulled out and tied onto that bike fast as I can tell you about it. Wasn`t his first rodeo he was fond of saying and it didn`t take much to see he was right. He struggled for the first time trying to lift the bike, but had it up before we could reach out and get a hand on it to help.

He said we can take turns pushing it outta here if you`d like to help me with it, or I can do it, but it might take me a bit longer, seeings how I`m not as young as I once was. I loved his laugh and he mustta too cause he sure did it often enough and soon as he got done with that chuckle he pushed off and up the side of that draw on a slant and it was about as bad keeping up with the old geezer as it had been coming down. When he got winded a bit he just laid the bike and deer off against a tree and rested up and one of us took over and so on it went back to the top and on to the truck.

Old fart was right, it wasn`t any step for a stepper, he knew a thing or two. We had a new best friend and more than one of his secrets tucked away in just a very short time of our meeting him.

We met up with him many more fall days after that and spent some great time off in his world. That bike thing was a back and life saver and so were the few other gems we gleaned from him over the next few years. We never did learn just how old he was, but we supected he was prolly just in his late twenties cause of the spry way he could get around and we knew those mountains can age a body mighty fast!LOL”