Bowhunting Trophy and or need

I'm not bashful about the fact that I'm a trophy hunter. My definition of a trophy is what most consider average for the species though. I'd say close to half of the animals I've killed I gave away and didn't eat myself. I could lie and act like I was being noble and gracious, but really it was to save myself the headache/cost of flying hundreds of lbs of meat cross country. Sometimes it's because I already have enough meat for the year. Ive even paid to have deer processed then given away the final product because i didnt want/need it. Who cares. I don't purposefully waste meat, in fact I've packed 100 lb backpacks of meat several miles after butchering the animal knowing the whole time I would not be using the meat.

I don't get the whole trophy vs meat thing. To me it's the experience, and both of the above. Ill never waste an animal when I can avoid it, but I certainly don't set out to bowhunt just to fill my freezer. I don't really do it for the mount/antlers anymore either though. I'm in it for the photos and memories. The racks are just cool to look at and the meat is a healthy, free meal since I was goin hunting anyway.

Could be slightly judgmental, but it's been an observation of mine that 95+% of the guys who say I won't shoot it unless I'm going to eat it only hunt whitetails and turkey east of the Mississippi. Nothing wrong with that at all, but it's a big world out there and I'm not passing on experiences because a critter tastes bad (brown bear living on salmon for 6 months) or because flying the meat home would cost more than the entire trip itself (moose north of the arctic circle).

 

I hunt because I love the outdoors, nature and the challenge of hunting. I'm honored to be a hunter and proud of it and the emotional connection I have with hunting is deep. Like the coyote, fox, mountain lion, wolf and bear, I am a predator...the apex predator. I don't kill the other predators because they compete with me for deer or any other game, I respect them for what they are. I'm not opposed to hunting predators (I've killed many) but I'm not interested in eating them. I eat ungulates that I kill and share meat with others but I don't just hunt for the meat, it's cheaper for me to buy meat in the grocery store.

 

I would never shoot an animal that I did not intend eating. It's a respect thing in my opinion.

 

Would that change if your freezer were full and you had a needy family lined out to take the animal?

 

No. They would come back next week just as hungry. I have taught several how to hunt though.

 

Everything I take while hunting is properly cared for, cleaned, packaged, etc. But I don't personally eat every animal I harvest. I find great satisifaction in providing some of gods wonderful bounty to those that either don't have the means, time or capability to hunt andor take animals for themseleves. IMO - no different than your next door neighbor that is an awesome cook and bakes you pies and cookies - she is sharing her talents so I share mine with those that appreciate it... I love sharing my animals with others - makes me feel good. It's amazing how many people don't hunt but love venison, antelope, elk, pheasant, fish, etc - we're outdoorsman - why not share....

 

TE,

I appreciate your response 100% you are correct you could have lied but you were honest and in the end every hunter has their own reasons as to what they enjoy and get out of it. I think if you aren't using the meat and it ends up going to others where is the harm someone else hit the jackpot of excellent meat.

 

Agree with what you said. I mean who wouldn't want a memento of a thrilling hunt just great to have the meat you worked your *** of for. Again though others would be thankful, if the freezer is full.

 

Closeness with wilderness and nature, promotes family for me and time to be spent with them, I enjoy chasing the thrill of ups and downs in pursuit of a trophy kill, and I eat what I shoot!

 

It pisses me off when people kill wild hogs with no intension of eating them. They just let them rot in the fields for buzzards.
Lot of meat gone to waste because their lazy.

 

I agree that is disgusting and wasteful, but I'd say the landowners around you would disagree with the amount of havoc hogs wreak on their land. They must be kept in check. Personally they should just gut them and give away the carcass if they don't want it.

 

I keep a few deer a year for myself and family the rest I give to land owners, people who ask me, and get donated.

I hunt because I am man, its what we were put on this earth to do.

 

I agree on lowering their numbers by all means but I also see them as one of Gods huge resources of great meat.
Find locals that will take them or just quarter them out and give them to the less fortunate.

I take all mine to the processors and giveaway a lot of meat to friends and family. I figure is just a cost of hunting.

And I REALLY hate not finding someone's animal and losing all that meat.

My wife wanting by pork products from the store anymore. Free range pork is so much better tasting :-)

 

Agreed. I thought the pig I killed tasted better than store bought pork.

 

I trophy hunt bucks, and meat hunt does. I also eat the bucks when I get one. I love eating ven.

 

Couldn't agree more my man.