Fresh perspective and honest. It’s good to bring up. I do, however, believe hunting is a deeply personal and subjective experience. To distill it down to “being the wolf” does ignore the human differences you point out like having to explain why we hunt instead of just doing it. In this country, we did act like wolves for a long time in that we didn’t justify or control killing (recreationally, commercially, or out of desperate need)- and it lead to the collapse of our wildlife. I think your points are very important for hunters to consider, but I do think “trophy hunting” as you put it can be, and is, about meat, communing with nature, personal improvement, deeper understanding. If you’re chasing a big deer for validation, that’s on you. If you do it because it makes you spend more time in the woods and understand the land better, along with putting meat in the freezer, I think that’s the best situation. Truth is, it’s all subjective. If meat isn’t being wasted and the land is healthy, hunters should make their own experience. Shooting the first deer that comes by for the freezer almost guarantees that that will forever be a hunters singular experience.
Likewise, I couldn't agree more with your points. This was a personal essay on "where my mind is at on my own motivations for hunting deer," so I didn't try to offer up anything outside of that, though I recognize there is a lot more to the big picture. Thanks for the thoughtful comment!
Wow. Very strong - and true - words. Thanks for sharing. Some of my “self-validation” also comes from hunting success. I struggle trying to remember that what’s most important is being present in the natural world not the result.
Fresh perspective and honest. It’s good to bring up. I do, however, believe hunting is a deeply personal and subjective experience. To distill it down to “being the wolf” does ignore the human differences you point out like having to explain why we hunt instead of just doing it. In this country, we did act like wolves for a long time in that we didn’t justify or control killing (recreationally, commercially, or out of desperate need)- and it lead to the collapse of our wildlife. I think your points are very important for hunters to consider, but I do think “trophy hunting” as you put it can be, and is, about meat, communing with nature, personal improvement, deeper understanding. If you’re chasing a big deer for validation, that’s on you. If you do it because it makes you spend more time in the woods and understand the land better, along with putting meat in the freezer, I think that’s the best situation. Truth is, it’s all subjective. If meat isn’t being wasted and the land is healthy, hunters should make their own experience. Shooting the first deer that comes by for the freezer almost guarantees that that will forever be a hunters singular experience.
Great thoughts, keep sharing.
Likewise, I couldn't agree more with your points. This was a personal essay on "where my mind is at on my own motivations for hunting deer," so I didn't try to offer up anything outside of that, though I recognize there is a lot more to the big picture. Thanks for the thoughtful comment!
Honest reflections, Alex.
Thanks, Lou. Hope you've been well!
Great read. Thanks for that. Your self-aware writing compelling and fresh.
Thanks, John, glad you enjoyed it!
Wow. Very strong - and true - words. Thanks for sharing. Some of my “self-validation” also comes from hunting success. I struggle trying to remember that what’s most important is being present in the natural world not the result.
Thanks, Jim!