I think I’m done with big game hunting

[TX Trophy Hunter]

It first crossed my mind 4 years ago on an archery deer hunt. I was 70 yards from a bedded buck I had been chasing for a week. I knew that if I took my time to get 30 yards closer and had the patience to wait him out I would most likely get him. The problem was, as I watched him sit there and chew his cud I suddenly had zero desire to put an arrow in him. I had already guided my wife on a successful deer and elk hunt that year, and had shot an aoudad a few days before this hunt. I had reached a point where I still loved hunting, but no longer felt a thrill from connecting on an animal. My only motivation for hunting was that I preferred wild game over beef. I have shot 2 deer and 2 elk since then and thoroughly enjoyed those hunts. However, last year I had a medical issue that had me reevaluate a lot of things. I have researched and experimented with many different diets and have concluded that virtually eliminating all red meat is what is right for me. I am planning on doing a lot more bird hunting and fishing from here on out. I never thought I would get to this point, but honestly it is kind of a relief given the ever decreasing opportunity for affordable quality big game hunting.

 

[Sheltowee]

It first crossed my mind 4 years ago on an archery deer hunt. I was 70 yards from a bedded buck I had been chasing for a week. I knew that if I took my time to get 30 yards closer and had the patience to wait him out I would most likely get him. The problem was, as I watched him sit there and chew his cud I suddenly had zero desire to put an arrow in him. I had already guided my wife on a successful deer and elk hunt that year, and had shot an aoudad a few days before this hunt. I had reached a point where I still loved hunting, but no longer felt a thrill from connecting on an animal. My only motivation for hunting was that I preferred wild game over beef. I have shot 2 deer and 2 elk since then and thoroughly enjoyed those hunts. However, last year I had a medical issue that had me reevaluate a lot of things. I have researched and experimented with many different diets and have concluded that virtually eliminating all red meat is what is right for me. I am planning on doing a lot more bird hunting and fishing from here on out. I never thought I would get to this point, but honestly it is kind of a relief given the ever decreasing opportunity for affordable quality big game hunting.

Interesting realization but good on you for not doing something that doesn't ignite your passion.

A thought, though-- some hunters I know get a lot of joy from harvesting game to be donated to Hunters for the Hungry or others in need. Two guys I hunt with have donated nearly 30 deer off their property this year alone. Think that might scratch your itch?

 

[glass eye]

I’m 63 so now I’ve been doing more bird hunting than big game primarily because they are easier to pack out. I can bird hunt all over the globe and have big adventures with less hassles on how to get the meat home.
I’m currently at Boston airport waiting for my flight to Greenland to go eider hunting.
That being said I just applied for elk and antelope in AZ.

Ps. I pass on more birds than I shoot, I like watching them too.

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

Interesting realization but good on you for not doing something that doesn't ignite your passion.

A thought, though-- some hunters I know get a lot of joy from harvesting game to be donated to Hunters for the Hungry or others in need. Two guys I hunt with have donated nearly 30 deer off their property this year alone. Think that might scratch your itch?

That is a good point that I wasn’t really aware of. I generally only hunt limited entry hunts though and figure I might as well leave the opportunity to other hunters.

 

[NR_Hunter]

I feel less of a desire to go on big game hunting trips when I can just wax a white-tail 5 minutes from home. There's just so many bros in the woods/mountains at the same time the deer/elk seasons are going. I can hunt birds and fish in the fall and get away from folks. I think I'm just a lot less blood thirsty than I was. Last fall I spent 10 days in a western state bird hunting and fishing. It was great. So much less stress and pressure to succeed, I feel like I could actually enjoy the scenery and experience more. To me, any big game hunting trip was to experience a sense of freedom. I think I can find that experience without spending so much money and dealing with the logistical nightmare of taking 9 days off work and spending 2.5 days of that trip just driving to where I plan on hunting.

Oh dear, I forgot to put my Wyoming elk application in yesterday.

 

[Sheltowee]

That is a good point that I wasn’t really aware of. I generally only hunt limited entry hunts though and figure I might as well leave the opportunity to other hunters.

Plenty of ranches and farms need the doe population knocked back. You might look into opportunities for that: https://www.feedingtexas.org/partnerships/hunters-for-the-hungry-h4h/

 

[Bowhuntrben]

Pick up photography (if not already into it)? Might ignite a new interest and allow you to still pursue big game with a different goal.

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

Pick up photography (if not already into it)? Might ignite a new interest and allow you to still pursue big game with a different goal.

That’s exactly my plan

 

[BenP]

Pick up photography (if not already into it)? Might ignite a new interest and allow you to still pursue big game with a different goal.

This is what my brothers has started doing, he'd rather pull the camera trigger now than kill the deer.

 

[Ben Lamb]

I can't remember where it lives, but Theodore Roosevelt wrote something to the effect that most people will come to hang up the rifle and pick up a camera to pursue wild animals. I think that, as I age, that becomes true in many aspects.

 

[406dn]

I can understand the waning desire to kill.

It has been twenty years, at least, since I have killed a deer or pronghorn. Pronghorns and bird hunting overlap, and I prefer bird hunting. Deer venison has become less than my favorite meat. I still elk hunt with my youngest brother. We kill an elk now and then, and enjoy camp life for a week plus each fall.

Even when I did deer hunt, I vowed to myself, if a ranch won't let me hunt for a buck, I would NEVER cull their does. I was fine with, you must kill a doe, before you can hunt for a buck.

 

[El Jason]

I kind of like bird hunting too.

 

[NoWiser]

The older and better I get at deer hunting, the less deer I shoot. I’d just as soon watch them most of the time. My mentality the last few years has been that I’ll know a “shooter” when I see one. Coincidentally, I haven’t killed a deer in a few years. I love bringing kids and watching them, though.

I do still really enjoy killing turkeys. I hope that excitement never fades.

 

[Letthemgrow]

I can't remember where it lives, but Theodore Roosevelt wrote something to the effect that most people will come to hang up the rifle and pick up a camera to pursue wild animals. I think that, as I age, that becomes true in many aspects.

100%

 

[TOGIE]

sometimes i think i'm not a blood thirsty savage anymore.

but i am.

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

sometimes i think i'm not a blood thirsty savage anymore.

but i am.

 

[tystash]

As I get older, I find I get as much or more enjoyment out of “guiding” and helping others on their hunt. Being with my daughter when she got her first deer this year, which was a small doe, was more memorable than me getting my best whitetail later in the season.

 

[Stocker]

Im 36, gonna be 37 in a couple months. I think what really kinda flipped my hunting was when my son started being able to do almost everything I can do. I kinda watched him on his first deer tag, turkey tag, etc and he had a nervousness and a pressure associated with being successful. I’m talking to him about why we hunt I kinda came to the realization myself that I enjoy a lot more about hunting than killing. I have it narrowed down to a few things I really enjoy hunting. I have some other really hard things I’d like to pull off while I can, but I don’t try to hit every season and kill everything that’s legal anymore.

I took him and my nephew quail hunting a couple weeks ago, I didn’t even carry a weapon. I enjoyed watching them shoot, the dog work, I probably had more enjoyment than I ever have. Pretty much if my wife and kids can’t go with me I’m not sure I’d enjoy the hunt. I should draw an ok tag this year, they’re all gonna go at least for a few days. If I kill one and they’re there to enjoy it great, if not we’ll find something to enjoy. I think im finally over the pressure and the feeling of defeat when it comes to filling a tag. I’ve got plenty of critters on the wall and in photos. I’ve proved I can do it so why still put pressure on myself.


Needless to say this also fits in perfectly with me being a not so great hunter so when I don’t fill a tag I can just say “but I enjoyed the hunt” .

 

[grasshopper]

If it is a health thing and no red meat keeps you alive, I get it. Elk meat is really good though. I've decided that when my knees just can't do it anymore, I will just switch to shooting them in the yard and using equipment aids. Elk roast, it is whats for dinner.

 

[noharleyyet]

Im 36, gonna be 37 in a couple months. I think what really kinda flipped my hunting was when my son started being able to do almost everything I can do. I kinda watched him on his first deer tag, turkey tag, etc and he had a nervousness and a pressure associated with being successful. I’m talking to him about why we hunt I kinda came to the realization myself that I enjoy a lot more about hunting than killing. I have it narrowed down to a few things I really enjoy hunting. I have some other really hard things I’d like to pull off while I can, but I don’t try to hit every season and kill everything that’s legal anymore.

I took him and my nephew quail hunting a couple weeks ago, I didn’t even carry a weapon. I enjoyed watching them shoot, the dog work, I probably had more enjoyment than I ever have. Pretty much if my wife and kids can’t go with me I’m not sure I’d enjoy the hunt. I should draw an ok tag this year, they’re all gonna go at least for a few days. If I kill one and they’re there to enjoy it great, if not we’ll find something to enjoy. I think im finally over the pressure and the feeling of defeat when it comes to filling a tag. I’ve got plenty of critters on the wall and in photos. I’ve proved I can do it so why still put pressure on myself.


Needless to say this also fits in perfectly with me being a not so great hunter so when I don’t fill a tag I can just say “but I enjoyed the hunt” .

...nailed it Stocker