I think I’m done with big game hunting

[COEngineer]

Have you thought about becoming a hunter ed instructor? You have a wealth of knowledge that would be a waste to not pass down to the next generation of hunters. Also, the boy scouts might like the gun and outdoor skills knowledge you possess. Many kids don't have fathers or male relatives to show them the ropes and mentor them. You are a wealth of knowledge, skills, and woodsmanship. Pass it on. Maybe volunteer on some wounded warrior hunts?

My thoughts exactly. I will add that there are groups like BHA and local gun clubs that will support any hunter that needs help with logistics or funding for setting up a mentor hunt, range day, sight-ins, scouting classes, fly-tying or whatever you can come up with.

 

[406dn]

I can't even kill the damn rabbit in my yard.

From time to time, I have a rabbit infestation to deal with.

I do not feel any remorse when killing an elk, game bird, trout, yada, yada. But killing a rabbit, because it is a nuisance, does bother me. I do it, but I do not like doing it.

I also need to rid the pole barn of pigeons. That will be another thing I won't enjoy doing. I am plenty tired of them shitting all over my tractor.

 

[Dave N]

From time to time, I have a rabbit infestation to deal with.

I do not feel any remorse when killing an elk, game bird, trout, yada, yada. But killing a rabbit, because it is a nuisance, does bother me. I do it, but I do not like doing it.

I also need to rid the pole barn of pigeons. That will be another thing I won't enjoy doing. I am plenty tired of them shitting all over my tractor.

You missed my other post. I have TRIED to kill the rabbit. I've just been unsuccessful at doing so. Multiple times.

 

[JohnCushman]

My thoughts exactly. I will add that there are groups like BHA and local gun clubs that will support any hunter that needs help with logistics or funding for setting up a mentor hunt, range day, sight-ins, scouting classes, fly-tying or whatever you can come up with.

Also summer camps for kids. When I was younger I worked at a Rotary camp for disabled kids. They absolutely loved the shooting sports clinics. Skeet, archery, and .22 rifle range were huge hits and we actually had to change the daily club routine to accomidate all of the kids that wanted to shoot. Boy scout camps would be a hit too if they are still a thing. Seems like the scout have kinda shit the bed in the past few years.

 

[406dn]

You missed my other post. I have TRIED to kill the rabbit. I've just been unsuccessful at doing so. Multiple times.

I finally bought a pellet rifle. It doesn't always kill them as cleanly as I would prefer.

 

[Gr8bawana]

Maybe it's different for people who live where they are able to hunt big game anytime they feel like it. Such as in TX deer farms are everywhere.
Or some western states where people can just buy tags for multiple big game animals EVERY year. Such as Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. Perhaps it would get old.
In my state of NV you could possibly have 4-5 years between deer tags and much more than that for elk.
As for myself, I still get a rush even now that I'm almost 64 when I harvest an animal because we don't get the opportunity that often. If I don't take an animal I still enjoy the heck out of just the hunt.

 

[Dave N]

I finally bought a pellet rifle. It doesn't always kill them as cleanly as I would prefer.

I use a 12 gauge. Just haven't been able to find the damn thing even with snow. I think it's a ghost.

 

[rjthehunter]

I don't foresee my desire to hunt ever running out or fading.

It's a challenge, you are participating in the food chain. The whole process, from acquiring a tag to enjoying the meat with your family is an irreplicable feeling for me. I will say that I too really enjoy taking others hunting or seeing a friend or family member harvest an animal. It is all exciting to me, and frankly it's what I look forward to.

The wild places we find ourselves in can really humble you. Close calls with predators, weather, terrain, and such always keep you on your toes.

I spent a lot of time bird hunting in college because it's what I could afford to do all the time, but it can't touch big game hunting for the challenge and excitement.