I watch a lot of hunting shows on TV. One thing I notice is that the majority seem to make the kill the highlight of the hunt.
I have a different opinion on what makes the highlight of the hunt. Now I am as guilty as anyone getting caught up in the shot and kill when hunting, but I know that there is more to hunting than just killing an animal.
My dad taught me a very important lesson when I was 12. This was my third year of deer hunting and having previously harvested deer on my first two hunts I thought that was the most important part of hunting. That year I did not harvest a deer, not from lack of seeing them or missing, I never fired a shot, but things just never came together to be able to harvest one. Sun down on the last day of the third rifle hunt came and I was just devastated. I sat in the truck as we drove out of the ranch and to the highway and basically pouted.
My dad asked me why I was so sad and upset. When I told him because I didn't kill a buck he smiled and asked me a question that changed my entire outlook on hunting. "We had a great time together and had lots of fun didn't we?"
As we talked about all the fun we had stalking and tracking deer, seeing different animals and just spending time together I began to understand the reason my dad got so excited about us hunting together.
Over the years there have been many times I did not harvest an animal but I have never had an unsuccessful hunt. Every day spent out in pursuit of game animals I always see something that amazes me and have experiences that will leave lasting memories.
I read a quote by Fred Bear one time and try live my hunting life that way.
"A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be... time to commune with your inner soul as you share the outdoors with the birds, animals and fish that live there."
I have witnessed the savage power and beauty of two bull elk fighting, the miracle of a set of antelope twins being born and the death of prey animals at the jaws of a predator. I have had the pleasure many times of watching someone kill their first animal and helped a great man harvest his last trophy that he knew would be the last.
Over the years I have had many hunting partners, from my dad, brother, friends, sons and my daughter. Hunting has always brought us all closer and forged bonds that cannot be broken. The mounts hanging on my walls to me are reminders of the great times I have had and the people I have shared the time and experience with.
The title of this article;The thrill of the hunt, More than just the shot; is how I look at every hunting experience.
