backinthegame
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This same subject is being discussed on another forum, and it creating some really good dialouge. I figured I'd pose the question here...the subject is how we feel when an animal we've taken is dying right in front of our eyes.
Probably happens more with archery gear than with the rifle, but both can be the same. Do you prefer to see an animal stumble, struggle, kick, etc. as he takes his last breath, or would you rather follow a good bloodtrail to the downed animal?
I guess it's a matter of emotions that come into play with hunting. We're all hunters, we all kill. It's obviously an intregal part of our sport. But what is there for you when it happens?
My personal feelings...
From a pure "hunter's" standpoint...I like to have the animal go down in sight. No matter how good a bloodtrail, an animal down in sight is always an easier recovery, and that is always the goal.
Now from the "other" standpoint...watching an animal fight it's last fight will stir up a little emotion in me. Every time. It's hard to explain exactly what it is, but it's there for sure.
The good news for those of us who feel some sadness is that generally if the animal is going down in sight the shot was lethal, and the kill will be relatively quick and clean.
I've had to leave poorly-hit deer for extended periods of time in the past in order to have the best chance of recovery. I'm not ashamed to say that it made me literally feel sick. Maybe I'm just a "softy?" I dunno. I had made a poor hit and now the animal suffered. Not a good feeling.
How do other MM'ers feel?
Probably happens more with archery gear than with the rifle, but both can be the same. Do you prefer to see an animal stumble, struggle, kick, etc. as he takes his last breath, or would you rather follow a good bloodtrail to the downed animal?
I guess it's a matter of emotions that come into play with hunting. We're all hunters, we all kill. It's obviously an intregal part of our sport. But what is there for you when it happens?
My personal feelings...
From a pure "hunter's" standpoint...I like to have the animal go down in sight. No matter how good a bloodtrail, an animal down in sight is always an easier recovery, and that is always the goal.
Now from the "other" standpoint...watching an animal fight it's last fight will stir up a little emotion in me. Every time. It's hard to explain exactly what it is, but it's there for sure.
The good news for those of us who feel some sadness is that generally if the animal is going down in sight the shot was lethal, and the kill will be relatively quick and clean.
I've had to leave poorly-hit deer for extended periods of time in the past in order to have the best chance of recovery. I'm not ashamed to say that it made me literally feel sick. Maybe I'm just a "softy?" I dunno. I had made a poor hit and now the animal suffered. Not a good feeling.
How do other MM'ers feel?