Why I hunt?
I stumbled upon an article today by Shane Mahoney. Mr. Mahoney is the Head of Research for the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador. In this particular article Mr. Mahoney presents a view of hunting, and the way hunters and anti-hunters think, that I thought was simply amazing and brilliant. He outlines the main arguments that both sides use, in order to promote their cause, but eludes to where he thinks us hunters are going wrong with our arguments. The point of his entire article is that hunters always point to the benefits of their hunting activities, but seldom ever explain why they engage in those particular activities. His point is this:
“The task at hand is to articulate the relevance of hunting; not its correctness, nor its practical service to human kind. Rationalizing the mythology is both a tactical error and a diminishment of pride. Lies and excuses usually are.”
I think that he is definitely on the right track when he talks about the failure of us hunters to explain hunting in a way that we intend all anti or non-hunting people to view our chosen activity. We always talk about the benefits of hunting, but we never talk about why we hunt. We never attach that human part of the argument, and that could be exactly what is lacking in order for a non-hunter to understand our points of view and reasoning for participating in the hunting lifestyle. So in that spirit I am going to outline a few reasons that explain exactly why I hunt. Then I can use them next time to help promote my side of the hunting argument.
- I hunt for the sheer thrill of hunting. The excitement and pure adrenaline rush that happens from being that close to God’s creatures. Where else could I get such a pure form of sure excitement? It proves I’m alive!
- I hunt for the deep connection with nature it provides. How else can one get this close to wild creatures and truly appreciate them for what they are.
- I hunt for the stimulation of the senses. Where else on Earth can a human experience such connection with one’s senses? I know of no other activity that provides for such awareness of one’s surroundings and abilities.
- I hunt for the humbling. Hunting, and its connection with nature, is thee best way to show any living human being just how small we are as compared to Mother Nature. It provides for a deep respect for natural resources and allows for us to want to protect those resources.
- I hunt for the life lessons. What better place to learn patience, understanding, and discipline, then waiting at full draw for that buck of a lifetime to step out the other side? For that wary tom to present itself for a clean kill shot? Life lessons in full force right there.
- I hunt to appreciate life and all that has been given to me. Hunting has taught me exactly how life and death work, and by doing so, allowed for me to understand exactly how precious life is. It makes me look at the other aspects of my life in a more meaningful way, and allows me to have a deep spiritual connection with life and my Creator.
- I hunt BECAUSE ITS FUN!
Those are my reasons for hunting. Obviously these are only the main reasons why I hunt. Many are not as prominent, and many could never be put into words, but I think this list is a good representation of the most prominent reasons. I would think that many of you who read this blog can relate to most, if not all, of them.
My challenge to all of you now is to write a post about why you hunt. What motivates you to wake up at 4 in the morning, roll out of bed in the 15 degree weather, and head into the woods? It will be entertaining to read, and who knows, it just might provide a good fact base for your next hunting argument.
I hate to single out people, and I would love if all you outdoor bloggers did this post, but I would like to see this post from Jeff, Rick, my new linked huntress Norcal Cazadora, Phillip, and Kris especially. I even wouldn’t mind seeing a post from Kristine explaining why she has contemplated taking up hunting. That would great!
If you would like to read all of Mr. Mahoney’s article you can go here! (You will need to scroll down the page a little!)
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Great idea for a post – I’ll save it for next week when I’m back to blogging…
You state the reasons you hunt very clearly and I agree there are always things that just can’t be put into words.
That sounds like an interesting article. I’ll have to go read it.
I’ll also give some thought to the post you mentioned you would be interested in reading. I was casting about for a topic today, so maybe that will be it.
Those are all very good reasons to hunt.
Great read, I will take the challenge and post it this week on the blog. Maybe I will even do one on the podcast this week and get my son (my co_host) to do one also. thanks
That is a great article Arthur. I agree with Mr. Mahoney that it is just as important, if not more so, to explain why we hunt. It is important that society knows that hunting is the only wildlife management tool that actually brings money rather than costing the taxpayers millions, and that hunting is an important economical factor providing hundreds of thousands of jobs across North America. However, we should not neglect to put a human element to hunting.
If I would have to put a human element to hunting, as I have done in the past many times when I promote hunting, it would be the following.
1.) For me hunting is a way of life. I have grown up in a family of hunters and anglers and do not know any different.
2.) Hunting is an important part of our human nature. People are hunters, even the ones that do not hunt animals still have that instinct in them. Denying this fact would be denying our existence.
3.) Although in the modern world there is no need to provide food by means of hunting and gathering it gives me great satisfaction to do so and it brings me closer to my natural roots.
4.) As a hunter I have learned the skills that ones were common to all people and it gave me a greater understanding of what nature is all about and how everything, including humans, are linked together in perfect natural balance.
5.) Hunting has made me realize that humans are not above it all but are a small part in a bigger plan. Some may call that plan God others Evolution whatever it is you call it there is a bigger plan behind it all.
6.) Hunting has made me more appreciative of nature and the time we are allowed to be here on earth.
7.) Above all hunting has taught me respect for nature, animals and other humans. And finally hunting has given me enjoyable experiences and memories with other hunters partaking in an heritage that has been passed down from generation to generation since the beginning of times, that will last a lifetime.
-ov-
Good one, and I totally agree in principle with what Mahoney says… I’ve said as much before.
I don’t know a single hunter, anywhere, who honestly hunts BECAUSE he’s performing a wildlife management service. We hunt because we love to hunt. We love the things it entails to us as individuals, the experience of nature, the mind-bending emotional roller-coaster of making a kill, the pride of providing natural food for our families, or any of a dozen other commonly quoted personal goals.
Therefore, to say we hunt because we are helping to manage the herd, or to provide money to wildlife and habitat through our fees and taxes… well, it really is a lie, well-intentioned as it may be.
These are benefits of what we do, not reasons. These benefits DO need to be kept in the public eye, and we should all keep them out there. But let’s not confuse the reasons we hunt with the fringe benefits of our actions.
[...] NOTE: I saw that Arthur has requested a post about “Why I Hunt”, and I am going to do that because it is such a good idea. I just want to take at least a couple [...]
Arthur,
Man, those area all such great reasons to hunt. I will get to work on putting together my list!!!
Thanks for taking the time to put together such a concise and thorough compilation of why you hunt as well as challenging the rest of us to do the same.
[...] know I’ve visited this topic before, but I just ran across a very good article that points out that when we outline why we love hunting, it can help us create talking points that [...]
[...] facing up to the fact that what we do is sport hunting… hunting for sport? To borrow from Arthur’s original “Why I Hunt” challenge post (which is where this is all started, of course), he quoted a really eloquent statement from a Mr. [...]
What a great question!
I have never honestly asked myself why I hunt nor what motivates me to arduously hike several miles to the interior just to just catch a glimpse of an animal that I might not even be able to harvest.
Well, here goes!
I hunt for the sheer exhilaration of finding that particular animal which I have been tracking for 2 solid days.
Much like finding a hidden treasure which you knew was there somewhere, but, you had to decipher many clues before actually being able to find it.
I hunt for the positive communion with nature which I can experience no where else except, in natures own element and at natures own level. Because, as a naked, toothless and clawless creature I am forced to exercise my intellect in order to outsmart these very crafty creatures which I intend to harvest!
I really like the idea of: If everything goes all to “hades” then I have the outdoor skills needed to survive in natures elements and can thus provide for myself and family!
The thrill of the chase has always been an important factor in not only my personal psyche but, it is also deeply woven within the very fabric of humankind itself.
That, along with the genetic disposition of the “Carnivore Human” is probably the reason that I truly cannot help myself when the desire to go hunting comes over me.
Mostly, the reason that I hunt is to quench the thirst of a wilderness deprived lifestyle that we are all forced to live in this very crowded and modern world.
I need the solitude of an environment which offers nothing more than the sounds of nature, which for me, translates into: The Sounds Of Silence!