I hate that we have this forum here

[BillVol]

I understand that the deer population must sometimes be controlled by hunting. And it is no fun to hit a deer while driving down the road.

But how can you shoot and kill and beautiful deer? And not just that, but sit for a picture holding the rack of the dead animal, with blood coming out of its nostrils. Even if you are actually going to eat the meat of that deer, I don't see how you can kill it.

I love a good steak and my country ham. But I could not kill these animals. if I had to kill them, I guess I'd be a vegan.

Here we go!

[VOLociraptor]

FWIW I don't hunt, but think about it this way. Deer (or any other wild animal) do not die in a comfortable bed, their pain eased by medication while being comforted by family and friends. Animal deaths in the wild by disease or predation are downright unpleasant if not brutal. A shot from a skilled hunter is probably the quickest, least agonizing death a deer could have.

[Nation]

I understand that the deer population must sometimes be controlled by hunting. And it is no fun to hit a deer while driving down the road.

But how can you shoot and kill and beautiful deer? And not just that, but sit for a picture holding the rack of the dead animal, with blood coming out of its nostrils. Even if you are actually going to eat the meat of that deer, I don't see how you can kill it.

I love a good steak and my country ham. But I could not kill these animals. if I had to kill them, I guess I'd be a vegan.

Here we go!

You just want someone else to do the dirty work for you then huh Bill?

[sgvolfan]

I'd rather hunt than about anything. No phones, No tv, just nature. Like venison. Like guns. Like bows. I don't get real defensive about it, don't care if anyone likes it or not, don't care if anyone understands why I enjoy it or not, (and don't hold it against them) don't have to explain why I enjoy it and I don't feel like I have to make excuses because I enjoy it. I would enjoy hunting regardless of whether or not the deer are starving. Its not illegal and I mind my own business. Don't usually care if I kill anything or not just like to be out in the woods or on the lake.

Bill, it's not for everyone. Most people couldn't kill their own beef or hogs. I was raised on a farm, we butchered hogs and beef, for a long time we also raised and killed chickens, went to the pond when we wanted a "mess" of fish. We rarely bought any meat at the grocery other than maybe hot dogs for a cook out. Just the way some of us were raised. Nowdays, no one has to hunt, but if you eliminate everything that isn't necessary, I guess football would be gone.

What I don't understand is 'hating that we have this forum here'. No one is gonna make you read it. You don't have to post on here to try to infuriate anyone.

[VolDave]

I hate to break it to you Bill, but anyone who eats meat of any sort whether they shoot it, stab it, catch it, net it, trap it or buy it in a store or restaurant is a hunter either outright or by proxy. The truth is that the birds that I kill lead far better lives than any domestic chicken that ever lived. The same can be said for any wild game animal's life when held in comparison to domesticated livestock. Furthermore, every wild animal ever taken by a hunter had something else that the steak you eat didn't-A chance that the hunter might miss the shot. There has never been a cow led to slaughter that survived because of a miss. I am a pretty good shot, but I have missed an occaisional passing shot on a duck or dove. FWIW, I am not much for trophy hunting myself. I think that hunters who go after non-meat game such as big cats are disgusting individuals. The only reason to hunt is for food. Trophies should be incidental to the process, non the reason behind it. Finally, if you still disagree with me, take a trip to a slaughterhouse and then tell me I'm wrong. If hunting turns your stomach, then a trip to the slaughterhouse will probably cure any and all desire you ever have to eat meat again

[VOLociraptor]

My friends are always surprised that I've never hunted because my two biggest hobbies are backpacking/camping and target shooting. :target: My Dad never hunted so I was never introduced to it. My Grandpa and Uncle both hunted but our family was spread out and would only see them on holidays. I always enjoyed the venison they'd bring us though. :yum:

[sgvolfan]

I think it's mostly your roots. I grew up on a farm in a family that hunted and fished, my best friend's family didn't farm, hunt or fish, although both in really rural areas. He could never pull the trigger on a deer. I understand...just don't treat me like a criminal or pervert because I can.
Usually the people that wave the flag over the plight of the dolphins are the first ones to order tuna sandwiches at subway..

[VolDave]

I once had my wife's sister berate me for killing ducks while she sat in my house eating a steak. When I told her that she is simply a hunter by proxy, she countered wit the totally ridiculous argument that domesticated livestock are different from other animals because they are "made for human consumption." To this day she still holds the same stupid viewpoint.

[sgvolfan]

Yeah, I've seen that "Made for Human Consumption" stamped on the cow's ass...LOL.

[VenomousVol]

I
But how can you shoot and kill and beautiful deer? And not just that, but sit for a picture holding the rack of the dead animal, with blood coming out of its nostrils.



Easy. Just put the crosshairs on him an blow a hole through his furry ass. All God's creatures have their place. Right next to the mashed potatoes.

[tebowisgay]

You just try not to make eye contact through the scope.

[Blacksheepvol]

I love the fact that we can have this forum and DISCUSS why you do or don't like hunting. I absolutely love fishing... catching them, cleaning them, frying them, eating them.

I hate hunting. In the 8th grade, I went on a trip where a guy shot a doe. The glassy-eyed doe strung up for gutting looked EXACTLY like my German Shepherd at the time. I don't know why I am so strongly against doing it when I'd happily gut a fish.

BUT, I had some venison queso dip on Super Bowl Sunday that was harvested here in Tennessee. I loved it, and had no aversion to eating it. Everybody has to take this issue on in their own way. In support of the hunters, shooting a critter is way more humane than a corporate slaughterhouse. That stuff is SICK.

[Nation]

I'm not a hunter but I respect peoples right to do so. Sitting in a tree for 10 hours trying to be still and not make a sound is not my bag.

I went one time in my life when I was 13. My dad bought me a bow and I practiced with that damn thing for weeks, became very good with it, and cuddnt wait to get out there and shoot something.

I was in my tree stand when a doe came ambling by about 25yds away. I shot it in the neck area, and she ran for little ways and fell. We hustled down and I drew my knife ready to slice her throat in case she wasnt dead, and she wasnt, and that damn thing rolled its eyes toward me and I about died. It was if she was saying.. look at what you've done to me. That damn thing was ACCUSING me. I never got over it and have never went back. I'm such a pussy.

[sgvolfan]

I can see that happening to people Nation..I used to sit in a climbing tree stand from hour before daylight to dark. Then one day I had a revelation. That was too damn much like work. So I cut back to half day hunting so I wouldn't get tired. Then I started putting up ladder stands with comfortable seats. Then the landowner went with me one day and I put him in my ladder stand. He was comfortable, liked it, now my hunting buddy. We go to his property during the summer and maintain the logging roads so they are accessable for 4 wheelers. Year around exercise for 2 55 to 60 year olds, but not too strenous. We hunt and fish till we get tired, then go home. ENJOY ourselves. Occasionally, we even shoot a deer. Pass up many, just watching them. Year before I took a lot of pictures of deer within 15 yards of me, never took my bow off the hook. You don't have to kill to enjoy hunting, but my venison jerky is famous around here....

[VOLociraptor]

I run into all kinds of critters when I'm backpacking. This summer I found these tracks near the summit of Cliff Tops. I spent the night up there but didn't see the bear.
http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/44400/2517522730094967931S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2517522730094967931QixHdX)

A couple of days later I returned to my car at the base of the mountain. I was changing shirts and trying to do a quick cleanup (it's a somewhat remote parking area) when this sucker walks out of the woods in front of my car and ambles around looking for trash. I started snapping pics and then realized my trunk and back doors were open, my pack with food and accumulated backpacking trash in the car....and it dawned on me this sucker might try to climb in my car! I moved around slowly to shut the doors and he didn't care for that and started popping his jaws but he just moved away slowly.

http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/30563/2778980960094967931S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2778980960094967931DfGkQq)

[sgvolfan]

bears.....getting more and more common..not populating as quickly as deer, turkey or hogs, but we have fewer hunters, I think fewer poachers, much much more awareness and respect for our wild game thanks to wildlife management practices and hunter education.
I think in the next 10-12 years, bear sightings will become more numerous, and probably run-ins with hikers, campers and hunters. Along with that collisions with cars.

[VolDave]

Cool pic.

[VolDave]

I wish bears were the problem here in West Tennessee. We are getting overrun with skunks, armadillos and coyotes. You used to never see armadillos east of the Mississippi River, but now I em all the time.

[VenomousVol]

I can see that happening to people Nation..I used to sit in a climbing tree stand from hour before daylight to dark. Then one day I had a revelation. That was too damn much like work. So I cut back to half day hunting so I wouldn't get tired. Then I started putting up ladder stands with comfortable seats. Then the landowner went with me one day and I put him in my ladder stand. He was comfortable, liked it, now my hunting buddy. We go to his property during the summer and maintain the logging roads so they are accessable for 4 wheelers. Year around exercise for 2 55 to 60 year olds, but not too strenous. We hunt and fish till we get tired, then go home. ENJOY ourselves. Occasionally, we even shoot a deer. Pass up many, just watching them. Year before I took a lot of pictures of deer within 15 yards of me, never took my bow off the hook. You don't have to kill to enjoy hunting, but my venison jerky is famous around here....

I do love me some deer jerky. I don't suppose you would share your recipe, wouldja? Mine ain't nothin to sneeze at, but I like to experiment.

[VenomousVol]

I wish bears were the problem here in West Tennessee. We are getting overrun with skunks, armadillos and coyotes. You used to never see armadillos east of the Mississippi River, but now I em all the time.

The damn coyotes are ALL over the place up around my house. Have killed 2, wish it was 2000. A dangerous nuisance animal if there ever was one. They kill pets, calfs, and other small farm animals. Wouldn't want any small children to come across one either. Problem is they are damn smart and hard to kill.

[VOLociraptor]

When I was a kid ('80's) seeing a bear in the Smokies was fairly uncommon. I lived out of state through most of my twenties, but in the past few years it seems I can't go to the Smokies without seeing multiple bears. Turkeys are way way more plentiful in middle TN now. A dozen or more go through my yard frequently. I hear coyotes off in the hills behind my house and have seen one by the side of a road in that area. I never ever had heard or seen one around these parts in my youth. Deer were always plentiful. A few of 'em walked up within 5 yards of me this fall to eat acorns while I was painting the trim around the front door.

[sgvolfan]

Slice venision into strips, I usually cut mine about 1/4" thick. You can get real consistent slices if the meat is partially frozen. Then I put it in layers in a glass casserole dish or rectangular bowl, whatever it is..salting each layer.
then I pour a bottle of Allegro Wild game tame marinade on it (sometimes I just use regular Allegro) they have lots of different flavors, but I like the wild game tame..seems to make tender, put saran wrap on it, mashing down on the Saran wrap to force all the air out and be sure the top layer is wet. As an alternate to the glass bowl, you could salt the meat and put it in a zip loc and fill it with the marinade. Marinate 2 hours at least. I usually leave mine overnight, but that is not necessary, some people say it takes longer to dry if you leave it that long.
Place in dryer, sprinkle with red pepper. drying time depends on dehydrator, whether or not it has a fan, how big a load you have. When you can break it, but it's not crispy it's done.

http://www.allegromarinade.com/gametame.html