Where have all the hunters and trappers gone?

[MysticScorpio82]

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Do they offer bounties on coyotes in your area? They do up here in Maine (at least around my area of maine), as a means of population control.

 

[aidenbaby]

I have never hunted or fished. I know, hard to believe, eh? I have a deep respect for the animals and hunting. I just don't have any experience with hunting and am not sure if I could "handle" all of it. I've been able to cull 3 pets but not without some hesitation. Did any of you start when you were adults? How long did it take to "get over" the hesitation?

 

[Boyd]

I haven't. I've been doing it forever too

I just say a quick prayer of thanks before putting the .22 to use.

 

[miss_thenorth]

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My husband started hunting as an adult. He went out duck hunting with a freind, and the rest is history. I started hunting with him. I have only shot birds, and rabbits. One of these days, I might go out for moose or deer, but I doubt it. You have to sit still for a very long time up in a tree.--not for me. It would be harder for me to shoot a big animal. The kill is not the highlight of hunting. There is so much more than that.

 

[Davaroo]

Hunter, over here.... hey, over here!

Not a trapper in the traditional sense, but support it when practiced responsibly. I have traps for chicken stealin' critters, though.

 

[chellebyerly]

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I know quite a few people that started as an adult. They are SOOO into it now. I went some as a child, then started in earnest in my late teens.

For me, its a mindset. I Thank GOD for each and every animal he gives me, I have a twinge, but I remember what they are for, and how much we need and appriciate them. And I will admit I get a rush. Knowing that I have done something productive.

My biggest guilt comes when I have to kill something that I wont use. My pets/livestock, I pray I am making the right decision. I ask for forgiveness for taking his job into my hands. Culling is VERY hard for me. be it chickens, dogs, goats, cats etc.

Especially domestic dogs that are feral or someone elses. That kills me. But if they are IN my chicken yard, I have no choice.

Wild pests... Its a twinge, and a small feeling of guilt. I know they are doing whats in their blood. But, I have to do whats in mine..

 

[KYBOY]

Im a long time Hunter and Trapper..

 

[Scoop]

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I started after age 40! I have never been grossed out or anything about hunting. I am a food hunter so I look at it as harvesting food. I took a special interest in bowhunting because it's so quiet. I mean, when you think about it, it really is a cool way to hunt. When the shot is accurate the animal doesn't suffer. I won't take a shot without being pretty sure it's a good one. If you're really interested a gun club could help you get started. When I took the hunter's safety course my instructors were so awesome! They gave me so much confidence, I can't even tell you! I took the bowhunting safety course also, and it was just great! What a day that was! I just soaked everything up like a sponge! So, I say go for it if you have an interest! For me, culling a chicken is harder on me than hunting.

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

Where I live, hunting is a part of life. If you want to eat good, you hunt and fish. My husband grew up this way too, even more so since his father is a trapper. Just a natural thing that you really don't have to get used to because it is a part of every day life. My husband kills anywhere from 7 - 15 deer a year to last us all year. We live off deer meat mainly. Then we have wild rabbit (wild is so much better than farm raised IMO), wild turkey (yummm), fish, and wild pig. We occasionally get some beef from a local man we know really well when he slaughters his cows in the winter.

My children love to hunt. My girls are 10 and 4. Our son is just 2 and my husband is ready to take him hunting asap

My 4 year old is a big help skinning deer. She loves it better than anything. I could skin a deer with my eyes closed.

IMO Nothing is better than living off the land.

Aidenbaby ~ Not sure if you are already married but if not...marry a hunter! I wouldn't ever marry a man who didn't hunt. It is so rewarding.

 

[sparkles2307]

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Yeah we have noticed that too. There is a fox that actually comes out in the middle of the day right in front of us now, like HELLO we can see you better to shoot you now.....