I Told a Big, Fat Lie a Couple of Weeks Ago

[PastorB]

Gotta fess up fellas. A couple of weeks ago, I created a thread that described a hunting experience I had that day. In a nutshell, I passed on a large 10 point buck while hunting with a muzzleloader. Felt sorry for the deer, and had an overwhelming desire to never kill again, even though I continued to go out with my rifle.

Well, a few weeks after that, I was asked to go out and help a financially struggling family, as many of us are, fill their freezer with meat. Really had no intention of killing a deer ever again, but was talked into it, unsure if I could/would pull the trigger or not. But I went, almost hoping I wouldn't see anything. Took my Cabelas Hunter Hawken in .54 with me, as I have just recently installed a peep sight (Lyman 57) on it, and wanted to see how it would work in the woods. Went out and sat on a log, way back in the woods, and wasn't there 5 minutes before I heard a commotion headed my way thru the leaves and brush. Saw a doe first, running frantically from two identical looking bucks, headed straight for me. Six decades of pursuing deer kicked in without thinking, and as soon as one of the bucks stopped 15 yards away, I let him have it with a .530 ball propelled by 60 grains of Swiss 3f. Put him right down, but I reloaded quickly just in case. No sooner got reloaded, and a HUGE (counted at least 14 points very quickly!) buck came right down the same path, and stopped 10 yards away, never realizing I was right there. In Missouri, we are only allowed one buck, and I had a 10 point already on the ground, so Big Boy got to live another day.

In reality, if those deer had not been running, triggering my predatory instinct, I would not have shot. Even the Big Guy would have got a pass. Still, some folks got some needed meat, and they were very happy to drag the buck out of the woods for me. Sorry to tell a lie a couple of weeks ago, hopefully I'm done now, as I did have very mixed emotions and remorse as I saw this deer lying there. Old age is turning me into a Sissy Boy.

 

[nchawkeye]

I remember that post and also know that sometimes boys will be boys..Don't blame you one bit!!

 

[wiscoaster]

I really don't empathize with the mixed emotions. I think you done well. You should be proud of 1) bagging your deer 2) donating the meat to a needy family. There's too many deer around, anyway. I saw a half dozen does in my neighborhood just today. Better to thin them out and put the harvest to good use. In my sights, you're one heck of an A-OK guy.

 

[tenngun]

It’s the circle, you didn’t lie, you wrestled with emotions. Now you have a new outlook on your part in life

 

[The Crisco Kid]

I'm still at the stage where I don't see a nice handsome buck or a beautiful doe, I see steak and roasts. I hope I don't change. It makes life easier. I guess when somebody needs the meat our age old instincts kick in and take charge. You did the right thing.

 

[Tony Rothrock]

I don't know as I'd count that as a "Big, fat lie". You harvested that deer for someone else, someone in need; and not for your own satisfaction.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Sometimes not doing what you wanna do but doing what you gotta do defines the man, refines him too...

 

[user 31232]

Gotta fess up fellas. A couple of weeks ago, I created a thread that described a hunting experience I had that day. In a nutshell, I passed on a large 10 point buck while hunting with a muzzleloader. Felt sorry for the deer, and had an overwhelming desire to never kill again, even though I continued to go out with my rifle.

Well, a few weeks after that, I was asked to go out and help a financially struggling family, as many of us are, fill their freezer with meat. Really had no intention of killing a deer ever again, but was talked into it, unsure if I could/would pull the trigger or not. But I went, almost hoping I wouldn't see anything. Took my Cabelas Hunter Hawken in .54 with me, as I have just recently installed a peep sight (Lyman 57) on it, and wanted to see how it would work in the woods. Went out and sat on a log, way back in the woods, and wasn't there 5 minutes before I heard a commotion headed my way thru the leaves and brush. Saw a doe first, running frantically from two identical looking bucks, headed straight for me. Six decades of pursuing deer kicked in without thinking, and as soon as one of the bucks stopped 15 yards away, I let him have it with a .530 ball propelled by 60 grains of Swiss 3f. Put him right down, but I reloaded quickly just in case. No sooner got reloaded, and a HUGE (counted at least 14 points very quickly!) buck came right down the same path, and stopped 10 yards away, never realizing I was right there. In Missouri, we are only allowed one buck, and I had a 10 point already on the ground, so Big Boy got to live another day.

In reality, if those deer had not been running, triggering my predatory instinct, I would not have shot. Even the Big Guy would have got a pass. Still, some folks got some needed meat, and they were very happy to drag the buck out of the woods for me. Sorry to tell a lie a couple of weeks ago, hopefully I'm done now, as I did have very mixed emotions and remorse as I saw this deer lying there. Old age is turning me into a Sissy Boy.

Didn't see a lie in your post.

 

[ETipp]

I didn't see any lie there as well. Simply a temporary change in perspectives.

As Forrest Gump said................."It happens".

 

[andy52]

You didn't do it for the bragging rights like most of us have done in our youth, you did it for a good cause I don't consider your earlier post as a lie.
I haven't even been in the woods this year but if I knew there was a family out there that needed help feeding themself I'd be out there this morning.

 

[Dude]

It's ok to change your mind. Nothing wrong with that.

I lost a motorcycle and several months in bed to an elk, and crumpled fenders to deer - it's better to thin them out your way.

 

[jdw276]

Not really, you helped a family in need and that is the greater good. It was not for your personal satisfaction or desire. You would still be the same man if someone had not asked for help so someone asking you for help and you provide it does not change the man.

 

[Rawhide67]

Call it hunters maturity, you don't feel the drive to kill everything you see. Ive started passing on small bucks, which is dumb in my area, if you want meat. Generally don't even see a buck so passing on one can be bad. But it's done and I don't regret it.

I find it enjoyable to watch them, and don't feel the necessity to shoot so much anymore.

 

[Rifleman1776]

It 's OK. Ye dun gud. You had an exciting hunt, culling mature bucks is good herd management and you made meat for those in need.

 

[tenngun]

I don’t keep trophies, I do have some brain tan bags from kills, I don’t take photos of dead deer. I don’t disrespect animals who feed me. I’m a predator, I plan to be cremated and my ashes I hope are dropped in a garden or forest. Such is life

 

[Brokennock]

I don't see a lie. Although I think you used that for lack of a better term.
I don't even really see a change in perspective, just a change in circumstance or situation. You had the skills, and the luck that someone in need could receive benefit from and acted appropriately to help.

Maybe this question is just a thought exercise but maybe you can get some benefit from it, maybe even find a way to keep hunting in at least a limited capacity.
When you have taken an animal in the past, do you "pray" (this could be a relative and individually/personally defined term) over, offering thanks and apology to the animal for sacrificing it's life?
This may seem silly to some, especially to those for whom only antlers, of the biggest most measurable kind, matter.... But, it has a long history in many cultures, and when the animal has been presented to you by nature/God/the cosmos (however you look at it) it seems only right to take what is offered and be thankful and show that gratitude,,, and there is nothing wrong with a little sorrow at the sacrifice either.
If you haven't or don't, do you think doing so might change your feelings or help assuage any guilt, if/when you do take an animal to feed your family or the family of someone else in need?
Again, mostly just something to think about, probably best not to succumb to one's first "knee jerk" response to these questions.

Sorry to be so long. For what it's worth, I think, "ya done good."

 

[Kentuckyjed]

I always liked deer hunting but would only hunt if I had room in the freezer or needed the meat. I started working for the Kentucky Park system. a few years back, I see beautiful does and large bucks almost every day when I drive into work. I enjoy just watching them anymore and don't have the itch to kill. Now the darn squirrels that chew on everything they can is another story. I think I know where your coming from though.
Merry Christmas

 

[Christophero]

I take it by your moniker that you are a pastor. Just recall that Jesus is the one who said to Peter, "Kill and eat." Emotions and freedoms can, as I'm sure you know, are two different things, good or bad. You did just fine.

 

[tenngun]

I don't see a lie. Although I think you used that for lack of a better term.
I don't even really see a change in perspective, just a change in circumstance or situation. You had the skills, and the luck that someone in need could receive benefit from and acted appropriately to help.

Maybe this question is just a thought exercise but maybe you can get some benefit from it, maybe even find a way to keep hunting in at least a limited capacity.
When you have taken an animal in the past, do you "pray" (this could be a relative and individually/personally defined term) over, offering thanks and apology to the animal for sacrificing it's life?
This may seem silly to some, especially to those for whom only antlers, of the biggest most measurable kind, matter.... But, it has a long history in many cultures, and when the animal has been presented to you by nature/God/the cosmos (however you look at it) it seems only right to take what is offered and be thankful and show that gratitude,,, and there is nothing wrong with a little sorrow at the sacrifice either.
If you haven't or don't, do you think doing so might change your feelings or help assuage any guilt, if/when you do take an animal to feed your family or the family of someone else in need?
Again, mostly just something to think about, probably best not to succumb to one's first "knee jerk" response to these questions.

Sorry to be so long. For what it's worth, I think, "ya done good."

I do pray, both to the Maker and the spirit of the dead game

 

[smokepolehall]

No matter what you had decided, the good Lord said different. So you made some meat available to those in need. Blessings indeed !