Why do we do all this anyway?

[Ben Long]

I thought some of you might enjoy this essay I recently published on The MeatEater website. Feel free to comment and share the link if you wish. But while we are on the topic, what motivates you to get up after 'em, even when its cold, dark and wet?

Why Do We Hunt?

Dawn in November: cold, dark, and wet. I know I’m going to get soaked, but I’m chomping at the bit to do what I love best—track whitetail bucks through an inch of fresh snow through the big woods of northwestern Montana. But let’s face it. Most normal people are still in bed, about to eat a...

www.themeateater.com

 

[Dsnow9]

I like torturing myself! There is something to be said when you are part of a small group that harvests their own food and then and even smaller group that will suffer through the worst conditions and situations to accomplish a goal.

Why do I hunt a 10 mile deep, zero water, cow hunt, solo?

Because I can!

 

[okie archer]

You summed it up well with "ALL of it."

 

[Dsnow9]

Great article Ben, I responded the first time before reading. After reading I find myself in all of the groups at different times.

 

[hank4elk]

The excitement,food,it's what I do. Primal. Me. Myself. I.

 

[noisy]

Meat. And it's something to keep me busy while waiting for ski season. It's definitely a love/hate relationship for me.

 

[MNElkNut]

In the firearms safety classes that I used to teach, there were 5 stages of a hunter. If I remember correctly, it was Shooting something/anything/everything, Limiting, Trophy, Method, and Enjoying Nature. Somewhat similar. I think most hunters are in multiple stages at any one time and can be in different stages a minute later. A different species brings it owns stages.

It sure can be hard to put into words, but anytime I am out hunting there is something about it that I really enjoy. The quarry. The experience. Nature for sure. Just being there.

If it is special for you, are you passing on the love of hunting?

 

[EKYHunter]

God gave me a desire to hunt, fish, and enjoy his awesome creation. That’s why.

 

[Misguided]

I know that too soon there will come a day when I can’t. Would hate to look back thinking that I could have but didn’t.

 

[Sask hunter]

Some species meat is the main priority. I try my hardest to put an elk or moose in the freezer every year. Chasing a certain big bear or deer is a very fun challenge. Fishing so relaxing. Often I keep just one fish for supper but I love chasing big pike in the winter. Coyotes are just plain fun to call!

 

[Wolfshead]

It seems as though I’ve been saying this a lot as of late, “the one absolute in terms of hunting is, there are no absolutes”.
I don’t think I can be put into just one of those categories, while at the same time I can at some points be put in all.
So I say pretty much of what was concluded

“What motivates me? It’s hard even to put it into words, let alone categories. Perhaps it’s enough just to step into a snowy forest, cut a fresh track, and feel the joy of the hunt. What motivates me to hunt? ALL of it.”

 

[Nick87]

I'm in the "All of it" camp. Depending on the species or even timing of the season it can change which one I fall into at that particular time though.

 

[BearFoot]

Experience and feel, That shivering cold, annoying bugs, smell of coffee, relentless sun, driving rain, blowing snow. A heavy pack, a drip in the tent, Who farts like that? Simply so many, many pleasures. No couch or TV can compete with that.

 

[Ought Six]

Connection to my ancestral DNA

 

[noisy]

I guess I put too much pressure on myself which prevents me from enjoying hunting as much as I should. I've shot five elk and a couple dozen deer and I still feel like the worst hunter I know. It's a blow to my ego, and I despise having feelings of jealousy. There is literally nothing else in my life that makes me feel that way.

I like Misguided's take ^^. Some day I won't be able to do it anymore, and I'll regret not taking advantage of every day in the mountains that I could.

I like the essay BL, thanks for posting the link.

 

[ismith]

I guess I put too much pressure on myself which prevents me from enjoying hunting as much as I should. I've shot five elk and a couple dozen deer and I still feel like the worst hunter I know. It's a blow to my ego, and I despise having feelings of jealousy. There is literally nothing else in my life that makes me feel that way.

I like Misguided's take ^^. Some day I won't be able to do it anymore, and I'll regret not taking advantage of every day in the mountains that I could.

I like the essay BL, thanks for posting the link.

Well, if you hunt here locally you shouldn't be too hard on yourself. I'm damn close not being able to do it anymore, but I may get some pack animals and soldier on anyway.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Because when i do - i feel like one of the luckiest guys in the world. We are so lucky to have wild places and wild things.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

This question has been on my mind for several years now. I’ve thought of posting a more expansive story on here, maybe I will some day. Long story short my dad betrayed me deeply a couple years ago and it was like a switch flipped and I realized my entire life I was always trying to win his approval and love. He liked hunting so this was something I was able to do to show him my worthiness. It is only since hunting season 2022 (my most successful by far - filling all three of my A tags, Elk, Antelope and Mule Deer) that I realized the primary driving force for hunting was that moment after success when I would send him a pic and give him a call. That season of success was not nearly as enjoyable as it would have been a year prior. He was always the first I’d send pic to and that brief moment of approval was something I didn’t even fully realize I was seeking.

I’m now in a place where I think I just enjoy the entire experience (camping, hiking etc.) more than the actual killing and definitely more than some of the brutal Type 2 Fun pack outs I’ve been lucky enough to do. I also live in Montana so I think that’s a good fit for the current state of hunting on public lands here (although I wouldn’t complain if I saw more critters on public lands!).

 

[Pucky Freak]

Hunting checks a lot of boxes: good food, exercise, decompression, the challenge. I find myself passing on animals some days, even small game or waterfowl, just to observe the animals.

 

[Nick87]

I find myself passing on animals some days, even small game or waterfowl, just to observe the animals.

I can relate a lot to that. Been meaning to fill one or two wt doe tags all year. I'm gonna have to force myself next weekend. It's a strange feeling.