Just tell them that "It brings me closer to the true essence of life and in touch with my primitive origins. I actually feel that the karma of the animal is transfered to me as I participate in nature's perfect cycle."

Now seriously, it amazes me how some people will radically support evolutionary theory, insisting that man is no more than another animal on the planet and then question why we hunt. Or, how they will idealize a primitive culture, send money to organizations that preserve their way of life and then question why we hunt.

The contradiction really stupifies me.

In reality we all hunt for many different reasons and unfortunately for some of us it is just a sense of power and ego. I'm sorry for those people and am glad they are in the minority.

One thing I would suggest is that you pick up the book "A Hunter's Heart". It's a collection of essays on the same topic, by both hunters and non-hunters. There are some great thoughts and stories in the collection.

I've ranted enough.

Spud