Rob, Great thread. I'd like to see more of these type threads. I think alot of the threads tend toskip the heart of the matter. These are all great posts, and Ifind part of myselfall of them.

But for me, its carrying on a long family tradition. And starting a new one at the same time. I like to boast that I was born in July and sat on a deerstand with my Mom that following November. I dont know if it really was like that per se, but alot of my earliest memories were in the deer stand and on the lake with my parents. I've learned alot about life in these experiences, and I feel it's my responsibility to pass these things on to my children, when we have them. Just being out there makes me feel alive. It's real. It's not "entertainment". It's LIFE, and DEATH.

I'm only 23. For the last 5 years I've been really into the "suburban" lifestyle. Video games, cars and big screen tvs... working 80 hrs a week anddevolping a heart condition at the age of 22 to get them. Shameful.

In the last 8 months however, I've rediscovered my calling. Rekindled the love I have for reality, rather than falicy. The woods are alive, and calling my name. The beauty that comes from the perfection of life in the wild is 2nd only to the beauty and perfection of God. The killing of game will always be much lower on my chain of loves, as I've always felt sad for the loss of life. But the ballet and orchestral masterpieceof the hunt, and continuation of life in the form of sustinance and nutritionfor my wife and family will always be paramount and a partof the beauty.

My wife's family is very much anti-..... anti- guns, anti- hunting. You can imagine their shock,even horror on their faces when My wife told them she's going tolearn to shoot and hunt. That decision meant alot to me. It meant when a person sees first hand the beauty and elegance of our pasttime, theyrecognize the deception coming from the anti's. To see this realization and acceptance in a person raised to hold hunters to at very best, very low esteem. It also meant I'd discovered life time hunting partner. I now have someone other than my father to share the outdoors with, and that means alot. Since I only get to him once or twice a year.(hunting, and fishing)

These are why I hunt. Not because of death. Because of LIFE, Reality, beauty, peace, and pursuit of perfection. Not my perfection, but God's perfection. The frost on the grass. The sun glistening off the frost on the prickly pear or pine boughs. Seeing a young buck or old doe's breath in the chilled November air as sun hits it through the trees first thing in the morning.Just thinking about it has relaxed my blood pressure.

Someone here said because God told us to. Could you please send me scripture for that? Not because I need proof, but so I can show my In-laws.

Thanks and God Bless!