Exactly.
The point of hunting is to kill something. However, the reason I hunt is not entirely for thekill. It's a part of it, yes, but just a part.
Un-hunters may never understand that. There have been many long days on stand that I did not kill an animal. I don't feel the day was wasted in the least because I love just being able to go hunting and being outdoors with nothing but nature around me. I enjoy tuning my equipment for the hunt, scouting for the season, talking with my friends who hunt and seeing what they are up to this season. I love the the stories about the monster they saw but never got a shot on. I love the stories they tell around the deer hanging in the garage just before we start cleaning it.
I really love the way my poor ole heart jumps, spits, and sputters when after being on stand for 5 hours and seeing nothing, an old slick head sneaks up behind you putting you in the most ackward position in your life.
I love tracking the animal in the middle of the night with lanterns and good friends. I truly enjoy cleaning the animal and cutting the steaks, back-strap, etc up just the way my family likes it. I enjoy eating the animal.
I also feel that the first time I go hunting and my heart remains at a normal pace when that doe/buck comes into hearing, I'll give it up.
But I also have a brand new reason to keep hunting. My son is starting to get into it and that is an entirely different world.
Talk about mixed emotions, wait until your son/daughter want's to get into it. You feel like a kid at the candy store with unlimited allowance.