Hmmm...very tough and thought provoking question. I didn't vote, because I am not sure of my real answer. I see a lot of answers, and IMO, some answers come from those that didn't really look as deep as the question requires (but I do think there are no wrong answers, only right individual thoughts). This "hunter's paradox" is certainly what keeps all anti's, and many non-hunters from understanding hunters and hunting. After all, how can it be that I would do all I can to avoid killing a buck with my truck, or would rescue that buck from a pack of stray dogs one day, and then the very next not hesitate to run my arrow thru him?

Make no mistake...I go hunting to be successful hopefully each and every time I go. Success is defined by me as an animal dying. I do hunt to kill, and do not claim to hunt for the experience, to enjoy nature, to feed my family, to help the herd, etc. Yes I love deer meat, I like to be outside, I like to see animals, I fill lots of antlerless tags...but I get up on the coldest days, at stupid early hours, and sit in most decidely unpleasent conditions in a tree in order to kill something pure and simple. If I wanted to be one with nature, I would go out when it is pleasant, and carry a camera. If I needed to feed my family, I would stop when sufficient meat has been obtained. If I wanted to be a herd manager, I would hunt with a rifle much more frequently.

I love it when I see that perfect arrow hit, see or hear the crash, and all that goes with it. No doubt, for me a good day with a deer kill is made better by multiple kills.

Do I love to kill though? Probably not, really.

Let's say a flood forced hundreds of deer into an area they couldn't escape, but would eventually drown. DNR calls on hunters to come shoot them so they can be utilized. Would I enjoy walking up to that deer and killing it? Nope, definitely not. For those that say they actually love the kill...I would have to assume you would love that killing scenario also, right? Don't cloud the issue with "fair chase" and such if you answer that though, cause killing is killing...fair chase doesn't affect the act, only the lead in.