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"Better" deer = More remorse??
Duke's comments in his doe thread made me think others might feel the same so I thought I would ask.
I have filled many tags over the years and a few even found there way onto really good deer for my area.........ones that beat the system and were smart/lucky enough to survive. You really have to slip through the cracks around here to see a couple candles on your cake. Without fail EVERY one of the older deer I have killed fills me with more remorse then the others. I feel like they were better at the game but sadly they get no more reward...........I sometimes feel like just admitting defeat and tipping your cap to a deer like that would be more admirable. Don't get me wrong..........these feelings only run through my head AFTER the deer is down  ...........hindsight I guess, and definitely remorse, not regret.Hope that reads like I intended. |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
I'm understanding what you're saying....having just taken a 4.5yr old buck I've chased for 3 seasons. Bittersweet.
I'm wondering if you could give us a specific example, though. How many mature deer do you think you've taken over the years? |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
Have you tried treating these symptoms with grilled backstrap?:)
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RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
No, I understand exactly what you're saying. I think you're describing a respect and affection for the animals you're taking, nothing wrong w/ that at all.
It's a hard thing to do, to kill a mature whitetail buck. Not everyone has, not everyone can. They are true masters of their domain, and show them any less than the respect they deserve would be............an injustice. I tell ya though....being able to do it is such a sense of accomplishment. It's strange, respect, a little remorse, and at the same time, a feeling of elation and self gratitude... |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
I took my oldest deer ever this year. The MDFW guy said he was 6.5 and maybe 7.5 years old. The guy who aged it is the same guy who makes up the jaw boards for the division and said it gets tougher to tell when they get that old and have so little tooth left.
I actually found myself thinking where I was when that buck was a BB, 2nd year ect. It is bittersweet. This deer not only survived a whole bunch of deer seasons but some pretty rough winters as well and I have probably killed a couple of his offspring. Prior to our meeting on 11/08I had never seen him. PS.. Not the best tasting deer but probably the toughest. 200lbs of stew meat!! |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
ORIGINAL: BigTiny Have you tried treating these symptoms with grilled backstrap?:) Just a respect thing I guess..............I was re-reading "Bowhunting Pressured Whitetails" last night and Eberhart's story about "The Weezer" came to mind when I read Duke's thread. |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
All the deer I've killed (only 6) I've had the same feelings. The Native Americans always gave thanks to the spirit of the game they killed. In Europe some even place a small sprig of greens in the mouth on recovery as a show of respect and a last meal. A moment of quiet reflection is always a good gesture( after the elation and fist pumping is over).
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RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
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RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
Well said, Greg. I concur.
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RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
ORIGINAL: GregH Good post on feelings about deer we've killed. I've thought about this often over the years. While I must admit that I feel a larger adrenaline/euphoria burst over a large, mature buck that I've taken, there's still the same feeling to a lesser extent for the smaller does and fawns I've killed as well. As for the sadness/ remorse factor, I've groomed these feelings to be the same for whatever animal I've killed. Meaning that I don't feel more remorse for a big buck than I do for a young doe. I try not to show any favoritism. Very similar to when I was married and had step children as well as my own. No favoritism. It may be there deep down, but my mind won't let me admit it. The bottom line is that I feela sense of remorse for every deer that I kill. Actually, I'm an animal lover even though I kill them sometimes. Kind of weird huh? When I told a buddy that I shot 2 does this year to get my earn a buck tags, he said that at least I accomplished my sense of kill. I was astonished and a bit angered. I told him that that had never entered my mind. To me, the kill is the anticlimatic part of the hunt. The sad part that I quickly put out of my mind. I do this by quickly reverting back to the exciting part of the hunt and the feelings it brought just before I pulled the trigger. I also start thinking about all the delicious meat I'm going to have in the freezer. It's like I want to skip the middle (kill) part. It is sad to some extent but it is a necessary part of hunting and I will keep doing it. Agree 100%............I guess the intense pressure around here leaves me astonished that anything can survive it..........that gets an extra tip of cap from me. My dad always said I would be "One and done" because of my love of animals..........he laughs at that statement today. It is VERY hard for people I know to understand how/why I hunt.........even harder to explain sometimes. |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
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RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
What Greg stated is exactly how it is for me.To admire and respect your quarry while at the same time giving it every thing you have to take it's life is something that not many can comprehend.
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RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
That's refered to as compassion.. Atlas. A trait every human should have but many (sometimes it seems most) do not.
Luckily most (I would hope) hunters understand it. |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
ORIGINAL: dukemichaels That's refered to as compassion.. Atlas. A trait every human should have but many (sometimes it seems most) do not. Luckily most (I would hope) hunters understand it. |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
ORIGINAL: BigTiny Have you tried treating these symptoms with grilled backstrap?:) |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
I don't go Hunting to hear the Birds sing or watch the Squirrels play. Happiness is your hand around a big fat antler. Gene Wensel made that statement:D
Ihave toAgree!!;) Dan |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
i think we have all felt remorse at one time or another and it is a feeling that may be short lived and for me seemingly passes fairly quickly
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RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
Respect for the animal and nature, thats what will preserve the hunting tradition. You can easily pick out those people that have it.
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RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
ORIGINAL: dukemichaels That's refered to as compassion.. Atlas. A trait every human should have but many (sometimes it seems most) do not. Luckily most (I would hope) hunters understand it. I would hope we all feel it do a certain degree. |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
Absolutelty feel remorse or something akin to it. I equate it more to the amount of respect and admiration I have for an animal whose sole job in life is to survive. The fact that I asa bowhunter was able to overcome that is almost pure luck. I had a "buddy" of mine(he hunts also) see a small buck get hit by a car on his way home from hunting one nite. He calls me on the phone as he's driving to tell me about his afternoon sit and just mentions the deer non-chalantly. He also informs me that he dragged it off the road and that it was still alive. I asked him how he put it out of its misery, and he said, "What?" I then said "What do you mean what?" This f'ing guy actually left this poor deer on the side of the road suffering and did nothing about it. Made me so sick that I jumped in my car for the 20 min. drive to where he said it was. I also called 911 to report it to the troopers(since my "buddy" didn't even do that). They promptly informed me that it was being taken care of. Sorry to side track but obviously he misses the respect aspect of hunting such a magnificent creature.
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RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
I agree with everything said above!! I have felt it many times.. It seems I feel it more when it is a target animal one that I set my sights on and then when it's over it's like it really is over!! Walt
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RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
ORIGINAL: GregH Good post on feelings about deer we've killed. I've thought about this often over the years. While I must admit that I feel a larger adrenaline/euphoria burst over a large, mature buck that I've taken, there's still the same feeling to a lesser extent for the smaller does and fawns I've killed as well. As for the sadness/ remorse factor, I've groomed these feelings to be the same for whatever animal I've killed. Meaning that I don't feel more remorse for a big buck than I do for a young doe. I try not to show any favoritism. Very similar to when I was married and had step children as well as my own. No favoritism. It may be there deep down, but my mind won't let me admit it. The bottom line is that I feela sense of remorse for every deer that I kill. Actually, I'm an animal lover even though I kill them sometimes. Kind of weird huh? When I told a buddy that I shot 2 does this year to get my earn a buck tags, he said that at least I accomplished my sense of kill. I was astonished and a bit angered. I told him that that had never entered my mind. To me, the kill is the anticlimatic part of the hunt. The sad part that I quickly put out of my mind. I do this by quickly reverting back to the exciting part of the hunt and the feelings it brought just before I pulled the trigger. I also start thinking about all the delicious meat I'm going to have in the freezer. It's like I want to skip the middle (kill) part. It is sad to some extent but it is a necessary part of hunting and I will keep doing it. Great post Greg. I agree 100%. It's the pursuit, experience, and accomplishment....not the kill. And I too feel that way on all animals,not only on a mature buck. I'm glad some of you feel like me....and to think, I thought I was just getting soft ;) |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
Heck, I feel that way about the does I shoot. It's just part of the territory.
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RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
ORIGINAL: dukemichaels That's refered to as compassion.. Atlas. A trait every human should have but many (sometimes it seems most) do not. Luckily most (I would hope) hunters understand it. |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
ORIGINAL: BigTiny Have you tried treating these symptoms with grilled backstrap?:) |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
Many times I don't even bother posting to a thread because someone else said my same feelings exactly, as did Gregh did on this one to killing animals.
For me, these days,when I kill a particularbuck I have gotten to know on personal level, it's like killing an old friend.. I neverfelt the "old friend feeling"...until I started targeting specific bucks in 1998, thanks in part to a kind man that really taught me alot and inspired mewith bowhunting whitetails. I have to admit, give me aparticular buck I know well and have worked for overa 160 class buck that happens to come strolling by in the rut, I can honestly say I would take the one I worked on..and care less about the score. hahaha but I dont mind seeing the odd 160 either..I wouldnt complain..I think you know what I mean.. |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
I can tell you this, Shed.....I wouldn't trade my buck from this year for a P&Y from ANYWHERE.
;) I hear ya, brother. It's bittersweet that I won't see him in the woods, again. |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
ORIGINAL: shed33 Many times I don't even bother posting to a thread because someone else said my same feelings exactly, as did Gregh did on this one to killing animals. For me, these days,when I kill a particularbuck I have gotten to know on personal level, it's like killing an old friend.. I neverfelt the "old friend feeling"...until I started targeting specific bucks in 1998, thanks in part to a kind man that really taught me alot and inspired mewith bowhunting whitetails. I have to admit, give me aparticular buck I know well and have worked for overa 160 class buck that happens to come strolling by in the rut, I can honestly say I would take the one I worked on..and care less about the score. hahaha but I dont mind seeing the odd 160 either..I wouldnt complain..I think you know what I mean.. |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
Give me a break Dr.Andy.. read the post.. I said I wouldnt COMPLAIN! Hell no I would kill the 160...and be stoked..... nevermind.. |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
I guess this is the feeling (remorse) I feel after taking a deer. It's a kind of sadness in a way. I've often thought as I kneel next to a deer, that I wished I could let it get one year older. Sire more bucksor have another fawn.
But at the same time I know that killing that deer is the way God intended me to use this creature. That feeling lasts from the time I take the shot until the time I start celebrating. |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
ORIGINAL: shed33 For me, these days,when I kill a particularbuck I have gotten to know on personal level, it's like killing an old friend.. I neverfelt the "old friend feeling"...until I started targeting specific bucks in 1998, thanks in part to a kind man that really taught me alot and inspired mewith bowhunting whitetails. I have to admit, give me aparticular buck I know well and have worked for overa 160 class buck that happens to come strolling by in the rut, I can honestly say I would take the one I worked on..and care less about the score. hahaha but I dont mind seeing the odd 160 either..I wouldnt complain..I think you know what I mean.. |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
Just wondering if you'd seen these bucks before, Atlas. If not...I don't understand the correlation. How can you build a "relationship" with a deer you've never seen....or feel bad about taking soemthing ou had no idea was even there? It would be like Troy's example where one just finds his way to you.
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RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
I feel a tinge of remorse every time ihave to kill a creature bigger than a fly, and you have to kill to truly hunt. If it is a deer, for example, that has made it through3+ seasons then I geteven more of that thatconflicting proud/awe/shame feeling for taking its life. Its a feeling that cannot be explaned to nonhunters, and needs no explanation to true hunters.
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RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
ORIGINAL: GMMAT Just wondering if you'd seen these bucks before, Atlas. If not...I don't understand the correlation. How can you build a "relationship" with a deer you've never seen....or feel bad about taking soemthing ou had no idea was even there? It would be like Troy's example where one just finds his way to you. I can't help youread. |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
ORIGINAL: JoeRE I feel a tinge of remorse every time ihave to kill a creature bigger than a fly, and you have to kill to truly hunt. If it is a deer, for example, that has made it through3+ seasons then I geteven more of that thatconflicting proud/awe/shame feeling for taking its life. Its a feeling that cannot be explaned to nonhunters, and needs no explanation to true hunters. |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
I can only imagine what you mean. |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
In lies the game. That is what keeps us all going. The challenge. I have to say, I feel more joy when taking an old deer, buck or doe. It means I played the game a little better. If it was because the deer sliped up, its still part of the game.
God gave all herbs and animal to support us. I eat all the game I take, so i take no more remorse in the killing of the animal than I do the eating of a steak that someone else has killed. If its utilized, I feel no remorse. I will not take an animal I do not intend on eating, so there for, no remorse. I do feel sick when I lose one. Last year I shot a doe about 30 yards from the clear fork of the Brazos river. She jumped in the river and died. She then washed down river to fast for me to recover her. I was sickend in the fact that the deer was wasted. I know another one of Gods creatures got to enjoy my loss, but I could not help but feel bad. |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
ORIGINAL: GMMAT I can only imagine what you mean. I'm sure you feel the same. |
RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
Nope. I know EXACTLY what shed was talking about;)(check the dates)
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RE: "Better" deer = More remorse??
ORIGINAL: GMMAT Nope. I know EXACTLY what shed was talking about;)(check the dates)   
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