|
Catch And Release
So what if hunting (used as a broad term in this instance) was Kill optional? Would you still kill? or would you be more content with outsmarting the animal... (I havent thought of how to make it kill optional yet) then simply returning it to its natural state? I was laying in bed recovering from the hospital events and I was thinking about fishing trips Ive taken... I've cought some monster trout in waters that usually dont produce monsters and I always let them go. I've come to think of it like how when I was a little kid and I cought a big fish how amazing it felt.... what if we could do that with the game of our choice. So, If killing was optional in this sport would you still kill?
Ryan. |
RE: Catch And Release
I would definitely kill. Half the challenge is getting your shot off cleanly.
There's a term for what your describing. It's called wildlife viewing, not hunting. |
RE: Catch And Release
ORIGINAL: my7pointmonster So what if hunting (used as a broad term in this instance) was Kill optional? Would you still kill? or would you be more content with outsmarting the animal... (I havent thought of how to make it kill optional yet) then simply returning it to its natural state? I was laying in bed recovering from the hospital events and I was thinking about fishing trips Ive taken... I've cought some monster trout in waters that usually dont produce monsters and I always let them go. I've come to think of it like how when I was a little kid and I cought a big fish how amazing it felt.... what if we could do that with the game of our choice. So, If killing was optional in this sport would you still kill? Ryan.  |
RE: Catch And Release
KillingIS optional everytime we go to the woods.
I'd like it to stay that way. |
RE: Catch And Release
Im all for hunting with a camera for pictures too..There were many sits this fall where I was just asexcited about getting cool pictures of wildlife, as I would have been if ilet an arrow go........ but photographs dont taste as good deer chili:D
|
RE: Catch And Release
ORIGINAL: my7pointmonster (I havent thought of how to make it kill optional yet) Ryan. Just replace your broadheads with those suction cup thingys! :) |
RE: Catch And Release
Well put.;)
ORIGINAL: Matt / PA Killing IS optional everytime we go to the woods. I'd like it to stay that way. |
RE: Catch And Release
I would still kill i enjoy the meat
I currently practice fillet and release does that count ? |
RE: Catch And Release
ORIGINAL: Matt / PA KillingIS optional everytime we go to the woods. I'd like it to stay that way. |
RE: Catch And Release
ORIGINAL: Rob/PA Bowyer ORIGINAL: Matt / PA KillingIS optional everytime we go to the woods. I'd like it to stay that way. |
RE: Catch And Release
Rob, when was that? I don't recall?
|
RE: Catch And Release
I practice "kill optional" every time I go hunting. Just because you didn't kill something that day or thattime out doesn't make it unsuccessful.I think it's really cool having a whitetail in really close on you and they having no idea you there. It's my decision at that time to shoot or not.Some of the very best hunts I've been on havebeen ones that I have decided not to shoot.
|
RE: Catch And Release
The kill is the satisfying, indeed essential, conclusion to a successful hunt. But, I take no pleasure in the act itself. One does not hunt in order to kill, but kills in order to have hunted. Then why do I hunt? I hunt for the same reason my well-fed cat hunts...because I must, because it is in the blood, because I am the decendent of a thousand generations of hunters. I hunt because I am a hunter.
-Finn Aagard |
RE: Catch And Release
ORIGINAL: Ben / PA Rob, when was that? I don't recall? |
RE: Catch And Release
I guess killing is always optional to the hunter and I pass dozens of animals a year.
If killing was not an option thoughI would not Hunt. I enjoy the kill, I Love the meat, and when I kill a trophy I want it on the Wall;) Dan |
RE: Catch And Release
Wow, scary.
|
RE: Catch And Release
I play a funny game in the house similar to catch and release. I stole this from a buddy so here goes......My wife walks around the house with her hands on her head sticking out like antlers. I put a stalk on her and I catch her and minutes later release her. For some reasonI do not have the same feelings as when I am in the woods. Sorry Jimmy;)
|
RE: Catch And Release
That is kinda funny this season my neibor came over after I got in from hunting and asked a dumb ? me being a smart but sometimes made a quick reply.Here is the ?
Did you catch any deers my replyLMAO hunting is not a catch and release and deer is plural. I wont say what he jestured.I would say if it were a catch and release I would catch allot more just to get a better look at what is around. |
RE: Catch And Release
I did this post to spark your thinking processes on your take of your hunting. A lot of people I know would never venture out into the woods if they couldnt kill something. Its plain and simple like that for them. I personally fall into the group that says Anytime I'm in the animals comfort zone and It dosent even know I exist. Then thats good enough for me... Now I can take it to the next level and send a G-5 at it and deflate its lungs for it but thats a different story. I just wanted to get the creative juices flowing around with you guys and see what would come out of it.
Ryan. |
RE: Catch And Release
Just because you got within range and "outsmarted" the animal, doesn't mean you already sealed the deal. Getting the shot off once in range is an equally difficult half of the process. Taking a picture of an animal within bowrange would be MUCH easier than getting a shot off with the bow and making a clean kill.
And to answer, no. I wouldn't continue hunting if there wasn't a kill. The kill is king. It signifies victory. Success. That all the hard work finally came together. That you CAN do it. The meat is always awesome, the memories priceless...and like Dan said, if I kill a trophy....I want it on the wall, and not in the shape of an 8x10.;) |
RE: Catch And Release
Solid argument tembry. But you do see where I am comming from? I just want to make people step back and realize there is more to hunting than just the kill. However I will indeffinately agree with you, it is an entirely different ballgame when your trying to draw pick a lane let an arrow fly, recover, alll that is why we do it its the emotional and physical riptide that is hunting. Remember back to the first one you wounded and diddnt recover its that cutting feeling inside you that drives us to be the best of the best in our sport that is hunting. Shooting a deer with a bow becomes more of a personal vendetta. Hunting is what it is. I would be content to be a photo guy but at the same time that emotional rollercoaster ride is sooooo worth every second of sweat and tears we put into it.
Ryan. |
RE: Catch And Release
I just want to make people step back and realize there is more to hunting than just the kill. |
RE: Catch And Release
Trevor, solid reply...
IDK, I have always been an advocate of counting coup-I could have killed you but I didn't. That's what puts the excitement into hunting, at least for me. Iemployeeseveral methods when in the bush. I love the camera (I can hunt legally year round), especially when I can see my own reflection in an animals eyewithina photo I've taken. Rememberthe photo ofRob and the mt. goats? That's the close I endeavor to acheive. I am sure Rob could have killed the billy in that group, but his goal wasn't so much to just kill. He wanted to kill at close range. I have dropped/tossed small rocks and sticks on critters leaving them unharmed. I have evenweaseled in close enough to touch animals (I touched a spike elk on the nose with a broadhead. My bow was at full draw. Legally, I could have killed him butopted to give a free pass. I grabbed a ten point whitetail quickly by the horns and then set him free)I guess I have always felt there's a time and a place for killing, and there certainly must be a good reason. I do not feel I need to kill everything. I think for me the peak of the rush comes the moment I knowmy preycould be in the bag-not to be confused with "is in the bag". I certainly account for all the dynamics when I make this assessment. To a degree I feel remorse when I have killed. Yeah, I've won, but now the game is over. I think that is the reason I push elsewhere...I establish a new game. Nothing calms my soul more than being in the woods. Nothing gets my heart pumping more than being close and counting coup. |
RE: Catch And Release
I hunt to kill every single time I enter the woods. No, I would not like to return bambi to a state off nature after I have fired a net over her.
|
RE: Catch And Release
Now I'm confused, wasn't Bambi a boy deer?
|
RE: Catch And Release
Yes huck, she was actually a he...:) But when people talk of bambi they get all those cute emotional thoughts of a baby girl deer. Hence why I said her.
|
RE: Catch And Release
I don't know how many times someone has asked me, "did you catch any" when at a gas station or even my sisters. I always reply with no I didn't kill anything or I killed a doe, buck....whichever is appropriate. I am beginning to think some people are afraid to say the word kill........:eek:.
|
RE: Catch And Release
We do film our hunts but our hunts are way more than just killing!!! It is getting meat that I love it is about helping and balancing a herd which is why the public lets us hunt to help manage not just kill. Nope no catch and release here.. Walt
|
RE: Catch And Release
LOL...thanks Brett. It was funny, my vision of Bambi, "the king of the forest", quickly turned to Bambi, "queen of the forest".
I hear what you are saying... "I hunt to kill everytime I enter the woods" If I were to take thisapproach, I would rapidly turn into a poacher. I am more at home in the woods than in my house. Catch and release is a wonderful way of honing your cat in the bag skills. |
RE: Catch And Release
I knew people would misinterpret my comments about hunting to kill every time I enter the woods. What I meant by this is that I hang my stands to killa deer every time I hunt. I pass many deer in most years and just let them walk. But my mindframe remains the same, I hunt to kill every time I enter the woods, but I choose when to pull the release. I have to have this mindset where I hunt or I would not see or get to close to many deer. Hunting to see me is a lot more than just killing an animal.
|
RE: Catch And Release
So what if hunting (used as a broad term in this instance) was Kill optional? From all the responses, I would say hunting is indeed kill optional (as used in broad terms). Would you still kill? Most have said yesor would you be more content with outsmarting the animal... (I havent thought of how to make it kill optional yet) then simply returning it to its natural state?The answer is yes to this question as well.As Brett implied, he is fishing to kill, but not every fish he hooks is killed-despite being in his net.
I guess that's the beauty of hunting. You are in control of your own destiny, and you do not have to pull your prey from the water to see what you have hooked! |
RE: Catch And Release
For deer, no. Because Ienjoy eatingthe venison and if I can outsmart and get a killing shot off on a nice buck, I want him displayed on my wall.
When it comes to some other species, yes I would doshoot and release. Best example would be pheasants. I love hunting them for the excitement of the flush and most of all, watching my dog work and flush. If everytime she got a rooster up for me I could shoot it and then somehow walk over and revive it and send it on its way, I would, mainly just because I don't enjoy eating it that much, but I love the sport. The same thing would go for ducks. But until that day, I'll just continue killing and making pheasant fingers and wrapping duck in bacon on the grill. |
RE: Catch And Release
ORIGINAL: virginiashadow I knew people would misinterpret my comments about hunting to kill every time I enter the woods. What I meant by this is that I hang my stands to kill a deer every time I hunt. I pass many deer in most years and just let them walk. But my mindframe remains the same, I hunt to kill every time I enter the woods, but I choose when to pull the release. I have to have this mindset where I hunt or I would not see or get to close to many deer. Hunting to see me is a lot more than just killing an animal. Ryan. |
RE: Catch And Release
I think some guys took it differently than I did (the original question).IMO, It was about making the KILL optional...not whether or not it was an option for you to choose to kill a certain animal. Like, a 150 inch buck walks out and you know you want to shoot him. If possible, would you opt for him to keep living afterwards (tranquilizer type deal, suction arrows..idk how) or would you kill him anyway to end your successful hunt? In other words, if your arrows could strike without causing harm, would you do this instead of a razor sharp broadhead to put him down for good? I hunt to kill, and when I draw my bow on an animal I have been hunting for and makes me happy, I want to put it down for good. For the success, for the meat, for the trophy, and most of all for the memories. Just my opinion.
I too love trying to photograph animals...and on ones I have no interest in shooting, I find it a rush to get pics/film as well. I was more referring to only the animals you would shoot with your bow. You guys are talking about photographing animals you don't really want to shoot in the first place. Would you be reaching for your camera or bow if a 200" buck walks out? That should answer whether or not you would want the kill optional.;) Will, I LOVE that pic of Rob. I'm not sure how he got it, who took it, or the details...but that is by far hands down the COOLEST bowhunting photo I have ever seen. I would love to get a print of that made. Talk aboutup close and personal. I have it saved on my hard drive for good since the last time he posted it up. I agree, he won on that day...but in a different way. I'm sure Rob was hoping like hell he could skewer an arrow through that huge billy.:);) You don't have to kill everytime out to be successful or enjoy your experience, but without the occasional kill...it takes away the hunting aspect of it. I enjoy a fruitless day in the woods just as much as the next guy, but I know I enjoy it a heck of a lot more when I have an animal taking a dirt nap afterwards. |
RE: Catch And Release
All I can say is I take my digital videocam (Cannon ZR 200)with me in the woods on EVERY single hunt I go on. It's the times when you don't bring a cam that you see something you would love to take a pic/video of. It took a number of years for me to learn this. It's pics like these that I'm talking about! As far as the coyote goes, I've been hunting these same woods for seven years and NEVER saw one, not even a trail cam pic,(rumor had it they existed in the area)until the very last day of deer season this year!:)
  |
RE: Catch And Release
Hunting to see me is a lot more than just killing an animal. |
RE: Catch And Release
ORIGINAL: TEmbry I think some guys took it differently than I did (the original question).IMO, It was about making the KILL optional...not whether or not it was an option for you to choose to kill a certain animal. Like, a 150 inch buck walks out and you know you want to shoot him. If possible, would you opt for him to keep living afterwards (tranquilizer type deal, suction arrows..idk how) or would you kill him anyway to end your successful hunt? In other words, if your arrows could strike without causing harm, would you do this instead of a razor sharp broadhead to put him down for good? I hunt to kill, and when I draw my bow on an animal I have been hunting for and makes me happy, I want to put it down for good. For the success, for the meat, for the trophy, and most of all for the memories. Just my opinion. I too love trying to photograph animals...and on ones I have no interest in shooting, I find it a rush to get pics/film as well. I was more referring to only the animals you would shoot with your bow. You guys are talking about photographing animals you don't really want to shoot in the first place. Would you be reaching for your camera or bow if a 200" buck walks out? That should answer whether or not you would want the kill optional.;) Will, I LOVE that pic of Rob. I'm not sure how he got it, who took it, or the details...but that is by far hands down the COOLEST bowhunting photo I have ever seen. I would love to get a print of that made. Talk aboutup close and personal. I have it saved on my hard drive for good since the last time he posted it up. I agree, he won on that day...but in a different way. I'm sure Rob was hoping like hell he could skewer an arrow through that huge billy.:);) You don't have to kill everytime out to be successful or enjoy your experience, but without the occasional kill...it takes away the hunting aspect of it. I enjoy a fruitless day in the woods just as much as the next guy, but I know I enjoy it a heck of a lot more when I have an animal taking a dirt nap afterwards. |
RE: Catch And Release
I think some guys took it differently than I did (the original question).IMO, It was about making the KILL optional...not whether or not it was an option for you to choose to kill a certain animal. Like, a 150 inch buck walks out and you know you want to shoot him. If possible, would you opt for him to keep living afterwards (tranquilizer type deal, suction arrows..idk how) or would you kill him anyway to end your successful hunt? In other words, if your arrows could strike without causing harm, would you do this instead of a razor sharp broadhead to put him down for good? I hunt to kill, and when I draw my bow on an animal I have been hunting for and makes me happy, I want to put it down for good. For the success, for the meat, for the trophy, and most of all for the memories. Just my opinion. I too love trying to photograph animals...and on ones I have no interest in shooting, I find it a rush to get pics/film as well. I was more referring to only the animals you would shoot with your bow.I have been in situations where I struggled with picking up the bow or the camera.That's the beauty of hunting. You are in control of your own destiny. You guys are talking about photographing animals you don't really want to shoot in the first place.Not necessarily, see the photo below. I absolutely wanted to kill this deer with the bow. My desire, however, to capture his essences superseded killing him. At twelve yards, he was mine for the taking.Would you be reaching for your camera or bow if a 200" buck walks out? That should answer whether or not you would want the kill optional. Will, I LOVE that pic of Rob. I'm not sure how he got it, who took it, or the details...but that is by far hands down the COOLEST bowhunting photo I have ever seen. I would love to get a print of that made. Talk aboutup close and personal. I have it saved on my hard drive for good since the last time he posted it up. I agree, he won on that day...but in a different way. I'm sure Rob was hoping like hell he could skewer an arrow through that huge billy.:);) No doubt! I think he could have simply killed the goatif he wanted to but not at that close range. He opted to take the game to a higher level. He rolled the dice on the kill and lost. Take another look at that photo and ask yourself, could Rob have gotten off a shot with a greater gap? My thoughts would lead me to say yes. You don't have to kill everytime out to be successful or enjoy your experience, but without the occasional kill...it takes away the hunting aspect of it.Agreed. I enjoy a fruitless day in the woods just as much as the next guy, but I know I enjoy it a heck of a lot more when I have an animal taking a dirt nap. Not just an animal, a specific animal... I would enjoy a hunt with you Trevor.  |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:23 PM. |
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.