i dont know how people can seriously sit here and say they have NO remorse. if you were a deer and somebody popped out of nowhere and shot you wouldnt you hope the had remorse? id think so. but onto another thing, this topic has gone from regretting a kill to a argument of morals so who knows.

Come on Ridge Runner. I've came to respect you over the years reading your post but I have to disagree with you on this one. I feel nothing but happiness and joy after a successful hunt. I do not find myself feeling sorry for the animal. I respect the animal and I figure it is doing just what God put it here for, feeding me, my family and my friends. Is there something wrong with my mental well being if I do not feel remorse while I'm filleting a bass or catfish?? Same as cleaning a deer or elk to me.

I guess everyone feels different but that doesn't mean there is something wrong with our mental health.

agreed 100%

I have to say that this topic got way off. It started out as a "regret after the kill" and then went onto how "you should feel after the kill. 2 total different things going on.

I love deer hunting, period. And i accept in order for me to do what I love will include killing deer. plain and simple. I have a sense of accomplishment with every deer I kill. Not remorse.

My best days are when i get a chance to watch alot of deer that are not shootable for me. Respect for the animal, you bet. but when that "1" walks by, it's game on.

Good post BC - I truly respect your thoughts on how the kill effects you and why.

Actually those seem pretty much the same, just worded a little different.

Heres what Ive learned so far in this thread, some people choose to inject emotion and sadness into a activity, they take part in, solely of their own free will. Why someone would continue to do something, year after year, that brings them sadness, is confusing to me, but I guess we all have our own crosses to bear. I also dont think it makes the hunters, who takes a more logical view of killing animals, any less humane or respectful.

As others have stated brilliantly, the only thing we as hunters can really do to show respect to our quarry, is take the most careful shot we can, to provide the least amount of suffering. No amount of sadness is going to change the fact that you just took a life, except in your own conscience, and that matter little to a deer. I will admit the 1st time I pulled the trigger on a deer, I felt a huge rush of emotion. some of it was sadness, some of it was guilt, alot of it was probably the adrenaline from the crack of the 12ga being fired at a large living creature. Since then I have killed my fair share of deer, hogs and a bear. I have butchered every single one myself, and watch many people enjoy the meals that came from my kills. its a perfect cycle of life, it make perfect sense to me, so no sadness is necessary from my POV.

Now, thats no fun. Bait wasn't big enough. I was just giving you a hard time.

Good deal.

I ate early today.:biggrin:

We do it everyday. Every time you get in your car, youre taking your life in your hands. no living creature is completely safe on this planet, the grim reaper can pull your card at anytime. doesnt mean Im going to stop doing what I love, when that happens you might as well be dead anyway. I am not sure deer are even aware of their own mortality, they act pretty much on instinct. doubt they really know, or even can reason why they fear man. Oh it enters my mind all right, but I recognize it for what it is, an illogical emotion, its not reality. I can understand what youre saying though. I guess its the price we pay for having souls.

deerandbearhog, you are right. I should have said "regret for A kill" not "how should one feel after they kill".

I think you got my point but thanks for pointing it out to me......

please feel free to correct any of my terminology though.