Originally Posted by UPHunter08

I don't buy this argument. As a forester, I see firsthand the difference between forested areas and developed areas (including agriculture). The deer densities are far higher near edges than in undeveloped forest. Deer are generalists, and thrive where people live in all but the most urbanized environments.

Where I do agree with you is that development reduces opportunities for hunting because a lot of land is locked up out of reach of the average hunter. That's not the same as reduced deer habitat, however.

Originally Posted by phil_pick

So let me get this straight. Taking a life has no impact on you at all except for "Whoo hoo???" I am sorry but I feel something when I take a life. Yes its an animal. Its "just" a deer but it was alive and because of me it is now dead. That is humbling and sobering. I like the Native American analogy of paying respect. I believe that God game us dominion over all the animals on the earth so I see nothing wrong with ethically harvesting an animal but I find it almost sad that you can kill something and not feel it at all. Just my opinion.
And please, no one here kills to survive. You can not honestly, with a hand on the bible, tell me that you would die of starvation if you didn't hunt. I love hunting with my entire being but it is a sport.

Originally Posted by Jimmy S

I understand we all have a personal feeling about this subject. Count me as one who truly feels sad when the life of the deer I have been watching and hunting is suddenly ended. Yes, I feel sad the moment I walk over to that deer. I also understand for me to be a successful hunter, a life must be taken.

This takes nothing away from me as a dedciated hunter. I experience the excitement of the hunt, the joy knowing I have been successful while sharing all this with my hunting friends. I have the right to experience all the feelings of the hunt which includes those few personal moments.