huntinglonewolf- I look at all the forums just about every day. There is ALWAYS something to learn, I am curious by nature, love anything outdoors, and was curious as to what you do and how you do it. No offense meant by my questions, just being honest. I have no ill feelings toward you or your way of life. I just don't understand all aspects of it...and won't unless I ask questions.
runamuk- Great post. I feel the same.
jack- I hear yea. However, for some reason...at least with me...I can't get past it no matter what sort of animal it is.
tlbradford- I grew up in Pomeroy and we had chickens and rabbits. I slaughtered and help slaughter them for the freezer/dinner table as a youngester, have hunted since I was old enough to tag along with my father, and fish/hunt every chance I get now. I'm not sure it's from lack of exposure to it...in fact, I did things as a kid that I couldn't bring myself to do now. Great post though and I agree with a lot of what you expressed. This was exactly why I started this thread in the first place.
Honestly, I think it may stem from one incident at a teenager. I drew a doe tag when I was about 14 or 15 years old. My brother and I skipped school one morning to go fill that tag. In our haste to get out of the house before our parents found out we were not going to school I forgot to bring extra shells. That left me with three in my mag and nothing more.
We headed outside of Pomeroy and immediately found a group of does/fawns feeding out in a CRP field. We sat there, picked out the biggest dry doe in the group and prepared to take her down. Well, they winded us right before I shot and took off across the field. I stood up, took an off-handed shot, and hit her high in the front shoulder. She dumped over, jumped up, and headed for a large patch of brush in a small eyebrow. I took another running shot and missed which left me with one last round.
I snuck around the edge of the field and located her in the buckbrush. However, because of all the excitement, adreneline, and my being out of breathe, I shot a little low and she took off around a small knoll and into a neighboring draw. I told my brother to get back to the truck and see if there were any more rounds in the truck and that I would track her and see if I could keep tabs on her.
I immediately found blood on a small game trail so I started tracking. About 10 feet further I found what looked like chewed up asparagus...and immediately knew that she was gut-shot. I continued tracking her until I caught up to her standing next to small stream. Her intestines where hanging out and every time she took a step she would get her hind legs entangled in them and slowly disembowel herself (My last shot had indeed hit low, splitting her belly and spilling her guts). I had no choice....I sat down and watched her until she was too weak to run any further. I then took out my knife, walked up to her, and slit her throat.
I felt so bad, so disheartened, while I watched her weaken that I honestly didn't hunt again for two years. Honestly, it bothers me writing this up.
I do not know if this one incident is behind my feelings on leg traps but I'm sure it doesn't help much...LOL.
(FYI: I am no bleeding heart liberal and will never give up hunting and fishing. You can call me a lot of things but them's fighting words!
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Thanks for the responses everyone. This is what I was lookin' for. You can never be "too informed" in my opinion and I appreciate everyone's input.