Are you a hunter or a shooter?

[yorketransport]

As opening of deer season approaches, I'm realizing that I'm really not that excited about hunting. I just want to get out with one of the new "hunting" guns that I built in the last year. The more I think about it the more I find that I really only hunt so that I have a reason to get a new gun.

This got me to thinking that I'm really just a shooter who hunts more than a hunter. I'm curious how others would classify themselves. Are you a hunter, shooter, shooter who hunts, or hunter who shoots?

Andrew

[Pazn25]

Definately a hunter, if I get the chance to shoot then its a bonus.  I just love the good times out chasing and learning the animals.  Dont get me wrong, I love shooting too.

[washelkhntr]

Hunter. If I want to shoot I'll go to the range.

[boneaddict]

hunter
I'm actually to a point where I don't really care to shoot anything except with my camera.

[turkey buster]

hunter definatly, I dont go out shooting no whare near what I should be doing

[woodman]

Hunter, definitely have passed on shots that I could have taken.

[machine]

Both,shooting and collecting guns is what got me into hunting.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Hunter, but I haven't passed.. (well OK, I have passed on shots that I probably could have been successful at)  I challenged myself with pistol for several seasons. Some successful, some not quite so, (but if I had rifle in hand, I think I'd have been more successful more than once).  Just last month I passed on a dandy Bear. I was happy to sip on my water and watch him. Do I pass on Deer? Not intentionally. I love the taste of venison. My weekness. As I get older, I'm trying to appreciate the finer experiences I come across in the wilderness. I'm trying to better myself as a hunter, and as Doug switches to shooting with camera, he could still say, 'gotcha' in many cases I'll bet.

Shooter, in that I appreciate working up the load to be the most accurate that the gun can muster out. Shooter as a competitive pistol shooter; I also wring out the most accuracy I can from my 45acp (capable of less than 2 1/4" at 50yds from a 5" barrel) -with a little fine tuning of the gun and a bunch of load development, and my rimfire pistols (capable of less than 1 1/4" at 50yds).

I'm a hunter that shoots. I'm a shooter that hunts. I'd like to think of myself as a conservationist. (workin on it)

-Steve

[saylean]

Hunter for life.

[BlackRidge]

I think outdoorsman should be another option 

I'm a shooter in the off season, technically a hunter now, but am more looking forward to taking the time off work and spending every minute in the field.

If I tag something this year, I'll be ecstatic, but it won't ruin my experience any. Just make it better if it works out

[bowhunterforever]

Hunter for life.

X2 The gun

[rasbo]

sounds weird but a hunter,Im getting to where harvesting an animal isnt as important as  getting close enough to shoot one is,if that makes sense...I just love the pursuit,and i really get a lot of satisfaction watching somebody else get one,or assisting..

[ICEMAN]

Hunter. I am at the phase where I am trying to pass along my hunting tradition to my kids. So far so good! Personally, I don't need to shoot a deer or elk every year, but I love that steak in the freezer... so 

I can go all hunting season without firing a shot and still enjoy every day of the hunt.

[FALFire]

Mostly, I'm a shooter, always have been. I used to look forward to deer hunting every year but since I have relocated to an area that is loaded with deer (mostly does it seems) I really appreciate watching the wildlife more than hunting them. Yes I will still occasionally take a deer for the meat but I'm certainly not a rack hunter when I do, it is strictly for the meat.

Now, on the other hand if we are talking coyotes, weeeeell then, I go after them most anytime and in most any situation or conditions. I absolutely love predator calling, trying to outsmart old Wiley is a hoot. Plus, I believe, that every coyote I kill, I prevent the loss of perhaps one or two deer or a ranchers calf or lamb, maybe a dozen or more pheasant, ducks or quail. To me, coyotes are a real challenge to hunt 

[jeepasaurusrex]

"Hunting is the act of finding something. Killing is the final goal."
I guess I'm a killer. 

Kind of like how they call it fishing instead of catching.