honestly I've 'hunted' since I was 11 or 12, and killing game has never really meant anything to me. I don't need to pull the trigger, I don't actually really even care for guns. (its not that I'm against, I'm just not an enthusiast. I have 7 though).
What I enjoy is the hard work. I enjoy seeing a sun rise from a mt peak, or duck boat that nobody else is going to see from their bed. I enjoy watching those bucks fight out in the back country where the average joe will never venture. I love the excitement of watching birds decoy in wing set on my decoys. Shooting everything really isn't anything other than proof of the experience for me (and food). I don't need proof... but I do enjoy the meat.
two weekends ago I spent 5 hours observing 14 mulies in the backcountry. I texted my buddy where I was, he came down and joined me and took a buck. I helped him clean it, quarter it, and pack it out. it was 8 hours of hard work, but it was 8 hours of hard work. I loved every minute of it and I never shot a thing.