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Hunting is freedom.... When I am in the woods, I am free from all of my responsibilities, if only for a few hours, or perhaps for a few days.. I enjoy all of the experience...I do a lot of birdwatching.. When I'm hunting deer or turkeys I enjoy the squirrels and other critters... I enjoy not having to interact with other people.. Being in the woods alone can be very theraputic... I have never been a trophy hunter, but I am quite selective... I don't shoot jakes, I don't shoot fawns.. When duck hunting I try to pick out the drakes.. I could care less about trophies at this stage in my life.. I don't feel I need game meat, but all of my adult life I have had 2 or 3 deer a year plus a few dozen squirrels and rabbits and a few game birds, and I would truly miss it if I could no longer have it.. I also eat a lot of fish that I catch, and I would miss that also..

So far, I guess most of the replies play some part in my enjoyment of hunting, but for me there are some other elements that have made hunting a huge part of my life. There is a huge traditional aspect that hooks into history and our American culture (yes, we Americans do have a culture). I generally feel a bit of a link to all that, and actually it was some books about mountain men and early pioneers and their hunting activities that first interested me in hunting, fishing, trapping and all things that involve nature. Yeah, it sounds a bit hokey, but when I am out hunting, there is always those thoughts of ancestors basically doing the same thing, perhaps for different reasons, but it is a cultural thing that we all share with early Americans and even their predecessors. Also, I have to believe that there is a connection with our basic place in the food chain and ecosystem as a predator. We may not want to call ourselves predators, but the truth is that we as a species have always taken on the role and existance of a predator, and it may very well be a more basic genetic reason for our attraction to hunting. Quite possibly it is built into our DNA. Perhaps it is more natural and honest to acknowledge that link than those that try to bury it and pretend that we have evolved beyond such things. Also, there is some element of independance built into the activity. Anything that demonstrates an ability to fend for ourselves as individuals has some kind of appeal for me. It's like gardening. I wouldn't starve if I didn't put in a garden, and I wouldn't starve if I didn't hunt. But the fact that I can provide for myself to one extent or another does add a feeling of self-reliance. The honing of these kinds of survival skills does help establish some level of independance. So perhaps there are some more deeper reasons why we hunt than just hanging out in the woods. maybe it's also a lot of stuff about how we are built and designed.

who would want to smell any of those. I wouldn't even buy one as a gag gift. haha

You're assuming she'll miss you those 2 xtra weeks...........?? LOL

Well after a little more research I finally settled on the summit bushmaster from cabelas. Just a few pounds more than the openshot but more room. Will let you know how it works when I get it.

I have shot deer in July - August with Crop Damage Permits and never had a problem . If it was really hot , I just stopped and bought a bag of ice to put in the cavity .

I love being out in the fall woods. The smells and sounds excite me. The expectation of seeing a deer fills me with nervous anticipation. Taking a deer is a heart pounding thrill with out compare. I enjoy sharing my sucess and failures with my family and friends and hearing of theirs. I enjoy the serenity of just sitting in the tree stand. It is the simple enjoyment of life that keeps me coming back.

My answer would be none of the above... hunting is all about experiencing the outdoors and the glory of nature... killing a deer is simply a bonus for me... I would still hunt if I never killed a deer... it wasn't always that way maybe, but my appreciation for all the things God has given me has given me a new perspective on how lucky I am to be able to experience all the great things that the outdoors has to offer. I can't imagine life without it.

Commoon sense and government = oxymoron

Since 1991 I have been the only hunter in my party to get a buck where we hunt. 9pt 2000 165lb, 8pt 2010 207lb. Lost count of all the Doe, spikes and 4 pt or less I have passed on over the years mainly in the catskills and southern zones. I always like hearing about people who keep at it, especially when the chips are down. Seeing other hunters take deer and not getting anything themselves can be depressing... Funny how my hunting partners always ask me questions on certian issues, one in particular. My friend Greg asked me (sarcasticly) "How come you always get into deer", Not killing yet the ability to get onto the path of a buck. I explain the fact that I read many books and aply that to my hunting skill set along with many years of experence. Plus the luck factor... Not all of it is always good... With one week in the ADK as our prime time in the woods, more often that not this is the only week the entire hunting party with the exception of my self and may be one other hunter do for the year. I explain this hunting in the area we go is remote and has very few deer in it, I feel lucky I have taken 2 over a 20 plus year period and if anyone was realy interested in taking a deer we need to explore another area. Some of these guys have access to other area's to hunt yet they do not take advantage of it. Being a Deer hunting addict, I just can not comprehend this and feel no remorse for they are not REALY into hunting like I am... Other than that, hunting is what you make of it. Do I like going home empy handed most of the time, NO. Yet I would not sacrafice a single day in the woods with out a deer for any easy kill with any deer. Hunting is a passion for me, killing is just a means to the end that I will not sacrafice on just any deer. Observing deer behavior is another passion for I feel it gives better insight to my prey. While I do not get to see deer as often as I would like, when I do I make the most out of it and usually killing the deer, even though that is why I am hunting, is the least of my concerns, UNLESS IT"S A MATURE BUCK!!!! IF that is the case my observations changes in an instant to the instincts of a hunter... I often make the statement to non-hunters,"If hunting was all about Killing, I would have quite a long time ago!" Counting down the days till September when I can hunt with last years tag in the Northern Zone early bow! Arg 4 months!!!

Had a buddy that worked for the company that supplied us with our meat at work. He lived and breathed hunting and i never saw him without some camo on. During the season it almost got to the point where i would be reluctant to share my hunting success with him because he had been at it for 20 + yrs, bow and gun, without having any harvest. Couple years back he went out to his favorite spot but as dark came, he never returned home. The family went out with some lights and there they found him. Sitting under a big oak tree, gun still in his hands and layed across his lap. He had passed away, just a young guy in his 40's, of heart complications. I often find myself thinking of him during the season when things are slow and in my thoughts i always picture him under that tree. I smile when i wonder if a booner stepped into view just before his heart gave out. RIP Bob..