Why did I do it?

[Oldgringo]

The past couple of days, I've been braving our nippy weather and taking a few target shots off of the patio with different frauleins.  This morning, I had my 50S out when a squirrel perched on a limb at the corner of the yard (25 yards) to see what was going on.  For whatever reason, I shot the squirrel.  Now, I wish I hadn't, the squirrel was not hurting anything and I'm not gonna' eat it.  I used to love to hunt, I reckon I've become too old/soft to want to kill anything that doesn't need killing?   

[56S]

First of all they are called TREE RATS.

[Tomcat]

I used to love to hunt, I reckon I've become too old/soft to want to kill anything that doesn't need killing?   

I understand what you are saying.  I used to love being in the woods in the fall hunting squirrels and rabbits in the fields.  Now, I don't want to shoot anything other than paper or steel.  Comes with age, I guess.

[bustachip]

the squirrel was not hurting anything and I'm not gonna' eat it.

OldGringo, I'm the same way.....When I was young and "more stupid" than now, I would shoot anything that was moving...LOL. I also would eat it though....nothing wrong with hunting, as long as you eat what you take and even make use of the hides and what not.

But as we get older and mature, I think we learn to appreciate life for what it is, and how fragile it is, here today gone tomorrow. We learn that everything and everyone is just trying to survive day to day.

But don't get me wrong...LOL, if I need food to survive...gonna be some "dead" critters coming to my house.
That's all I have to say about that.....

Regards, Thomas M. 

 

[SpiralGroove]

Yeah Oldgringo,
If you don't need the food anymore and they're not bothering ya ......... comes down to senseless Killing.
In my Youth, I did it a few thousand times or more ............ .  Finally got my belly full.............
Kirk
 

[larspawn]

I am the same. I will shoot chippers tho. I show no mercy after having to rebuild a retaining wall they destroyed this summer. If it makes you feel better leave it there and some animal will take care of it so there is no waste.

[Hoosier Daddy]

"Live and let live".

I was instilled at a very early age, if the is no immediate harm and your not gonna eat it, let it go.
Still abide by this today.

now... I eat an assortment of critters.

[GumpIsrael]

I understand, I went through a "kill everything" phase. At some point I realized that I was wasting life for no reason. Now I only kill if the animal is injured, threatening a garden, trying to get into an attic, etc... If I can't eat it I'll throw it into the woods for other animals to get at.

If it makes you feel better, Oldgringo, over 30,000 house fires are caused by squirrels alone every year; you may have saved a life by taking one.

[Whirligig]

I used to shoot red squirrels, partly because my grandfather hated them and was impressed that I could take them down with my .177 caliber Webley Vulcan II at significant distances.

After a while, I found that I did not feel good after killing them, but I still shot them, because I received approval for each kill.

Sometime later, I had a dream where I was repeatedly shooting a rabbit, but it did not die, it just kept hurting more as I shot it. I woke up, and never killed another animal with a firearm or airgun again.

I'm not saying that hunting is wrong. In fact, I think hunting for food is infinitely better and more humane than the meat industry. Taking a deer for the Winter is fine, as far as I'm concerned.

However, I realized that I don't enjoy shooting and killing animals. It hurt me to even think about it.

So, to each his/her own beliefs, needs, and conscience. I don't consider myself to be the arbiter of what is right and wrong, but I doubt that I will ever shoot a living being ever again.

-Whirligig

[north country gal]

Greg, I feel your pain. I used to live to hunt in my younger years and loved everything about hunting right down to the shot, everything but the killing, even though we ate every thing I shot and nothing ever went to waste. What's more, I totally support ethical sport hunting and I always will. I think hunting is an essential part of who we are as a species and I'm still proud of the hunting skills I mastered. In the end, though, I decided that if the killing bothered me that much, then it was wrong for me, personally - not wrong for someone else, just me. Going on twenty years, now, since I've shot anything but paper and metal targets. I'm sure you feel bad about that squirrel, but just put it behind you and move on. Hang in, there.

[Oldgringo]

Greg, I feel your pain. I used to live to hunt in my younger years and loved everything about hunting right down to the shot, everything but the killing, even though we ate every thing I shot and nothing ever went to waste. What's more, I totally support ethical sport hunting and I always will. I think hunting is an essential part of who we are as a species and I'm still proud of the hunting skills I mastered. In the end, though, I decided that if the killing bothered me that much, then it was wrong for me, personally - not wrong for someone else, just me. Going on twenty years, now, since I've shot anything but paper and metal targets. I'm sure you feel bad about that squirrel, but just put it behind you and move on. Hang in, there.

Thanks Joanie,

I'm not gonna' shoot myself or something.  I'm a little remorseful that I shot a defenseless animal that didn't need shooting for no reason.  Had it been an attack on me or mine by a tailless biped, there would be no remorse.

[rustysocket]

I completely understand how you feel.  While not recently,  I've had likely the same exact feelings for the same reasons.  Kind of a...  now why did I do that moment...   especially because at a certain point it's not even a challenge.  I think nobody will judge you over it though and certainly you have to find peace with yourself so don't be too hard on yourself.

This is a personal choice for me as I too grew up hunting and just don't enjoy the killing part of it....  but like another just stated I also fully support ethical Hunting for the same reasons.   If I were hungry,  I'd drop a deer in a heartbeat.   I also think that game is overmanaged and that people have a right to survive and should be allowed to hunt rather than go hungry with less restriction. 

[SpiralGroove]

Hey Greg,
I'm sure it was a clean kill, so the animal wasn't in any pain.  Let the remorse be your guide .

The last two things I shot were birds pecking on the side of my house & steel chimney when my daughter was about 2 months old.  A darn *bird* was pecking right behind my bed's, headboard .... when I wasn't getting any sleep.  The other was a *different bird* that was pecking our metal chimney around the same time period.  When you're not sleeping - you're insane!
Anyway, went outside (both cases) in my bath robe and blasted them with my Benjamin 342 and never looked back.............

I haven't wanted to pass that part of shooting to my Son. 

On the other hand, Pheasant Hunting was a completely joyous time spent with my Father.

I mentioned senseless killing because I still can't believe how long I was a participant .   

Mod edited by vigilandy: Just to keep within the rules.  I understand your pain Kirk.  Been there done that, look at the nice holes the 22 shotshell made in my wall,  but it was worth it. 

[uglymike]

A moment of weakness, just shows you're human.

[Grover]

A moment of weakness, just shows you're human.

Well put. 

[Yogi]

A moment of weakness, just shows you're human.

+1

[SpiralGroove]

Hey Greg,
I'm sure it was a clean kill, so the animal wasn't in any pain.  Let the remorse be your guide .

The last two things I shot were birds pecking on the side of my house & steel chimney when my daughter was about 2 months old.  A darn *bird* was pecking right behind my bed's, headboard .... when I wasn't getting any sleep.  The other was a *different bird* that was pecking our metal chimney around the same time period.  When you're not sleeping - you're insane!
Anyway, went outside (both cases) in my bath robe and blasted them with my Benjamin 342 and never looked back.............

I haven't wanted to pass that part of shooting to my Son. 

On the other hand, Pheasant Hunting was a completely joyous time spent with my Father.

I mentioned senseless killing because I still can't believe how long I was a participant .   

Mod edited by vigilandy: Just to keep within the rules.  I understand your pain Kirk.  Been there done that, look at the nice holes the 22 shotshell made in my wall,  but it was worth it.

Hey Andy,
Even though I was insane due to lack of sleep, I still had the wherewithal to pick off the *bird* from the side, so as to not hit the house . 
No matter what, you still have to remember not to shoot your house .

[Bicycleman]

To hunt, I say
     Go afield for a day.
Even though it may be harsh
     Hunt the endless marsh.
I don't hunt to live any more.
Now it's live to hunt even if I don't score.
I'll show my son
     And we'll have fun.
You must understand, we must stay in touch with the land.


In my mind, it is about the tradition.  I do enjoy the meals that I prepare from the things I harvest.  I thanks the One who gave the animals to me.  This may be the other side of the coin, but it is the way I feel.  And it is okay if you don't agree!

[Oldgringo]

To hunt, I say
     Go afield for a day.
Even though it may be harsh
     Hunt the endless marsh.
I don't hunt to live any more.
Now it's live to hunt even if I don't score.
I'll show my son
     And we'll have fun.
You must understand, we must stay in touch with the land.


In my mind, it is about the tradition.  I do enjoy the meals that I prepare from the things I harvest.  I thanks the One who gave the animals to me.  This may be the other side of the coin, but it is the way I feel.  And it is okay if you don't agree!

Ethical hunting is good for the species and the environment.  Enjoy!

[Bicycleman]

Thanks, Greg.  I am glad you see my side too.