So i went hunting with my dad today. Me being 19 and him being in his early 50's, we dont have many levels that we connect on, so hunting was always one of them. Normally when we see a deer while hunting, i'm a bit too slow to shoot it, which i dont really mind at all, because i'm not the biggest fan of taking lives away. So we were walking around the bush today for a few hours, and no signs of deer to be seen. So we sit down just over a little lip to watch a clearing. Me and my dad were whispering to each other, but he said a word a little to loudly, and we heard a crack up on the top of the ridge behind us (sorry, i dont think i'm explaining this area very well) anyway, i grab my gun and head up to the top, and take aim at one of the two deer that were there. Just before i could shoot, they moved. But then stopped up a bit behind a tree. I was as sure as i could be that i had a clear shot just behind the right shoulder, so i fired. The deer feel down then hopped up and ran away "wtf??" i thought. So me and my dad ran in the direction we thought the deer had ran, thinking it would bleed out and die soon, but there was no blood anywhere so we go back to where the deer fell, and dad follows a set of tracks that turned out to be from the other deer that was there. I was confused and followed another set of tracks that led nowhere, all while hoping and praying this deer wasn't bleeding out in agony somewhere. So anyway, its been like 15 minutes since i took my shot, and dad goes off to look somewhere else, when i notice a set of tracks just off from where the deer fell, thats barely noticeable. I follow it and get to a tiny bit of bush, i call "dad, dad" to get him to come follow the tracks, when the deer jumps out of the bush and runs about 10 meters and stops behind a tree. my dad yells "shoot it" from wherever the hell he was behind me, so i aim, and hit it clean it the neck. The deer goes down and my dad then finishes it and begins gutting and all that jazz that i dont really like. Now, my feelings arise from the fact that the first shot hit the deer in the back leg, and tore up a bit of its muscle (but didnt seem to hit a vein to cause blood loss.) I feel horrible that the deer had to sit there for that 15 minutes while we were looking for it. Scared, in pain and confused. I'm so happy that in the end, i was able to put him down because we were just getting ready to leave because we assumed the deer was okay, because of the no blood loss and no signs it was hit.Idk, i'm just so conflicted about this whole thing. What are your guys thoughts on this? P.s. this was the first deer I've ever killed
I would probably feel a little shitty after too from that, as i am also not a fan of doing those kinds of things but thats just life. Its kinda fucked up but i always feel way worse when its animals that get hurt or die than a human. Sent from Samsung Galaxy S4 Active
If you are using it for food ( which I am assuming you are ), just think that the deer had a way better life then any other animal that you would buy from the store. Most animals have a pretty harsh life before being taken to the slaughter house. That deer got to live its life out in the wild which is 100x better than what all of the others go through. I admit I would feel bad too, but at least you didn't intentionally cause any suffering.
No you shouldnt feel guilty, shooting it in the leg was accidental, you were trying to put it down cleanly. You obviously arent someone who enjoys hurting things and you made sure you found the deer and finished it off. Im sure it could have been a lot worse for your first time.. Only animal ive ever killed was mercy killing a half run over rabbit and that affected me for a while haha
Congrats on your first deer buddy! A foul shot happens to us all I'm afraid, best to wait if you have any doubt on whether you're going to get a clean shot.
Once I shot a lamb, went over to slit it's throat but my blade was fuckin dull man...blood everywhere Sent from Neptune
Where do you live where it's hunting season already? Our season doesn't come in till November. But it's great that you found it and killed it..I think it would have only been bad if you fucked it up for the rest of it's life. Just practice shooting more and make sure you are on target with your rifle so you can make a clean kill next time.
Deer season in South Carolina started at least my part on August 15th... Which means my metal detecting season is over.... Sent from my iPhone 5s using Grasscity Forum..grabba dabba goo
Hunt long enough and everyone has a story about a wounded animal, or a perfect lung shot where the animal landed unrecoverable, or something like that. The only thing you can do is spend more time at the range, know your firearms better, and only take calm, sure shots. I never understand meat eaters who are against hunting. A lot of it is misinformation, like people thinking you don't eat bears, or there's babies out there stranded. The truth is that wild animals are having the time of their life right up until it's lights out, and if you're calling them in they even think they're getting laid Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If everyone was forced to kill their own food we'd have a smaller world population, or lots of vegans. You provided food to your family. Guilt is a normal response to the taking of life, when mental illness is absent.
I wouldn't call it guilt, rather a proper understanding of the weight the situation has... Nothing to be guilty about when hunting. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
No need to feel really upset or guilty about it. In the end the animal had a quick death, which many people do not get the luxury of. Appreciate the sacrifice and honestly I'd talk to your dad about it. I'm sure he can tell you some of his stories.
I used to hunt a lot, but just recently I have been getting a conscience that I never had before. Not at the stage of hugging trees lol but just not sure if I will ever hunt again Sent from my SM-T210 using Grasscity Forum mobile app