Last Rites---Your Rituals

[schnarrgj]

Yes I do give thanks when I take a deer. First when I get to the animal, I thank it for giving its life for me and my family. Then I thank God for the grace he shown me by giving me the all the things that allow me to hunt. Yes I made the shot, but God gave me the ability and opportunity to hunt.

 

[Big Bill]

I don't laugh out loud and do high fives with my buddies and the camera crew.

 

[Peakbagger46]

As I walk up slowly to the animal everything seems sharper and more acute. Bending down, I touch the hide, give thanks to the Big Chief, and sometimes say a few words to the deer. Then its off to the real ritual, giving the respect to the creature to gut it quickly, get it out of the woods, and keep the meat cool. Butchering and packaging is done carefully to avoid waste.

 

[Sevenfaces]

I haven't been hunting in a while, but I always am thankful for the food I now have. I always try to immediately kill the animal with minimal suffering, and will not hesitate to "finish off" a wounded animal still alive, shock or no shock, suffering is still suffering. I also in the case of deer will keep the heart, and consume it. (I have only ever hunted hogs and deer.)

 

[stevelyn]

No rituals, but I learned that the Athabascans believe that the animals we kill give themselves over to us as food so that we may live. I've come to kinda think in that manner too and I guess it makes a difference on how I approach hunting these days especially when I'm out with them.

 

[THe Dove]

Alot depends on the weather! If I'm cold and hungry I pretty much say to myself "eggzelent",,,,, now lets get this @#$%^&* back to the camp and get on with it. If it's nice weather, early morning and I'm feeling good, I usually re-live the approach and shot in my brain before I ease down from the stand to see if I got the buck or not! This is just for deer. For small game I simply pick it up and tote it home for cooking.

The Dove

 

[Pony Express]

Not a ritual really, I just sit and let the adrenaline run out and reflect on the shot and then pack up and take my catch home. Usually that night I thank God for a great day, and a successful hunt.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

Speaking of letting the adrenaline run out of your body, this is a good time to make sure you have unloaded your gun or at least put the safety back on if you are unsure if the animal is dead. Its essential to remind any youngsters that are with you at this point as well. They will be all excited over the hunt, and thats when accidents happen.

 

[Robert Wilson]

"First when I get to the animal, I thank it for giving its life for me and my family."

"...the Athabascans believe that the animals we kill give themselves over to us as food so that we may live."

Guess I may be lacking in imagination but I'll bet if the animal had a choice he would happily let you starve.

 

[Sevenfaces]

"First when I get to the animal, I thank it for giving its life for me and my family."

"...the Athabascans believe that the animals we kill give themselves over to us as food so that we may live."

Guess I may be lacking in imagination but I'll bet if the animal had a choice he would happily let you starve.

Sure, the animal doesn't just walk up to you and put your barrel in its mouth, but the bottom line is the animal sacrificed itself life so you can sustain yours. That is, to me, a reason to be grateful.

 

[1911 guy]

I begin each hunt with the thought that I and those I am hunting with should stay safe.

I plan for and am grateful for success when (or if) it comes.

I work as hard getting the meat cleaned up and out of the woods as I did getting it on the ground.

I end each hunt with thanks for the good times and success.

Call 'em thoughts, call 'em prayers, whatever floats your boat.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Say thanks and make sure it's a clean death.
I hate to make an animal suffer, better me be a little bloody than it suffer, and I prefer to hang and bleed quickly.

 

[hboy35]

I pray

After every deer I have ever killed, I offer up a prayer of thanksgiving. Because I have a personal relationship with Christ, is only natural to recognize where the blessing has come from. The way I see it, If I didn't, it would be like a friend giving me a new pocketknife or something great, and just taking the gift and walking away without saying "thanks" or anything.