An Taín Hunting Outfitter
Well-Known Member
I was on a hunt yesterday with a good friend and went through 3 blizzards, seeing several deer and ending in a 3 mile hard drag through bogland up to our knees, snow drifts and thick forest. Friendships were forged yesterday not only between me and my buddy but having got an 8 Point Sika all down to my Bavarian Scenthound it was classed as an epic hunt.
So it got me thinking.....
When we think of the native tribes of Amur, Americas, Nepal and PNG we know all about the international respect for their right to hunt. The world would never deprive them off that right, in fact this right could be considered sacred.
I honestly believe that as Natives of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales we have that same right. I know that we do and that this is called an FAC (closed/open ticket) but I mean greater than that. I mean in a way which we have an international recognition to hunting which is as sacred to us as it is many Native American tribes. I would also like to elaborate by bringing a twist to this post which I ask anyone replying to it to answer respectfully, even if they don't agree.
How many users on this 'connect' with nature during a hunt?
During the hunt yesterday we pushed on through adverse weather conditions and both the body and mind reached a rare level of fatigue. We stopped when the sun came out resting under a hawthorn tree beside a mountain stream and whispering to eachother over a cup of tea agreed that we would keep going. During a moments silence we didn't realise at the time that each of us was praying to nature asking for a successful hunt. We only found this out when we were driving home.
I honestly believe that having got refuelled and being silent we were letting nature accept our presence around us. The Bullfinches lighted above us into the tree after we sat there for 15mins, the ravens landed beside us and 2 red squirrels climbed along the bow over our heads chattering away. We were reconnecting with nature.
When we got up and walked along the forest edge we felt different. I don't mean just recharged. The feeling was different. As though we knew we were going to be successful. It was like we were now waiting for nature to present a deer as an offering and we would have that window of opportunity which would mean success or not. As we walked into a small covey of 4 massive Scots pines Sika hinds started calling from in the forest where the dog was working slowly. From about 120m away a huge 8 point Sika stag stalked out of the forest, head held high with the darkest mane against the grass and pine backdrop. We had reconnected with nature, we had stopped amidst the pines before the hinds called sensing deer and nature offered us a stag. Our minds had completely tuned in as predators and in a sacred way as natives of the land we were hunting.
The shot placement was perfect. A heart shot which dropped the stag immediately, which says it all as Sika are as tough as they get.
When we got to the stag and checked he was gone we immediately plucked heather and placing it in his mouth knelt over him in reverence, thanking him and nature for offering him to us.
Every piece of him will be used:
Blood collected and hoofs to be used for future tracking training
Hide being cured
Brain being used for tanning solution
Head and antlers being prepared for the wall
Fur for flytying - sedgehogs to catch monster browns next summer
liver and kidneys straight into ziplock bags for the hunters first meal
Intestines being kept for sausages but all other offal offered to the dog and nature on-site
Bones and scrap meat for the dog
All other meat to be given to family for Christmas
We collected Rowan and the last remaining bilberries on the way back to make jelly for the venison. The same berry ate by this majestic stag.
So what I am just trying to say is are there anyone on here who believe a deer is more than just a random hunt. Are there stalkers here who honour the spiritual side of hunting, can share a similar experience in connecting with nature which led to success and who place the last meal in the deer's mouth honouring him before the gralloch?
This is him below. He was the king of that wood and is so special I would like to share him with you all.
Respect.
So it got me thinking.....
When we think of the native tribes of Amur, Americas, Nepal and PNG we know all about the international respect for their right to hunt. The world would never deprive them off that right, in fact this right could be considered sacred.
I honestly believe that as Natives of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales we have that same right. I know that we do and that this is called an FAC (closed/open ticket) but I mean greater than that. I mean in a way which we have an international recognition to hunting which is as sacred to us as it is many Native American tribes. I would also like to elaborate by bringing a twist to this post which I ask anyone replying to it to answer respectfully, even if they don't agree.
How many users on this 'connect' with nature during a hunt?
During the hunt yesterday we pushed on through adverse weather conditions and both the body and mind reached a rare level of fatigue. We stopped when the sun came out resting under a hawthorn tree beside a mountain stream and whispering to eachother over a cup of tea agreed that we would keep going. During a moments silence we didn't realise at the time that each of us was praying to nature asking for a successful hunt. We only found this out when we were driving home.
I honestly believe that having got refuelled and being silent we were letting nature accept our presence around us. The Bullfinches lighted above us into the tree after we sat there for 15mins, the ravens landed beside us and 2 red squirrels climbed along the bow over our heads chattering away. We were reconnecting with nature.
When we got up and walked along the forest edge we felt different. I don't mean just recharged. The feeling was different. As though we knew we were going to be successful. It was like we were now waiting for nature to present a deer as an offering and we would have that window of opportunity which would mean success or not. As we walked into a small covey of 4 massive Scots pines Sika hinds started calling from in the forest where the dog was working slowly. From about 120m away a huge 8 point Sika stag stalked out of the forest, head held high with the darkest mane against the grass and pine backdrop. We had reconnected with nature, we had stopped amidst the pines before the hinds called sensing deer and nature offered us a stag. Our minds had completely tuned in as predators and in a sacred way as natives of the land we were hunting.
The shot placement was perfect. A heart shot which dropped the stag immediately, which says it all as Sika are as tough as they get.
When we got to the stag and checked he was gone we immediately plucked heather and placing it in his mouth knelt over him in reverence, thanking him and nature for offering him to us.
Every piece of him will be used:
Blood collected and hoofs to be used for future tracking training
Hide being cured
Brain being used for tanning solution
Head and antlers being prepared for the wall
Fur for flytying - sedgehogs to catch monster browns next summer
liver and kidneys straight into ziplock bags for the hunters first meal
Intestines being kept for sausages but all other offal offered to the dog and nature on-site
Bones and scrap meat for the dog
All other meat to be given to family for Christmas
We collected Rowan and the last remaining bilberries on the way back to make jelly for the venison. The same berry ate by this majestic stag.
So what I am just trying to say is are there anyone on here who believe a deer is more than just a random hunt. Are there stalkers here who honour the spiritual side of hunting, can share a similar experience in connecting with nature which led to success and who place the last meal in the deer's mouth honouring him before the gralloch?
This is him below. He was the king of that wood and is so special I would like to share him with you all.
Respect.
