'I just like killing things'
- Thread starter Woodsmoke
- Start date
In the same vein but slightly tenuous.
This is an observation not any form of criticism. Just probably the fact that I am living in the past.
For a while know I have been asking stalking / foxing acquaintances the following question.
Do you use a rifle to stalk or stalk to use a rifle.
Various responses mostly as you would expect but seems to be a number of rifle owners who come to stalking later as a leisure pursuit. The stalking of deer foxes etc is a means too an end. There seems to be more of an interest in the toys, ie rifles, optics, homeloads etc. You only have to look at the percentage of posts on the Stalking directory which relate to equipment, choice of calibre etc
They could have quite easily ended up playing golf, cycling or getting into photography
Seems to be less of an interest or iunderstanding in the biology, management , ecology of the species pursued.
Is DSC ijust a tick box exercise to acquire a firearm for some?
Are we too in danger of facing similar criticism as is levelled at driven game shooting?
This is an observation not any form of criticism. Just probably the fact that I am living in the past.
For a while know I have been asking stalking / foxing acquaintances the following question.
Do you use a rifle to stalk or stalk to use a rifle.
Various responses mostly as you would expect but seems to be a number of rifle owners who come to stalking later as a leisure pursuit. The stalking of deer foxes etc is a means too an end. There seems to be more of an interest in the toys, ie rifles, optics, homeloads etc. You only have to look at the percentage of posts on the Stalking directory which relate to equipment, choice of calibre etc
They could have quite easily ended up playing golf, cycling or getting into photography
Seems to be less of an interest or iunderstanding in the biology, management , ecology of the species pursued.
Is DSC ijust a tick box exercise to acquire a firearm for some?
Are we too in danger of facing similar criticism as is levelled at driven game shooting?
We all participate in country sports because we enjoy the experiences it brings, for some it’s in their blood others arrive for different reasons which matters not.
Looking at how society has and is changing we are in a minority, we participate in blood sports because we enjoy it, loud and proud, no amount of conservation work or love of the countryside will change peoples views who do not agree.
I for one am not ashamed of what I enjoy or my world, the rest may please themselves.
Looking at how society has and is changing we are in a minority, we participate in blood sports because we enjoy it, loud and proud, no amount of conservation work or love of the countryside will change peoples views who do not agree.
I for one am not ashamed of what I enjoy or my world, the rest may please themselves.
I think I agree with you, though one point I'd like to raise;We all participate in country sports because we enjoy the experiences it brings, for some it’s in their blood others arrive for different reasons which matters not.
Looking at how society has and is changing we are in a minority, we participate in blood sports because we enjoy it, loud and proud, no amount of conservation work or love of the countryside will change peoples views who do not agree.
I for one am not ashamed of what I enjoy or my world, the rest may please themselves.
Bloodsports are not all-encompassing of hunting and fishing - Hunting and fishing are not necessarily a bloodsport although some forms of hunting and fishing are such as coursing, fox hunting etc. I'm wary of lumping in deer stalking and rabbit hunting with badger baiting and cockfighting
Dunwaters
Well-Known Member
Not so, I love to hunt but I actively hate the killing part.
I’ve got used to it but I dont like it. My favourite hunt is birds over pointers, I don’t suppose I shoot or even shoot at more than 20% of the birds produced. Same with corvid, I don’t like to shoot them just because, I need a reason. Rats squirrels and rabbits? Not so big a deal, but I have to admit stalking them with the .22 is addictive.
Deer? I’m walking away from quite a few, the sport is over once I’ve had the chance of a shot, so unless its fairly handy or doing damage I’ll leave it thanks.
I must be getting soft, time was I’d shoot any damn thing just on general principles, but not now.
Dunwaters
Well-Known Member
Hmmmm, we’ll have to agree to differ, hunting and fishing are most definitely “blood sports”, both are bowdlerised, fishing by the put and take ethic and hunting by the ban, but both are still firmly in the blood sports category, if they’re not then theres no justification for either, they both descend into excuses for ill treating animals.
Must admit no interest in shooting deer now unless for reasons of control or shooting any game, Do miss the places at times where carried out.
Badger baiting and cock fighting carries prison sentence deer stalking and rabbit hunting does not, do not get involved and report to the police dealing with wildlife crime jmikeyh.
Exactly
Have to disagree with you there. I don't enjoy killing deer, but I like the venison and can't get one without the other. Nothing complicated about that.
I also would rather I shot it than some other asshole who just enjoys blowing holes in things with no concept of humane killing. That's not a majority, but there are plenty around, you just have to watch youtube. Some young prick that shot a fallow at 500 yards with a 243 comes to mind. He seemed to think that a buck thrashing around on its back was a good kill, certainly amused him.
If that passes for enjoyment, count me out.
Exactly this.
I shoot deer because their numbers need to be controlled and they are the raw material for venison, but if I never had to squeeze the trigger and kill a deer again I'd not lose any sleep over it. Personally I'd far rather guide someone else onto deer, or shoot them with a camera and not a rifle.
There's no "mental gymnastics" involved at all.
Then again I have taken out people who are killers - they just enjoy killing things. Once the animal is dead they lose all interest in it and just want to move onto the next one.
Fortunately the world of deer stalking is large enough to accomodate all comers.
I completely agree.
foxdropper
Well-Known Member
For me the act of taking a life is the culmination of skill ,patience and no small amount of pride .The act itself is never thought about as being the reason I’m out .
Ill happily shoot multiple animals if on a cull with no thought to taking life . I’m also very well at home not taking life at all and just having an armed walk .
Ive met the killers in the game and one thing seemed to follow a pattern .They are kit merchants ,must have the latest gear but rarely if ever stay the distance of a lifelong passion for the outdoors and all it encompasses .These same folk have no idea what that bird is singing high in a tree on a stormy day nor the noise that catches my attention at night .
I guess every sport or way of life has these passers through whether it’s a year or ten ,something will lure them away when the novelty wears off and they’ve done everything .
I despise the instant hunters ,those who are only out to shoot deer and shun the knowledge lads like myself could pass on if only they’d listen .
The same folk that pull back from the gralloch and don’t want to take anything home at the end of a successful day .
My circle of friends is small because of this ,that and I’m an arrogant ….
Ill happily shoot multiple animals if on a cull with no thought to taking life . I’m also very well at home not taking life at all and just having an armed walk .
Ive met the killers in the game and one thing seemed to follow a pattern .They are kit merchants ,must have the latest gear but rarely if ever stay the distance of a lifelong passion for the outdoors and all it encompasses .These same folk have no idea what that bird is singing high in a tree on a stormy day nor the noise that catches my attention at night .
I guess every sport or way of life has these passers through whether it’s a year or ten ,something will lure them away when the novelty wears off and they’ve done everything .
I despise the instant hunters ,those who are only out to shoot deer and shun the knowledge lads like myself could pass on if only they’d listen .
The same folk that pull back from the gralloch and don’t want to take anything home at the end of a successful day .
My circle of friends is small because of this ,that and I’m an arrogant ….
Fair point, you also added a word to my vocabulary! I'll have to try and squeeze bowdlerised in somewhere
Credit to Thomas Bowdler (1754-1825)
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