Do you ever regret shooting a deer?

Question

You start thinking now I have to gut and drag it. Or you start thinking that you really don't like eating them that much. Or it seems so anti-climatic, like the hunt was more fun before you shoot the deer.

Lazy has nothing to do with it, It just seems like a letdown at times.

Answer 1

I have absolutely gone though what you are talking about. I enjoy the hunt and I get a thrill up until the trigger breaks and then... "Crap" . Venison chili is good and the salami is the best I have ever had, but the idea of eating a venison steak makes me shiver. I might take a friend out or my fiance' but if it is just me I would rather shoot squirrels.

And that is my advice. Go for small game. You get more shots it generally tastes better and the shots are more exciting. Plus there is no dragging.

You don't have to go deer hunting if you don't want to go. It is all about having fun. If you aren't having fun than quit... but keep your gun you might find you just needed a rest.

Answer 2

WWD gets my vote for best answer. I always feel a bit of regret when I go to a kill. I really hate it when I don't get a clean kill and wound them, which thankfully has only happened twice. I'm half way with you on this. I like venison once or twice a week but if I had my druthers I would go with a good rib eye. That's is why I don't hunt deer but every couple of years. And yes it is a pita to dress them and butcher them but I love looking in my freezer and seeing it full of meat when it's all done. And if you hate dragging them, you ought to try hunting somewhere where you can't drag them out and have to quarter them in the field and back pack them out to the truck a couple of miles away in the rain/snow, now that is a true hassle!

Answer 3

I would suggest you take up a different sport if it's simply the hunt you crave. The only way I would ever regret shooting a deer is if I got a poor hit on him that made him suffer, but my family depends heavily on the meat to feed us throughout the year. Not only do some people depend on the meat, it's a proven fact that if their populations aren't managed, they'll overpopulate and die from starvation and disease. There are, however, in my opinion, many other more respectable ways to acquire trophies. :-)

Answer 4

W W D gets my vote said with total respect for the animals!

On an other side heck yes that means I have to wait one more year to get back out and everyone that is a true hunter knows what this is!!
Fellowship,the time preparing stands and such,anticipation of the opener,the sounds while in stand.......!

Answer 5

If you're even close to feeling so lazy that you don't want to care for the animal you might harvest, you have no business going into the woods that day. We always teach the young hunters in our classes that the real work begins AFTER the animal is down. An ethical hunter should know this and be mentally prepared to do everything necessary to make sure the game they harvest is not wasted.

Answer 6

nope, Dont regret shooting that deer. The only thing I felt was recoil

Answer 7

I'm pregnant I don't have to gut or drag a thing. My husband does it for me :)

Answer 8

Every one, since 1960, and when I stop having that little tinge of regret, I'll stop hunting.

Answer 9

No its the ones that I didn't get a chance to harvest that I regret.*

Answer 10

no I think about the money I'll save during the winter months on meat