Braxton Taylor
Hunters play a vital role in the success of wild game animals. As a byproduct, other species and habitats benefit from the North American model of conservation. Years of hard data and research point to this (see the wild turkey as a prominent example). Hunting and conservation efforts provide an (relative) abundance of wild game animals, so in that regard, hunting just makes sense.
However, when it comes to hunting, there are plenty of inconsistencies that hunters are happy to live with or downright ignore. As a man of spiritual convictions, I’ve learned to accept contradictions and realities that lie beyond my pay grade. The key isn’t denial but acceptance, and this applies to hunting, too. Here are a few of those contradictions hunters tend to ignore.
Killing Animals We Love
Even if no one has shamed you for hunting and killing animals that you “love,” it’s a contradiction that every hunter should consider. I’m sure most have. There’s no denying the role of hunting in conservation. Let’s be honest, though most of us didn’t get into hunting to boost conservation efforts. Conservation aside, hunting is exhilarating, rewarding, and just plain fun.
Our “need” to hunt deer, elk, wild turkeys, or any other game doesn’t stem from food insecurity. Most folks, even those who live solely on wild game, do so for personal choice, not necessity. If most of us are honest, we love hunting and killing these wild animals. I know I do, and more of those animals means more opportunities to hunt them. Even if you chafe against that statement, there’s no getting around it. We can spiritualize or justify it as much as we want, but it’s the truth.
I’ll keep using turkeys as an example because they’re my favorite wild game animal to chase, but I would still hunt them even if I couldn’t eat them. I’m not sure what that says about me, but it’s true. I’m fascinated by wild turkeys. Calling a longbeard to the end of a shotgun barrel is one of the most rewarding hunts you can experience. Of course, I’m concerned about their declining numbers in certain regions across the states, but I also recognize that a lot of that concern is tied to my ability/opportunity to hunt them, not their overall well-being.
Ethically, I’m not sure how that sentiment sits. Logistically, it’s worked for conservation efforts over the past century. I don’t think it’s problematic for hunting or hunters, but it does pose a question worth considering—one we shouldn’t ignore.
Spending a Ton of Money to Harvest “Free” Food
If you still believe you’re saving money by grocery shopping in the great outdoors, your budget probably needs some help. Sure, there aren’t any fees you have to pay when you drag a buck out of the woods, but I guarantee it’s more expensive than going to Costco.
For instance, let’s consider what harvesting a single deer actually costs. For the sake of time, we’ll use general and budget-friendly estimates. These costs assume that you’re a rifle hunter who doesn’t need to buy any new hunting gear. Oh, and you send your meat to the processor:
Resident Hunting License and Fees: $50
Tank of Gas: $60
Box of Ammo: $30
Food/Coffee/Snacks: $20
Local Processor: $200
Assuming that a hunter tags out on their first hunt, you’re looking at around $350 for a single deer. Obviously, the number of times you return from an unsuccessful hunt increases your gas costs, as well as the distance and vehicle you drive. Missing a deer also increases the amount you’ll have to spend on ammo. All that “free” meat could easily run you $500 for a single deer.
For bowhunters, that cost could easily double when you consider arrows, broadheads, general bow maintenance, etc. If you’re a bowhunter who swaps setups more frequently than some people swap contact lenses, don’t bother doing the math. It’s an insurmountable hole.
These costs don’t really matter when you consider that hunting is a hobby (not a grocery bill) for most people. As I mentioned earlier, most hunters don’t need to hunt for food. So, stop convincing yourself (or your spouse) that it saves you money.
Escaping to Nature, Only to Look at Your Phone
Most hunters want to unplug in the woods. For better or worse, cell phones and even hunting tech have made that prospect a tough feat. While I make it a point not to scroll on my phone when I’m in the woods, I’ve spent a lot of time outdoors on onX. You know, when you look at your screen for so long, your eyes have to adjust when you finally look up. It certainly helps to know where you are (or where you’re going). On the other side of the tech-spectrum, doom scrolling on social media defeats the purpose of hunting and robs you of its best secondary benefits.
I’ve hunted with friends and relatives who gravitate to their phones when the action slows. I try not to have pet peeves (that’s not true), but this one definitely checks the box. The worst part is, I don’t think most people realize that they do this subconsciously. Whether a turkey quits gobbling or the deer haven’t shown, most people fill that silence with their phones.
Whether you realize it or not, you miss out on a ton when you glue your face to your screen. In the deer stand, you might miss a buck slipping through the woods or even have one sneak up on you. Even more than that, you neglect to develop any woodsmanship you might pick up through subtle cues like a squirrel barking, flushed birds, or turkeys scratching in the leaves. Instead of getting away to scroll, stash your phone deep in your hunting backpack and pretend you want to be there. Now there’s a contradiction.
Read the full article here