Spend lots of time in the woods. Usually I'm the first person in come spring time and turn the lights out in the winter. Go deep in the woods were most people don't. Down those 2000 feet ravines, covered with thick bushes and downed trees. That is where you find most of the dead carcasses. The wasted animals. It does make me sick. But it is our responsibility to shame ourselves, within reason.
When someone tells you the stories of hunting large deer with lightweight calibers like 223 or 22-250, we should reply by saying that it is unethical to do so. A friend that has never really learned basic hunting skill, takes up handgun hunting with a 357 Magnum. We should tell them that they are over their heads. But we can't paint with a broad brush.
Some guys hunt deer that are the size of dogs and using a 223 is OK. I am a expert hunter, harvesting world class deer (250+) with a 357 Magnum is not difficult at all. Have a former member from my target shooting group that successfully hunted a javelina with a 9mm. He is a expert hunter and outstanding shooter. The common denominator in all these situations is shot placement, shot placement and more shot placement.
Yes, there are guns, cartridges and situations that simply will not work when hunting a particular game. And it is unethical to even try. We know exactly what I'm talking about. The long range pistol shot, the shot with the bow that you never practice for and the "neck shot" with the lightweight cartridge. The list goes on and on. But lets face reality here. Besides the harvest, we are in it for the sport.
That it, "Sport"! Whether it is the thrill of the chase or the kill. That's why we are all here. We like going into the woods, enjoy our surrounding, the environment and kill game. For some, me included, rifle hunting is boring and does not satisfy my appetite of the chase.
I want to get close in, see how they react when they pickup human scent for the first time. Then looking around, but see nothing. You watch them carefully, see how they move about the forest floor without even making a sound. You just sit back, relax and be cool, but can't. What has been in the works for months is coming down. Right now! you have lost sleep over this situation over and over again.
Slowly picking up your weapon and just wait. You can feel it coming, but you hear nothing. It is completely silent. He is getting closer, now inside 20 yards. You can see his face, his eyes. Those dark eyes! Trying not to look too deep, you change focus to his body. Stroking your finger on the trigger, you find your mark and fire. Bang!
One thing about the harvest of big game. The more you do it, the easier it gets. With that increasing ease, you search for more exciting methods. More difficulty. After all, it is only sport.
Robert
[This message has been edited by Robert the41MagFan (edited September 09, 2000).]
