You may live in Alaska...

[blueldr]

I think that the "Buffalo Hunts" operated by the territorial fish and game guys when I was in Alaska were for the sole purpose of culling the herd. I don't remember how much the tag cost but they weren't cheap. They definately had only certain animals that you could shoot, and you were with the feds all the time.
There was certainly no sport involved at all. Mostly it was a matter of trophy and meat. I was familiar with only the Big Delta herd. I have no idea how it was done down in the Copper River country.

[mit]

I used to "hunt" because it made me feel like I was getting back-to-nature and doing something holier than going to the store and bying meat in plastic-wrap that used to be cooped up in a pen with no life at all and fed like a goose being raised for pate'. I felt like I was being "real" and "natural", etc..

Then I moved to the country and watched city-slickers come out in big pickups with Busses (they called 'em "RVs") 4-wheelers, high-powered scope-rifles, and bags of corn for automatic deer-feeders, dressed themselves in camouflaged coveralls and face-paint while they ate at the local diner, then drove out to hide in elevated deer-stands where the tame deer were eating their corn, took aim and blasted 'em. They'd then retire to the "camp" and drink whiskey and blare loud "music", and next day they'd haul the carcass to the butcher for processing. They called that "hunting".

Their "hunting" skills are about the same as, and they'd get better meat, shooting cattle over a feed-trough, and they'd be doing the captive-bovines a favor by putting them out of their imprisoned-misery.

My neighboring ranchers and I wish they'd stay in town and buy their meat at the grocer and leave us and the wildlife alone, ...or they'd take some pride and learn to stalk animals in their own environment with no more equipment than a true hunter might use, like a bow or a non-scoped long-gun (preferably something he'd made himself) and see how they fare against God's real life.

Ok so that isn't how I do it!

[wingnut]

I took mit's post as he hunts for food also.
And how do you hunt a chevron? We see them along the road every few miles up here. I believe if you shot at a Chevron (gas station) in Eagle River, someone would return fire.
Dwayne
PS What is a chevron in your area?

Chevon, not ChevRon. Chevon is to goat, what beef is to cattle, what pork is to hog etc. It is meat of a goat

edit to add this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goat_meat

[wingnut]

We should have went to politics or religion. What is the difference between window shopping and poaching?

Not a thing, unless the "hunter" has a license, and during open season with proper weapon. One of us is misunderstanding the other. I don't do it, and people that do disgust me. These are the same type people that George describes in his earlier post. I was only comparing the Alaska "buffalo hunt" described by blueldr (I think it was blueldr), to what seems to me, a very similar method of "hunting" that happens in my part of the world a half century later.
I have one more rant, then we can move on to politics or religion; something that chaps my azz more than road hunters, are the hunters who think it's okay to trespass when their "deer dogs" run deer on or through private property "because the dogs can't read, and we have to get'em back". I had a guy drive up my driveway (a mile from public road), tracking his dog, which was wearing a tracking collar and the guy had this huge antenna base in back of his truck. Acted like he owned the place. After telling him he was on private property (he crossed 2 cattle gaurds and went thru a bump gate to get were he was), he said "I know, but I'm lookin fer my dawg", as if that's a license to trespass. What happened next probably wasn't really legal, but he left and hasn't been back. Most trespassers are polite, and apologize.

[runerider]

We are on the same page. I spend 6 months out of the year putting up with wacka doodle californians in snoby wine country with their views on gun ownership and hunting and liberal views in general. The other half is on the ranch in west central Idaho. I guess I'm spring loaded to the what I perceive as anti hunting, anti gun. Now on to controlled hunts if the state does it it usually is to thin the herd for environmental reason private land owner hunts for the dollar then herd management. I'm not saying it is right or wrong, it's just not for me. Have a good holiday season.

[hilltop170]

Since we're straying into politics anyway, and since guns play a big part in being a true Alaskan, I think any person who is anti-gun has a right to have that opinion and should be proud to display it. But, at the same time, they should not be able to hide behind those who own guns. All anti-gun people should be required to plainly post a sign on their dwellings and vehicles that state no firearms are on the premises or in the vehicle. That way, they are making their point, taking responsibility for their position on the matter, and not hiding behind gun owners. I might have some respect for them at that point.

[blueldr]

At one time I had a small sign on my front porch that read "This Home Protected with Firearms By A Knowledgeable Marksman".
My neighbor wanted to know why I put a sign like that on my house. I told him that it would might send a burgler to his house instead.
That tended to cool our relationship quite promptly. He was a school teacher and was strongly anti gun.
My late wife made me take it down when she found how upset it made his wife.

[db99577]

Chevon, not ChevRon...

Thanks. Another learning day.
Sometimes I read and assume I know.
Goat is good. I lived in Houma for a year and learned all about the benfits of Nutria. I could not then, and positive I could not now, choke it down.

[GAHorn]

In France, the young lover whispers in his lovers ear "Ahh..mi Cheri..."

...Chevon, not ChevRon. Chevon is ... a goat.....

In Arkansas.... it sounds much better when that's the word whispered in her ear.....

[wingnut]

The wind is blowing hard somewhere. Talk about thread drift. It's drifting deep now . We (my family) call it simply "goat meat". But when you're raising them for sale, and in the "goat circles", people prefer the french term. We also call venison "deer meat", and our beef is called by it's living pet name (what we named them before we hauled them to process). Chicken is "yard bird", and armadillo, possum, and coon are all "road kill" (unless we named them before we butchered them)

[cessna170bdriver]

armadillo = possum on the half-shell

[AR Dave]

I hunt for the love of hunting! I’m a Sport Hunter, was even a Licensed Alaskan Big Game Guide. I’ve absolutely loved hunting my entire life. I remember getting up before daylight, tagging along with my dad, when I was 6 yrs old. I might not have done very well harvesting a deer with my BB gun, but it didn’t matter to me. I was hunting and with my dad. Yeah I’m into managing wildlife, conservation, and all, but the real reason I hunt is - I freaking love it. I’m a Trophy Hunter! I’m always looking for a world record buck, in the past it’s been record Ram’s, Billie’s, Brownies, Blackies, and Black Tails. My Man Cave is decorated with Antlers, Horns, & Hides!

I hunt for tradition, the experience, as well as food. My fondest memories are from hunting with my dad and hunting with my son & daughters. Lately I think of my dad every time I walk through the woods, holding limbs from snapping back until my son gets close enough, just like my dad did when I walked in his tracks. I lost my dad August 15th… He wanted to go duck hunting with me this year – I harvested 12 last Saturday & Sunday. Got a descent buck on Friday. My son and I are going to make duck hunting memories when I get home from the Slope. I’m hunting for a trophy duck – ones with tags on them. I’m stringing the tags on a lanyard. Going to be a great Christmas – yes that’s right CHRISTMAS! Hay is in the barn, Firewood is stacked, and Meat is in the freezer. Oh and the Christmas TREE is already up and decorated.

I’m proud and feel so blessed that my dad passed down our families hunting tradition!

[AR Dave]

Copy of dad-3.jpg

[170C]

Well said Dave

[Kyle Wolfe]

Dang, I've missed out on a bunch while out in Montana pheasant hunting!!!!

I too (and my wife) do enjoy hunting. We enjoy the mental and physical journey. We also enjoy just being a kid and exploring and looking to see what's over the next hill. It's an adventure. We hunt for sport and we hunt for food. But mostly I hunt for the enjoyment and memories.....

I view hunting as being simliar to religion or politics. You've got your right to your views and opinions. It doesn't matter to me if you're for or against. I'll listen to your points and ask the same courtesy of you. I don't expect you to force your opinion on me nor will I on you.

I do work hard to do things (in this case hunting) via what I believe to be the proper way. I process all the game myself and use it all.

Last week I met an elderly gentelman who granted us permission to hunt his land. All he asked was a donation to the local community club. After hunting we stopped by and provided him with said donation as he asked. It didn't matter what we saw or shot. His word was true and I trust that our actions were as well.

What I really like about hunting is that it's one of the few things in life where a person is not judged or viewed or scored by anyone else. No line judge to call a fault - no referee to throw a flag. What happened was due to my actions and mine alone to only be judged by me - and the Almighty.

Anyway, enough ranting...thanks Dave for your post...I too think of my Dad and what he bestowed on me...gotta go...Becky's got some elk wellington ready..