Refreshing post on Outdoor blog

Ray Hammond · September 21, 2013, 10:32:00 PM

In the Presence of Death
Sep 19, 2013

In this day and age here's a guy who "gets it". I don't know who the author is- but I read it on F&S

One of the things I talked about on this season's Gun Nuts is an (apparently) common ritual on many of the TV hunting shows. When hunter and guide (or whoever) walk up on some poor dead beast the likes of which you and I will never see, and which they have killed inside of 26 minutes, they exchange High Fives and a hearty "Yay, Hah", like one of them just rode the late Bodacious for 8 seconds and lived to tell about it.
Now call me old, mean, and cranky, but I think this shows about the same attitude toward animals as the kids who think that meat comes from the supermarket wrapped in cellophane. It does not. It comes from an animal who spent its last moments alive bawling in terror in a slaughterhouse.
If you are one of the High Five set, a reminder: The animal at your feet over which you exchange hand slaps is not there voluntarily. It spent its last day on earth hoping at whatever level animals hope that it would live another day. Given a choice, it would not have given up its life to make you joyful.
Other, very diverse, hunting cultures do not slap hands and yodel. I've seen Bakwena tribesmen in Botswana throw a handful of sand on the hooves of a departed beast and murmur a prayer thanking it for the gift of its life. In Germany, at the end of a hunt, there is an elaborate torchlight ceremony in which the day's bag is laid out in rows, and honored en masse.
I have nothing against a handshake and a "Good shot," or something like that, but it should be tempered by the realization that being alive is something of a miracle and that death is the opposite of a miracle.
In other words, show a little respect.

BDann · September 21, 2013, 10:35:00 PM

Very well said!

Bud B. · September 21, 2013, 10:39:00 PM

That's how I feel and believe.

Thanks Ray.

September 21, 2013, 10:52:00 PM

I like that!

Bisch

straitera · September 21, 2013, 10:56:00 PM

Great minds...

I will not watch that kind of nonsense. IMHO, it's way disrespectful. And for the chosen few the likes of hunt celebrities to "smoke" one with such a great shot.., I have not seen it just yet. They hunt pick of the litter sites over whatever draw products are spread or grown. Maybe I'm just jealous, or old, or respectful, or whatever; but, I know of Indian respect for animal life they take to live by. Good enough for me.

Tsalt · September 21, 2013, 11:12:00 PM

That was written by David E. Petzal. I've enjoyed reading his stuff for years in F&S. He has a way with words for sure and this article is no exception. Thanks for sharing it.

shankspony · September 22, 2013, 12:38:00 AM

Yep, totally agree! When I see that, I always feel there is a lack of respect shown for the animal.

hitman · September 22, 2013, 12:45:00 AM

Salute Ray. My sentiments exactly.

Killdeer · September 22, 2013, 12:48:00 AM

Be it a frog or a deer or a bear or a bumblebee, you have stopped the flowing mystery of something set in motion by the hand of your Creator, who makes all things ornate because He loves them, even us. We are all aware that the world is constructed in such a way that life feeds on life, but showing no respect and whooping it up makes the whole affair rather tawdry. It is a garish and shallow behavior in the face of something honorable and sacred. It is the trashing of a gift.

Thanks for the post, Ray.
Killdeer

Aunty · September 22, 2013, 01:08:00 AM

Well said!!!

MnFn · September 22, 2013, 01:10:00 AM

Thanks for posting this.

Killdeer, you hit the nail squarely on the head with your comment.

Jmatt1957 · September 22, 2013, 05:51:00 AM

Thank you for posting this.

Fattony77 · September 22, 2013, 06:18:00 AM

Great point. I for one, hope that I never get so calloused to the taking of life, that I forget what has truly occurred. It's not something to be taken for granted. I also hope that when my first happens, I don't become so excited that the celebration of "victory" is disrespectful in any way.

Well said, by all above. I too, thank you for posting this.

olddogrib · September 22, 2013, 06:56:00 AM

Amen. I prefer the custom (Native American, I believe) of placing a twig in its mouth and a prayer of thanks, that I may be found worthy of taking its life.

T-Bowhunter · September 22, 2013, 07:05:00 AM

Thanks for sharing!

Cyclic-Rivers · September 22, 2013, 07:11:00 AM

My sentiments exactly.

cahaba · September 22, 2013, 07:25:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Killdeer:
Be it a frog or a deer or a bear or a bumblebee, you have stopped the flowing mystery of something set in motion by the hand of your Creator, who makes all things ornate because He loves them, even us. We are all aware that the world is constructed in such a way that life feeds on life, but showing no respect and whooping it up makes the whole affair rather tawdry. It is a garish and shallow behavior in the face of something honorable and sacred. It is the trashing of a gift.

Thanks for the post, Ray.
Killdeer

Well said Killdeer!

Hopewell Tom · September 22, 2013, 07:29:00 AM

Very well said. Thanks for bring it to us.

I'm always alone at those moments and am now going through a "what have I just done?" thing. I KNOW what I've just done, exactly what I set out to do.

BUT. These beautiful wild creatures deserve total reverence and respect for ALL they give us, in the end, their very life.

Ray Hammond · September 22, 2013, 08:25:00 AM

Olddogrib

That practice might also be German in origin- and probably many cultures had a similar gesture of respect, but I know it as German- in Germany it's called Less Bissen- last bite. It's a special way of saying thanks and respect for sure.

Decidedly better than " I put the smack down on that freak nasty!!!!"

Tim-Thanks for letting me know who that was- I've read his writing before. You're right he certainly has the knack for crystallizing a sentiment!

Mudd · September 22, 2013, 08:34:00 AM

Great thread!

Thank you to those who contributed in making it so.

Life is a sacred thing and should be valued as such.

It's no small thing to bring it to it's end, just as it is also no small matter to wound something.

I've read too many times "I didn't hit exactly where I wanted and I'm sure it will survive."

Well survive it might but in the mean time it has to live with that pain.

I understand that "stuff" will happen but I sure as hell ain't taking it lightly, the suffering of one that I caused.

It usually takes me some time to get through that mental process.

I am always reminding myself..."if I can't do this 99% positive, then I don't take the shot.

After all, it is a living,breathing,feeling animal and not one of my stuff animals sitting on my back stop.

Please excuse my rant.

God bless,Mudd

PS: Hunt hard, Hunt smart and consider your shots.