I see a difference between hunting and having a trophy made, and hunting for the sole purpose of a trophy. I also see a difference between hunting and shooting. For me hunting is more than just the days I am able to get out and actually hunt. It is year long sport. It involves, scouting the woods, seeing and trying to learn where the deer are coming and going from and when. Trying to determine the best spots to setup. Clearing brush and trees to hopefully steer the deer where I want them to go. I have probably not seen or shot deer in more years than I have, which makes the occasions I can get one more special.
I don't understand how people can pay to go to a ranch, be put in a box stand and wait for deer to show up over a pile of feed to shoot them. It just doesn't seem sporting to me. Some of the "trophy hunts" in Africa seem a lot the same way, there is skill involved in actually making the shot but it is missing all the preparation that I see as the biggest part of Hunting? The shot and kill is just the climatic end to a long journey.
I have also have eaten the deer I kill or the fish I catch. I am going to be expanding on that though to use even more as food and treats for my dog. Any organs that I would have left to the birds will be made in to jerky for dog treats. Ribs will be cut up for the dog. I plan on taking up Bow fishing and will use anything I get for the dog as well.
The world needs ditch diggers too Danny!!!