Honoring Our Fallen Game

BritChaser

BritChaser

Well-known member
Ever feel like honoring the birds in your bag somehow, maybe saying a little prayer of gratitude as your dog presents you with a bird in mouth, his honest eyes looking at you with the hope that you're happy, or something like that? I always have a feeling of gratitude to Mother Nature at such times. After I bagged my first tom, I performed a "turkey dance" (very improvised) back home complete with a make shift turkey feather headdress. Then we - Girlfriend, her daughter, dog, and me - walked around the hood wearing turkey feathers, which drew some attention from our very urban neighbors. All in good fun.
 
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I understand what you meen. Every year when I bag my first quail or rooster I seem to forget just how beautiful they are. I will take a moment to admire my quarry and the beauty surrounding me and thank God I was born in this great country, where a common man can pursue his own happiness. After that the best way we can honor our game is to prepare it for the table.
 
every time i shoot a deer or turkey i say a little prayer thanking god for the oportunity..ive never really thought about it when it comes to game birds..but def. something to think about
 
BritChaser said:
Then we - Girlfriend, her daughter, dog, and me - walked around the hood wearing turkey feathers, which drew some attention from our very urban neighbors. All in good fun.
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I thought that stuff happened every day in Lawrence? :D

In all seriousness... I usually take time out on every hunt to thank the Lord God Almighty for the day afield, the beautiful scenery, and the game I've killed, or haven't killed (it may be while in the truck, while out walking, in the hotel at night, etc). Every time I'm out hunting deer, I ask God that if given the opportunity, I can make a clean, humane kill.

I've spent far more hours out deer hunting appreciating His work, than shooting deer. That I can guarantee you!
 
I honor each and every bird I harvest, by pluck every one, except those that may be too shot up and using the entire bird to it's fullest. It gave it's life for me to feed my family. I owe it at least that much. I can't count the times I have thank the Lord for what he has provided for my game bag and the memories that those gifts will bring for years to come

Onpoint
 
Many a time I have knelt in admiration beside a deer or turkey with a twist of emotion swirling inside - a slight tear of sadness in one eye as I smiled/grinned & said a prayer of gratitude to God for thrill of the hunt & the meat. I don't expect everybody to understand this (hunter or non), but some will...

When it comes to feathered gamebirds whether upland or waterfowl, I still to this day at times almost tremble just like Audobon once did at the bird in my hand as I close-up admire/observe every little nuance of intricate shape, size, color. But as already stated, the best way I have personally found to truly honor one life for another is the labor of love in the cleaning process with as little waste as possible & then to find the tastiest recipe over which to slowly savor memories of the hunt (not merely the kill, which contains elements of both climax & letdown - but the myriad sights, sounds, smells, & tactile experiences that surround & go with the totality of the hunt)! :cheers:
 
I know it's "just me"
But I don't care for piles or rows, tailgate type pics.
And I don't at all like comments like
"wack em and stack em"
"if it's brown it's down"
etc

I sure don't mind dead animal pics.
Take a little time, little class, get some background. Respect your game a little more.:cheers:
 
quail hound said:
I understand what you meen. Every year when I bag my first quail or rooster I seem to forget just how beautiful they are. I will take a moment to admire my quarry and the beauty surrounding me and thank God I was born in this great country, where a common man can pursue his own happiness. After that the best way we can honor our game is to prepare it for the table.
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. . . prepare it for the table. Amen to that!
 
Hunting Elicits Deep Feelings and Thoughts

These posts show that people who hunt often have deep feelings and profound thoughts about what they do.
 
-Wildcat- said:
I thought that stuff happened every day in Lawrence? :D

In all seriousness... I usually take time out on every hunt to thank the Lord God Almighty for the day afield, the beautiful scenery, and the game I've killed, or haven't killed (it may be while in the truck, while out walking, in the hotel at night, etc). Every time I'm out hunting deer, I ask God that if given the opportunity, I can make a clean, humane kill.

I've spent far more hours out deer hunting appreciating His work, than shooting deer. That I can guarantee you!
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Lawrence does have its sights. I suppose people with turkey feathers on their heads would be one. lol.
 
Maybe the first thread that I've agreed to every post before me! This thread (except maybe the Lawrence bits!) should be printed out and handed to any non-hunter who asks you "why do you hunt?" You've hit all the main points. I know ethical hunters value and respect the animals we take much more than your average urban non-hunter "animal lover", who's likely never even seen a rooster/drake/what have you up close.

That's why I get so upset by non-ethical behavior, including high-fence hunts, trophy poachers, etc. - very public and 180 degrees opposed to what we feel and stand for.
 
I'm going to have to agree with hhr on this one. :eek: I'm kind of saddened/in awe when I first pick it up and then I just start being thankfully for the opportunity to hunt it and gift God gave us to be able to enjoy the outdoors and finding our own food.
 
While I certainly like to have my fair share of success, I think the getting up in the dark events are for the purpose of being there for the sunrise. You would not do it without an excuse such as hunting or fishing. I admire the beauty of my game and rummage thru the pheasants looking for any oddity in plummage. I am also thankful for the other critters that may expose themselves during the outing, unless it's a skunk or porkie that got into a dog.
 
quail hound said:
I understand what you meen. Every year when I bag my first quail or rooster I seem to forget just how beautiful they are. I will take a moment to admire my quarry and the beauty surrounding me and thank God I was born in this great country, where a common man can pursue his own happiness. After that the best way we can honor our game is to prepare it for the table.
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QH, very well said!!!

When I take game, I say a prayer under my breath and thank God for providing and being able to take part in His great outdoors! :) Then pray that God will help me get back out of this canyon, make it to the top and not become mountain lion food! ;)
 
BritChaser said:
Ever feel like honoring the birds in your bag somehow, maybe saying a little prayer of gratitude as your dog presents you with a bird in mouth, his honest eyes looking at you with the hope that you're happy, or something like that? I always have a feeling of gratitude to Mother Nature at such times. After I bagged my first tom, I performed a "turkey dance" (very improvised) back home complete with a make shift turkey feather headdress. Then we - Girlfriend, her daughter, dog, and me - walked around the hood wearing turkey feathers, which drew some attention from our very urban neighbors. All in good fun.
Click to expand...

Britchaser I know were your coming from.:) I say a pray of thankfulness to the Lord and thank the game bird/animal for unwillingly giving it's life up for the sake of my enjoyment, food, and in the case of mounting game for customers, the sake of profit.

I also say a pray prior to starting the taxidermy process for customers' birds/animals they bring in. With this too, I reflect on the game birds/animals life for a brief moment. I suppose it's just a way of showing respect. --1pheas4
 
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