Your Hunting Motivation

SetterNut

SetterNut

New member
What is it that drives you to bird hunt?

The time with friends, family tradition, shooting a limit, being outdoors, the dogs......?

When I first started it was shooting a bird, but that did not last long when I started to get hooked watching my Irish Setter I had as a kid. I have alway though it was amazing to watch a dog point birds.

Over the years I have shot many birds, limits, mixed bags, .... and now I really don't need to shoot many birds.

But I enjoy bird hunting more now than I did years ago when there were many more birds to hunt / shoot. Its the dogs that motivate me to go. I still like to shoot and eat a few, but I am more than happy to take my time walking in on point, take some pictures or video. Make that dog stand there motionless, for what I am sure the dog feels is for ever :D

I love seeing the dog out there covering the ground. To see a pointing dog going full speed down a hedge row and skid to a stop on point, is a great thrill. As is seeing a brace of dogs work a running pheasant in a wheat stubble field, ending with a point and a back in the middle of nowhere.

The shooting is fun, but its the dogs that keep me coming back.

What is it for you?
 
I like everything that goes into killing a wild pheasant, turkey, grouse, coyote, deer or whatever is on the menu. Finding a pattern, making a plan, and getting it done. The hunt is more important than the kill but you can't hunt without expecting to kill.

I'd not carry a gun if killing wasn't a big part of it.
 
It's in my blood -- I'm at least the fourth generation to partake in it on my father's side. The essence of the pursuit is basically the same as it was for my great-granddad 125 years ago, and that's comforting to me. Sometimes, when I'm out somewhere with a gun and my black and white pointer (all of his dogs were of that stripe) and there are no other people in sight, I imagine that I'm him. It's silly, but I enjoy doing that now and again.

I don't care all that much about killing birds anymore, other than to close the deal for the dogs now and then. I do like to SEE birds, though, and I don't see enough of them these days.

Regardless of the bird populations, I have to go. I'm very much a creature of habit and it's what I do every fall. I'll keep doing it until I absolutely can't anymore.
 
wisturkeyhunter said:
I like everything that goes into killing a wild pheasant, turkey, grouse, coyote, deer or whatever is on the menu. Finding a pattern, making a plan, and getting it done. The hunt is more important than the kill but you can't hunt without expecting to kill.

I'd not carry a gun if killing wasn't a big part of it.
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X2!!!
Finding birds on their turf, but mostly watching my son read our labs body language, being in position at the flush and harvesting the bird, doesn't get any better for me. He's hunted for 2 years and 99% of the time he can tell if the dogs on a rooster or a hen based on the dogs actions, that makes me proud and keeps me coming back to see their passion for the hunt.
 
I am in it for dogs and family. Next week, I hope to leave for Iowa with two first timers- my youngest son and one of the smallest setters I have ever seen (11 months). I know Iowa is not the bird capital but my family has been going out there for so many years that I want to see some people there, too. I am not sure if my son can go yet with the current schedule of his finals before break. We are trying to work it out. Keep your fingers crossed.
 
The dogs, exercise, to clear my head, the dogs, the stories, the landscape, the dogs, etc. its just fun . I quit golfing 13 or 14 years ago and never looked back
 
UplandHntr said:
The dogs, exercise, to clear my head, the dogs, the stories, the landscape, the dogs, etc. its just fun . I quit golfing 13 or 14 years ago and never looked back
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I agree! Add in there's something almost magical about a crisp fall morning and the rush that a flushing cackling rooster gives you. And I'm not shy about saying I love eating pheasant either.

I pheasant hunt the majority of time by myself and I like it that way. Just me and the dog(s). My pace. My spots. Start when I want to and end when I'm done. There's vert few things in today's fast paced dog eat dog world that allow all those things.
 
I love the dogs but upland hunting in California give me a reason to explore areas of the state I probably otherwise wouldn't. From the high mountains to the desert and everywhere in between, from Oregon to Mexico and east to west there are birds to find in every county in the state.
 
To BIRD hunt??? The dogs, easy #1 reason...

Just hunting generically??? It's real, not pretend like many things we do to pass the time. The results are tangible, and success means dinner, failure means hunger, or at least failure looks like a hamburger.

I enjoy golfing, but at the end of the round I throw the scorecard away and there is nothing to show for my efforts except a slight beer buzz, maybe a sunburn... But next time I'll play the same course again and the only thing that ever changes is the wind... If I shoot an 80 or 100, makes no difference really, it was just a game...

Same with shooting trap. If I run 25 straight or self destruct,,, just a game.

I also hunt for a sense of adventure. I think it is a great adventure to go on a hunting trip. Spending time with a friend or two for a few days on the road, it's always an adventure.:cheers:
 
When I was young it was just about getting outdoors, learning responsibility, spending time with grandpa,and staying away from bad influences. We always had our hunting stuff in our cars and go out after school and jump a pond or find a covey of huns or some grouse. Since the first time I saw a cousins GSP point birds I wanted my own pointing dog. Moved to Kansas and had to figure everything out again. When I graduated college I immediately started the search my own GSP, she's now 16 1/2 and a retired house dog.

Now it's all about the dog work, I love to watch 2 dogs work a field. Nothing better than turning a dog loose to do what they love to do. It's always fun to take deer and duck hunters on an upland hunt and them do the shooting. If I didn't have my own dog I doubt it would be as enjoyable.
 
Predation is a human instinct of survival and hunting is a civilized and satisfying outlet for that instinct. Hunting involves physical abilities, effective cooperation with others, intelligent strategies, ingenuity in the development and use of weapons, knowledge of nature, and working in coordination with another species, dogs, who are rightfully called man's best friend.
 
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david0311

SetterNut said:
What is it that drives you to bird hunt?

The time with friends, family tradition, shooting a limit, being outdoors, the dogs......?

When I first started it was shooting a bird, but that did not last long when I started to get hooked watching my Irish Setter I had as a kid. I have alway though it was amazing to watch a dog point birds.

Over the years I have shot many birds, limits, mixed bags, .... and now I really don't need to shoot many birds.

But I enjoy bird hunting more now than I did years ago when there were many more birds to hunt / shoot. Its the dogs that motivate me to go. I still like to shoot and eat a few, but I am more than happy to take my time walking in on point, take some pictures or video. Make that dog stand there motionless, for what I am sure the dog feels is for ever :D

I love seeing the dog out there covering the ground. To see a pointing dog going full speed down a hedge row and skid to a stop on point, is a great thrill. As is seeing a brace of dogs work a running pheasant in a wheat stubble field, ending with a point and a back in the middle of nowhere.

The shooting is fun, but its the dogs that keep me coming back.

What is it for you?
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THE DOGS---Still like to shoot when hunting by myself or one or two close friends--

But a limit-- vs--good dog work no contest--take good dog work every time--

Been in the field about twenty three or four days this season--carried shot gun four days so far--

One dog laying across my lap-- the other curled up next to me on the couch as I type this:cheers:
 
If I couldn't have my bird dogs, I'd likely sell my shotguns as I would no longe have a use for them.

I don't necessarily enjoy hunting for turkey, deer, squirrels, or anything the dogs aren't involved in (save for morel hunting in the spring:D).......SO, my primary motivation is the dogs. That said, there are many, many other rewards that do help motivate me between trips. I like that super-tired feeling at the end of the day. I enjoy getting in out of harsh elements at the end of the day. I find that finding new spots is very satisfying, but without the dogs, who cares about new spots?
 
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If I couldn't hunt with a dog I wouldn't hunt. It's all about being out there enjoying tradition passed down. I could care less if I kill anything.

Every trip is an adventure. I like to get out and see the countryside and watch the dogs run and do their things.
 
I was putting together an article and, as happens from time-to-time, some words just fell together "right." Often, when I'm out there with a gun and Mick, something in my sense of being changes. It's like this:

The smell, the crispness, the sound of the light winds moving brush and branches, the Sun high or sinking, even the texture of the soil beneath the boots can be transcendent. While one doesn't "float," it may be said that the mind, spirit, and senses go to another place where the simple fact of "being" is saturated with sensation and elevation, and are free.


I'm old now, but it happens every year.
 
why i hunt

just might be in the genes, some primitive peoples didn't hunt, they stayed back for support. for me it is the excitement of the outdoors and there still is a lot to be excited about, the thrill of the chase/hunt and a decent dogs just seems to put it over the top, just love it and i haven't even talked about work


cheers
 
BritChaser said:
Predation is a human instinct of survival and hunting is a civilized and satisfying outlet for that instinct. Hunting involves physical abilities, effective cooperation with others, intelligent strategies, ingenuity in the development and use of weapons, knowledge of nature, and working in coordination with another species, dogs, who are rightfully called man's best friend.
Click to expand...

stated very eloquently.....it is an art. :cheers:
 
When I first started hunting it was because my Dad did it. After his dog passed we both kinda stopped for a few years. I picked it back up at 18 without a dog at first. Did not take me long to realize the dog makes the hunt worthwhile.

I have taken a few people out on their first hunts and have at least three more that have yet to go on their first. I am looking forward to passing on the enjoyment of watching a dog work a bird (covey, hen or rooster), enjoyment of the outdoors, ability to find your own food, gun safety and responsibility.

For me it is mostly about getting the new pup into birds and helping her develop her natural ability (hard to do with a young pup this year). I do enjoy the satisfaction of providing fresh game for the table. But, as it has been stated many times before watching a good dog do it's thing.
 
1st, the dogs, love the work of a good dog no matter the breed, just love it when one has the "it" factor. And then it is as simple as peace and tranquility. Just getting away, and enjoying the out doors. Adding a tid bit of food to the table at the same time. But I am happy flushing hens all day too. I just like to reward the dog with a retrieve when I can. That is their reward for the work they do and enjoy.:cheers::thumbsup: Great thread!
 
As said primarily it is watching my sons have fun and watching the dogs. I also enjoy taking people with me for there first hunt. Two years ago I brought a guy out for his first hunt at 40. He had a blast and is up with me now.
 
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