I don't know that I ever want to shoot a deer. That's hubby's job and he does take two deer a year which provides us plenty of meat. I much prefer deer to beef (which I do not eat at all). It is a lean protein, and the animal has lived its life in the wild eating corn and wheat and grass.
But I would like to bring home wild turkey, pheasant, quail and dove.
So far, I've completed two sections of the Kansas online Hunter's Safety Course which has 13 chapters and the Ten Commandments of Firearms Safety. I'll be participating in a field day Aug. 3 including a test I have to pass.
Here are a few things I've learned so far:
- 10 percent of the U.S. hunts.
- 10 percent is opposed to hunting.
- The other 80 percent don't have strong feelings one way or another.
- Hunters hunt to provide food, for tradition, for fellowship, and as an outdoor activity (with the side bonus of providing meat). I think they forgot "preparing for the apocalypse" as one of the reasons to hunt :)
- There are stages to hunting enthusiasm like "shooter/bagger" where a person just wants to find the animal they're hunting, "trophy" where they want something to show off, "limit" where they hunt the max amount allowed, "method" where mastering hunting skills is paramount. Last is "sportsman" stage when the whole process is appreciated, not just what is brought home.
- The first firearms were little more than metal tubes called "hand cannons."
- The first mechanical firing system for firearms dates to 1400 or more than 600 years ago! I had no idea.
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ok not sure if I could do this. It would be nice to be able to get my own food but think I would prefer if someone did it for me. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, I can understand that! I just feel a compulsion to do this and see what I can provide for myself.
DeleteGood for you!! Mamma bring home the bacon
ReplyDeleteLOL, or the turkeys anyway :)
DeleteVery cool! I think hunting is a great skill to have, especially with all of the gross stuff they put in our meat now.
ReplyDeleteVery true. I don't eat beef at all, but hubby and I love deer. It is lean and natural. I like relying less on the big food producers anyway.
DeleteI think I wouldn't mind hunting (only to use it for food), but not to clean/process it. My grandpa and grandma would do everything in their own kitchen--I'm too much of a city girl!
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess if I hunt, hubby will probably tell me I need to clean it too. Ugh. That part will be tougher. Another reason I do not want to hunt deer. I've seen him process one and wow, is it involved and messy! But... at least I know where it comes from. My mom used to help with the chickens when she was little and my brother has a sustenance farm where they slaughter like a hundred every year! Wow!
DeleteI think this is really neat! My hubby and I are slowly switching to unprocessed foods. It's upsetting to me all of the terrible things that get put into our food. Maybe one day I'll join you in learning to hunt! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, that sounds like an interesting switch to unprocessed. It's a different way of eating. I want to expand my garden next year too! I'd love to chat with another hunting lady! :)
DeleteI'm casually learning to shoot, as well. I'm not to the stage of hunting, but (as you said) in the case of apocalypse... I'm more looking at doomsday prepping as a result of societal collapse. No, I'm not one of the obsessed people from the Doomsday Prepper show. I'd totally hunt to provide for my family.
ReplyDeleteOh cool! It's a long process, learning the safety issues, target practice, types of guns and ammunition. I'm not an obsessed prepper either but I do think there is value in knowing how to provide for yourself :)
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