When it comes to the reasons why we hunt, there are probably as many different reasons as there are species that get hunted. But is there a right or wrong reason that we enter the field each season?
In a recent survey that I conducted on one of my social media pages, asking why hunters choose to hunt each year, I heard about a variety of reasons hunters hunt.
A few of those reasons may be considered somewhat controversial, while others are much more traditional and better accepted amongst the hunting community.
Below I will discuss several of the reasons why people chose to hunt. So in no particular order, here we go!
For the Meat
By far the most popular and definitely the most traditional response that I received during my survey was that hunters chose to hunt for the meat that the animals provide.
This reason goes way back to the very beginning of hunting. Hunting was originally intended for a means to provide food for yourself and your family, and ultimately survive.
The need to use hunting as a means for survival has become almost non-existent in present day, but in no way does that mean that we can’t hunt to provide meat for ourselves and our families.
I enjoy eating what I hunt, whether it be deer, turkey, dove, etc. In fact, some of the most rewarding aspects of hunting for me is enjoying the delicious venison meals that follow a successful hunt.
For the Challenge
My survey revealed that one extremely popular reason why hunters hunt is for the challenge, and this makes perfect sense. With hunting not necessarily being needed for survival in most cases, the challenge aspect of harvesting your own meat definitely has its allure.
Matching wits with any wild animal is sporty. It’s tough, challenging and incredibly rewarding. The challenge of the hunt is what draws us back to the woods day after day.
In fact, the things that challenge us the most tend to have the greatest drawing power. Most days, we leave the woods empty handed. But it’s the challenge that drives us back the following morning.
I know the challenge of the hunt is a strong reason why I head afield each time. As a matter of fact, I find myself passing more deer than ever before simply to continue that challenge.
For Relaxation
Another popular reason survey participants stated why they hunt was for the relaxation that hunting can provide. Hunting is a great way to disconnect from the hectic and stressful life many of us lead.
There is just something about being perched up in a treestand and witnessing the woods wake up and the peace that it can bring. I have yet to find another place or activity that allows me to reflect on life and forget about stress the way that hunting does.
Oftentimes, the only stress that hunting has is stress that we as hunters put on ourselves.
Sometimes we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be successful and that pressure can take away from the relaxation that hunting can provide.
For the Thrill
Now we are getting into some of the more controversial reasons why we hunt. Many hunters stated that one of the reasons they hunt is for the thrill that it provides.
I think this is a perfectly natural reason and one that isn’t wrong at all. The thrill of the hunt and adrenaline rush that taking an animal causes is a great feeling, and one that is extremely hard to replicate.
I am currently in the middle of my 37th deer season, and I still get a thrill and adrenaline rush every time I decide to harvest an animal. As a matter of fact, there is a saying that I have heard since I was a kid, and I absolutely stand by it.
“The first time I don’t get excited or feel the rush when I harvest a deer, it will be my last time deer hunting.”
Does that mean that the thrill is the only reason we hunt? Of course not! But it’s definitely part of what makes the whole experience.
For a Trophy
This reason was one that brought about some pretty intense conversations while conducting my survey.
The term trophy hunter has definitely developed a bad reputation over the years, but I think many people don’t truly understand why some hunters prefer to go after what some consider trophies.
Some hunters feel that hunting for a trophy is unethical or immoral, but I disagree. I think that hunting for a trophy is no different than people hunting for the challenge of it.
Deciding to only harvest a mature, or big buck, simply adds to the challenge of the hunt, and is what many hunters choose to do every year.
I prefer to target bucks that are a minimum of 4 years old while hunting my own property, because of the challenge that it provides.
That doesn’t make me a trophy hunter. On the contrary, I see that as making me more of a land manager or a steward for the wildlife on my property.
As long as the meat of that trophy gets used, I see no issue with a hunter going afield each year with the intent of harvesting a trophy.
For the Sport
Yet another controversial reason hunters go afield every year. The controversy that comes from this is most likely due to people referring to hunting as a sport.
Calling hunting a sport often brings about some disagreements, and rightfully so.
When it comes to an activity that is centered around taking an animal’s life, referring to it as a sport doesn’t come across very well. Sports are normally associated with competition, and I personally feel that hunting should be anything but a competition.
From my experience, competition can bring out the worst in people, and if hunting is viewed as a competition, it will likely do just that.
Competing for fame, money or recognition is often the reason why poachers do what they do, and that is the last thing I want to see hunting turn into.
For the Joy and Experience
Some hunters stated the reason they hunt was about the experience and joy that hunting can bring.
I think this is a somewhat simplified reason, because it is really about the whole experience that hunting can provide us.
Whether it is the emotional roller coaster ride that hunting can cause, the challenge, the meat it provides, the trophy or the thrill, it’s about the entire experience.
Regardless of the reason we give someone why we hunt, it comes back to the experience that it provides.
Because I Can
This is probably the best reason I heard from all that were given while conducting my survey.
“Because I can”, is absolutely right.
We all may have our reasons for hunting, but ultimately we do it because we can, and because we want to. What else needs to be said?
The greatest thing I love about hunting is how personalized it can be. We as hunters can hunt for whatever reason we choose (as long as it’s legal), and we can choose from a variety of hunting styles, weapons and seasons.
We can choose to use as much advanced equipment as the laws will allow, or we can choose to use as primitive of equipment that the laws allow.
It’s all our choice and someone can try and argue that their reason for hunting or their way of hunting is the best, but in reality, one is no more right than another.
The Hunter's Paradox
So how do we explain this “hunter’s paradox?”
We say we love deer, elk, turkey and other critters – but we anxiously and avidly do our best to kill them. Seems a bit absurd, right?
How can hunters say they love something and bring about its death at the same time?
It’s important to keep in mind what the discipline of hunting does for the overall good of the species. The popular reasons for hunting mentioned above fall into the God-given role hunters play in maintaining dominion over the beasts of the field. It’s biblical!
Man was given the responsibility of managing wildlife thousands of years ago, and though times have changed, our freedom and responsibility to be good stewards of the land through hunting and conservation remain.
Will Primos said it best, “You protect what you love.” That applies to your family, your business, hunting and the wildlife around us.
No other group has done more for the benefit of wildlife conservation than hunters. Through their giving of money, maintaining conservation organization memberships, hunting license purchases – and yes, even the taking of an animals life, hunters are good for the greater benefit of wildlife.
Yes, it sounds absurd. But hunters truly love the game they pursue. That’s why they’ll protect it at all cost.
What about you? Why do you hunt? Comment below, and let us know what makes you go afield each year.
