159
Opinions on hunting? (lemmy.world)
submitted 5 days ago by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world
192 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I'm interested in hearing what Lemmings think about hunting. I started hunting deer years ago because I wanted to be a part of the process, like if I couldn't handle killing and gutting an animal I shouldn't be eating meat. IMO, it's much more humane than what factory farmed animals endure. Less suffering overall than most natural deaths. Overpopulation causes disease and starvation and we killed off their predators, so we kind of owe it to nature to fill the ecological gap.

Also, I fucking love it. I watch the sun rise, think, record birds I've seen, think, watch squirrels play, think a bit more, and sometimes, I get some food.

Idk. I'm not looking for approval or trying to change your mind, just wondering what people think.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 4 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (5 children)

My problem with hunting comes down to remaining motionless when taking the shot.

I have gotten so in-tune with my body that, when at rest, my heart subtly wobbles my entire torso. This is to the point where I can calculate my own heart rate by just sitting still and feeling how my body moves/pulsates.

So aiming becomes problematic when my sights start to undulate in tune with my heartbeat.

I mean, I am usually a half-decent shot once I’ve gotten familiar with the firearm. I’m not going to be doing consistent bulls-eyes at 200m except as a complete fluke, but at the same time I am going to be putting a hole somewhere in the paper, usually within the circle.

But that bouncing, it’s hella enraging when success depends on stability and not moving. And I’m not going to take that kind of a risk on a live animal. If I cannot be reasonably assured of a clean kill, I would rather be doing something else.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 5 child comments
    •
  • [–] 2 points 5 days ago (2 children)

    Get a shooting stick, it makes aiming way easier and you'll get a cleaner kill.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 1 point 2 days ago (1 child)

    That may improve things, but doesn’t the stock of the gun still have to be against the shoulder? That’s where most of the problems occur. My heart is wobbling my torso, not my hands or arms.

    I mean, I can keep my arms and hands totally still, but when I lean into the weapon, it’s my shouder that transmits my heartbeat’s wobbling of my torso into the weapon. Without stopping my heart entirely - something I hope you can understand that I am loathe to do - I don’t really see a solution.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •
  • [–] 1 point 2 days ago

    Yes, you will still want the butt of the stock on your shoulder. But you'll have the stick in your front hand instead of on the gun, so some of that wobble will be reduced.

    It's easy enough to try, even if you just grab an appropriate size branch with a fork to lay the barrel on. But it's much less movement, especially if you're sitting in a blind.

    You should also try to shoot between breaths and heartbeats, but don't slap the trigger. You might need to also get some experience with hunting so you don't get quite so wound up when you have something in range.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 1 point 4 days ago (1 child)

    Most everybody has been there. When I first started archery hunting at 13, I shook so hard when the deer can by that I could not possibly even attempt to make a shot. Practice, practice and practice. You need to develop a deep concentration for making the shot above anything. That is your only job. Also, go out before season and shoot some pictures. See how close you can get and observe the wildlife.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •
  • [–] 1 point 2 days ago

    It’s not a matter of trembling or shaking from nerves or inexperience. It’s literally my heartbeats wobbling my torso once I am fully calm and still.

    There is no solution to this other than stopping my heart, and I tend to be vociferously against that idea.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent