"The dynamics of war are so absolutely intense. The drama of war is so emotionally spellbinding, that is hard for you to go on with a normal life without feeling something is missing...........I find there are times when I am pulled back into the whirlpool. I find that the intensity of that experience was so overwhelming and almost intimidating that you can't quite let go of it."

Quentin Aanenson
The War
Ken Burns

Not that it's the same, or even worthy but could an African DG hunt have a tiny bit of such an effect?

First, let me say right up front that like you any comparision to what a soldier faces in war as contrasted with dangerous game hunting is admittedly flawed and suspect.

That said, the thought you raise is an interesting one. I think that one of the reasons folks are drawn to dangerous game hunting, the military or many other seemingly daunting challenges in life is to test themselves, to determine whether they are up to the challenge, to experience something that sets them apart, to test their mettle. In that sense, if you have been through that test and found yourself up to the challenge, I suspect that there is an element that draws you back to the challenge, to reaffirm the answer to the question again. You see this in folks that accomplish one difficult task, only to then go on to another more daunting task, e.g., someone climbs Everest but with oxygen, then they attempt the climb again but without oxygen. They appear to crave the challenge, and feel that without the pursuit of the challenge, something is missing in their lives. I think this is one of the things that sets high achievers apart from more ordinary folks.

I really need to lay off of the cocktails at lunch . . .

I do not think the comparison to battle is a particularly apt one, and I do not think that the vast majority go hunting dangerous game in hopes that things will, as they say, go pear-shaped. However, for me the little bit of adrenaline edge you get when things are on the line adds to the experience something you cannot get elsewhere in hunting. Like the perfect spice that makes a recipe, that added edge makes the hunt.

When you remember the hunt, or retell one of the more intresting parts of it, the urge to return will grow in you. You just want that little edge back, stalking into a herd of elephant with the intent to take the life of one of its members, or facing down an elephant bull with no ill intent but with everything on the line for you both.

Damn I wish I was headed back.

A Marine or Soldier landing on a beach going forward into enemy

fire is the bravest human being in world history. I have never

been in military service. I do though, thank God for those who have

protected me and these United States of America for the last two

plus centuries. The thought of dangerous game hunting enthralls me,

the thought of being one of the men taking the beach at Normandy

makes me feel unparalled fear. Your odds of serious permanant injury

or death are so, so high as a military man in combat. The odds are

no where near as bad for the big game sport hunter.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
First, let me say right up front that like you any comparision to what a soldier faces in war as contrasted with dangerous game hunting is admittedly flawed and suspect.

That said, the thought you raise is an interesting one. I think that one of the reasons folks are drawn to dangerous game hunting, the military or many other seemingly daunting challenges in life is to test themselves, to determine whether they are up to the challenge, to experience something that sets them apart, to test their mettle. In that sense, if you have been through that test and found yourself up to the challenge, I suspect that there is an element that draws you back to the challenge, to reaffirm the answer to the question again. You see this in folks that accomplish one difficult task, only to then go on to another more daunting task, e.g., someone climbs Everest but with oxygen, then they attempt the climb again but without oxygen. They appear to crave the challenge, and feel that without the pursuit of the challenge, something is missing in their lives. I think this is one of the things that sets high achievers apart from more ordinary folks.

I really need to lay off of the cocktails at lunch . . .

I gotta agree with this.

JPK

Quentin Aanenson is a unique individual who is more able to translate his feelings than most of us. This was most aptly demonstrated in his TV special, 'A Fighter Pilots Story', of several years ago that rivals Ken Burns in it's quality and clarity of life as a fighter pilot during WWII. For a non-professional in the field of communication he does it so elequently.

Mike,
I like your comments. I have not been to war and I never have to (same for my sons). I have played sports at a very high level and the feeling of accomplishment is similar to that of tackling dangerous game. The "testing" of oneself against a worthy adversary is a trip down self awareness and self identity lane. It is a trip that we all take, but in different forms.

My second trip occurred after I was soundly beaten in my chosen sport by a worthy adversary. The second trip was a sheep hunt in Wyoming. I took for granted that if I hired a guide, got in great physical shape, that a sheep would "happen". It did not. I missed a shot on day 2 at aobut 30 yards and never got another chance. I came down from the mountains and hung up my hunting gear until I could get my "head" wrapped around the "why" of why I liked to hunt. My exodus lasted from 1978 until 1990. It took awhile to understand myself and why I do what I do. I still do not fully understand, but at least now I ask myself "why".

The third trip occurred while teaching my sons to hunt. We had experimented with a few types of hunts in Texas. One was a deer hunt behind a high fence (2500 acres but open and easy). The second on a released bird hunt. Both times, my sons and I felt something was missing from the experience. We took the intended quarry, but did not enjoy the process or the hunt. The lack of "testing" was what we missed. I put our trips on hold until I could locate free range game to hunt. We then hunted deer and ducks in a "free" environment and had a great experience. Our next trip was to RSA for plains game. All went well until we went after red lechwe in a supposedly open range area. It was not and when we saw that it was a 1000 acres paddock, we left and did not shoot. My sons nor I wanted any part of that type of shoot again. We then went to Zimbabwe for a totally free range hunt and had a tremendous time. The stalking, the testing of our skills and the results were the experience and feeling we are after. My eldest sons spent 4 days tracking one sable - finally getting a shot on day 5. I spent 5 days tracking buff before a shot was taken. My youngest spent time after a croc and was successful.

All in all, for us, the challenge and reward for hunting is a proof of preparedness and a proof of effort to match our skills against whatever game. We love buffalo but will try others in the future. Again, I cannot address "war", but I understand the perspective about hunting dangerous game.

By the way, I will go after sheep again in 2008 to see if I meet the "test".

Naw, Mike, we stayed in because of the food!

quote:

Originally posted by JPK:

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
First, let me say right up front that like you any comparision to what a soldier faces in war as contrasted with dangerous game hunting is admittedly flawed and suspect.

That said, the thought you raise is an interesting one. I think that one of the reasons folks are drawn to dangerous game hunting, the military or many other seemingly daunting challenges in life is to test themselves, to determine whether they are up to the challenge, to experience something that sets them apart, to test their mettle. In that sense, if you have been through that test and found yourself up to the challenge, I suspect that there is an element that draws you back to the challenge, to reaffirm the answer to the question again. You see this in folks that accomplish one difficult task, only to then go on to another more daunting task, e.g., someone climbs Everest but with oxygen, then they attempt the climb again but without oxygen. They appear to crave the challenge, and feel that without the pursuit of the challenge, something is missing in their lives. I think this is one of the things that sets high achievers apart from more ordinary folks.

I really need to lay off of the cocktails at lunch . . .

I gotta agree with this.

JPK

Very well put.

I agree with Mike as well! I see little comparison between war, and the hunting of dangerous game! I've had a little of both, and the difference, to me is, #one, a Human is not an animal you naturaly want to kill,and the guy that is new to war may hesitate, and get himself killed. Not wanting to kill another human being is natural, though you may have to, to protect your life or those of your buddies, but nobody who is sane,goes into that gladly.

Dangerous game is my thing, and to me, it is the stepping into the unknown, when you setp into the weeds with something you know is there, and is not only capable, but quite willing, to kill you without a nit of conscience!

In the case of dangerous game, your, or at least my, attitude is the same as the game you are hunting, your mindset is to kill him, before he kills you, and you are, not only willing, but gladly, take the risk! The adrenaline rush when he is spotted close,and the first trigger is pulled, and your not sure it has yet done what you were trying to do. Then when it becomes evident it didn't, then there is another, and greater explosion of adrenaline,makeing everything go into slow motion,that lasts till the animal is down for the count! You don't have time to be scared, but once over, the shakes begine, as the adrenaline starts to subside!

The first explosion of adrenaline, is like being awakened in a tent, in the middle of the night with a big Alaskan Brown bear snuffeling at the side of your thin nylon tent, one foot from your face, or hearing a buffalo crashing through the thorn, in your dirrection,close, and not able to see him!

This thing with dangerous game is the fuel that got me to Alaska, and to Africa, in the first place, and is the sauce that flavers my hunting till today, makeing all other hunting seem like going to the meat market, in comparison!