I don't think I have ever given much thought on the matter after I have taken an animal. Though I have always thanked the Almighty for the opportunity and the experience. This certainly has made me reflect back on some of my better trophies.

I have never hunted elephants, but hope to someday at least do a management hunt, tuskless or something along those lines. Your question also reminds me of something I have asked myself; and that is if I could really bring myself to shoot an elephant? I would certainly enjoy the hunt itself,the challenge and potential danger of getting up close and personal with one but I just dont know if I could really pull the trigger. Don't know why as I have never had any reservations about shooting any animal I hunted before. Maybe I would be content just to get up close, aim my rifle and whisper "bang".

Guess I'll never know until I save my money.....

quote:

Originally posted by LionHunter:
I'VE NEVER FELT SORRY FOR ANY ANIMAL I'VE KILLED!!!

And I've killed my share plus - some of you aren't working hard enough so I've picked-up your slack. New member sfhr defined cogently the problem of what I have always referred to as the Bambi Syndrome, so I won't belabor that issue other than to say it is a real problem in American society which even some hunters fall prey to.

I fall on the side of sfhr, fairgame and others. I respect and enjoy the beauty of all animals - exception granted for snakes, who should all be killed out of hand, by any means available - but I don't feel sorry nor humbled after I've killed 'em. (ATTENTION: analogy warning) I also don't have regrets about what I've done in the service of my country. In fact, after more than 40 years I'm down to only a couple of nightmares of the Nam per year and they have nothing to do with killing others.

So, when I return to Africa next year and kill another Ele, my feelings will be of accomplishment and pride in my ability to slay such a magnificent beast.

Semper Fi - We were winning when I left.

Good grief!! I do not think that I have ever not felt a pang of regret or a touch of sorrow for taking a life, even a vagrant dog. In nearly fifty years of hunting, and probably many hundreds of animals,I have always apologised, and given thanks. I do not kill snakes unless I consider them a risk at the time, usually near or too close to the house.

In Tanzania, they have a tradition of saying pole (pronounced poli) sana (it means very sorry) to the slain animal. I don't remember when I first started doing that but I can hardly remember a time when I didn't.

Like Scriptus, I don't think I've ever not felt a pang of regret afterwards.

I guess we're all different and all hunt for our own reasons though.

Scriptus,

We American's have a saying - Different strokes for different folks. Both our governments have problems, but they are very different in substance and causation. In the Marines we had another saying - The only thing I feel when I kill, is recoil.

Good grief yourself! Just think how boring life would be if we were all alike.

Cheers!

I don't know how old my only elephant (so far) was but it had two interesting marks. First, its tail had been cut off, recalling the old stories about near-miss brain shots momentarily stunning the elephant, the tail being cut off to show the camp staff how many tusks to bring out, and then...the elephant vaninshing. Or maybe it woke up while the hunter was sitting on it posing. At the time I shot it, though, it could move very fast...and did.

Second, it had an obviously broken back ankle, which had healed. This puzzles me because elephants are not supposed to be able to walk on three legs.

Indy,

The tail could also have been bitten off by a hyena or other large predator whilst the elephant was laying down.... as for their not being able to get about on 3 legs..... don't you believe it. Having only 3 legs might slow 'em down but they can still get around.

Death is as much a part of life as life itself. Kill when you need to kill...have respect but not sadness. Life AND death are what makes the world go-round...one cannot be with out the other...I have tried to teach my children that from a young age.

I have respect for life and even when hunting I try to preserve it...hence the fact that I am a veterinarian. That said...I lost the feeling of sadness when I euthanize a horse as well. Do the best job you can...and...when it is not HIS WILL...put it to rest and go on.

Their are animals that NEED killin' but mostly because they are sick or injured. A few pose threats like rattlesnakes under my porch and need killin' for human safety...and others instances as well. But...those instances actually are few and far between in the big scheme of things. When I kill an animal hunting...it is because I need to kill it and that is the natural way of things on this earth...NOT a sad thing.

Their are lots more people in this world that NEED killin' than aniamls. That same respect for life that I mentioned earlier actually gives me this feeling inside my heart. Many many more vile and evil folks pose danger to humanity than aniamls. I am not sad when they are killed either...actually a sense of relief.

As I opened with...death is as much a part of life as life itself...

Lane, thanks for a thoughtful and pragmatic response.Your perspective comes close to mine.

Tom

one thing for sure Lane keeps proving he's smarter than he looks I'm proud to have meet him and spent time in camp with him and to have been able to learn from him.

quote:

Originally posted by ddrhook:
one thing for sure Lane keeps proving he's smarter than he looks I'm proud to have meet him and spent time in camp with him and to have been able to learn from him.

I agree thanks Lane, but Don i dont think you are being honest - i believe that you cannot teach an old dog new tricks

I may be old but I can still hang my leg in unmentionable places of your anatomy!! Ya dam young wiper snapper
even if I have to have my old friend Lane hold you for me