I was sitting around thinking the other day about deer hunting. I always wanted to try but I just couldn't see myself for one sitting in one place for hours on end waiting for a certain moment. The second would be killing an animal I have no interest in eating. If I could hunt with a tranquilizer gun that would be a different story. Imagine it. You shoot a deer go down and check it out. You can pet it, take a picture, then watch it run off woozy but not much worse off than it was before. That I could probably do.
That made me think how fishing is so much different than other sports. Especially ones that involve the outdoors. How many other sports link you so intimately to the goal you're trying to achieve then allow you to experience it all over again? I can see how bird watching or something like that would be similar. It would be something to capture a picture of a certain rare bird. Even then I doubt you'd ever train it or get into a situation where you could touch it. With fishing it's different. From the first fish you hook there's an instant connection between you and something wild. Unless it's a stocker of course. When the fish is in hand there is a feeling that can't be explained properly. The fish is released and the whole process can be repeated over and over. Then if by chance bad luck or poor landing technique there is a casualty, you have a free meal.
There really isn't much like it.
Hey Kev,
ReplyDeleteI agree, flyfishing is number one but..... I started bowhunting about three seasons ago and it is a strong number two. The challenge of taking a deer or wild turkey in bow distance (without baiting) is every bit the chess match of flyfishing. I just got one yesterday, check my blog tomorrow. Hopefully we can catch up for some trout this winter!
I've also thought about this a lot over the years except with people. Run em down, tranquilize them, take pictures, pet them and then let them go. Unless of course you don't like them. Them Whammo!
ReplyDeletecofisher, haha! Now that was good.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about the tranquilizer thing a day or two ago. I used to hunt like crazy when I was younger but now I much prefer fishing. Sometimes I even think that if you really respect the animal then you should never bother them at all. I just cant bring myself to do it...lol
ReplyDeleteLance, I've pondered that many times myself. I'm the same way.
ReplyDeleteNO STOCKERS!
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