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Why Do We Hunt? by Don Dziedzina
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Fall brings on the hunting season and so many of us have sleepless nights in anticipation of getting out in the field for the first time of the year. Hunting is enjoyed by young and old. Upland game hunters often grow the enjoy going into the field with their favorite partner, their hunting dog, not to shoot a bird, but rather to just watch the dog work.

And hunting is a great sport too. It’s also a privilege that each state bestows upon us. But one can easily ask; why do we hunt?

In today’s modern age, we can easily go to the local grocery store to buy some food. Generally speaking, do we need to hunt to put food on the table? No, not really. But we often do consume the game that we harvest and that’s a good thing.

Some time ago, I read an article and was surprised to see the results of a survey about why people hunt. The answers were all good but in reality, it was quite interesting to see how hunters felt about this annual tradition.

There were a good number of people who enjoyed the hunt because they also enjoy the harvest. Be it deer, turkey, pheasants, rabbit or quail, surprisingly many hunters wanted to enjoy eating what they brought home from the field.

But this was not the most popular reason for hunting.

Being in the outdoors, the fresh air, and being able to get some exercise in the woods or the fields was also a good reason for hunters to be out there. It is a pleasure to be in the field on a crisp fall morning. I enjoy hunting myself for these reasons. For me, it is really fun to be wading in shallow water, setting out duck decoys, putting out full body good decoys in a corn field, or walking in the dark to a tree stand at the edge of the woods. Many people don’t do this, but it is quite an experience.

There are more reasons as to why we hunt. This still was not the top of the list.

Like fishing, hunting has an end result. While fishing, we have rod and reel in hand, cast a lure to a likely spot, and when there is a strike, the fight is on. When the fish makes its way to the boat, the angler is proud because man conquered nature. It’s kind of the same thing when hunting.

No matter if we’re waterfowling, deer hunting, or walking in the field with a bird dog; hunting too is a man versus nature situation. Waterfowlers have to set their decoys in the right pattern. They have to call the birds in. They must be hidden from the birds in camo and when the bird is in range, reach out to capture the bird with careful aim from a shotgun.

Same goes for deer hunters. Camouflage, scent, rattling and location are all part of the game. Turkey hunters have to learn to call and sit still. Upland game hunters need to be quick with the gun when a covey of quail bust up in all directions ten yards in front of them.

When the bird or deer is taken, it’s like winning the game. You hunted it up, and succeeded. This definitely is what brings so many hunters back to the field and woods again and again. But something else was more popular and at the top of the list.

Walking in the field for pheasant or quail often brings a hunter and his dog. This is his favorite hunting partner no matter what. A Dads is so proud when his son harvests his first deer. So many young daughters are enjoying the sport too now. Two old friends sitting side by side in a duck blind can carry on conversations for hours and it never matters if the bird flies in the air.

The camaraderie of being with family and friends in nature explains why so many people love to hunt. Spending time in the woods, walking a field or sitting in a blind with someone you enjoy being with is the pure pleasure that cannot be had anywhere else. You might find a father and son talk more in the field than at home. Friends get to know one another better. No matter what happens during a hunt, even it it’s very little, there are always stories to tell for the ride home.

Why do we hunt? It doesn’t seem to be so that one can shoot a gun or bring home a meal. It’s actually bringing together family, friends, and nature.

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