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Even without the pain, there's still something a little upsetting about skinning and butchering a deer carcass. I don't know how the pioneers of old did this on a daily basis. I personally don't think I'd have the stomach for it! 
posted by
JimmyA
on November 19, 2012 at 1:33 PM
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My grandfather was big into hunting. I know that my mother and aunt went with hjim.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on November 19, 2012 at 10:35 AM
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A nice post, Taps .. I can relate to this as I sometimes find it uncomfortable getting a turkey ready for the oven ... but once it's cooked I forget about how it looked with feathers.
posted by
mneme
on November 19, 2012 at 7:43 AM
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we use to raise rabbits and I couldnt stand to be around when my hubby would slaughter them and we ate them like chicken. But I dont know how anyone could kill something so cute
posted by
Lanetay
on November 19, 2012 at 7:32 AM
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I have found that many big men have the most compassion. A great post.
posted by
adnohr
on November 19, 2012 at 6:57 AM
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Taps
I have been impressed by many things you have mentioned about this man. The way he takes care of his son is totally awesome. I would say this man had some good parenting. Be blessed.
posted by
Justi
on November 19, 2012 at 2:04 AM
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Your son sounds like an interesting guy. I used to hunt deer every year and then one day I sold my deer hunting rifle and that was that...But I miss it dearly (no pun intended).
posted by
UtahJay
on November 18, 2012 at 11:47 PM
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Men are wonders in their own respect in general. This was a very interesting post; it is comforting in a way as I have often seen a dichotomy in myself on various issues.
posted by
mariss9
on November 18, 2012 at 9:43 PM
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Hi .. I can't bring myself to kill or clean the animals but since my husband was a hunter .. I learned to cook the meat in many various ways. I remember my son going squirrel hunting with his father and he couldn't shot .... He kept saying "Mom, I swear that little thing had folded hands, it was praying for it's life!" It's good that your son acquired such a gift of food that he'll enjoy. 
posted by
BrightIrish
on November 18, 2012 at 7:24 PM
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TAPS
'He has his interests love. BC-A, Bill’s R®st
posted by
BC-A
on November 18, 2012 at 7:20 PM
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TAPS
A very interesting post! I find myself close to your son's position: I eat meat (though I haven't had any venison in quite a while) but will no longer hunt, although I have done it in the past. (Though I won't do any butchering either.) I don't object to hunting in principle and recognize its benefits (Ciel makes some very good points!), it simply no longer appeals to me. And it appears to me, though I may be wrong, that there is an increasing trend towards vegetarianism...
posted by
Nautikos
on November 18, 2012 at 6:29 PM
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On the other hand, a very practical hand, the hand of stewardship...
humans have to replace the predators we've decimated, or the deer herds will suffer overpopulation, starvation and disease. I don't know, though, if I could pull the trigger.
posted by
Ciel
on November 18, 2012 at 5:08 PM
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being a vegetarian i can totally empathize with him on not killing ... don't even like to prepare it but will for other people...
posted by
Annicita
on November 18, 2012 at 4:23 PM
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That was a beautifully crafted essay on hunting / eating...
Your essay brings both sides of the debate with clarity and balance. 
Write on!
posted by
Pat_B
on November 18, 2012 at 3:28 PM
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TAPS
What a special son to have mothered, bless you.
posted by
WileyJohn
on November 18, 2012 at 2:00 PM
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i can understand Son #3 very well. I hate the kill but will eat red meat
i always remind myself these days that Naut. reminded me that my meat grows on a tree. LOL....but i can't stand the bow and arrow kill for it is slow and painfull where as a bullet between the eyes....I hope that you get a taste of that venison. I'll try not to mention Bamby or Rudolph too often...
posted by
Kabu
on November 18, 2012 at 1:59 PM
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