I grew up hunting in south Louisiana. I am 64 now and gave it up 20 years ago. I enjoyed the hunt, never the kill — at least never after it was done and the adrenaline subsided. As all hunters do I came to be able to do it efficiently, but never to enjoy it. Killing takes some getting used to, and I believe that if anyone says they enjoy it then they are lacking something fundamental in their humanity. As you said the animal would not have gone to waste regardless. All life returns to the earth from whence it came — us included. But by butchering the calf for yourself you honored its brief existence and sacrificed a little piece of yourself for the whole sorry situation in return. SWell done and a beautiful story telling…
I grew up hunting in south Louisiana. I am 64 now and gave it up 20 years ago. I enjoyed the hunt, never the kill — at least never after it was done and the adrenaline subsided. As all hunters do I came to be able to do it efficiently, but never to enjoy it. Killing takes some getting used to, and I believe that if anyone says they enjoy it then they are lacking something fundamental in their humanity. As you said the animal would not have gone to waste regardless. All life returns to the earth from whence it came — us included. But by butchering the calf for yourself you honored its brief existence and sacrificed a little piece of yourself for the whole sorry situation in return. SWell done and a beautiful story telling…
Wonderful piece! I really enjoyed it, thank you.
Beautiful — thanks, Nicole.