The hunting life.

[Cajunrules 8]

I think that there is a bit of a difference between using a gun/dog/bird etc to kill things and 'the hunting life'. I don't think any one on here really lives a TRUE hunting life, where their survival, sustenance and prosperity is dependent on their harvesting of game, and most of the other things that go on in their lives are somehow tied into this. However there is definitely a wide range of different levels of immersion into the 'hunting life' on this site, but i don't think the body count had much to do with it. Its the ethos.

 

Another question would be - is stuff like driven shooting or even lamping. really hunting?

 

hunt (hnt)

v. hunt·ed, hunt·ing, hunts

v.tr.

1. To pursue (game) for food or sport.

2. To search through (an area) for prey: hunted the ridges.

3. To make use of (hounds, for example) in pursuing game.

4. To pursue intensively so as to capture or kill: hunted down the escaped convict.

5. To seek out; search for.

6. To drive out forcibly, especially by harassing; chase away: hunted the newcomers out of town.

v.intr.

1. To pursue game.

2. To make a search; seek.

3. Aerospace

a. To yaw back and forth about a flight path, as if seeking a new direction or another angle of attack. Used of an aircraft, rocket, or space vehicle.

b. To rotate up and down or back and forth without being deflected by the pilot. Used of a control surface or a rocket motor in gimbals.

4. Engineering

a. To oscillate about a selected value. Used of a machine, instrument, or system.

b. To swing back and forth; oscillate. Used of an indicator on a display or instrument panel.

n.

1. The act or sport of hunting: an enthusiast for the hunt.

2.

a. A hunting expedition or outing, usually with horses and hounds.

b. Those taking part in such an expedition or outing.

3. A diligent search or pursuit: on a hunt for cheap gas.

 

Yep lamping and driven shooting would be hunting given the above definition of the word

 

[Ideation 8,216]

 

Another question would be - is stuff like driven shooting or even lamping. really hunting?

 

What do you count as hunting then? Genuine question.

 

 

That's the thing, i'm not 100% sure! I've seen folk living what i would count as a true 'hunting life', overseas, folk who live a complete nomadic existence, getting EVERYTHING they need from the land. But back to your question, i've never felt that things like driven shooting are really hunting, i do it and love it, but it doesnt really require any field craft, or anything really, as long as you can handle a gun well you can fill the bag. Kinda similar with lamping - it IS hunting of course, but the dog doesn't 'hunt', it 'catches', totally different from watching dogs work land in the daytime, really watching the dog 'hunt'. I know all of this is a bit weak as to hunt is 'to chase or search for game for the purpose of catching or killing', so most things qualify. But maybe not driven shooting as the guns dont do much chasing or searching - although i suppose they search the skys! I feel closest to 'hunting' when in out all day with just the dog, or a gun, spending all day in the forests and hills around here, working my way across miles of empty land, filling the bag with a mix of quarry.

[Ideation 8,216]

I think that there is a bit of a difference between using a gun/dog/bird etc to kill things and 'the hunting life'. I don't think any one on here really lives a TRUE hunting life, where their survival, sustenance and prosperity is dependent on their harvesting of game, and most of the other things that go on in their lives are somehow tied into this. However there is definitely a wide range of different levels of immersion into the 'hunting life' on this site, but i don't think the body count had much to do with it. Its the ethos.

 

Another question would be - is stuff like driven shooting or even lamping. really hunting?

 

hunt (hnt)

v. hunt·ed, hunt·ing, hunts

v.tr.

1. To pursue (game) for food or sport.

2. To search through (an area) for prey: hunted the ridges.

3. To make use of (hounds, for example) in pursuing game.

4. To pursue intensively so as to capture or kill: hunted down the escaped convict.

5. To seek out; search for.

6. To drive out forcibly, especially by harassing; chase away: hunted the newcomers out of town.

v.intr.

1. To pursue game.

2. To make a search; seek.

3. Aerospace

a. To yaw back and forth about a flight path, as if seeking a new direction or another angle of attack. Used of an aircraft, rocket, or space vehicle.

b. To rotate up and down or back and forth without being deflected by the pilot. Used of a control surface or a rocket motor in gimbals.

4. Engineering

a. To oscillate about a selected value. Used of a machine, instrument, or system.

b. To swing back and forth; oscillate. Used of an indicator on a display or instrument panel.

n.

1. The act or sport of hunting: an enthusiast for the hunt.

2.

a. A hunting expedition or outing, usually with horses and hounds.

b. Those taking part in such an expedition or outing.

3. A diligent search or pursuit: on a hunt for cheap gas.

 

Yep lamping and driven shooting would be hunting given the above definition of the word

 

 

While i totally agree, in that case if i go outside an drop a paving slab on a frog it's hunting. I wasn't trying to debate the technicalities of defining the word 'hunt', just how much the activities that can be classed as hunting fit in the idea of a hunting life. . . .

[camelion 4]

If your hungry, its hunting, if your not, its sport

[Cajunrules 8]

 

Another question would be - is stuff like driven shooting or even lamping. really hunting?

 

What do you count as hunting then? Genuine question.

 

 

That's the thing, i'm not 100% sure! I've seen folk living what i would count as a true 'hunting life', overseas, folk who live a complete nomadic existence, getting EVERYTHING they need from the land. But back to your question, i've never felt that things like driven shooting are really hunting, i do it and love it, but it doesnt really require any field craft, or anything really, as long as you can handle a gun well you can fill the bag. Kinda similar with lamping - it IS hunting of course, but the dog doesn't 'hunt', it 'catches', totally different from watching dogs work land in the daytime, really watching the dog 'hunt'. I know all of this is a bit weak as to hunt is 'to chase or search for game for the purpose of catching or killing', so most things qualify. But maybe not driven shooting as the guns dont do much chasing or searching - although i suppose they search the skys! I feel closest to 'hunting' when in out all day with just the dog, or a gun, spending all day in the forests and hills around here, working my way across miles of empty land, filling the bag with a mix of quarry.

 

Good post, and I can understand what you're saying. Never given much thought to definitions, and to be honest, what does it matter? Surely its getting out and "doing a bit" that counts. Atb

[Ideation 8,216]

 

Another question would be - is stuff like driven shooting or even lamping. really hunting?

 

What do you count as hunting then? Genuine question.

 

 

That's the thing, i'm not 100% sure! I've seen folk living what i would count as a true 'hunting life', overseas, folk who live a complete nomadic existence, getting EVERYTHING they need from the land. But back to your question, i've never felt that things like driven shooting are really hunting, i do it and love it, but it doesnt really require any field craft, or anything really, as long as you can handle a gun well you can fill the bag. Kinda similar with lamping - it IS hunting of course, but the dog doesn't 'hunt', it 'catches', totally different from watching dogs work land in the daytime, really watching the dog 'hunt'. I know all of this is a bit weak as to hunt is 'to chase or search for game for the purpose of catching or killing', so most things qualify. But maybe not driven shooting as the guns dont do much chasing or searching - although i suppose they search the skys! I feel closest to 'hunting' when in out all day with just the dog, or a gun, spending all day in the forests and hills around here, working my way across miles of empty land, filling the bag with a mix of quarry.

 

Good post, and I can understand what you're saying. Never given much thought to definitions, and to be honest, what does it matter? Surely its getting out and "doing a bit" that counts. Atb

 

Totally mate, but the man did ask the question, so it got my thinking. I dunno, i go out into the forest, and stalk a rabbit with the catapult, making a good kill, which i carry home for my tea, that feels like hunting. I go out on a driven day and stand on a peg knocking down pheasants right left and center, the bag is much much bigger but i feel like i've been shooting, not hunting. I guess, i know folk who i can call lurcher men, ferreters, falconers, a great shot with a rifle or shotgun etc. . . . but not many i would call 'hunters' even if they hunt a lot. Last true hunters i met were a group of Askari (Massai tribesmen who are nomadic) who were wandering about kenya, uganda, tanzania area, i think their relationship with the land was what maybe set them apart.

[danw 1,748]

I think that there is a bit of a difference between using a gun/dog/bird etc to kill things and 'the hunting life'. I don't think any one on here really lives a TRUE hunting life, where their survival, sustenance and prosperity is dependent on their harvesting of game, and most of the other things that go on in their lives are somehow tied into this. However there is definitely a wide range of different levels of immersion into the 'hunting life' on this site, but i don't think the body count had much to do with it. Its the ethos.

 

Another question would be - is stuff like driven shooting or even lamping. really hunting?

 

hunt (hnt)

v. hunt·ed, hunt·ing, hunts

v.tr.

1. To pursue (game) for food or sport.

2. To search through (an area) for prey: hunted the ridges.

3. To make use of (hounds, for example) in pursuing game.

4. To pursue intensively so as to capture or kill: hunted down the escaped convict.

5. To seek out; search for.

6. To drive out forcibly, especially by harassing; chase away: hunted the newcomers out of town.

v.intr.

1. To pursue game.

2. To make a search; seek.

3. Aerospace

a. To yaw back and forth about a flight path, as if seeking a new direction or another angle of attack. Used of an aircraft, rocket, or space vehicle.

b. To rotate up and down or back and forth without being deflected by the pilot. Used of a control surface or a rocket motor in gimbals.

4. Engineering

a. To oscillate about a selected value. Used of a machine, instrument, or system.

b. To swing back and forth; oscillate. Used of an indicator on a display or instrument panel.

n.

1. The act or sport of hunting: an enthusiast for the hunt.

2.

a. A hunting expedition or outing, usually with horses and hounds.

b. Those taking part in such an expedition or outing.

3. A diligent search or pursuit: on a hunt for cheap gas.

 

Yep lamping and driven shooting would be hunting given the above definition of the word

 

 

While i totally agree, in that case if i go outside an drop a paving slab on a frog it's hunting. I wasn't trying to debate the technicalities of defining the word 'hunt', just how much the activities that can be classed as hunting fit in the idea of a hunting life. . . .

 

The thing is that most of us will have our own idea on what the hunting life is and I don't think that we should dismiss others chosen pursuits as being any thing other than hunting that only serves to segregate and alienate members of our hunting community when we are obviously all joined by a common ideology interestingly this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting defines most things as hunting yet specifically identifies and excludes poaching.

 

This is rather similar to driven game.

Traditionally, the seasonal group hunt was carried out at specific times of the year or as part of the celebrations associated with a particular cultural event and would commonly involve most of the able-bodied males in the community. Among the Ashantis living in forest areas of Ghana, the seasonal group hunting is a highly organised event. A meeting is held several days before the hunt to decide on the hunting grounds, divide people into ranks and share out responsibilities. As many as 60 - 100 people may be involved in the hunting, comprising professional hunters and helpers as well as a number of dogs.

 

Hunting by combing of vegetation involves fewer people. perhaps four or five. They encircle a patch of vegetation known to harbour animals and work towards the centre beating and slashing the bushes. Signs used to determine whether or not a patch of vegetation is likely to contain animals include presence of droppings and food remains. The method is popular for hunting rodents, especially the grasscutter in West Africa. Animals emerging from the vegetation are either chased and caught by dogs or killed with clubs and cutlasses.

[kevin from bristol 95]

if your asking yourself do i live a hunting life then you don't .a few friends of mine get together once a year and live off the land for two weeks using only horses and dogs , tickling fish , and harvesting what ever they can find they use old bow tops like our forfarthers used to travel in and have no outside help what so ever and live pretty hansom is basically to teach the skills to the children and to keep alive a long tradition of living of the land ,but this is only for to weeks then we all go back to our lives i think unless you are employed in the country sector you can't live it and being employed to hunt or run a hunt is not living the hunting life for me

[scothunter 12,609]

well i dont live the hunting life,if i did i would jack my job in and do it full time,but i suspect if i did that id be out of a home and on the street lol.its a past time for me.i go ferreting and a mooch with the dog to see what i can get.something i enjoy doing and it gets me away for a few hours doing something i find satisfying whether i get any quarry or not.always enjoyed being out of a morning or night just wandering around or working a burrow with my poleys.done it since i was a kid and will continue to do so as long as im still able to do so.i have a life and a lot of other commitments which i need to do and i get out when i can.sometimes i wish i had more free time but sadly in this day and age its just not possible.but im at my happiest when im out in the country seeing all the amazing sights that it has to offer.

[Ideation 8,216]

I think that there is a bit of a difference between using a gun/dog/bird etc to kill things and 'the hunting life'. I don't think any one on here really lives a TRUE hunting life, where their survival, sustenance and prosperity is dependent on their harvesting of game, and most of the other things that go on in their lives are somehow tied into this. However there is definitely a wide range of different levels of immersion into the 'hunting life' on this site, but i don't think the body count had much to do with it. Its the ethos.

 

Another question would be - is stuff like driven shooting or even lamping. really hunting?

 

hunt (hnt)

v. hunt·ed, hunt·ing, hunts

v.tr.

1. To pursue (game) for food or sport.

2. To search through (an area) for prey: hunted the ridges.

3. To make use of (hounds, for example) in pursuing game.

4. To pursue intensively so as to capture or kill: hunted down the escaped convict.

5. To seek out; search for.

6. To drive out forcibly, especially by harassing; chase away: hunted the newcomers out of town.

v.intr.

1. To pursue game.

2. To make a search; seek.

3. Aerospace

a. To yaw back and forth about a flight path, as if seeking a new direction or another angle of attack. Used of an aircraft, rocket, or space vehicle.

b. To rotate up and down or back and forth without being deflected by the pilot. Used of a control surface or a rocket motor in gimbals.

4. Engineering

a. To oscillate about a selected value. Used of a machine, instrument, or system.

b. To swing back and forth; oscillate. Used of an indicator on a display or instrument panel.

n.

1. The act or sport of hunting: an enthusiast for the hunt.

2.

a. A hunting expedition or outing, usually with horses and hounds.

b. Those taking part in such an expedition or outing.

3. A diligent search or pursuit: on a hunt for cheap gas.

 

Yep lamping and driven shooting would be hunting given the above definition of the word

 

 

While i totally agree, in that case if i go outside an drop a paving slab on a frog it's hunting. I wasn't trying to debate the technicalities of defining the word 'hunt', just how much the activities that can be classed as hunting fit in the idea of a hunting life. . . .

 

The thing is that most of us will have our own idea on what the hunting life is and I don't think that we should dismiss others chosen pursuits as being any thing other than hunting that only serves to segregate and alienate members of our hunting community when we are obviously all joined by a common ideology interestingly this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting defines most things as hunting yet specifically identifies and excludes poaching.

 

This is rather similar to driven game.

Traditionally, the seasonal group hunt was carried out at specific times of the year or as part of the celebrations associated with a particular cultural event and would commonly involve most of the able-bodied males in the community. Among the Ashantis living in forest areas of Ghana, the seasonal group hunting is a highly organised event. A meeting is held several days before the hunt to decide on the hunting grounds, divide people into ranks and share out responsibilities. As many as 60 - 100 people may be involved in the hunting, comprising professional hunters and helpers as well as a number of dogs.

 

Hunting by combing of vegetation involves fewer people. perhaps four or five. They encircle a patch of vegetation known to harbour animals and work towards the centre beating and slashing the bushes. Signs used to determine whether or not a patch of vegetation is likely to contain animals include presence of droppings and food remains. The method is popular for hunting rodents, especially the grasscutter in West Africa. Animals emerging from the vegetation are either chased and caught by dogs or killed with clubs and cutlasses.

 

It wasn't trying to segregate anyone or alienate anyone, i was just nattering on about various thoughts that popped into my head. I don't agree however that all of us who spend our time killing animals in whatever way for whatever reason share a common ideology. Maybe a shared love of the chase? But probably not.

[romany52 313]

You don't need to be a full time hunter to have a hunting life, people have a working life, a social life, some of us have a sex life as well I've spent most of my life "hunting" in most of it's forms ,even lived off lamping, there was a time when I could earn more lamping than working so that's what I did. Just because someone appears to be on here all day doesn't mean they actually are. Take me for instance, I'm at home all day in the off season so look in on my tea breaks, others are looking in at work. A hunting life doesn't have to exclude all other aspects of life to be worthy of its name.

[Guest Lambert&Butler]

What was your main meal today...anything you had hunted and prepared?

[CarraghsGem 92]

What was your main meal today...anything you had hunted and prepared?

 

not today, was roast chicken (one of the roosters pissed me off)

with homegrown spuds + carrots. gravy was from lidl though

[dytkos 17,837]

Definately yes, I'm on here every day LOL:whistling:

Cheers, D

[stealthy1 3,964]

A good internet phone, sanity savers of the 12 hour shift factory worker, and handy for out in the field live reports