This is a little lengthy but a great read.

Mystery- When there is too much certainty of the kill, does this take away from the Mystery that partially helps define hunting, and separates hunting from the simple act of killing? The importance of “Mystery” also begs the question of can you know too much about a particular animal? The unknown, the uncertainty, the Mystery....it’s an integral property of the product and experience. You remove too much Mystery from the hunt, it is simply no longer hunting...it’s killing.

Magic- When you combine the challenges of the pursuit, along with the mystery of the hunt, in wild habitats, you begin to create Magical moments. These Magical moments cannot always be cookie-cut between one hunter and the next. There are spiritual and special experiences that are sometimes unique to the occasion and may be uniquely personal. This aspect of “the hunt” is one of the greatest challenges of answering the question, “Why do you hunt?” These Magical moments are sometimes so esoteric, that they are virtually impossible to frame-up through words ... these moments are Magical. It should be our aim to keep them this way.

Majesty- As hunters, we should have a duty to show immense respect and appreciation for the game animals we hunt. Only then will those individual animals be seen in a light that brings Majesty and honor to the lives of those animals, ultimately allowing the hunter to not only appreciate that animal’s presence on this earth, but to also allow the hunter to respect the finality of death. And as we tamper too deeply with the natural state of wild animals, do we allow artificial practices to erode the Majesty of those wild animals by encouraging the important values that we hold for livestock to usurp the unique values that we hold for wildlife?

Meat- The resourceful nature of hunting is the most rudiment reason why humans historically depended on successful hunts in order to subsist. Today, responsible hunting ethics include the wise use of the meats from our game animals. The locavore movement of people hunting for food is a refreshing reminder that the trophy should not simply be measured by inches of antler or horn but should also be based on ounces of wholesome protein that nourishes our bodies. And metaphorically, when we talk about meat, let’s not forget that there should be plenty of “meat” derived from the overall experience of the hunt, as when that proverbial meat is lacking, so is retention for those who participate in the activity.

Maturity- We often talk about the importance of Maturity of the big-game animals that we harvest, regarding how that is an integral component of a quality herd management program. However, even more importantly, let’s not overlook the importance of Maturity in the mindset of the hunter. Hunter Maturity is generally a graduation process, characterized by ideals and values that uniquely evolve as a hunters navigate through their time as hunters. One of the more obvious examples of this is when the emphasis that is placed on the kill exceeds the emphasis that is placed on the other features of the hunt. In my line of work, I occasionally see hunters that seem to think that the dollars spent on the hunt are the equivalent of dollars spent at a retail store....they sometimes fail to realize that they are not buying a target in the form of a large-antlered animal; rather, they are paying a fee to have access to special wild places to pursue wild animals, coupled with the provided services that accompany these adventures. Only when we appreciate the entire suite of the features of the hunt can we enjoy the sweetness of the Mature fruits from the hunt. And it’s this Maturity that serves our hunting community well by projecting a good image, by allowing hunting ambassadors to be stronger advocates because of the enhanced context that help define them as a hunter, and by allowing each of us to better understand ourselves as responsible humans who depend on wild things and wild places to enhance our quality of life."

Dr. Bill Eikenhorst, Bear Creek Animal Clinic, Houston, TX

Very very good stuff. Thanks for posting.

X2

You gave Dr. Eikenhorst credit for the “quote”-what was it printed in?

Dr. Eikenhorst had it posted on his FB page.

I've never read anything that differentiated hunting from simply shooting and killing wild animals so well.

I look back now on the stories shared in my other thread that focused on "most difficult hunts" and realize that most if not all of those people had an experience loaded with all five of these M's. Still, they are elements that even the weekend hunter can experience with at least some measure of enjoyment if he/she so desires.

Thanks Dan. I consider Dr. Eikenhorst a friend. Hes a real good guy, very smart, good hunter and conservationist. Hes the type that gives back more than he takes away.

Thank you for posting this sir, this is really well written, and gets to the essence of hunting.I really enjoyed the read!

Great commentary

Good write up. But he forgot Money. With lease prices as of late, it's not a poor mans sport anymore... at least not in Texas.

Good read

Thanks for the post

^^agree 100%. Sad but true.

"Hunting - What once was the price of Gov. Food Stamps has become a Richmans sport..."
pappy

i still got cheap posts...

👍 very well put!