AlexRowan said:
Thanks for all the encouragement. I totally agree with you all that it is much kinder, satisfying and natural to hunt, skin and cook your own meat. I categorically know that if it came down to either shooting/trapping an animal and not eating, that I would take great pride in being able to fend for myself. The issue I have is that in our sterile, supermarket wrapped world, I haven't got the stomach to shoot a rabbit or deer simply because I enjoy seeing them running wild so much!)
Alex,
If you feel that you don't have the stomach for it, then don't do it - neither I nor anyone else would want to force you into a course of action that many find objectionable. It is why I added the piece about helping a farmer clear pests from his land. I do not have any direct experience of cattle/horses having to be destroyed after breaking legs down a rabbit hole, but I can imagine the angst of those animal owners who might loose a beloved familly pet for instance. Thus I view my shooting as accomplishing two goals with one activity. There is a line of thought that man is grossly disrespective of the animals he consumes, by leaving the acts of killing and butchery to persons unknown deep in the overcomplicated food chain.
AlexRowan said:
Do you think I should put up or shut up and either go vegetarian or go and find a rabbit for the pot?
Certainly not, your point of view is equally valid as anyone elses. The fact that you posted the question mearly shows that you would like to gather some information before considering whether to carry on with a course of action that is new to you.
AlexRowan said:
Also, Ogri, I would like to give skinning/preparing game a go so do you really think it is something to learn from a more experienced hunter?? I must admit, I would have tried it on my own (albeit with the use of a lot of research from this and other sites)
RapidBoy posted a very good tutorial a while ago and if I could find it, I'd post a link. It showed all the important steps and some of the easier ways of avoiding the pitfalls. My suggestion of being with someone else is that there would be another person present to offer encouragement should it be needed. It is not a job that I would have liked to attempt to do, having just looked at some pictures or heard it described. It might also help if that friend could cook the first one for you as the convincing step for me was the tasting. It is very easy to falter at any of the steps involved, and then spend an eternity cursing yourself for killing without good reason.
I am comfortable with the way that I do things, and I can talk about it to many folk, but in the end it is ME that I have to convince. You must make up your own mind and be comfortable with your own descision before moving on - if that point of view happens to closely resemble mine, then I'll encourage as mush as you want.
All the best
Ogri the trog