I Hunt Because Hunting Is Fun

22 August 2007

Posted by Darrell under: Rantings Of An Outdoorsman .

When asked why I hunt, I have all kinds of explanations. “I love the outdoors, I love life, It is a peaceful way to relieve the stress of modern living, I enjoy eating wild meat and providing food for my family, etc, etc”. Interestingly, the answer I don’t ever use, but is just as true as the others: “I hunt because it is fun!”

Why don’t I ever simply answer “because it’s fun”? In today’s environment, it is not politically correct for adults to have fun (especially if we’re talking about hunting). When you see someone that is serious about any outdoor pursuit and ask why do you do it? They’ll say “because it puts me at one with the outdoors, I enjoy the exercise and physical exertion, it provides a way for us to enjoy family time, etc”.

Adults feel like “having fun” isn’t a good excuse for anything. ‘Fun’ isn’t mature enough. ‘Fun’ isn’t civilized. Well, come on people, just admit that we adults like to have fun, too.!

Upon reflection, I realize that what is ‘fun’ for me now isn’t that much different than what constituted ’fun’ when I was a kid. What are some of the things that make hunting for me ‘fun’?

I enjoy spending time with family and friends. Just like when I was a kid, I enjoyed playing with my friends. I also have fun being alone in the woods. When I was a kid, I especially enjoyed having some alone time now and then. It is fun trying to outsmart a wild animal. It is fun trying to win. I think kids have so much fun playing video games because they are trying their best to win. I feel the same way when I’m hunting.

It is fun being away from work and responsibilities. Kids play. Hunting is my play. It is fun having bragging rights and stories to tell. Kids will talk for hours about what happened on their last video game and brag about what level they just reached. I love having interesting and adventurous stories to tell and stuff to brag about (good naturedly of course).

I don’t need to make an excuse for hunting. I don’t need a politically correct or mature reason for hunting. I’m comfortable saying “I hunt because hunting is fun”.

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9 Comments so far...

Rex Says:

22 August 2007 at 10:25 am.

thanks, will start using that phrase instead of trying to come up with some romantic notion.

Arthur Says:

22 August 2007 at 12:50 pm.

hell yes! I love having fun. What a good way to put it! I never make excuses for my hunting and will never apologize for it, but I do tend to go to the romantic side to describe. I am going to use to have fun though next time!!!

Bryan Says:

22 August 2007 at 2:26 pm.

Amen!

Matt Says:

22 August 2007 at 3:16 pm.

This is an excellent post. I especially like that you equated hunting to video games, which kids do why? Because they are fun!

I think video games sometimes get just as much of a bad name in outdoorspeople circles as hunting does in liberal/intellectual circles.

A balanced life is a happy life. Spend time in the outdoors, and spend time with joystick in hand if you like. Most of all, have fun!

Kristine Shreve Says:

22 August 2007 at 4:39 pm.

Part of changing the perception of hunting starts with those who hunt. I think those who hunt and support hunting have been made to think that they have to justify hunting to make it more acceptable. I applaud the idea that hunting needs no justification, people just do it because it’s fun.

Darrell Says:

24 August 2007 at 12:49 pm.

I’m glad I’m not the only one having fun in the woods!

Why I Hunt - Anticipation - deerPhD - The Psychology of hunting Says:

15 October 2007 at 7:24 pm.

[…] came after this series began, it is definitely an inspiration to the continuation of this series. Darrell at Alpha Trilogy wrote a piece entitled “I Hunt Because It’s Fun”, and I’d have to agree! […]