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21 - 32 of 32 Posts
For me bird hunting is all about fresh air, exersise, companionship, watching the dogs work and some game in the bag at the end of the day. Its also about the fringe elements, arguing about guns, dogs, shot size, etc..

Theres nothing quite as satisfying as the "tired" you feel after
a good day in the field. Having some refreshments with friends and reliving the day.
 
It's about being outdoors, watching the dog work, waiting for the point and the explosion that is a ruffed grouse on the go.
Pete
 
If you are worried about money take up needlepoint.

This is truly what it is all about.

Excellnt dog work and one of those special days when you limit in a matter of an hour. ALl three dogs point on bird each and it's the last day of the season on public walk in land.
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Nephews you have watch grow for little kids who can hardly hold that single shot .410 into young men. WHat is better than spending time in the outdoors doing what you all love?
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Seeing a Hawk carrying a 3 foot long snake while it is flying through the air 30 feet from you. If you look close you can see it hanging down.
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Watching the dogs try to catch wounded duck that keeps diving.
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Seeing things like this.
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And this
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And this
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Going hunting with a fat guy in a wheelchair and giving each other a hard time when we miss.
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All the birds are a bonus. So to answer the question it's about the hunt, the experiences, the things you would never get to see otherwise and the good friends canine and human.
 
For a great read on this subject:

Meditations on Hunting by José Ortega Y Gasset

Au was a Spanish philosopher and this is a splendid book.
 
For me, it's mostly about spending time with family and friends, and shooting a little as well. I love to hunt, I'd do it every day if I could, but I like to shoot too. Go to the range or go to the field? Go to the field every time. Is it about the bird? No, not really. I like to have a little something to bring home along with a large pile of empty shotshells, but if I don't, so what? I still got to be out there with people I like, challanging myself against nature.

BT
 
my setter and britteny would die if i left the house with my gun and not them! they will both throw a HUGE temper tantrum. bird dogs are poetry in motion. birds are beutiful and great to eat. walking in on a solid point having a bird bust up and retreived to hand? you dont get all that at any clay range.
 
Its about being on the river on a cold, foggy morning listening to a drake mallard whistle as he circles above; the sound of the water splashing as he touches down in your decoys.

Its about the feel of a warm quail in your hand that your dog just brought to you.

Its about the smell of the air right after you and your buddies all empty their duck guns into a flock of teal.

Its about having a near heart attack when a covey of chukars explodes in front of you.

Its about scoring a double and not being able to remember talking off the safety, pulling the trigger, cycling the action, or hearing the report.

Its about having a warm cup of coffee on a freezing December morning in a duck blind.

Its about the smell of bacon-wrapped doves slowly cooking on the grill after a successful hunt.

Its about your dog shaking off in the blind after a retrieve in late January.

Its about returning to old hunting grounds full of memories...
 
Well, I am definitely a hunter first. . .I shoot to practice.

I agree with the others as far as what it is all about is friends and family, it's the way I was brought up and what I teach to my kids and other kids:

My son Hunter with his dog on one of our trips (yep, Reese's PB cups for the slow time, you have to plan for when you take the 4 year old) :lol:
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My buddy and his daughter on another day. . .you can see why we love hunting this little pond of mine.

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My nephew catching his first salmon SOLO. . .13 lb king.

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Can't see this on a clays course:

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And birds and great dog work are always a nice bonus

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Hunt, shot, bird. I hunt to bring home the bird (or deer as the case may be) but it's not a absolute do or die thing. I remember every hunt I have ever been on, whether I got anything or not. But I remember the hunts where everything went right more vividly. :D
 
21 - 32 of 32 Posts