Beyond the Rack: Why Ethical Deer Hunting Still Feeds Families

  

 

There are two types of deer hunters, in my experience: the trophy hunter and the food hunter.

The trophy hunter is after the rack the antlers, the head, the bragging rights. They may field dress the deer for prime cuts, but often leave the carcass behind where the harvest occurred. Once the photo is taken and the venison is packed, they’re gone. The rest of the animal is left to decay in the woods, wasted.

Mature buck will feed family and community


Then there’s the hunter who harvests with purpose. The one who uses every part of the deer they can meat, hide, bones because that animal is feeding their family through the winter. These hunters don’t take more than they need. They don’t chase status or social clout. They hunt with reverence.

Before any field dressing tools touched the deer, my dad and brothers would kneel beside it and pray.


In my family, hunting was never about trophies. My father and both my brothers hunted to stock our freezer and support our neighbors. What we didn’t need, we donated to local charities. My dad always said, “If an animal gives its life, the least we can do is make sure it feeds someone.” He believed in giving back, and in honoring the life taken.

Before any field dressing tools touched the deer, my dad and brothers would kneel beside it and pray. They gave thanks for the harvest, for the nourishment, and for the animal’s life. That moment of silence was sacred. No phones. No selfies. Just gratitude.

I love animals. I photograph them, advocate for them, and protect their habitats. But I also understand that for many families especially now, with food prices climbing wildlife is a source of nourishment. Ethical hunters know this. They avoid harvesting lactating does, fawns, or young bucks. They look for mature deer with ample meat, take one harvest, and walk away.

This isn’t about glorifying hunting. It’s about respecting the balance. It’s about feeding families without waste. It’s about remembering that wildlife isn’t just a sport it’s a responsibility.

Deer about respecting the balance. It’s about feeding families without waste.

 

 

Closing Thoughts

Hunting, when done ethically, can be an act of stewardship. It can feed families, support communities, and honor the life of the animal. But when it becomes a game of trophies and status, something sacred is lost.

My family taught me that the forest gives but only if we give back. If you hunt, hunt with purpose. If you harvest, harvest with respect. And if you take a life, make sure it feeds another.

And maybe before you reach for your phone bow your head first.

Disclaimer: This article reflects my personal opinion and lived experience. It’s a story about my family’s values, our approach to hunting, and the difference I see between trophy hunting and hunting for sustenance. It is not intended to shame individuals, but to advocate for ethical practices and community responsibility.

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