ClapperZapper, did I have fun? You bet I did and I would give anything to be able to do it again. I especially remember one morning's hunt when there was snow on the ground. It was mostly ploughed fields with a couple woods plots, where I was assigned to "back up" the line through the woods and take any hare trying to escape that way. That year there were enough pheasants that hens were on the abschuss plan (shooting plan) and I took 17 hares and 5 pheasants. That was really memorable day, for me a good day would have been 5 hares and 2 or 3 pheasants. Maybe the best part was I was a stranger in a foreign land, and they treated me like I was a brother.
Was I respectful of the game after I shot it? Yes. In Germany, the game belonged to the owner of the hunting rights and except for what he kept or gave to the hunters, he sold to help defray the cost of his lease and other costs. That is how the general population of the area was able to enjoy the delicious game dishes served in the Gasthauses. As for the game I shot in the US, we enjoyed it at home or in the hunting camp.
Even though I can only hunt now, siting in a ground blind, I have happy memories and can still take a deer every once in a while. This year, at 81 years old, I was able to take a nice buck and give most of the meat to my grandson (who was unsuccessful). Although they won't remember it, it really makes me happy to know my first two great grandsons' first taste of venison will come from a deer I shot (not to mention passing my guns on to them and hopefully their cousins).
It was sure better than spending my time in beer joints and pool halls.
Mike
