Bryant,
I agree with everything you just said. I too have lost some good ones before they needed to go; for reasons from other than a hog.
10years ago I only hunted for the thrill of the kill. That thrill is over and I am no longer blood thirsty. I love to eat fresh meat but it would be cheaper to buy it from the market.
I find myself also searching for "why I do it"
the only thing I have is the magical moment when the relationship of man and dog come together to produce a hog in a bush that once seemed empty to human eyes and now is alive with our prey. THE STRIKE! Unfortunatly that too has lost it's luster after a few thousand times.
If anyone has any good words of wisdom, I AM ALL EARS
Longshot
It's amazing how many times this has ever crossed our minds. My brother stopped hunting over7 yrs ago but when he and I get together to hunt I see the light in his eyes. It's a game. We love the game and always will, we lose sight and fall astray at times but that feeling you get sown deep in your gut everytime your dogs strike or catch never leaves you it's the fire that keeps us going everyday. Things lose their luster although they stay with you forever.
