Home Forums Miscellaneous Topics Christ at the Campfire Re: Hunting and Spirituality

To Whom May Be So Inclined As To Read This:

My apologies, but this subject of hunting and spirituality that has recently been discussed at some length on this forum, brings to mind a story, mostly (partly?) based on fact, that I must tell to you.

Back in the late '70's or early '80's, four Wyoming men, three of whom attended the same Cody church as myself, went elk hunting in the Beartooth Mountains northwest of town. Two of those from the church, Mr. W. and Mr. P., were deacons and considered VERY spiritual persons indeed! The other church member was Mr. D. who considered himself on a spiritual par with the deacons, but was not generally viewed as such by those of us who knew him well. The fourth hunter was Mr. H. who was Mr. D.'s father-in-law; he WAS NOT a member of any church, but he WAS a rather grouchy old man and an avowed atheist.

Upon arrival at the area they planned to hunt, but before they unloaded from their 4x4 Suburban, one of the deacons suggested Mr. D. offer a prayer of supplication and ask the Lord's blessing for guidance, protection, and success as they hunted. Mr. D. was glad to oblige and proceeded, at some length, to invoke the Lord's favor. By the time he finished, his father-in-law was more inclined to throttle him than he was to hunt elk! It was getting close to sunup, and prime hunting time was slipping away!!

So, the three churchmen and the grouchy (and now thoroughly irritated) atheist commenced hunting. The elk were quite cooperative, and, after only a short time, Mr. W. shot and downed one with his .250 Savage. The other hunters heard him shoot, and shortly all four were admiring the big cow and congratulating the lucky hunter. They were also delighted because the elk was only a short distance UPHILL from a logging road and would be easy to "get out." At about this point, the "grouch" suggested they dress out their animal and get on with the hunt; however, Mr. W. thought it a good idea to thank the Lord for the good success he had had so early in the hunt. The other churchmen quickly agreed, and the cantankerous atheist had no choice but to comply. Mr. W. began to pray as he and the other three stood around the carcass; two in humble reverence while one was grinding his atheistic teeth! To make what could be a longer story shorter, before the prayer was finished, the "carcass" scrambled to her feet, ran over Mr. H., and escaped into the thick woods surrounding them.

Much later, after a grueling track and search operation (it took place on a steep, rugged, timbered mountainside) the elk was brought to bag; however, she was now the better part of mile from the road, and that distance was mostly DOWNHILL. It was well after dark by the time the four exhausted hunters (one was also somewhat bruised and battered from being run over by an elk) got their meat packed back to the road and loaded for the trip home. Needless to say, that trip home was very quiet and exceedingly tense. How much time passed before Mr. H. was again on speaking terms with his son-in-law, I do not know. However, I do know he never hunted with him again!

Perhaps there is a moral to this story; but if there is, I'm not sure what! Maybe some of you can help me out!

M. Bell

All show and no go. When there is a task at hand....do it. If praying together is important it should be important enough to set time aside so it doesn't cut into the task at hand.

Maybe it's don't hunt with guys who can't tell a dead critter from a live one, particularly if they are using a 250 Savage for elk.

I always make sure the critter is really dead before I stop to thank the Lord for allowing me to kill it. Seems like unless I know it won't get up and run away, I have a hard time praying over it's death. A sharp stick in the eyeball seems to get a not quite dead animal to flinch. If it flinches, I shoot. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Then I pray! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Who says you can praise God while dressing out an animal. I always have trouble with folks who have to stop everything everytime they pray. For me prayer is a conversation, and sometimes a conversation I have while doing something that needs to be done.

Had almost the same experience these guy's did with my buck. It got up and begun to run and only got about 5 yards.... this time two shots rang out from the ol 30-30 into the heart/lung area. Mr buck dropped for good at this piont. Did I thank the Lord for what He had provided my son and I? Yes, but not without keeping an eye on my downed deer.

You got to get the task at hand finished, before relaxing.

Holy cow.

Savaged.

Pronounced dead.

Resurrected.

Heathen upset.

Believers, not so much.



YMMV.

Scriptural, for sure. Jesus said, "WATCH and pray." Amen!

I like to avoid them (for good reason), but there are some people who close their eyes will praying...and driving. Their theory is that if they're praying, God will keep them safe. That's their theory. Mine is that God gave us brains and expects us to use them.

Dick

I always resort to "Watch and pray!" while driving. Just in case there are others out there that are neither watching or praying.

hey, i read 85 psalms and the first four books of proverbs yesterday while in my treestand ...

That's the best way to hunt! It's always successful!

yep.