Shooting from inside a hut above the ground and having some thing hold the rifle for you does still feel like you are hunting?
It is a sincere question, not trying to poke anyone's eye.
Short answer…….. Yes!
Let's see, Over the last 20 years I’ve addressed this numerous times, but what the hey…….
Hunting.....
Hunting is the human practice of seeking, pursuing and capturing or killing wildlife or feral animals.[10] The most common reasons for humans to hunt are to harvest food (i.e. meat) and useful animal products (fur/hide, bone/tusks, horn/antler, etc.), for recreation/taxidermy (see trophy hunting), to remove predators dangerous to humans or domestic animals (e.g. wolf hunting), to eliminate pests and nuisance animals that damage crops/livestock/poultry or spread diseases (see varminting), for trade/tourism (see safari), or for ecological conservation against overpopulation and invasive species.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HuntingThen there is perception......
Perception: A thought, belief, or opinion, often held by many people and based on appearances:
My perception of hunting and yours may just differ!
What’s the old saying, when life hand’s you a lemon, make lemonade. Well living in Texas we may not have a ton of public land, nor the preponderance of big game species that are found in northern and western climes, but I can “go afield” or “Hunt” if you will, for some type of critter 24/7/365.
I’ve hosted a number of “Western Hunters” that after 3 days of “hunting” with me out of stands (in the Texas Hill Country) came away with a totally different view and perception than before.
BTW, stand hunting is only one facet of the way I “hunt”. I also trap and snare as well as spot and stalk. It just that stand "hunting" is a more productive and practical use of my time.
From my point of view, "Shooting from inside a hut above the ground and having some thing hold the rifle for you" can also be understood based on local custom, climate conditions, terrain, and type of "critter".
I tell folks “I shoot a lot more stuff with a camera than with a firearm”
So, take a look. I have my DSLR with a 150-600 lens that weighs about the same as a scoped rifle, set up on a tripod. Why, because it allows me to take reasonably clear, concise photos.
I called this guy "Lucky 13" He had 13 points and was about 1 year too young!
I'm set up and ready. I do not have to support an 8 lb device for the 4 to 5 hours I may sit.
Same way with a tripod. Much of my "hunting" is done at night. The temps' are much more agreeable and night is when lotsa' critters are on the move. I can be set up with my night vision streaming to a tablet and sit there for 4 or 5 hours with no problem. Don't have to worry about many shots that would be missed otherwise.
Many times I hunt with a single shot rifle. In addition, where I hunt if the critter is not DRT, and you do not find a blood trail within 10’ or so of the POI, typically you do not find your quarry.
With temps in the 90’s at night, it does not take long for the meat to go “green”. Consequently shot placement is a matter of utmost importance. I do not like to track boars at night.
I call this spot "The Canopy". Shot is 175 yds. Pigs move constantly. Nice to have a reasonably stable platform. It takes me 45 minutes to get from the stand to the POI. I do not hunt this stand at night.
Another facet...
Here are three “trash pandas” that I perforated after dark-thirty @ 163 paces while sitting in a stand with my rifle supported as mentioned above, while using night vision.
I lined up two and took them with one shot, the second shot took the third. Chances are I could not have been successful had I not used the “Death Grip” tripod in this instance.
I had recently checked my zero for the first time in a year or so and was about 6" off, before correction. That was the first opportunity to test my corrected zero and the longest shot using night vision I have taken to date. Was I jazzed, absolutely!
Anywho, perhaps you catch my drift!
Best,
GWB