Shooting vs. Shooting (Page 3): I took my Harley off the road last summer after 40 years of riding. Like you, I have had too many really close calls with either impaired or, more...

Mr. B Loc: eastern Connecticut

Swamp Gator wrote:

I still have my Harley but have been thinking more about letting it go for the past couple of years. Too many drunks and tourists (and drunk tourists) on the roads around here so I figure I'm tempting fate every time I'm on it lately.

I took my Harley off the road last summer after 40 years of riding. Like you, I have had too many really close calls with either impaired or, more usually, inattentive drivers. Went out and bought a convertible roadster and haven't looked back! Tons of fun to drive and when rain threatens the top goes up in 12 and one-half seconds. Woohoo! No more rain gear and no more helmet head. And, for the first time in 40 years I have a tan on my legs.
Life is good.

show1971 Loc: Southern California

lightcatcher wrote:

I still shoot both ways. I don't like eating venison paper prints. :XD: :XD: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :XD:

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

show1971 Loc: Southern California

Swamp Gator wrote:

I have more guns then cameras but only shoot wildlife with a camera. That way I still come home with a trophy (my photos) and the animal gets to live on, continue with it's life, and be there for someone else to potentially enjoy seeing. It's a win/win for everybody.

Or eating!

Davet Loc: Fort Myers, Florida

It started in 1977 for me. I use to hunt all the time in fact 4 or 5 times per week and loved the outdoors. I finally realized It wasn't the killing of animals that I enjoyed in fact I kind of always felt sorry for them after I snuffed out their life, but it was the outdoors and the nature that I enjoyed and loved. So I sold the shotguns and have been outdoors and taking pictures ever since. I love my new life and the wildlife. :D

OldEarl Loc: Northeast Kansas

I have never had a problem reconciling firearms and camera equipment--I realize my place in the food chain. Both shooting and photography take me outdoors. I started with cameras as a substitute for sketchpads and oils because my fine motor coordination was less than optimal.

Note that Len Rue is recognized as both hunter and photographer. Likewise Jean-Jacques Audubon (correct name) shot far more birds than he painted--a fact largely ignored by the Society bearing his name.

VietVet Loc: Brooklyn, NY

After coming home from Vietnam in '72 tried hunting twice, once with a rifle and once with a bow and arrow. I couldn't bring myself to kill another living creature, had my fill from the war. Will only shoot with my cameras since.

lrm Loc: Sarasota, FL

Stopped hunting years ago and switched to shooting sporting clays. Still shoot both clays and photos. Good at clays (Senior world champ in 2003) but not that good with camera yet.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Indiana wrote:

Several years ago I decided to sell my guns and purchase camera equipment with the proceeds. Rather than continue shooting wildlife with my guns, I would rather be shooting wildlife with my camera. Seemed to make more sense to me. Anyone else on the forum experience that transformation?

I prefer shooting with my cameras, although I didn't sell all my guns.

yayi60 Loc: Spain

I don't want to sound corny, but you made my day!!! I wish more people would do the same! Animals are beautiful creatures and killing them just for pleasure it's not right... In my opinion. We, humans are the only ones doing that... 😢

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Indiana wrote:

Several years ago I decided to sell my guns and purchase camera equipment with the proceeds. Rather than continue shooting wildlife with my guns, I would rather be shooting wildlife with my camera. Seemed to make more sense to me. Anyone else on the forum experience that transformation?

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Goober Loc: Southeastern PA

Yup, I was big-time into building my own rifles for long-range shooting, hand loading, handguns and etc., and got interested in photography in the late 60's. As a young guy I couldn't afford both so started replacing my shooting equipment with photo gear and a custom built darkroom in my first new home. Never any regrets and would much rather browse the meat counter than kill anything now.

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

Indiana wrote:

Several years ago I decided to sell my guns and purchase camera equipment with the proceeds. Rather than continue shooting wildlife with my guns, I would rather be shooting wildlife with my camera. Seemed to make more sense to me. Anyone else on the forum experience that transformation?

!Amen!! Also don't want to take my son & grandson out hunting and bring them home in a bodybag. Too many "hunters" these days use alcohol as antifreeze then shoot anything that moves.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

michealj wrote:

Yes, I for one am like you. Have a great appreciation for sportsman and what they do for hunting and fishing, but I could no longer bring myself to hunt for kill. Now I hunt more than ever, just use cameras in place of rifles and shotguns. Love it, and am having a blast!! :thumbup: Mike J.

Quit hunting after I shot my first partridge at 17. I'm not against hunting in general but I am against ME hunting. Much prefer enjoying the animal in a frame knowing they are still doing their thing than on my plate. Pass the lentil soup please! :)

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

I, too, stopped hunting with a gun in favor of the camera. Happened 30 years ago. Still have all the guns, not sure why... They just collect dust and I have to keep them clean and locked away. For me, hunting was a sport and not a necessity, so it was easy to give it up. I can go to the grocery store and get whatever I need to eat. Best news is that, now I can "shoot" whatever I want with my camera, when I want, without a license or having to kill something. :mrgreen:

Marilyng Loc: Lorain,Oh.

Indiana wrote:

Several years ago I decided to sell my guns and purchase camera equipment with the proceeds. Rather than continue shooting wildlife with my guns, I would rather be shooting wildlife with my camera. Seemed to make more sense to me. Anyone else on the forum experience that transformation?

Oh I am so happy all of you hunters got smarter as you got older & gave up hunting with guns & now shoot with cameras!!😄