Your Definition of Hunting
Words often have multiple meanings and definitions depending on who is doing the defining. They can even sometimes have slighlty differing definitions from one dictionary to another. So today we’re going to take a look at the definition of hunt and hunting from a few different sources. Then I’m going to give my definition of it. Last, I would like to hear what your definition of it is.
First, let’s take a look at what some common reference books define hunt and hunting as.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
hunt·ing [huhn-ting]
–noun1. the act of a person, animal, or thing that hunts.
~~
American Heritage Dictionary
hunt (hŭnt)
v. hunt·ed, hunt·ing, huntsv. tr.
1. To pursue (game) for food or sport.
2. To search through (an area) for prey: hunted the ridges.
3. To make use of (hounds, for example) in pursuing game.
4. To pursue intensively so as to capture or kill: hunted down the escaped convict.
5. To seek out; search for.
6. To drive out forcibly, especially by harassing; chase away: hunted the newcomers out of town.~~
American Heritage Dictionary
hunt·ing (hŭn’tĭng)
n.1. The activity or sport of pursuing game.
2. The act of conducting a search for something: house hunting.~~
American Heritage Dictionary
hunt·ing (hŭn’tĭng)
n.1. The activity or sport of pursuing game.
2. The act of conducting a search for something: house hunting.~~
WordNet
huntingnoun
1. the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport [syn: hunt]
2. the activity of looking thoroughly in order to find something or someone [syn: search]
3. the work of finding and killing or capturing animals for food or pelts [syn: hunt]~~
Hunting is the practice of pursuing animals for food, recreation, trade or for their products.
Ok, basically the same with a few minor variations. Now for my own definition.
Hunting
The act of going afield in search of game where the actual taking of an animal is secondary to the enjoyment of nature and all it’s wonders, the majesty of the wildlife, and the staying in touch with our more primitive side while building a close comraderie with family and friends.
My defintion is quite a bit different than those you find in the dictionaries, encyclopedias, and so forth. And just as mine differs, I’m sure that your defintion will differ from mine. Which brings us to the last part of this post.
What is your definition of hunting?
hunting, definitions, views, beliefs
April 22nd, 2007 at 10:46 am
Definition of hunting: For me hunting goes back to the beginning of mankind and is an inherent part of our human nature. We started our existence on earth as wandering hunters (following the migration patterns of game animals). Later the hunters settled and became hunters and gathers. Later still we became farmers, but hunting always remained part of our nature. Even our physical structure and appearance is that of a carnivore (hunter), eyes in front of the skull and slightly recessed, order of teeth and digestive system to name a few similarities.
Unlike herbivores, humans do not meander and browse instead we single out objects (pery), focus on it and then peruse it i.e. “House Hunting?, Bargain Hunting?, “Job Hunting? and so on. Even in the traffic we tend to chase each other, a typical hunter behavior, that also can be observed by children playing with each other.
For me hunting is therefore first all about following my true natural instincts. However, today we need not to hunt to survive, but hunting is still a vital part of wildlife management in which I take part while at the same time enjoying to be out in nature and become once more part of my (our) nature. Hunting is also a means to relax and tank up energy away from the confines and pressure of civilization and daily hectic. The kill of an animal is not the goal of my hunting trip only an added bonus. Sharing that unique experience with like-minded man and women (the tribe) is an important, often underestimated, social experience too.
-Othmar Vohringer-
April 23rd, 2007 at 8:49 am
Cliff,
Either your definition or Othmar’s would work for me. I do know some hunters, though, who would disagree with both definitions quite strongly.
April 23rd, 2007 at 9:08 am
Othmar, an excellent definition of hunting as it relates to you. There are definite similarities between ours. Glad you shared.
Kristine, I know many hunters that would strongly disagree as well. The thing is, we each define hunting in our own way as it is a very personal experience. They have the right to disagree with my definition of hunting, because it is my defintion. They can have theirs, and while I may not agree, I will respect the fact that that is the meaning of it for them.
April 24th, 2007 at 11:12 am
Cliff,
I definitely agree with you, and I think the open minded approach you outline is one that would work well for most hunters. Still, I have encountered a few who think that it should be about the kill and nothing else, and anyone who says otherwise is unworthy of the name hunter. They simply won’t accept that each person defines the word for themselves.