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In the first 25 years of our marriage, up through getting the kids through college and out of the house, it was a rare sight indeed to spot any form of "store bought" meat in our freezer. I literally fed my family with my rifles (sometimes revolvers) and fishing poles. I hunted outside of my home state of Washington every year (some years overseas, but you don't bring that meat home, you leave it for the locals), sometimes multiple other states, ranging as far as the Midwest. I fished up and down the West Coast, mainly salmon, halibut, other bottom fish, and sometimes tuna.
At this point, I can take or leave any form of venison. And other people catch my fish, at least to feed me (I still love fly fishing, but pretty much catch and release). Beef is better. Venison may be a "treat" for those who don't eat much of it, but raising a family on it changes one's perspective of it.
I don't hunt as much as I used to. My goals have changed. It used to be purely to fill the freezer, and maybe a point of somewhat stubborn pride that I could "feed my own damn family". Now, I'm after just some peaceful time in the quiet outdoors. Most of my "hunting" is really more "dog walking" with my little buddy Ed, chasing our local pheasant or grouse. Muzzle loading shotgun, which I often don't even bother to load. All it really does is give me access to Game Department lands where I can let Ed run. Makes us both very happy.
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