Let's talk Hunting & Animism, some bits from my life and my beliefs.
Recently in my life, I nearly got in a physical fight over hunting. I called someone out who was out unnecessarily killing prairie dogs for furs. I had no problems with getting physical, as unfortunately and also fortunately, my job has required me to train more and more for fighting against people, so I know well my capabilities, but that is besides the point. As a hunter myself, I find no joy in it. It is not a sport, it is not for fun, or something I do every year, just because I simply can buy a tag and do it. I have hunted due to necessity, because I need to eat, or those with me need to eat. As an animistic person, the core of norse pagan beliefs, the natural world is my number 1 priority. This incident however made me reflect more on my beliefs, and what I do, why I follow this path, why the ways lf Forn Seð and Animism are so important, and what my purpose in Midgard is. Truly, in this moment I did not care if I was to be shot, killed, or beaten if I was not capable, but I would happily accept whatever was to come to defend the natural world and innocent lives. The animals have more right to this land than we humans do, and as we have progressed we have abandoned and discarded the natural world, bringing so much uncalled for suffering and death... There was a time we had to live with the world, when hunting an animal was sacred, something many of us need to bring back.
I've seen more hunters like this guy, more of which I've gotten into fights with on my adventures kill animals and laugh, hold the bodies and mock their lives, and even discard of animals once their pictures are taken, not even using them... It is the most infuriating thing I have witnessed in my time, and something I've never been able to hold my anger from, and I am glad I haven't ended up in jail, or worse dealing with these situations, but I am happy to have put these shitty people in their places.
As a hunter myself though, I cry each time I have a successful hunt, for there is no joy in the life I took, other than gratefulness that I have gained sustenance, a hide to keep, and many other useful pieces for my work, a life to honor, a spirit to carry with me and cherish each time, and with this, I'm very against taking videos of hunting when I do, and pictures with what was hunted, I believe it mocks the animal, and trivializes their life, and in those moments of death and beyond, it should just be you and that spirit, guiding it on to a better world than here. Hunting has always been a natural order in the world, but it doesn't have to be so cold hearted, and careless, it once again can be sacred.