First Kill Initiations when deer hunting?
H M asked:
Has anyone heard of initiations that are done after you make your first kill when deer hunting? What are they and where did this practice come from?
Garrick
Has anyone heard of initiations that are done after you make your first kill when deer hunting? What are they and where did this practice come from?
Garrick
Tags: Deer Hunting
February 5th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
We do it all the time here in Kentucky, or at lest in Western Kentucky. You can do whatever you want as your initiation–a lil shout, clap ur hands, scream, etc. even a lil dance is ok. I am not sure but I think the Indians started it years ago since they had to huynt and kill so they could eat.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
One of my friend’s family’s traditions is that when someone kills their first deer, they need to cut out its heart and take a bite while its still warm.
Another friend said he heard about some people who would wear the animal’s sphincter muscle around the third finger of the left hand while in hunting camp since they were “married” to the carcass.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
I drank the blood and then painted my face with it.
February 11th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Up in Wisconsin, we do a bit more obscene gesture. In either case, the reproductive parts are hung from a nearby tree. Although I believe this is mearly my perverse hunting buddies trying to gross and harass me, this is a running tradition that we do with every kill.
February 13th, 2008 at 2:59 am
Long ago primitive hunters felt they had to honor the sprit of the dead animal. Rubbing its blood on their face, drinking its blood, and other customs was an act of respect and a sign of honor. This has changed to where a few hunters main focus is on his success and the blood is a sign of victory. But there are still many hunters who apologize to the animal and thank their God for its life and meat.
Honestly with the number of diseases that can be in deer blood, eating the raw meat or drinking its blood is not a very safe thing to do.
February 13th, 2008 at 6:57 am
Some practices such as rubbing blood on the new hunter’s face are really nothing more than “bullying” – others are disrespectful of the animal. A more appropriate activity is to have the new hunter “field dress” his/her animal under the guidance of the experienced hunters. This not only puts the new hunter in close contact with the animal, but provides an educational experience. He/she will have learned how to properly take care of an animal and will be able to do so if his/her next success occurs while hunting alone.
February 16th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Eat the heart while it is warm I am told it is an Indian belief, I have ate Bear Gall!*