This is a reasonable question and quite understandable coming from someone who does not hunt.

I think there are only a few hunters who actually enjoy the act of killing for killing sake. It is the HUNT that is the thrill of it.

I don't hunt anymore because my city slicker wife got the heebie jeebies when she came home one day during hunting season and saw six dead deer hanging in the garage (from the whole hunting group). But I remember the draw of the hunt and remember looking forward to it every year.

Finding a deer in the wild, getting close to it, getting a clear shot at it, and then shooting accurately and quickly enough is very difficult to do. Often, the animal has to be tracked in his own territory. Then, if all goes well, you have to haul the dead beast from the forest. Most hunters only get a deer once every few years even though they may hunt every year.

During the non-hunt season, go into the wilderness and try to take a GOOD photo of a deer. It is quite challenging. Surely, some people will argue that the same thrill can be had by taking photos. Forget it. You can't eat photos.

Deer know what's going on during hunting season. I have seen them spot a hunter, and crawl on their stomachs and walk backwards in very clever fashion.

For those who eat meat, but critisize hunting, may I offer the idea of letting cattle and fowl free to free range. No more plastic wrapped meat from some beast who's last vision was that of a close-proximity hammer. If you want to eat meat, you have to hunt it. TOFU would become the rage very quickly from a protein hungry population.