Kill Versus Harvest

By Keith Denoncourt

I have always valued the entire experience of the hunt. This young buck provided my family back straps, tenderloins as well as an abundance of sausage meat.

Growing up, I was blessed with many independent outdoor adventures. While my dad and I spent a lot of time hunting migratory and upland game birds, as well as managing pests together, there were occasions when his friends needed specialized help on their farms. My dad introduced me to local farmers, and with initial guidance, I was put to work managing predators and pests with my own .22 firearm.

Three Core Principles of Firearm Use

Along with universal firearm safety training, I was raised with three fundamental principles regarding the independent use of my firearms:

Shooting for Food – This principle is widely understood, even if not universally accepted. Hunting geese, ducks, or deer for sustenance is a clear example.
Shooting for Fur – This is more nuanced. If done in winter with a well-placed shot, harvesting a coyote for its fur is practical. However, shooting a coyote with a high-powered rifle in the summer is simply predator management, which, while necessary, does not allow for fur utilization.
Shooting for Purpose – This is often the most misunderstood. I have had to euthanize deer and a moose hit by vehicles, as well as severely injured domestic animals when no veterinary care was available. These were necessary actions taken out of compassion, but they were never easy. Taking a life, even in these circumstances, is something I approach with respect and responsibility.

The Realities of Predator Encounters

Another aspect of shooting for purpose is self-defense. In my experience, when faced with imminent danger, you must do what is necessary. I have encountered coyotes at close range, had a face-off with a wolf, and had to put down two aggressive bears that would not be deterred. While shooting an animal for protection is rare, it is sometimes unavoidable. Still, I always regret situations that could have been prevented through better management practices. Every incident was reported to local Fish and Wildlife authorities—transparency is key to maintaining ethical hunting and conservation practices.

Kevin McNeil, of Canadian Wildlife Adventures, and Keith Denoncourt, processing Muskox meat so that 100% of the animal is utilized. Nothing is left behind.

Why I Call It a Harvest, Not a Kill

When I take an animal's life, I do everything possible to utilize it fully and efficiently. Unlike swatting a mosquito, hunting is deeply personal to me. I do not take it lightly or recklessly. I take pride in honing my skills to ensure the most humane and ethical harvest possible.

Some may see using the term "harvest" instead of "kill" as catering to those unfamiliar with hunting, but I see it as a reflection of respect. I have never tried to convert a vegan or vegetarian to hunting through forceful arguments. Instead, I educate by demonstrating how nature works beyond a "Disney" perspective. Science supports that controlled harvests benefit ecosystems, and I provide tangible examples to make the case relatable.

The sharing of food, water and the offering guests protection is a unwritten tenant of any harvest. On one of the fishing expeditions I was on, led by Kevin McNeil of Canadian Wildlife Adventures, we found some tired Travelers. They were canoeing from basically Yellowknife all the way through the NWT to be picked up somewhere up in the Arctic. When Kevin and I found them, they were not lost, but substantially underprepared for what lie ahead. Kevin offered for them to stay at Aylmer Lake Lodge in the NWT a few days to rest, refresh, and clean up. Once they were completely refreshed, Kevin outfitted them with some more essential gear and they successfully completed their journey . They called Kevin when they were done and expressed gratitude and appreciation for what CWA did for them. Knowing Kevin, he would have just quietly said “*You are welcome, but really it is just what we do*.”

One of my most effective teaching moments came when I brought a fully cooked deer hindquarter to my Outdoor Education class. Initially, some students were shocked, but soon, they were eager to try it. The deer leg was devoured, and the experience opened conversations about hunting, sustainability, and respect for wildlife.

The Harsh Reality of Nature

I have explained to non-hunters that even a well-placed bullet must pass through tissue, bone, and organs to be effective. Though this may seem harsh, it is instantaneous or over in seconds—far quicker and more humane than death by disease, starvation, or predation, which can take days or even weeks. Nature is not kind. Animals do not have self-esteem or self-worth; they survive as long as they can until they succumb to natural forces.

As hunters, our responsibility is to ensure that any animal we take is harvested as quickly and humanely as possible. Passing this ethic down to future generations is essential to maintaining respectful and sustainable outdoor traditions. That is why I call it a harvest, not a kill.