I never said I never hunted. In fact, I can claim having killed an English sparrow when I was about 12 years old. Sneaked up on him really slowly and killed him with a slingshot-launched pebble to the head. More recently, I've bagged two dear; one with a 1940 Chrysler Royal, and the other with a 2009 Acura TL.
As to your romanticized version of hunting, you're just finding out where the animals are likely to be so you can kill them at a safe distance with a scope mounted rifle. When you've hidden in the brush and attacked a 4 point (or better) buck with nothing but a knife or your bare hands, then you'll have bragging rights.