I think in its most basic form, it is observation vs experience and first hand participation. Like reading a book, then going to see the movie. The “book” being everything outside of the experience itself. The “movie” is experiencing the game, the flora and fauna, the habitat, the people first hand. Rarely reading a book do our senses become so in tune, so acute, as we do when we see the movie. Similarly, in the wild and exotic places, when we are immersed in it all, every sense becomes heightened. But unlike a movie, this is real, and something inside us stirs, and feelings we’ve never had surface. How else do you explain a successful hunt, from personal experience, of a lion where the elation of what just occurred changes to tears of compassion, love, joy and satisfaction all at the same time. You can not get that in a zoo. Or please explain to me the raw feelings of “buck fever” either before, during or after the shot. Unless you have experienced it, you can not explain it properly. Best of luck with your paper.
