Most of my celebrations are of the hand shake type or great shot.  However I did do a dance and a sand angle one year in Arizona after a hard hunt and long stalk on a javelina that I took with my recurve bow.  The situation was unique and to say the least.  I had a buddy that was suppose to be tapeing it for me but his camcorder screwed or so he said.  The stalk started at around 50 yards but I ended up in the middle of a herd of about 20 of them to get the one that I wanted.  I actually was moving with the herd down a wash for about 100 yards before I got the shot. 

Sounds like that hunt deserved a celebration.  Javelina are hard to hunt and triple so with a recurve.  How did you manage to get in thte herd without being detected for so long?

They have very poor eyesight and so so hearing.  I actually didn't know that I was in the middle of the herd until they started to move around me and then I just moved with them.  A couple of times I had one within 3 or 4 feet while it was just feeding.  I will tell you it was a thrill.  I knew the one that I wanted because of a big scar on his nose so I just kept working my way with them until he came into range.  My partner that was suppose to be tapeing it watched the whole show and said that he couldn't believe what I was doing and how close that I was.  Then after I took the shot all he// broke out around me.  That was the scarryiest part of the whole thing.  Having a bunch of them running every witch way and some so close that you can reach out and grab them.

Man, I can see why you celebrated.  What an experience. You need to write a book, living with Javelinas

I completely agree with you that the animals that we harvest derserve our greatest respect. I think the standard handshake and hug celebrations are all that I have ever participated in. I normally place one of the animals favorite plant species in its mouth before I start dressing it. Not really a celebration more like paying my respects I guess.

There is a guy in our group that lets out a massive wooooo hooooo everytime he gets a big game animal. I have heard this celebration from over a mile away and knew that I had some game packing ahead of me. I guess I have just grown up with his antics so I would not say that it is disrespectful. He has much respect for the animals he takes. He just has to let out a little excitement everytime he takes an animal.

I have thought about this a little more and have a little different perspective.  I think true, honest bursts of emotion, relief and unbelief are part of hunting.  What I see on tv is contrived and overdone so that is what was nagging at me.  Falling down and doing a sand angel is just an outlet from a tense hunt and nothing wrong with it.

My level of excitment reallt depends on the current situation.  For example this year my Dad shot an antelope, his first big game animal in 20+ years.  I was way more excited than he was or atleast that he showed.  A few years ago I shot a cow elk after a very long archery season and then a disappointing earlier elk season.  After the shot ans she went down and as I got to her I fell to me knees and just sat there quitely giving thanks and then comeneced getting to all the hard work.  I think jumping around like an idiot or siting there laughing is a sign of disrepect and the animal deserves way more than that.

I simply look skyward, give God a thanks, and admire the animal for a few moments.  If someone is there with me, we say our congrats, maybe a hug if it's family, and get to cutting.