Deer Season Ends

WOW! I didn't realize I have not put a post in here since October. I have been away on sabbatical, I like to call it "Hunting". Well, it is mid December now and all but a few weeks of late season bow hunting are gone. We didn't get Mr. Big but did get to see him. Then again that's true reality hunting. Some times you get him and some times you don't. At least when your not being pointed in the right direction by a guide or outfitter that's how it is.

The season wasn't a complete wash though. My son got his first deer this season and I managed to put two from archery season in the freezer. I spent allot of time behind a camera trying to get my daughter's first deer on tape. It never happened though. Oh, we saw deer and some really close up. That seemed to be enough for her. We did get to spend some real quality time together though and that is what it's all about in the first place. Isn't it? I mean we all head to the deer woods every year looking for that Whitetail Buck of a life time and I think sometimes that can even prevent us from seeing the big picture. We all hunt because there is something we enjoy about it but when we let the pressure of getting ole mossy horns get in the way of that, then we need to rethink why we are out there.

I know I love to hunt and that's putting it simply. I have however, came home disappointed because things didn't work out as planned or I just didn't see any deer at all. That disappointment leads to frustration over time, if things continue that way. When that starts to happen, I like to take a step back and try and remember why I like to hunt in the first place. Because it is enjoyable first and foremost. When I come home feeling disappointed or frustrated that I didn't get a deer, there is nothing enjoyable about that.

Although I'm not old, I am not getting any younger either. The time I spend in the field these days seems to be all that more enjoyable and certainly is becoming more precious. I look more at the laughs and jokes, the stories everyone has about their hunt at the end of the day and the time I spend with friends and family in the deer woods. Yeah, I'm still looking for a P&Y buck every time out but that just isn't all there is to hunting.

Now I know some people are going to be reading this and say, "These are just the ramblings of a guy that didn't get his buck this year". The fact is though I am truly learning to love hunting for all that it is and not just how big a rack I bring home. I know I'm not the only guy who has came home feeling empty when once again the deer were not moving. When you catch yourself feeling that way, take a step back and remember ALL the things you like about hunting. I will bet, everything that made you fall in love with this great thing we do, is not just bringing home a deer. Take the pressure off your self and just ENJOY!!!