Just setting here at work tonight wondering if anyone has been getting any time in the woods? I have thought about it a lot but available time is not on my side. School, work, or making sure to spend enough time with the wife and kids, it doesnt look too promising come free time! When time does free up for a Friday morning hunt, I wake up in the morning and think...tree stand? Or sleep in...? Sometimes the rarest chance to sleep in wins I am ashamed to say. With the weather taking a turn and the mornings becoming cool and brisk I can feel my priorities shifting and I yearn for more tree time. The turning of the leaves definitely sets the stage for prime time in the woods. Nothing like the fall colors, cool wind blowing and watching the pursuit of eager bucks chasing does...thinking of Loved ones, friends lost, new friendships...
I hope to get out this week for the first time this season. I made myself a promise to start taking more photos from the stand of activity or lack of. Sort of a picture journal of memories that I can share with my boys, and with you all as well. My trad family. I hope to be able to get some good pics of activity from my farm, and roving with friends...I promise if I do I will share them with the club. I hope some of you will do the same.
Until the next one...stay safe, hunt hard, have fun.
Over the last few years, I have come to relish the window of opportunity Fall provides not only for hunting but as a time of reflection as well. I too am limited in the amount of time slotted for my favorite pastime. I no longer have the desire to take a trophy buck year in and year out... any deer taken with a traditional bow is a trophy in my opinion. I find myself pondering hunts of days gone by, game taken, and blown opportunities. In the age of compounds and crossbows, I wonder is there another longbow/recurve hunter within 1 mile? 5 miles? or even 10 miles of me? I chose to take a good book such as Toxicated or From Den of the Old Bowhunter with me when not reflecting or taking in the beauty of GOD's creation when hunting from the stand. When still hunting from the ground, I often find myself relinquishing my quest for deer in order to sling a few arrows at squirrels...rejuvenating the joy I had as a youth roaming the woods and bayou behind our house for bull frogs, carp, groundhogs, and fox squirrels the size of house cats. Days I spend in the woods like this are always considered a successful hunt even if no game is taken and time is not wasted.
A good friend of mine , John Nail, once told me and I will never forget...Your life is made of time, not money.
I appreciate the sharing of past experiences. I think as we get older our priorities change and we begin to realize that the prize is in the experience. Enjoying Gods wonderful creation and at this time of year the beautiful colors of fall just adds to that. Lets enjoy the hunt and all that goes with it.
Good day...after waking up at noon from another 12hr night shift I was able to muster enough "getty up" to go for an evening hunt. It was wonderous.
Nice cool breeze blowing in my favor...
Had an intense stare off with a huge fox squirrel at 5 yrs away...I'm not gonna lie, I was worried he was gonna try me! he retreated to a higher limb and was gonna thump him in the noggin with my slingshot when I caught movement in the fenceline. "Doe"...I thought to myself. So i reluctantly aborted my tree rat execution hoping for larger quarry.
Pretty little doe...bedded down 40yds to my left for about 30 minutes before joining the 5 other does coming down the hill.
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I never got in range but it was a great night for sure.
Was grumpy all day, grandson talked me in to hunting. He wanted to bowhunt, even though he knew he could easily take another doe with the rifle and be tagged out. Said he didn't want deer season over so quick, and wanted a bow kill ! Proud Pappaw ! He spent an evening in his barn blind, and saw several deer and a couple good bucks ! He is getting there ! I instantly felt relaxed, and new, within a few minutes of settling in my stand. Better than any drink or drug, some quiet time in the woods just turns me around. To have that little feller out there at the same time, just makes me smile. If the chance comes to take a deer, so be it, if not, that's fine too. Happy Hunting guys.
-- Edited by randy grider on Friday 22nd of November 2019 07:29:49 PM
