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Post by indyqdog on Nov 1, 2011 19:56:03 GMT -5
so this is kind of a buzzkill but i just need to write it really. today, i followed my normal routine. wake up, get ready, school, homework, shoot bow, watch outdoors channel. etc. well im shooting my bow at a newer area where a neighborhood is abandoned and off the beaten path. i walk down to check out the retention pond and i see tons of deer sign. but instead of me getting excited, i kinda got sad. i realized that no matter how much i spent on my bow, broadheads, clothes, boots, whatever, i still cant hunt. why? because i have bad luck. my uncle says he can take me--has to get surgery. ok well at least i can hunt illinois with my grandpa-inlaw (hahaha made it simple) but nope, so swamped at work he can barely hunt. then, my trip i've been looking forward to most, maryland hunting with my best friend since fourth grade. his mom unexpectedly schedules a trip to SC for them to see family over winter break and MLK weekend looks like a bust. i guess at this point i've kind of lost that excitement and enthusiasm that i once had. I understand that i will have more time but after literally shooting (35 arrows/day * 4 days /week * 8 months)= 1120 arrows not counting the summer days when i shot morning and evening. the only thing i even think about is hunting deer with my bow but the sad reality is, its hard. every day the same thought replays: some type of deer walks in, heart pounds, relax, breathe, back tension, track. now obviously thats a little elementary but thats what i imagine it as. haha. in essence, i guess the point of this post is, how can i stay motivated when i have nowhere to hunt and times running out since im 17 and college is around the corner? I wanna hunt more than anything but i dont want to get my hopes up
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Post by esshup on Nov 2, 2011 5:17:53 GMT -5
Keep practicing and learning all you can. When you finally do get to hunt, you will have more confidence in yourself that you can put the arrow where it needs to go, and you'll be confident that you've picked the right place to hunt.
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Post by dadfsr on Nov 2, 2011 6:17:37 GMT -5
Do you just need someplace to hunt or someone to go with you? I may be a few years older but have found my time alone in the woods to be most enjoyable. Hunting is just one aspect of Mother Nature...
I know from your previous posts that you are smart and motivated with a very good plan for your life. Life is full of an occasional bump here and there-keep your head up and remember that only you are responsible for what you do, so make the most of it.
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Post by treetop on Nov 2, 2011 6:50:21 GMT -5
Try the state parks there's deer there and I have meet some good guys there yes there are the few a$$, but if you wait and talk to the guys when they come back from stand you may be surprised about how much help they can be.
I have hooked up with a few guys and we watch out for each other they also hunt alone so when we see each others truck we wait to make sure they make it out or don't have a deer to drag out, I can also tell you were there stands are and they know were I sit never once has that been a issue.
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Post by duff on Nov 2, 2011 19:11:42 GMT -5
Hang in there. If you really want to hunt it will stick with you. We all go through spells where we have to do other things than hunt. I moved my family from the place I grew up and had litterally thousands of acres to hunt...but that don't put food on the table or clothes on their backs. I don't regret the choices but I did pretty much halt my hunting for about 3 years. I got out a few times each year but had to sit out some of the prime times and it was really tough. But in the grand scheme of things it was only a minor pot hole.
Long story short--don't let a few humps put you out of the game.
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Post by indyqdog on Nov 2, 2011 22:04:12 GMT -5
dadfsr: yeah i really need a place. my parents dont really want me on public land but i'm okay to sit in a stand or blind by myself and take care of the deer if i were to get one. location location haha. thanks guys. im staying shooting and taking up rifle and trap and skeet team in college as well as archery team
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Post by dsayer on Nov 3, 2011 5:51:38 GMT -5
Hey indy, don't worry too much about time to hunt during college. I actually found that I had more time during college than during college than high school. The main reason is that you have more control over your course schedule, and (I'm assuming) you won't have worry about sports anymore. There are usually multiple sections for each class, so I would try to either set my schedule so that most of my classes were either in the morning (gave me the afternoon/evening free to hunt) or all in the afternoon (morning hunts). One semester I even set it up so that I only classes on Tuesday and Thursday, giving 5 days of freedom a week. I'm in a PhD program now and still find time to hunt at least 2-3 times per week. Bottom line, if you want to hunt, you'll find/make the time to do it. As far as places to go/people to go with you, like dadfsr, I also find my days alone in the field to some of the most enjoyable. But if you're looking for someone to take you on a few hunts, PM me and maybe we can get something figured out for you.
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Post by racktracker on Nov 3, 2011 8:28:10 GMT -5
What dsayer said... Patience Grasshopper, patience..
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