I've been hunting all of my life. For the past 10 years or so, I've been hardcore about it. Hunting or scouting all year long, hunting in all kinds of weather, going farther in than alot of hunters, staying longer on stand than most hunters...just basically living and breathing hunting. Even at work, I had a CD of turkeys calling in the woods that I would pop in , put the headphones onand listen to turkeys and the sounds of the woods while at work just to keep my mind occupied with hunting.My clothes are always washed and put in scent proof containers months in advance, my spots are all scouted well in advance, my bow is always ready to go. This year is different. The fire is gone. Although my gear is all ready to go, I am not mentally prepared for this season...and it opens in 4 days!! I haven't even bought my license yet (something I usually have done at least a month in advance) and to be honest, I'm not sure I'm going to this year. I just don't have the desire this year. It kinda scares me, really. I've known alot of guys over the years that have suddenly just lost interest in hunting and gave it up after years of hunting. I never thought it would happen to me. Hunting has always meant so much to me and really, it's who I was. I always considered myself three things : A husband, a father and a hunter. Everything else was secondary. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not an anti or anything like that, and I still find myself enjoying shooting my bow in the backyard, I just don't have a desire to hunt. What I'd like to know is have any of you gone through this "phase" or something similar and gotten over it, or have any of you gone through this and given up hunting altogether?

Slice