I have to agree completely with that Steve. Theres been some excellent posts on here guys...thanks for the responses. Alsatian I am just about exactly like you in the loner and do everything myself part. I camp with another guy but we part at daylight and meet at dark back at the cabin. So I can relate to a lot in your post. I figured up all the expenses this year and gas was by far my biggest expense. I often joke I could eat steak every day for what it costs to deer hunt...lol. I just like to put a couple in the freezer and I always figured if I hunted long enough and hard enough eventually a big one would step in front of me.

I dont really think any of us are looking for a pat on the back but what we really dont want is the other stuff. The trip up north deer hunting has always been sort of a mental vacation for me. The anticipation and everything else make the trip worth while.....actually killing a deer or a nice deer is just icing on the cake.