As I'm now 41 & have 3teenagers I find myself much more "selective" as to when I go hunting for myself. For gun, mzl ldrs I have several shooting houses & double man ladders with roofs so inclement weather hunting is easy during the gun seasons. But I just have grown to abhor bow season in our HOT early bow season here in west TN (theres mosquitoes in my swamp that can arse rape a turkey!
& the cottonmouths are big enough to cross a slough atop the backs of!
) & I just in general have grown to HATE bowhunting in warm weather. I spent 2decades sweatin my butt off 20-30ft up trees & ROASTING in blinds to come to the conclusion that that just wasnt enjoyable enough anymore.
For 20yrs I NEVER missed an opening day nor ANY weekends from late Sept-late Jan as I hunted 3 states. But I've outgrown such "needs" anymore. I guess my 38" gut & tired ol back just over rule my desire to climb into 25ft Loc-Ons in miserable conditions anymore.
Plus honestly, after nearly 30yrs of chasing these fuzzy critters I can watch the weather forecasts & tell you which 2 of the 5 days are most likely to be the most productive. (now come rut time, ANYTIME is the best time to be outthere & I might hunt 8 out of 10 days during our prime rut!
I know you cant kill'em while layin in the bed or fishin but I realize its not so important to me to get EVERY HOUR possible out there anymore. I have sons, their friends & my own friends to help in the sport now & thats just as much fun for me than doing it myself!
I've killed my P&Ys, broke 150"s with my gun, 25+# Ozark Toms & done alot if other things (took elk, muley & alope out west) so I just dont feel it so imperative to see EVERY SINGLE sunrise/sunset like I used to.
I kinda think to, it aint huntin lazier but instead with age & wisdom its hunting "wiser" & relying more on experience & wisdom than outright luck & simple exposure via time!
HL
Ps
Ive even owned my Savage ML2 for early a decade now & have refused to pickup my previous Knight just because the Savage is more capable & ALOT easier to keep clean!