Corey - I cannot think of any better reasons to hunt than the reasons you listed not to hunt. All you need is powder in your can and you can get a freezer full of meat (especially in VA) for the cost of the powder and bullets you already have. Get out there.

That would be tuff! it can't hurt to get out there and sit and if nothing comes by that you want to shoot oh well . But for me its just being out in the woods and unwinding

i have skipped a few seasons because didnt have the $$$$,
meat in the freezer months from now,
doesnt change the fact that you have to empty your pocket of $50/$100/$200 now.
NY i sometimes skip the big game license and just go with cheaper small game license which helps get me through it,
not sure what states offer such seperate licenses
this year got the PA license as a BDay gift as didnt have the funds to buy it myself,
and am skipping getting doe tag/and early season bow tag.
no shame in being broke,
do what you have to do to get through it,
even if that means going without hunting.

Last year I thought I was too busy to hunt so I let my brother hunt in my stand south of my place. He got his buck about 1 minute after season opened. Then he called me to come down with my truck and help him load it. So I helped him and held the two legs up while he gutted it. Then helped hang it. Then have some cold ones. Then this, then that. I would have gotten more work done in the shop if I had gone hunting.
I know where you are coming from though Corey. Good Luck

Its a tough call. I don't know if I'll be able to get out, but my schedule for our bp season in Dec is completely available, so I might have to wait till then to hunt. My main problem is that we are down to one vehicle, so I leave for a few days to hunt my wife and kids are stranded at home.

let her drop you off to hunt and then come get you when you are done. problem solved

One option I have used over the last 5 or so seasons is to donate my deer. A local church picks up the cost of processing and gives the meat to homeless shelters. All I have to do is get licensed, hunt and check in the deer.

Maybe a break for a couple years will change your mind. It really sounds like you dont want to go. Bad weather is the best hunting for me. Good luck with your goals.

Do the best you can to get out there or I think you will regret it. I remember from your trail camera pictures that you have deer out there waiting for you to tag them.

corey,

While I don't know the specifics of what you're going through and won't pretend to say I understand, I will share with you where I was 3 years ago which you may or may not find helpful.

My life was WAY too busy. My job was way too overwhelming, I was climbing the corporate latter too quick and honestly getting in over my head. I refused to let it impact my faith or my family negatively so unfortunately, my hunting took the biggest brunt of the reduced time. I think I hunted 2 days that year.

The next year my job was not better-in fact I was up for another promotion that was going to add more stress to me. But the difference was that I made a decision-albeit somewhat out of spite to hunt that year. I didn't get a lot of time in the woods but I think I did get several weeks. That extra time, by myself, doing what I wanted to do, back to my roots, and a lot of time in prayer while on the stand COMPLETLY revitalized me. That year I told myself that baring some wild unforeseen circumstance, I would make a point of hunting from now on.

This year, I've only been able to hunt 2 days so far and I can honestly say, those 2 days have greatly improved my morale and has renewed my energy.

Of course, your mileage may vary but I hope you at least consider some time in the woods.

Scott