Ever cry in the woods?
 

I tell ya, when that last few minutes of PA's season dwindled into darkness tonite, I just couldn't take it. I really couldn't stand the fact that that it's over, and I won't be able to do this again till next year.
My landowner and his wife invited me to gun bash this afternoon, and I declined; I just had to hunt. And it was a weird hunt. I only hada doe tag to use, but for some reason I just had to go hunt that Poplar tree that I took that nice 9 point of last friday. It was my first nice buck, ever, and I just had to go sit in that tree one more time. I sat there for 3 hours and replayed that moment in my mind when I first saw him, when I shot, when I shot again, and when he fell. And when darkness settled in, and I knew my season was over, my eyes watered. It finally struck me that I finally killed a potential P&Y book buck, and I didn't want to climb down. After several minutes of overcoming this "sensitive moment", I descended with my viper attached to my feet, somewhat depressed that I won't get to sit on that stand again for a long time. When I hit the ground, I packed her up for the last time this year, picked up my Xtec out of the leaves, gave my favorite tree a hug, and strolled slowly and reluctantly into the moonlight.
When I got back tothe truck, I realized that my landowner wasen't home, and being that I ordered a new Hoyt Trikon, and he already inquired about buying my Xtec from me...........I set the bow on the porch, with a note attached: "It's all yours". I figured if he can let me have all of his 120 acres of woods to myself to hunt, and I killed a P & Y buck in his backyard, I can give up a 2 year old bow to a guy just getting started.

Sigh.....10 1/2 months to go...

Mikey

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

That's an awsome post Mikey ,and I certainly understand your feeling's about this great sport of our's . There's just something about being in the wood's sitting in your stand waiting and anticipating the moment of truth ,some time's it come's and sometime's it just doesn't happen ,unfortunately it was the latter this time ,but you know there's alway's next season to look forward to ,so congrat's on your P&Y buck .
That's also a very noble thing to do with the farmer who let you hunt his property ,your a class act and I wish you all the best for next season.

nubo

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Wow.

That was amazingly nice giving him that bow. I'm sure he will always remember you for doing that, and he'll sure have a suprise when he gets home.

Although I havn't hunted I can just imagine how peaceful it is sitting in the woods, Gods county. Just taking in all your surroundings waiting for that big buck and just thinking. Having no worries and just feeling peace. I can't describe how much I cant wait till next year.

Good story.

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

wow you deserve a P&Y every season! Very respectable thing to do!!! Congradulations!

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

That was a real nice thing you did for the land owner. Hope he appreciates it as much as you do being able to hunt his land. I do have one question. Isnt there a late bow season in PA, and why wouldnt you want to hunt that.

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Maybe he used his tags? Anyway the PA late season is Dec. 26-Jan. 14.

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Mikey, great story and a great jesture. But I also have to ask why dont you go archery in december? I, myself, got shutout in archery this year. All my fault. Need to get out and practice more. Didnt get much time to practice this year as my wife and I had a baby in july. She works second shift so I couldnt practice as much as I wanted. Saw the deer just couldnt make the shot. Hey regular season is a week and half away and if still nothing there is always archery Dec. 26th....

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Wow, you did your good deed for the year.

I also just ordered a new Trykon but Im not giving away my Vipetec lol, Im not as nice as you :D

Is bow season over for the whole year already in PA??? You need to move to MD lol

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Real nice my man. It is guys like you that make me proud to be part of our brotherhood. You can't describe it to someone that doesn't do it. Good luck next year.

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Incredible post, Mikey! It made me proud to call myself a bowhunter!

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

That's a very class act right there! I share your same sadness every time a season comes to an end...[:o]...whether it be bow, rifle...even when we put the boat away; the bright side is, it'll be back again next year!!!

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

It's nice to be able to visit these forums and see just how good people are. Mike way to lead by example. Like Motown said, makes me proud to be a part of this brotherhood. Tip of the hat to you Mike.

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Congrats.

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

OH yeh, ahhhhh what was her name.... Cheryl, she said NO.[&:]

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

I feel sad also on the last day, but as I stroll in on opening morning I blurt out " It's good to be back home":)

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Excellent post Mikey. You are a good guy.

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Man you mean YOUR season is ALREADY over??? Here in Alabama our season is only about 3 weeks old and will run through January 31 ...and we can take a deer (either sex) everyday .... come on down to Dixie and join us .......

MASS RULES
DD

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

great post, great guy.

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Great post, Mikey. Glad you scored your nice buck. You deserved it. The end of the season always is depressing. We get so excited ramping up to it and then it seems so fast. Great gesture with the bow. Makes me proud to be a bowhunter.

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Thats a great story. You are truly a classy guys.

And to answer your question, yes I have. Moments after sliding my hand over the glossy hide of my first deer....a few tears definitally hit the fallen leaves.

And I feel your pain as to the season closing yesterday. Just knowing that it was over is a terrible feeling. I feel I had an awesome season this year, and knowing that it comes around next year isn't much of a consulation.

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Great post. Its always hard to climb out of the tree for the last time
as the season comes to a close. Nice jesture with the bow too.

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Im feeling ya bud, Know what ya mean..

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

mikey great story. what a nice thing to do

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Wow! Outstanding gesture and awesome post!

I think the season issue is one we can all identify with. Most of us have experienced those feelings.

It is really depressing to say good-bye to a P&Y producing tree and know youwill never have the privilege of being perched among it's branches observing the forest floor again. I think you leave a little of yourself behind each time it happens. On the other hand, you take a lot with you when you leave too....

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Damn dude. That was deep. Really an awesome jester to the farmer. I am sure he will love it. I am sure you earned yourself a hunting spot for life;).
Congrats on your deer, that was a great story. Where in Pa. do you live?

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

great story!!!!! that's one of the nicest gestures i've ever heard of. i'm sorry to hear that your season's already over. it's definately hard at the end of any season. at least i hunt turkeys and hogs so i can hunt all through the year but it's still hard. i sincerly hope the farmer appreciates you gesture as much as you appreciate hunting his land. hopefully he'll love the sport as much as we all do.

and yes

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Antler Eater.....I will get to hunt that Poplar tree again. It was just sad to leave it last nite, knowing I won't see it again for a year.It's a buck producing tree, if I would of been smart enough to hunt it last year and the year before, I'dwould of had opportunities athave 3 P & Y bucksduring the rut time. LIve and learn I guess.


Someone asked about bowhunting in January. Not me, I own a smokepole!


sr77, I live in SW pa, about 60 miles south of Pittburgh in fayette county.

Thanks for the replies guys, I was hoping I wasen't the only one that felt sad when bowseason ended.

Mikey

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

:D:DIt takes a BIG MAN to cry..........
It tales a bigger man to laugh at the man whos crying:D:D

Why dont we all hold hands and sing cume-bia-ahh.

Good move on the bow

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Can't say i cry but it is a sad moment. Then i go back and eat what i've killed and i'm happy again...

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Only time i cried well not literally is when my brother and our hunting buddy didnt shoot at a unbelievable trophy of a deer, bigger than any of the ones posted on here. To make a long story short the next day it was hanging in the barn, the killer was his father and the deer an absolutely giant 8 point.

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

I'm crying now just because i'm reminded of that day...

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

I went hunting for the first time this year didnt see one dear. But i had fun just sitting there.

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

it's great to know that guys get emotional when it comes to huntin' too....you're a brave man to post an emotional post like this one but you should be proud of yourself.
i've broke down a couple times...once when i realized that i shot a button buck by mistake and then again when i got my 10pt. last year....i was sooooo overwhelmed with emotion that i couldn't barely breathe....usually i tend to get a lil emotional when it's the first day and the last day of huntin' season....i always have this fear during the off season that i'm gonna die before i can hunt again so opening morning i'm usually so thankful that the emotions come out....i thought i was the only one.

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

CLASS that is the only thing that can describe a hunter like you. Kudos to you and I wish you even more success in the future.:D

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Good story and WOW that you gave your bow to the guy. That is awesome.


BTW, I cried like a little girl when the I missed the1st deer (11 point) i ever shot at with a bow.

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

That was an amazing post Mikey. I hope you kill a B&C next year. You are a stand up guy and your emotion and passion for the sport is what hunting is all about. I got choked up reading your post....awesome.:(

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Great post, I share those feelings about the woods myself and I have a Hickory tree that I call home during archery season. But don't forget we can hunt starting Nov 28th, regular buck season! Also late Archery. By the way, that was a comendable thing you did for that farmer. Way to show your thanks!

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

I had tears in my eyes when I finally got my first bow kill (a doe)after three seasons. But then again I'm an emotional bloat. I cant watch little house on the prarie without a box of tissues handy.[&:]

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

It never really ends.

RE: Ever cry in the woods?
 

Man, I know the feeling. It's tough on that last day. Especially when the memories are so great. Way to let it all in. That's the beauty and majesty of hunting, man. Till next Year!!!