Some of these posts will bring tears to your eyes. There is nothing bettter then spending time in the woods. It is the anti's loss not being out there enjoying it. I am glad your wife is now joining you. Mine is to busy riding her horse. That is fine every one needs a good hobby.

Absolutely great off season topic.

I love the feeling of getting up early and driving to my spot knowing that I am a part of something much bigger than I. The anticipation of knowing that your season, or life for that matter, could change in a matter of moments. I hunt a small property that doesn't hold many deer, so when I even have any deer within range of a stand that I scouted and hung, I get a good feeling of knowing that I at least did something right.


I was watching LimbSavers Outdoors last night and in the hunter commentary he seemed so much more concerned with rack score than the skill and luck it takes to get it. I feel that if a person becomes that focused with making a TV show or puffing out their chest after popping a managed deer out of a somebody else's stand over a bait pile that they should change their line of work.

I think they are getting away from their roots and why most people go hunting in the first place. TV is all about that big deer kill on camera and not the fun of the outdoors and huntinganymore.

I like to shoot big bucks and then rub people's noses in it!!!

Just kidding Rob...I couldn't agree more. I can go buckless and still be happy...I love the woods and am so very at home there. And for what it's worth, I was on the front cover of a mag this past fall and it was cool but it's fleeting and nothing lasts like the memories and time spent in the woods.

I hunt because it is a way of life for me. Iwas fortunate to be born into a family where my dad took me hunting and fishing a lot. Looking back as a kid, I don't know how many times we rode around looking for deer before dark, just cause I wanted to go...and he always took me. Whether it was seining minnows, fishing, hiking or hunting, my Dad showed me how to enjoy nature. I have lived that way ever since.Those early basic woodsmanship teachings have allowed me to be the outdoorsman I am today.

I wouldn't really say I hunt in order to enjoy nature, but hunting is just one way(and my favorite way) that I enjoy nature. I'd be out there even if I didn't hunt, I am out there in many ways besides hunting. I have never bought meat from a grocery store, and am proud to be able to put food on the table where the entire process is done by me.

I love the thrill of the chase and matching my skills against the survival instincts of critters, I love the cold crisp air on my face, and the self satisfaction from a lifetime of memories and accomplishments.

It looks like we are all on the same page here. Killing a big buck is of course
a great thrill but a true hunter has many more reasons to be in the woods.
If its not hunting season I am scouting and planning for next year and daydreaming
about opening morning on the stand. It's just what we do.........

i've never really been able to put in words why i hunt...there's soooooooooooooooooo many reasons...it's all of what y'all said but then some...one day i'll figure out to put it down on paper.