Now that the season is over for me, I got to really thinking about things I do that add enjoyment to my hunts. I will list a few things that I do that absolutely add enjoyment to my hunts. I would like to hear some of your thoughts as I might add some suggestions to my hunts.

1. Drinking a big, warm cup of coffee makes my hunts that much better

2. Hunting in the afternoon and moving in early so I can just relax and set-up without the rush

3. Every now and then, put a big chew in and spit away..kind of like an ice breaker of sorts taking the pressure/tenseness away, meaning "whatever may be will be".

4. Hunting near running water seems to be a calming influence, and you can't beat the beauty of it


What are some of your "pick me ups" when hunting?

I chew nearly every time on stand unless I forget my chew. I do a lot of thinking while in stand, watch the squirrels and birds and various woods animals play. Watched a pair of Muskrats play for almost half an hour one morning on stand earlier this year, playing a little "cat and mouse" game underwater around a log, back under water, trying to "fake" each other out, etc. It made for one of my neatest mornings on stand because I'd only rarely ever seen Muskrats and that morning I got to observe 2 of them for an extended period of time.

I try to see and identify as many birds as possible. I think next year I'll carry an Audobon(sp?) field guide.

Thats cool TX--I may need to get a tree identifying book as well bc i am terrible at identifying trees. That might be something I do for next year. Another thing I have started to do is growl at squirrels when they get close to my treestand..it cracks me up every time when they run like heck!

I just like the unwinding I get out if it, the recharging of the OLE batteries

1. cherish all my afternoon sits the most and get there early
2. always have at least 2 dips of Kodiak each sit
3. bottle of water

1. I always like to chew on stand
2. When I hunt I like to watch all the wild life when I am not seeing deer
3. I also always look for different trees that would set me up better to get an opportunity at deer

Hunt with good friends.
Don't let your ego get tied to your outcome.
Tell yourself this is all for fun.

+1 on the coffee for cold morning hunts.

How about seeing deer? That makes a hunt enjoyable.


Seriously, one thing I bring for long hunts is a handheld video game.

# 1- share the hunt with good friends, my hunts are 4-14 days long typically, important to have the right partners along.

#2- take lots of good pictures and videos to experience the hunt again and again.

#3-take newbies out bear hunting. especially when one starts to climb their tree.

#4-audio books for the 2 day driveeach way for my caribou hunts.

#5-quality gear- if you are cold and wet for days it just ain't much fun.

#6-a shot of Crown Royal while dinner is being cooked does not hurt.[8D]