As I just started hunting last season, the wife did not really know what to expect. I got out maybe 5 Saturdays and 5 weekdays (not including my time in a stand in the 3 wooded acres on my property), and when combined with the 5 army reserve weekends I usually have from October thru December, I guess I was out a fair amount. The wife did complain some, but I just listen, acknowledge, and do what I choose to do.

I do appease her some by going on a trail ride or two with her pre-season and post season, as her thing is horses (we have 2).

My wife knew going into the marriage that I was a hunter. Here in Wyoming it is pretty much two months out of the year. If she wants to do something she has 10 other months that I am with her all the time. The thing that bothers her is the fact that 6 out of the 8 weeks of hunting season I chase elk. And the remaining 10 months I talk about it, plan it, or watch it on tv. That is what really gets her.

I did how ever talk her into coming out. She loved it. Then got her to deer hunt. She is a fair weather, fair terrain hunter but it is nice we can share it at least a little bit with each other. Hell I shop with her she can try hunting with me right?

True story: My sister got married two years ago on the opening day of rifle elk season. I did not go. She should have known better as she grew up in this family too.

True story: Best friend got married last year during archery elk season. I did not go. The bride told me I would be there and I was just talking trash. Come wedding day I was not there and she then beleived me.

Boss now understands that I work my ass off for him all year long. He now does not mind if I take days off anymore.

A word of wisdom from an old man that has been happily married since the beginning of time.

When a woman says she needs to spend more time with you she is actually saying you need to spend some quality time with her. :party0005:
And always establish the rules before playing the game.:D

My other half knew the deal when we got together. She knows how much I love to hunt. But she also knows how much I love her. Basically from January to August I'll go with her anywhere she wants to go, visit anyone she wants to visit, and do whatever she wants to do. That way, once hunting season comes around, she doesn't complain.

Basically, I get 4 months out of the year and she gets the other 8. That's a pretty good ratio if you ask me.

I told my wife when we were getting married the following:

"I love you and I'm committing to be with you for the rest of my life. My other love is hunting and I will spend time doing that as well. If you ever make me choose between you and hunting I will quit hunting because of the commitment we are making in front of family and God. You just have to realize though that you will be stuck with one miserable SOB for the rest of your life."

Pretty much since then we have our squabbles, but she knows it's better than the alternative.:devil:

if she's already telling you, it better not be like last year, it's not going to work. Kick her to the curb. There's plenty of other women out there that will understand "THE DEAL"

My wife likes me going, she comes out a couple times a year. She likes me taking out oldest (7) out there also. It's good for both. As long she doesn't have something or the kids have something going on then i'm good. From Oct 1st thru New years i'm atleast out once a week on average. I usually take a week off around the 1st week of November (rut's a kickin) for bowhunting. I hunt around my house, so it's close.

Same dilemma, except College/Job vs. Hunting

Good advice and I said the same thing to my wife before we married but I was a little more stringent but an agreement?

I look at it this way, give your woman fantastic 10.5 months, then asking for 1.5 months to hunt will not be selfish. If she has a problem with that, then she's selfish.

Like I explained to my wife, some guys golf, some guys drink at the bar, and some guys work long hours at work, I hunt period, atleast you know where I'm at and who I'm with. She complains now and again but knows I love hunting too and deals with it.
Any women that wants you to give up something you love isn't worth the time. If they love you they should understand you need to go hunting. Like other guys have said its only a few monthes out of the year, but its more about showing her she still matters during hunting season. Any guy can give up a night now and again to take his women out to dinner or something.

I'm with this guy. There are plenty of other women out there. You said fiance so I'm assuming you're committed to a lifetime with this woman. Do you want it to be a lifetime of this?? It's only 3 to 4 months out of the year. she's pretty much got you for the other 8 right? As others have said. More often than not it's no the amount of time you spend with her but the quality of the time you spend with her.