RE: Is this normal Feelings about archery changing
 

There wont be any slacking off .I will either hunt every minute of every deer season or just flat quit forever. And if the lack of land and deer keep getting worse the Quit time is coming fast

RE: Is this normal Feelings about archery changing
 

While I strongly agree with the ideas about getting friends and family involved and how much more enjoyment you get sharing your hunt with them, I don't think anyone's enjoyment of bowhunting should be dependent on other people. Think it out! WHY do you think you're not ejoying it?

There are so many different types of bows that archery should never get boring. If you get tired of the compound, pick up a recurve and play with that for awhile! If you get tired of the recurve, try a longbow. Get tired of the longbow, pick up the compound again. Get tired of the compound, learn to make and shoot a selfbow. You might find out that your loss of drive is simply because you were born to be a longbow shooter instead of messing with high tech compounds.

Or maybe it's the hunting itself and not the equipment? There are so many different hunting techniques that hunting should never get boring either. But perching in a treestand is the MOST boring method of all. Climb down outta that thing and hunt on the ground. There, if the deer won't come to you, you can go and find them. Isn't that the definition of HUNTING anyway? Going out and looking to find something with the intent to make what you find into dinner? (otherwise it'd be just 'searching', wouldn't it.[8D])

I really and truly believe modern bowhunters and their equipment have gotten overspecialized, with almost every detail designed specifically for shooting deer from a treestand. For someone who does not have the type of patient personality to sit up there in that treestand, trying to force himself to conform to that style of hunting can be hell.

I figured out the first time I plopped by big rear onto the seat of a treestand that, "I am NEVER going to do THIS again." I knew within the first 15 minutes that I didn't have the patience it takes. Oh, if I find the perfect spot, I'll make myself a ground blind and use that for awhile. If I let what I think is a reasonable amount of time pass and no deer, then I get up and go. Will a deer come walking by 5 minutes after I leave? I don't know and don't care. I'm done with that spot and I'm hunting.

But what if you just don't see any deer? Well, deer ain't the only huntable critters in the woods, ya know. Switch from 'deer only' mode to 'anything legal' mode. If the deer won't come out and play, but there are rabbits everywhere, then hunt the freakin' rabbits! Or squirrels. Maybe you know where there's a bunch of wild hogs... Go get 'em.

Small game is my favorite! Lots of action and... something to consider if you're problems are anything like my ailments... toting out a bag of rabbits and squirrels is a lot easier on the ol' bod than trying to drag a deer back to the truck.

That's just how I handle the occsasional bout of boredom. I know what fits my personality. Will it work for you? I dunno. Just throwing it out there to see if it could help. Whatever it is, bigcountry, I do hope you get it figured out.

RE: Is this normal Feelings about archery changing
 

I think Arthur P nailed it.

I personally enjoy hunting from a treestand. I think it's because it is so hard for me to do. I have a real active personality, I always need to be "doing" something. So for me, half the challenge in hunting from a tree is actually staying put and being patient. Slowing down and enjoying my surroundings has taught me a great deal.

The bottom line is that it's all about the personal experience. Do whats right for you!

I don't think you have lost the flair for hunting, you sound like you have a lot on your plate right now and your focus is elsewhere. Hang in there and keep looking for that thing that makes you happy. If it aint hunting than it aint hunting. Maybe, it's archery or crochet for that matter.

Whatever you do, don't stop looking for that thing that just clicks with you. It's out there, I guarantee it. Good luck in everything you do.