Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

I'm concerned something is wrong with me. I eat, sleep, and breath hunting 365 days a year. Predators, Turkey, Upland Birds, Deer and other big game when possible. I bow hunt, muzzleload, and rifle hunt.As a younger hunter I was inexperienced. With limited sightings Ishot every deer I saw (that was legal). As I've become more experienced, my sightings have increased and I started lettingdeer walk and was taking an average offour a year (which fills thefreezer). This year I've seen at least 30 deer and have shot five.

Last night, I brought my stand and pack to the truck, then went back to retrieve my deer. As I was loading him into the truck, I said to my self "I'm done for the season" (we still a have till January 1st). I'm just tired of all the work of carrying stuff into the woods, dragging everything out, cleaning the deer out, butchering it. I don't find it as rewarding as I used to. I told my self - next year, I'm going to take a doe for thefreezer then hunt horns. I still get very excitedwhen I shoot a decent buck. My largest buck isonly an 8pt in the low 100's. So my plan moving forward it to only shoot bucks bigger than whats currently on the wall.

I can't believe I'm thinking this way. Writing this post almost feels criminal. Anyone else every feel this way? Hopefully its just a phase, or maybe I'm getting old, or just out of shape.

Maybe I need a shrink!

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

Tired??

Heck no.

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

Set some goals for the next season...that will help you wait it out and shoot bigger deer.

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

i'm thinking that a shrink might help

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

how could you be tired of deer hunting? i could never be tired of hunting ever. maybe a shrink could help you

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

I shoot 6 or 7 a year and feel like you sometimes too.. But I'm never tired of the woods and of the memory of the kill. If you have too much venison and you still want to take animals...maybe give them to people that need venison.

Have fun! :)

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

My situation is a lot like yours. I've killed 5 this year and I'm out of tags! 3 would be more than enough to feed us through the year. So, I am planning to do some more serious horn hunting next season!

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

A11en, I read your post 2 times and I still don't understand what you think is wrong. That after pounding the woods hard for a long time your tired? Or that your thinking about holding out for a bigger deer? If it's the first, well, welcome to the wonderful world of hunting and congrats to you for giving it all you got. If it's the second, well, welcome to the wonderful world of hunting. Eithor way any further advice will cost you a bottle of Canadian Windsor:D

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

Yeah I would call the shrink up. Hunting isnt all about getting a deer. Its being out there enjoying nature. Nothing is better then seeing the sun rise and set. If you let deer walk its just fun to watch them. I have had deer bed within a stones throw of my stand.

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

Sounds like your missing the point! Deer hunting to me isnt so much about going out and killing a deer. It's about getting out in the woods with no one around and taking time to reflect on my life, things I have acomplished, enjoying the things god has blessedme with and taking the time to just get away from the stresses of everyday life and just relaxing for once. That is what is important to me.Don't get me wrongit is a bonus if I get a chance to take a deer but I consider it a blessing just to be able to see a deer while I am out there. Take some time and just think about your life sometimes and don't worry so much about going out and killing a bunch of deer!

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

If your tired of carrying everything in and out of the woods......stop carrying so much stuff! Seriously though, take a little breather and I bet you will be right back at it.
As for me I can't say I have every really gotten tired of hunting...sorry.

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

Have you tried bowhunting? That will spark you interest for sure if you haven't, and it will probably help you hone your skill some too. I honestly think I would get a little tired of it too if I shot 5 deer, I have only ever shot one per year, but this year I plan on shooting at least two, maybe three. I have one down already and I am planning on finishing this weekend so I can pheasant hunt for the rest of the season.

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

I am no where near tired of hunting-just tired of what its becoming. Tired of loosing my spots. Tired of it being so difficult to find new ones.
But tired of hunting?? Never

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

You just described me to a tee. No, you don't need a shrink. You're not alone loving it the way you do. I'm obsessed with deer hunting and I'll admit it. No, I don't get tired of it at all. In fact, I get more into it as time goes on, and I've been at it since the '70s! I have almost 320 hours on stand so far this season. I have 13 all day (dark to dark 10-12 hour) hunts so far this year! I just got back from Alberta on Monday.Guess what? I'll be in the woods again tomorrow. We have some crappy weather moving in, so activity might be happening. I still have a Pa buck tag to fillyet.;)

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

I don't think you need a shrink. I think your idea of just taking some meat home then hunt for a big buck might help. I would just slow down a bit and take it all in and remember how great it is just to be in the woods. Good luck.

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

I think what your feeling is normal. I mean you've taken 5 deer already this year, you got enough meat to last you til next season. Hunting can be alot of work, when you factor in all the pre season activities like scouting, planting (if you do), shed hunting, setting up game cameras, more scouting, scouting some more, and then once the season starts you lose sleep, you wake up on saturday mornings when alot of people are just getting into bed, you drive to your hunting area, you sit in silence in freezing cold temperatures, you shoot a deer, you track the deer if needed, you field dress the deer, you haul all your stuff back your truck, you walk back into the woods and drag a 100 plus poundsof dead weight for who knows how far, you load the dead weight into your truck, you process the deer (either yourself or processor), you go home to a wife or kids who won't let you get a nap, and you wake up and do it all over again. Hunting is hard but d@mn I love it!!!!!!!!!!! My lil sister has gotten into hunting the past 2 years and alot of time I'll take her and not even take a gun so hopefully if I see something it will pass me and go to her so she can get it. I'll just take my camera and sit in my stand and enjoy nature and the few hours of stress free life. I take some pictures and enjoy the time in the forrest. Maybe you should do the same..... don't even take a gun in the woods with you, just take a camera and enjoy being out in the woods with no worries. Leave the stress and worries of life at home and just enjoy life for those few hours. It'll definately make you appreciate being able to get out there.

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

Eh don't worry about your not loosing everyone gets tired of things doesn't mean they don't still love it give it a break and then kill em next year. I personally think that everything past hunting and shooting is a pain in the ass and I start getting tired of that real quick lol

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

Many great insights - Thanks for the feedback!

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

Been there dude, take a week to 10 days off and see how you feel. Its just a little burn out. To much candy will always sour the stomach.

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

You need to challenge yourself, try bowhunting. Start trophy hunting. I started handgun hunting. It got to be too dang easy. When I started hunting 20 years ago, it was hard to even see a deer, a 15" wide 8 pointer was a freaking monster. I wouldn't even think about shooting a buck that small now. If you shoot there is no chance of a miss. I practice all year up to 600 yds away, the longest shot I have is 450 yds. No challenges with a rifle anymore. Change weapons, or start hunting bigger deer. Maybe next year try a stick and stone hunt! THAT'S HUNTING!! We used to do it once a year for rabbits, they called it bunny bopping, man that's fun.

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

I wish I had your problem. All the work it takes to shoot 5 deer?

Maybe you need a challenge. C'mon up to northern New England and hunt there. The deer population is very low but we have some of the biggest bucks anywhere. The kind of bucks that will take your breath away.

Tough hunting, thick, nasty woods and possible extreme weather can make for a very rewarding hunt. Don't expect to shoot 5 deer, you may be lucky to see 5 deer.

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

A11en

Maybe it's time to take a kid or and older hunter out with you andenjoy watching them learn from you and have a memorable hunt.

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

Give it a week it will pass.I've never gotten tired of hunting.and I go just.about everyday.

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

Again - Thanks for the encouragement. I'm sure I'll be out again in a week or so. For those that suggested bow hunting - I do. I've also taken deer with a handgun.

Warren, I've taken both my boys out and they've shot deer (pretty awesome feeling I agree). This year, we had a doe come within 20 yards and they both agreed to pass on it. I was very surprised. Here are some picture of them.

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

A11en
I'm impressed. Nice going.
Enjoy those boy, they grow up fast.
Looks like you have some hunting partners for life. Your very lucky.

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

i'm sick of it. i've hunted every morning and every evening of rifle and muzzleloader. and never say a buck nice enough to shoot. i'll take a couple does thought in antlerless season.

RE: Tired of Deer Hunting?
 

I had to smile to myself when I read your initial post. This is how I feel almost every turkey season. By the end of the four week season I am tired. I manage to take a turkey every year, but after a month of getting up between 3-4am to go out and hunt 5 days a week, I get tired. Then I start saying things like I am going to give up turkey hunting. My co-workers laugh at me now because they know every April I will be getting all excited to hit the woods.

So don't worry, the spark will return. You just need a little rest. :)