And It Starts Again

[David Coulter]

#3677

The sun went down on deer season in my neck of the woods Saturday. I had a great season. I killed my first archery deer, a small doe, with my longbow on Election Day. For sentimental reasons I took my dad’s 270 out on the first day of rifle season and killed my largest deer ever, a big eight pointer. I hung that rack on the stone chimney in my studio in Dad’s honor.

I ended up not hunting the rest of the rifle season due to a kitchen project that finally got going, but was happy to have plenty of meat in the freezer after a three or four year drought. The drought was probably caused by my new found passion for traditional archery hunting and trying to learn a whole new way of going about the woods. Funny thing is I never felt deprived. Even as I wished for a little bit of meat for the table, we were fortunate to have generous friends donate some.

Squirrels are still in and I’ve fixed up my stumping arrows with a few old grizzlies to beat around the rocky ground here. I’m sure I’ll spend a few hours chasing those critters around the woods this winter.

But one of my favorite parts of hunting is just beginning. Bringing in the stands and trying to figure out why the World’s Most Awesome Stands didn’t have a track around them all year. Spending more time in the woods sneaking around and stumping and watching for clues for next year. It’s the anticipation of the next autumn hunt and the beauty of every present day in the woods.

I pulled back the string only once on an animal this year and it lasted only seconds. It took all year of planning and dreaming to make it happen. We travel this straight line that can fool us into thinking it’s going in circles and it’s a great road.

Thanks again for all the great advice and good reading here. While I’ve not met any of you in person that I know of, I feel the friendship that this common bond brings.

Happy hunting to you all.

[lyagooshka]

#22472

Amen my friend. I’m not quite ready to throw in the towel yet, but the inevitable is coming. Have 2 weeks left down here. Congrats again on your deer(s). I will keep working at it, so I guess my time will come soon enough. Happy stumping / hiking / frolicking / hunting to all. Be well.

Alex

8)

[David Coulter]

#22497

It’s all good! Have fun during the next two weeks. I’ll be watching for a successful report, in whatever shape that comes.

Today is a snow day for the kids. Home from school, toboggan, snow man and a movie in the afternoon. Life is good. dwc

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#22559

Nicely said, David! I killed my biggest deer ever on Election Day! I guess we are two very civic minded kinda dudes!! 😀

Alex

[David Coulter]

#22577

Yep, I voted first, then spent the afternoon in the woods. Did my civic duty then got the heck away from the election buzz and into the zen of squirrel watching. I was lucky to have a small spike walk right under me within 20 minutes of being on the stand, then waited another 4 1/2 hours, just before dark to have the next, lucky one, walk by. Congrats on your biggest. That’s way cool. dwc

[paleoman]

#22933

Very nice wrap up post. I agree that the journey is as good as the destination. The actual season comes and goes in an anti- climatic way for me. It’ s fun thinking about the day I end this historic drought of my own too!

[horserod]

#23233

Well said DWC. I,too, have a couple more weeks left here in Ohio,,,,AND an unfilled tag! If I don’t fill it though, it’s been a great season. I always feel a little sadness when the season comes to an end. The autumn is always my favorite time of the year with all the sights and smells. I no longer hang out in trees, but, stay on the ground in blinds and still hunting. I enjoy the first snows too. Hopefully the Lord will allow me another year to continue the adventures I so love to pursue in the great outdoors with the feel of a good bow in my hands and watching the flight of the beautiful arrow as it streaks to it’s appointed mark…….I have loved archery since 1957 and always will! 😀 Bullseye

[Stephen Graf]

#23556

Nice words all…

And this is my favorite time of the year to just walk around in the woods. No agenda (scouting), just enjoying the woods, and shooting some practice arrows, and maybe catching a squirrel unawares.

And lucky for us, it may snow tonight. What used to be commonplace weather has become a novelty over the last decade. Can’t wait to see the woods all dressed up!

[Etter1]

#23894

Congrats on a great season!

I actually love this time of year. I love chasing woodcock, coyotes, ducks, squirrels, rabbits, and just having the woods to myself again. There’s also some great winter trout and striper fishing around here.

Our season is 4 months long so it becomes a little draining when it’s finally over.

They’re calling for snow tomorrow so I might be tracking pigs in the mountains and before you know it, it’ll be turkey season!!!!!

Can’t wait. Have a great winter everyone. Probably my favorite time to be in the woods.

[George McCloskey]

#24778

paleoman wrote: Very nice wrap up post. I agree that the journey is as good as the destination. The actual season comes and goes in an anti- climatic way for me. It’ s fun thinking about the day I end this historic drought of my own too!

I understand your sentiments! My archery drought has been going on for 8 seasons now. I spend all year shooting prepping physically and mentally, and have gotten arrows away almost each year – yet to harvest. Full-time animals, part-time hunter! But I’ll do it again this year and love every minute of it!

[lyagooshka]

#24785

gmccloskey wrote: I’ll do it again this year and love every minute of it!

Amen!

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