Each year we see the exciting posts about hit list bucks, score my buck, and he's a giant, along with a myriad of other ways to describe the intended harvest. We also see the banter back and forth between those who want trophy bucks and those who just want to hunt what's there.
I want to offer a perspective for many, especially new hunters, to consider. Find the joy in the hunt, not just the harvest. When we focus so heavily on the hoped outcome of the harvest we can often miss the moments and events that can make each hunt unique. For example the other day I was hunting a small 15 acre parcel near me. I had picked a spot that appears to be a well used travel corridor, and I was right. In just over an hour I had 8 deer cut through. Had a young doe being pushed by a spike who ran by my tree no more than 12' out. Also saw a nice 7-point working his way the same direction they went with his head held up high. So from that regard, the hunt was a huge success, it confirmed what I thought. The excitement came though at the end. Had a nice doe sneak in off to my left and behind me (I'm in a saddle so I'm facing the tree). She went behind some scrubby trees so I was able to get my bow and turn towards her for a shot. From there though it became a cat and mouse game. The largest trees between me and her were no bigger than my forearm so trying to hide behind one of those is quite tough. Add to it she's working almost directly towards me and the sun is now peaking through the trees and lighting me up like I'm being interrogated at the local police station under a spotlight. Finally she paused at about 12 yards and was staring at me trying to figure out what I was. After what seemed like forever I had to shift my leg just a bit as it was screaming from trying to hold the awkward position. With that I lost the game of cat and mouse and she blew once, bounded off out of range then circled around some still trying to figure out what I was.
Each hunt has those special things that happen to make it unique and often a learning opportunity. When I get home I like to write those events down to remember them. I have found I take more joy in going back and reading through those moments than I ever do looking at the European mounts I have on the wall. For example, there is the hunt where my daughter had dropped some playdough on one of her first hunts with me. In the process of her finding it, she and a doe had a stare down, distracting the doe to the point I was able to take her. My daughter will forever be my best decoy. Or there is the hunt where I shot a nice buck, watched him bound away like nothing happened and jump across a fence to the neighbors property. I searched and searched and found only one small drop of blood right at the fence line. I finally got permission to cross the fence and take a quick look, and when I did there was blood everywhere on the other side of the fence, and my buck laying across a downed tree. My emotions went on a roller coaster ride with that one.
My encouragement is to find the joy in the hunt, not just the harvest. Focus on the little moments, the weird and crazy things that happen that make each trip unique and special. I think you'll find it to greatly enhance this pursuit we call hunting, and cause you to find much greater satisfaction.
I want to offer a perspective for many, especially new hunters, to consider. Find the joy in the hunt, not just the harvest. When we focus so heavily on the hoped outcome of the harvest we can often miss the moments and events that can make each hunt unique. For example the other day I was hunting a small 15 acre parcel near me. I had picked a spot that appears to be a well used travel corridor, and I was right. In just over an hour I had 8 deer cut through. Had a young doe being pushed by a spike who ran by my tree no more than 12' out. Also saw a nice 7-point working his way the same direction they went with his head held up high. So from that regard, the hunt was a huge success, it confirmed what I thought. The excitement came though at the end. Had a nice doe sneak in off to my left and behind me (I'm in a saddle so I'm facing the tree). She went behind some scrubby trees so I was able to get my bow and turn towards her for a shot. From there though it became a cat and mouse game. The largest trees between me and her were no bigger than my forearm so trying to hide behind one of those is quite tough. Add to it she's working almost directly towards me and the sun is now peaking through the trees and lighting me up like I'm being interrogated at the local police station under a spotlight. Finally she paused at about 12 yards and was staring at me trying to figure out what I was. After what seemed like forever I had to shift my leg just a bit as it was screaming from trying to hold the awkward position. With that I lost the game of cat and mouse and she blew once, bounded off out of range then circled around some still trying to figure out what I was.
Each hunt has those special things that happen to make it unique and often a learning opportunity. When I get home I like to write those events down to remember them. I have found I take more joy in going back and reading through those moments than I ever do looking at the European mounts I have on the wall. For example, there is the hunt where my daughter had dropped some playdough on one of her first hunts with me. In the process of her finding it, she and a doe had a stare down, distracting the doe to the point I was able to take her. My daughter will forever be my best decoy. Or there is the hunt where I shot a nice buck, watched him bound away like nothing happened and jump across a fence to the neighbors property. I searched and searched and found only one small drop of blood right at the fence line. I finally got permission to cross the fence and take a quick look, and when I did there was blood everywhere on the other side of the fence, and my buck laying across a downed tree. My emotions went on a roller coaster ride with that one.
My encouragement is to find the joy in the hunt, not just the harvest. Focus on the little moments, the weird and crazy things that happen that make each trip unique and special. I think you'll find it to greatly enhance this pursuit we call hunting, and cause you to find much greater satisfaction.
