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Lacking hunting motivation-never thought I’d get here!

fairchaser

fairchaser

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Low 40's this morning with a NNE wind which is perfect for the spot. Slow at work, so I thought I'd take off and hunt. Yet, here I sit typing this.
When the alarm went off at 4:30, I started thinking about all the things required to get to tree and the possible reward and rolled over. Maybe when the rut starts, I'll get motivated. It's getting more difficult knowing.the deer is probably infected.
 
Ha.. Just wait until you're in your 70's and see how you feel then. o_O

Now, at 74, all my old hunting partners are either deceased or have put away their guns. My children and grandchildren don't hunt (one does fish, at least) Cancer really knocked the stuffing out of me a couple of years ago, but I survived. Between the effects of that and just plain old age I don't have the physical strength or the stamina needed to spend all day climbing hills, pushing through thickets, or to haul out a deer by myself. But, more than deer hunting, I miss small game. I grew up chasing rabbits with beagles. As an adult I switched to bird dogs and hunted pheasant, grouse, quail, and waterfowl. I no longer have a dog and I miss the dogs and bird hunting terribly.

However, I'm not done yet. I can't hike for miles in the back country like I once did, but I still roam around for a mile or two. I don't go up in the trees anymore due to balance issues, but I sometimes sit in a ground blind overlooking a deer trail from dawn to dusk. I'm content just watching the birds and squirrels and sometimes having a mouse run over my foot. I sit and think, read a good book, and watch the wildlife. Whenever I can get out in the woods away from the noise and congestion of this modern world, I'm happy. Bagging a nice buck is a plus, but not necessary for a good day in the woods.

Every day in the woods is better than the best day at work. ;)

Oh, one other thought.
I put away my modern guns (except for classic SxS shotguns) over 30 years ago, and took up traditional (old style muzzleloaders) (None of that in-line garbage for me!) Flintlocks, round balls, and real black powder. I don't take any shots at longer than 75 yards.
It certainly adds the challenge to big game hunting that I crave.
I tried bow hunting back in the 1970's but didn't take to it.
 
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fairchaser said:
Low 40's this morning with a NNE wind which is perfect for the spot. Slow at work, so I thought I'd take off and hunt. Yet, here I sit typing this.
When the alarm went off at 4:30, I started thinking about all the things required to get to tree and the possible reward and rolled over. Maybe when the rut starts, I'll get motivated. It's getting more difficult knowing.the deer is probably infected.
Click to expand...
you out in west tn? worried about shooting a deer with CWD?
 
I find myself wondering how CWD is going to affect my hunting when it becomes prevalent in Mid TN. I've hunted all over the west in CWD zones and have never given it a second thought. It just has a different feeling when it's close to home. The deer densities around here are just so much higher than out west.

I'm not sure what I'll do when the time comes. Maybe spend more time hunting the mountains of East TN. The scenery alone makes up for the lack of deer. Maybe get a nice camera and take up wildlife photography. Or, just keep going at it like I do now. Only time will tell.
 
I bought a crossbow about three years ago thinking that I wanted to hunt bow season. I went a couple of times and saw deer, but couldn't make myself shoot. It was evening, and the thought of following a blood trail didn't appeal to me.
 
I haven't lost the fire yet, but there have been more than one morning when I thought to myself "it sure is warmer in bed".

100% of the time I get up and get in the woods I'm blessed with a beautiful sunrise and the sound of the day waking up. Nothing better for the soul. I hunt trees mostly.
 
fairchaser said:
Low 40's this morning with a NNE wind which is perfect for the spot. Slow at work, so I thought I'd take off and hunt. Yet, here I sit typing this.
When the alarm went off at 4:30, I started thinking about all the things required to get to tree and the possible reward and rolled over. Maybe when the rut starts, I'll get motivated. It's getting more difficult knowing.the deer is probably infected.
Click to expand...
Unless there is hard evidence that CWD is causing trouble in humans or killing humans (and yes I have seen some articles suggesting CWD may be impacting humans, just guesses though, a couple even said they believe CWD killed someone they know from eating deer, no factual evidence though) I will not change the way I deer hunt or how often I go. So long there are deer to hunt, I will be hunting them.
 
Headhunter said:
So long there are deer to hunt, I will be hunting them.
Click to expand...
This is one piece of the puzzle that fairchaser did not include in his post. Deer density where he deer hunts has taken a dive over the last decade. Minimal daytime deer sightings (comparatively speaking) and high probability of CWD infection definitely has the potential to take some wind out of one's sail.
 
I was not loosing my hunting fire but in 2018 I started filming my hunts…. Oh my goodness, I've hunted harder than ever before. The challenge, fun, and recorded memories rolls this 50 yr old out of bed every chance I get. And this year I tried my 1st Colorado backcountry adventure… holy smokes that was awesome!! I loved the 10 nights camping in solitude. Come on guys please don't tell me I'm gonna loose this feeling.
 
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Rancocas said:
However, I'm not done yet. I can't hike for miles in the back country like I once did, but I still roam around for a mile or two. I don't go up in the trees anymore due to balance issues, but I sometimes sit in a ground blind overlooking a deer trail from dawn to dusk. I'm content just watching the birds and squirrels and sometimes having a mouse run over my foot. I sit and think, read a good book, and watch the wildlife. Whenever I can get out in the woods away from the noise and congestion of this modern world, I'm happy. Bagging a nice buck is a plus, but not necessary for a good day in the woods.
Click to expand...

Excellent perspective.
 
CWD has been in the west for decades. It affects whitetail, muleys, and elk. If you've killed a deer or elk in CO, WY, MT, etc, there is a pretty good chance that it had CWD. Why different in TN?

This is what is going through my head with all of this, and I truly don't have the answer. And if I can't eat it, no amount of antler will motivate me to shoot it
 
For the guys that have lost the fire to go or that will at some point. I encourage y'all to pick a person that is new to hunting or someone that hasnt been much and take them and share your knowledge and woodsmanship. Not only are you helping them become a better hunter and caretaker of the land but it will help you fulfill that lost feeling of being outdoors.
 
I've been in the same mood for a few years now. I have little more fire in me now that my daughter is showing interest. If it wasn't for the time spent at camp with dad and my brother and now my daughter I would of probably hung it up a year or two ago. At least until I got the itch again
 

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