Interesting Question

[ddog27]

Some of my buddies and I were talking and they asked an interesting question that I thought would make a good topic. The question is:

What is your favorite part of a hunting trip?

Is it the camping? Is it the hunting? Is it being away from everything (Work, bills…..)? Is it the camping food? Being with good friends and family? What do you guys think?

[KwackWacker]

All of that makes a good trip even better, but I'll tell you what my favorite part is. I'm pretty sure all of us have seen it, but have you really taken it in? Imagine your sitting in your favorite deer stand. All settled, Your equipment is ready. It's 20 minutes before daybreak on a moonless night. The darkness makes seeing impossible, but you can hear everything around you. You can hear the leaves tickle the trees when a slight breeze blows. You're trying to make out anything that even remotely looks like a deer. A noise here, what was it? Another there, just can't make out what it was. You wait a few more minutes patiently waiting for that sliver of sun. And ever so slowly you begin to make out little things and you know the sky is just starting to crack with light. Another noise but this time you make it out to be a bird chasing breakfast. Then a squirrel munching on acorns. The woods are beginning to wake up. Maybe there's a little fog covering the ground. I always thought that made the morning seem like some corny dream sequence in the movies. But it makes everything seem sort of distant, almost as if it is in a painting. Somewhere in the woods an owl sounds off. That deep "Hoo-hoo-hoooooo", always makes me feel right at home. Then the sky begins to turn from pale grayish to light blue and you know the sun is 20 minutes away from rising over the trees. You can see clearly now, no more squinting to make out things. There are more birds and squirrels,there are always the squirrels. But you can't complain cause they keep you distracted on slow mornings. A whisper of wind blows and you can feel the cold beginning to creep into your fingers and toes. This is THE time, shouldn't be long now and ole Mossy Horns is going to be creeping out of the woods on the prowl for a hot doe. You can almost see him cruising along at a slow pace. But maybe not, maybe it's just a doe and her yearling. The sun pops over the trees and everything is full blown now. Birds are everywhere and squirrels are scampering up one limb and down the next. They keep the woods alive even through the slow days. You have just witnessed one of the greatest things about hunting. You watched the woods come to life. You were part of it. There are few people who realize how great that morning awakening is. Next time you get the chance to see it, really take it in, observe every part, be a part of it and appreciate it. There aren't many people who understand that like hunters do. And if you have never really taken it all in, this season I urge you to do so. It can be the most calming thing you'll ever see.




Okay, so now that my favorite part is out of the way, here's my second favorite part. The hunts over, a steaming hot bowl of venison stew is just a few minutes away. You peel out of your hunting gear and straight to the stew. The cards are shuffled and the poker chips are handed out. It's time for the weekly Upton Creek Hunting Club Poker Game. Time to deal the cardas and let the BS fly!!

[padeerhunter72]

i think it is arriving at the camp. i know how exciting it is when we head to the cabin when huinting seasons come around

[progers]

Stop it Kwack! You killin' me here!

How many times have you forseen the spot the deer will come out and it happen just like you plan? Do you ever just get that feeling?

How many times has a squirrel been present, playing in the leaves. He disappears and a bit later, a buck appears in the same spot! Weird, huh!?! I get that alot!!! I call it "wanting" a deer out! It seems sometimes you can "want" one right out of the woods!

[DocHolladay]

in my opinion it is the whole trip itself that is my favorite. everything combined, the friends, the hunt, no bills or phone calls, the food, the fire, the smells, and the sunrises and sunsets. deer or no deer. the thing i hate the least is 4am. im not a morning person. and the drive home.

[progers]

Doc, I thought you were usually still up at 4am?!?

[DocHolladay]

yea cause i stay up all night.. . i go to bed early and get up early. not used to it.

[progers]

So, you are like me then Doc!?!

You get to work late and leave early to make up for it!


Hey Doc, 512, caught ya!

[custom102004]

well ive been doing pretty good with my deer fever........until kwackers story!!!!!!! come on bow season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DouglasSpear]

I drive 6 hours to get to my grandfathers cabin, but when I get there I know to expect to see my grandpa, second cousins, my great uncle, my uncle, and cousin waiting with beers in hand. Laughs, food, and stories wil be shared. We show each other our recent hunting gear purchases as we sit in the cabin kitchen around a full table of different venison dishes. We all share our game from the previous year, bringing new recipes to share too. We talk about our plans of where we plan to go for the big hunt. Each year we also take turns creating our own hot sauce to bring along with a new venison steak marinade. We go to bed late and wake up early all for what KwackWhacker spoke of. Watching this beautiful country come to life on a brand new day. Deer or no deer. If someone does get a deer, the closest person gladly goes to help field dress and drag. Last year I was taken away from hunting for a whole afternoon, but it was to help hang my family's deer (5 in all) and I didn't mind a bit. Then sitting around the fire ring the cold chill of night whispers by as we drink and look over at the deer taken earlier in the day. We eat a late dinner, once the venison roast is done slow cooking on the spit of the open fire. Then we return to bed, and enjoy the rest of our stay. Wheew...that makes my hair stand up just thinking about it. I have recently taken up spring turkey hunting just to get me through the waiting period until the next deer season. It works, but only so well...

[carnivore]

Kwack you hit the nail on the head with that description, Progers you did also, I feel sometimes ya can forsee yer animal through a specific spot, and I pay real close attention to what the birds and squirrels are doing because they will sometimes prepare you for whats going to happen in the next ten minutes. DOC just go back to bed!! we all know the big boys are killed just as often if not more between 10:00am and 1:00pm and god knows the beauty sleep wouldn't hurt ya a bit. Good LUCK to one and all I'm starting to feel the stir again, ya'll are bringing me outa my slump with these text book fantasy hunts!!