I have lost it.

[paleFace]

some times we need to step back and reflect on why we do the things we do. sounds like you have reached a fork in the road and just need time to ponder over it. trust that a new challenge awaits you. the harder we try to figure things out some times the harder it is to find the answer. it will hit you when you least expect it, just give it some time and don't fret over it. if you enjoy being in the woods but just don't have the desire to hunt, maybe you could grab a camera and take some photos.

of course that's when that big ol buck will stroll by. they say a picture is worth a 1000 words.

good luck with your journey....

[TSP]

Hunting is only one aspect of archery...like 3-D competition, making gear, practicing, learning, scouting, going to club shoots, etc.  Sometimes the urge just goes away for awhile, sometimes for a long time, perhaps triggered by a bad circumstance or a hectic lifestyle or just plain getting tired or frustrated with old routines or the expectations or demands of others.  Like you, I'm lately finding myself becoming less interested in hardcore hunting, or 'clubbing' and conforming to modern mindsets about what archery and hunting is and isn't supposed to be.  Sometimes being a loner is the most satisfying aspect of this sport, because it teaches you to trust and live by your own perspectives and decisions, for better or for worse.  Sharing the experiences of hunting and shooting can be special if among kindred spirits, but sometimes the need to be true to yourself outweighs the need to fit in amongst the crowd.        

So don't worry, there's something to be said for independence and following your gut feelings, even if it leads you away from 'the norm' for awhile.  Hunt if and when you feel the urge, and in the meantime trust in yourself and your choices.  Though at times it can be enjoyable and fulfilling, you don't need the approval or direction of others to hunt, shoot, or decide whats best.  It is, after all, your life to live.  If and when the time comes that you want to revisit the hunt then so be it.  Until then, all the best and good luck in your journey...wherever it leads.

[mcgroundstalker]

This Is A Great Site And The People On It Are Wonderful!!!  

... mike ...

[redfish]

Sometimes you feel like eating, and sometimes you don't. Relax, go wade fish on a steam in the hills. Go walking in the woods without a bow....you know what happens then.

[30coupe]

I've been there, though for different reasons. I had a bum knee for years. It made getting around hell. I finally just lost interest in hunting because it wasn't worth the pain I had to go through to do it. Finally, I had knee replacement surgery. It took a couple more years for that to get healed up and feeling natural. Then I rediscovered traditional archery. Now I am almost as much of a fanatic as I was in my youth.

Laying off for a while won't hurt,nor does it make you a bad person. If/when the fire returns, hunting will be all the more rewarding.

[xia_emperor]

Thanks guys, I feel a little better all ready.  

[John3]

Wait for the weather to cool off. I am feeling the same way.. 90+ degrees is not fun to hunt in.

The first crisp cool morning it will come back.

good luck out there.

John III

[Nate Fikkert]

XIA,

I must say, thanks for posting.  I have been struggling with the same thing this year and wasn't sure how to deal with it.  New State, new hunting areas, and no one to hunt with left me feeling a bit down about hunting.  Since then I have met some guys in my area (thanks to this site) and we are trying to get together for a hunt.  I am also going to be hunting whitetails for the first time in 4 years (since I moved from Wisconsin) in Montana AND Wisconsin and I hope that getting back to my roots and just sitting in a treestand will help me re-evaluate things.  Again thanks for posting, and thanks to others for their wise words.

Nathan

[KILLER B]

Last year i was going through a similar phase.  I had just moved to TN from Michigan where i grew up on a farm and only had to look out the back window to see deer at night.  Then i moved to Tennessee leaving all my hunting buddies my woods I knew like the back of my hand, every thing I was ever used to. So last season all I could think about was wanting to hunt but not so much where I was i had no one to go with deer are as no where as visible in TN as in MI and i just didn't think there were deer around.  this caused my motivation level to just plain bottom out.  And that's when for some reason i wanted to make a bow from a stick.  And found this site and by making my own bow and arrows i have found a desire to just get out there and enjoy the outdoors not so much the aspect of hunting.  just plain soaking up mother nature.  Thats what got me over it though.  It may have been the bow i made or just adjusting to somewhere where every one and everything is new.  I wish you guys the best of luck.  Just do what makes ya happy.

[Raineman]

xia-sometimes you just need a break. I threw all of it out for almost a decade! Not recommending you do that, and I had a bunch of reasons to do so, but if that is what gets you straight as an arrow in life, then so be it.

As was mentioned before in this thread, perhaps you have reached a fork in the road. I did. It eventually led back to hunting and then back to traditional archery and now back to traditional archery hunting.

Take your time if you need to and don't be ashamed or confused at all. WE will be here, and your passion will always be there. Sometimes we just need something else to do.

I wish you well, and like all my true friends were......they understood, and never left.....even when I did.

[rascal]

Hey Xia I moved to Iowa about 3.5 years ago myself (from Michigan).  I know what you mean about no one to hunt with, I have a brother here but it still seems like its up to me to arrange everything and make all the plans.  I do enjoy my solo hunts but I have to agree having a good huntin partner around makes for a better time.  I had to start over with no contacts, no land, and no idea where to begin.  Now I have managed to secure 500 acres to lease and I hunt what public areas I can find that arent too crowded.

If you get the urge to give hunting a go again this fall maybe we can hook up on a weekend, I hunt about anything I can anytime I can.  Shoot me a PM if you are interested.

[BRITTMAN]

Id like to add one more thing , do not make the mistake of selling your archery gear . Im also dealing with a bad death in the family , moved to a new location , hard physical job and worries about making ends meet . I recently went through some physical problems that made just  shooting my bow a chore and wound up selling and trading a few thinking that it was the bow itself that was causing alot of my problems but it was just getting older and I cant push as hard as I once could. If you get rid of your bow you will regret it  when things level out for you so just take some time off and relax as others have already said .

Mike

[kctreeman]

It's hard to get motivated when it's so hot.  I just don't have the desire to mess with deer when it's in the upper 80's - 90.  I'm having the same problem.  Today will be a good time to sit back and watch a little football and shoot a little during the commercials.  There's a cool spell heading this way and I'm sure that will get the hormones in action, deer and mine.

[Lefty]

If you (or anyone else, as far as that goes) get down to SE Iowa I live in Mount Pleasant and am always up for an adventure.  We don't need to go to anyone's private spots.  There is plenty of public ground around that doesn't get hunted that hard till the gun seasons.  If fact, if we could get a few guys interested we could organize some pushes and maybe get some action at deer, turkey, rabbits, or?  Get a couple people to stand and a couple to slowly still hunt through some areas and hopefully anything they bump, goes passed the standers.  It can be fun and productive and a good break from solo hunting.

[Roadkill]

Spoon, you miserable dog!  You leave us here in the desert with promises of big bucks and many photos and now you sulk on us>  your motivatiion is get out and provide us, your desert friends, pics of those big IA whitetails.  
get out of this slump or we'll send Kerry out to kick your sorry butt.  
That should be plenty of motivation for you....

[buckeye_hunter]

I did hunt a lot of hunting on my own too.  I sort of bured out on it by the end of last year. This year, my girls are getting old enough to go with me.  I have been taking them squirrel hunting and I just don't have as much fun when they aren't with me.  We just use a shotgun or .22 longrifle.  My passion for white tails is still there, but not quite so strong.  I really like the campanionship,  I too was geting tired of going alone.  Heck, I'm still lookin' for someone to go trad huntin' with myself. I don't think my girls have the patience for it yet.

My advice is to take some time off and then find someone to go with you.  Regardless of who it is, you'll hav more fun.

JMO,
Charlie