Having withdrawals NOT heading west in 2010

[PowDuck]

Anyone else in the same state of mind I am?

ArkyBoB and I are NOT heading west this year. We decided to lay off a couple years and save our money for a caribou hunt.

We've gone to Colorado the last 3 years in a row. It's getting close to the time when we would be leaving but instead of getting packed I'm just plodding on, getting ready for AR bow season Oct. 1.

Reading all the posts about y'all heading west just makes it worse. I've saved enough to go to CO but just have to look forward to a different, more expensive hunt down the road.

[Ragnarok Forge]

Enjoy planning for the future hunt and burn that extra energy getting everything tuned and ready for your hunt at home.  I am saving up for a trip to Australia for the wife and I to hunt Chital and Rusa Deer and some hogs.   I blew of hunting Oregon for that reason.  Fortunately Deer starts here next week and Elk the week after.  It has been tough waiting for the opportunity to get out with a sharp stick.

[Irish]

I'm with ya!!   Hunting around home until a trip to Texas in the winter.   First time in years I have not had a early fall trip planned.   Going to Yellowstone next week with the wife.  Looking at the elk and deer will make me miss a hunting trip even more.

[kadbow]

I haven't hunted elk since last Sept and having to wait 3 more hours to head up to my cabin is killing me.  I feel for you guys.  Enjoy your long whitetail seasons.

[Over&Under]

Ditto on what Mark said, waiting just a few more hours is brutal!!!  And we only get a month...I need to move!  LOL

When your caribou hunt arrives, this waiting will all be forgotten!

[knobby]

I know what you mean. I didn't think the finances would be there for it this year, so I turned down the opportunity for mulies. Dumb! To make matters worse, my son moved to Colorado since last season, and he's heading up for elk in a couple hours. Giving myself heck for missing his first elk hunt. too. Guess we'll be waiting for the weekend updates from everyone else.

[John3]

I went through this last August as I didn't go west.. Today my truck is packed and I leave in the morning to chase Antelope in northwest South Dakota 15 miles from Montana and 11 from ND.  Only a 1100 mile drive from home...  

[Earl Jeff]

It's that time of the year to head to Maine to do some bear hunting. BUT I'll have to wait another year.  

[David Mitchell]

Hey, Earl Jeff, I'm heading out for Eldon's place in Maine next week!  Just chatted with him a bit ago...he is saving my favorite stand, the Preacher's stand, for me!  Named in my honor, no less. I shot a dandy 300+ pounder out of that stand in 2003.  He says it is absolutely getting hammered.  I'm almost packed!  Maybe I'll go back next year so I can hunt with you guys--that would be great....Dave

[Arkansaslongbow]

Never been out west but would love to go; to be honest with everyone, money is a little tight this year so will have to settle hunting my home state of Arkansas; but don't get me wrong, I am not discouraged because we have 5 full months of bowhunting and they added an extra deer tag for us this year bringing the total to 5......  

[String Cutter]

Don't feel bad. I've planned 3 times to go to CO to elk hunting and lawyer fees seem to always shot me down.... But there are more important things in our lives... It doesn't look like I will be hunting at all cause I now have custody of my 5 yr old little girl... AND that is far and away more improtant then killing any animal.
I hope to one day live my hunting dream. But for now being a good father is even greater then I can say....
Hope you guys have a great season. Even if it's in your own backyard..

[PowDuck]

String Cutter, congratulations. Spend all the time you can with her. That really puts things in perspective. My daughters are 23 now. Get her interested in hunting, too, then you and she can spend lots of quality time together in the woods. If she doesn't take an interest, you get interested in whatever SHE'S interested in.

I'm not complaining, mind you, about not going to CO, I'm just missing it.

[String Cutter]

Powduck, I took her to a shoot last weekend and she got a 3rd place trophy...  She was tickled pink. Even had me txt pics to her mother..Carried it around all weekend.
Bob Walker's little grand Daughter won first and the trophy was bigger then she was!! LOL
It was the best day I can remember in a long, long while.

[MnFn]

My exact sentiments. I had one of the best times of my life hunting elk in Co. last year with my son. Since he is working on his master's degree, and coupled with the "honey, this is a hunt of a lifetime" excuse last year, I thought it best to wait another year before going back.

Then, the other day I said to my wife "this time last year I was heading to Co. for elk hunting. I am really bummed out about not doing that again." She surprised me by answering " why didn't you - you could have gone again this year." Sometimes I am too smart for my own good!

[dnovo]

I know what you mean. Didn't go last year with money being too tight. I just got back from CO last night. Spent my elk hunt money on taking the wife to CO for a vacation. Missing the hunt but money well spent. Now she knows what I'm talking about when I talk about the call of the mountains.

[artelkhunter]

Drew a Bull tag in 16c new mexico. really looking forward to it. I had hip replacement surgery last Aug. Couldn't quite make it anywhere other than around the house and a trip to KS in Dec. Just glad to get back out west.

[koger]

I dont know what the big deal is, I have been hunting since the 70's, this year is my first trip out west elk hunting, couldnt afford to go till now. I have a hog hunting trip planned for last of Jan., free, in Tx. Be grateful for all the hunts you have had, enjoy your hunt at home man.

[NYStickhunter]

I miss it every year since I moved back to New York State from Billings in 96. Keep the pictures coming as it helps!

[Friends call me Pac]

Caribou?  I need to talk with you and ArkyBob.  Lived in AK for 4 years and never got to hunt them.  I would not hesitate to save money for that trip.