Coping with not hunting ?

[Sean B]

Work, "new life" and a new location are putting a bit of a damper on my season.  Just got to deal. It'll get better, maybe not now, but it will.

[BOHO]

2010 was my year. I had a knee surgery in Sept and back surgery in Dec. It was real tough but still managed to squeeze in a few hunts and killed 3 does. just shoot your bow on sundays when time permits and watch a couple hunting shows here and there. that should keep you motivated. good luck.

[ti-guy]

Started a family 12 yars ago and made the choice to slow down on hunting to take care of kids and wife.Postpartum depression after our girl was born .13 months later my wife got pregnant but a cancer diagnostic fell on my mother in law,my wife took care of her during her pregnancy,mother in law died when our boy was 3 months old.She died at home in my wife's arm...Had to hold on strong.Last year in june we changed our life,moving up north 2 1/2 hours from our closest friend or family.We moved closer to nature and wildlife,wanted to go fishing and hunting in our backyard.We found a house with a 24 acres woodlot.Unfortunately the house had many construction vices.too many to numerate but it kept me away from hunting,shooting,making arrows etc.The most important thigs have been repaired now and time has come to go to court.Just started yesterday to clean the shop to be able to make some shafts...I'm back!  

[manitou1]

Started bowhunting about 41 years ago.  It was my passion.  Seven years ago, I injured my neck firefighting and was gifted with fusions and titanium plates and bolts, like many above.  I had a terrible time with recovery and still live with a lot of pain daily... but thank God, I am back into archery as of last year and shoot as many 3d shoots and hunt as much as possible.  If it is truly a passion of yours, I doubt you will lose it.  You may just have to take a break occasionally for any of the reasons stated by the posters above.
Sometimes we just have to "adjust" our lifestyle, our equipment, or our attitudes to make do with what we can do and enjoy what we have. I have gone to lighter, but faster bows to compensate. Killed a deer a couple weeks ago with a 48 lb. recurve and the arrow zipped through and went another ten yards... no problem.  
I do know, after these little "breaks" (two deployments to the wonderful desert too), I seem to enjoy archery that much more.

[Flying Dutchman]

I am in the same boat, because I suffer from MS. As a matter of fact: I am fighting a severe attack right now. This means long periods not being able to shoot or being in the woods.
With me it comes naturally: the longer I can't shoot the bow, the more I long for it. So picking it up again feels like a blessing. Tradgang helped me a lot during my periods of illness.

[Hopewell Tom]

This is my first year not being able to get out. I'm bone on bone on my right hip and trying to walk is too tough. Even back and forth to the target is even too much now. On a waiting list for repair, but this year is gone.
Like Izzy says, you just have to tough it out. I think about hunting every day, all year. It never goes away. I'm just trying to be positive and think about next year.
This site helps a lot to see others still at it and being successful.

[SELFBOW19953]

My first four years in the Air Force, 2 of those in Thailand.

[bartcanoe]

After years of numerous deployments and other military commitments followed by two bouts of cancer, I got used to saying maybe next year.  I kept the desire going by being in the woods (even outside hunting season), and remembering and being thankful for the great opportunities (few they might be) I did have.

[lpcjon2]

After reading some of your posts guys, I may not have it as bad as some of you did in the past. I know I wont lose the spirit , but it kills me to see all the trucks parked on the side of the road, knowing that they are enjoying the peace of the hunt. Thanks for all the support and posts.

[reddogge]

Take heart, others have been in your place as you've read. Luckily hunting doesn't take "practice" and you don't have to bone up on it to take it up again.

I missed the first month and a half this year due to elbow surgery but years ago didn't bowhunt too much because I was so heavily involved with retrievers and duck and goose hunting. I found you can take it up again with the same, if not more enthusiasm than before.

My advice it to just bide your time, don't let it eat you up, and you will be back in the field enjoying it more than ever.

[Bowwild]

Wow, that is a long time to go without being able to bow hunt!

 I boycotted one season in a famous deer hunting state in 1991 but that's the only season since 1970 I haven't bow hunted. (And my "boycott" only mattered to me and my family.)

I squirrel hunted with a .22 rimfire that year and before the season had concluded I moved four states east.

[Roadkill]

Year long mil deployments, and the workup time before them

Sux as hunting is part of my very being

[fisherick]

I fractured my hip in mid-Sept and had surgery on Oct. 1. During those 7 weeks I read books, magazines, Tradgang, Bowsite, watched hunting shows and created gear checklists, organizing and sharpening gear. I missed all of archery season except the last two days of the season. (Nov 23-24) I can't go far or climb treestands.(full recovery weeks away) It is now shotgun season, I am dreaming about next bow season.

[DamselflyFarm]

I missed the past 10 years until this year because I'd spent most of that time overseas as a Navy Contractor. I've since retired from that and am at home now, enjoying getting back into trad bow hunting. I'll not miss another season because of travel, I'll guarantee that.

[Pointer]

I went about 5 years without bowhunting...mostly due to other interests. I still did my share of upland bird hunting during that time though. After I got back into bowhunting it was the upland bird hunting that suffered...just don't have time for all of it like I did 20 years ago..wish I did

[YORNOC]

I don't cope well. First year I havent hunted. I have not shot a bow since about January due to injuries. Did not saltwater or freshwater fish, but at least got to go along.
I miss hunting this season badly.
Really badly.

[Dave Thaxton]

I took about 10 years off from hunting while my kids were younger and involved in their activities. Before that I hunted with a passion which bordered on insanity. After returning to the woods about 7-8 years ago I hunt when I can only now it is more fun and alot less grinding.