Just how bad does it get you!

[Wannabe1]

I don't know about anyone else but, waiting to get in the field drives me crazy.    

[LB_hntr]

I know what you mean.
But last 15 years or so I have become so diverse in what I do outdoors that I sometimes beg for downtime.
Small game with longbow
Big game with longbow
Trapping for everything all fall and winter
Coyote hunting
Turkey hunting with longbow
Bow fishing 6 months a year
Rod fishing
Collecting wild edibles
Camping
Scouting
Etc.
There is rarely a day I'm home and not in the woods doing something. My wife and kids love doing 90% of the above stuff so we spend a lot of family time doing outdoor stuff.

[Bowwild]

Opening day is a very big deal for me as well. I have to admit though with a deer season that last more than 120 days I'm able to spread excitement over a long period of time, so it is bearable.

I get pretty excited too when about to hunt a new stand or one that I haven't hunted in a while.

[GreyGoose]

I want to be like LB_hntr when I grow up!

[LB_hntr]

after reading what I wrote I will apologize. It does sound like I was bragging. Definetly not my intensions. I wanted to show the great many other things that can be done outdoors to help pass the time until hunting season arrives and also how family even if they don't like hunting will most likely want to participate in all those other outdoor activities.
  I should of denfinetly worded that better. Did not mean for it to sound so arrogant. Again my apologies for the way it was written.

[Wannabe1]

Jason, I never took it anything like that. I got your meaning. If I had a car that was older than '89 and ran decent and could afford the gas, I'd be out stumping and playing in the woods a lot more. Believe you me! When we can, my family also enjoys being out and we shoot together on occasion. Albeit, I am the only hunter right now.

[TraditionalGuy]

It didn't sound arrogant to me, LB_hntr. In fact, it sounded like my dream life and was a bit jealous. My son is a year and a half so he isn't quite ready and my wife doesn't hunt and is not a huge fan of camping or the outdoors in general.

[VictoryHunter]

LB_hntr there was nothing arrogant about that at all, you are doing it right! Wannabe it's just part of the sickness we have. The only way I have found to pass the time is to spend it outdoors, if it's not deer season then I'm fishing or maybe doing a little small game hunting. What's even better is my wife has her first bow on the way and is already fired up about next season when she gets to hunt. She also loves camping and fishing. I couldn't be any happier! This coming Monday will be my first day in the woods this season and I'm chomping at the bit. It's a sickness I have no desire to be rid of though. Happy hunting!

[b.glass]

LB hntr, don't apologize! That sounds great! Happy for ya!

[GreyGoose]

LB Hntr - what b.glass said.  Most of us don't make enough time for the things that are most important to us - I was expressing my admiration for that!

[Bowwild]

LB huntr,
It sounds like your family has a strong set of worthy pursuits. A great thing these days. I'm sure no one thinks you were being anything but proud of your priorities. Thanks for reminding the wannabe (and the rest of us) of all the great outdoor possibilities!

I dabbled with trapping in the early 1980's when rats were $9 each. I have a lot of respect for successful trappers. They have to know what their quarry is going to do before the animal does!

[Fattony77]

Wannabe, I know what ya mean. I am blessed to live in a state where the deer & turkey archery seasons run from Oct. 1 (favorite day of the year)- Jan. 15 (worst day of the year) every year! So most of September is spent in agonizing anticipation! Lol.

LB, no apology necessary! It didn't come off as arrogant to me, anyway. If anything it got me to thinking about other ways that I might be able to hit the woods with my family as well.

[Deeter]

To me opening day is like being a little kid again and knowing Christmas morning is just around the corner.  I start going nuts just about after deer season ends till spring turkey comes in.

[LB_hntr]

Thanks for the understanding guys. when I read what I wrote it didn't read like I wanted it too.

Wannabe1 sorry for hijacking your thread...lol
I got my fingers crossed for you that this will be the season for your first!  It took me 3 years to kill my first deer with a trad bow. I remember the anticipation that each new season brought. the drive and determination and excitement level is off the charts when you are trying to get that first one. its a feeling you will remember forever. I wish you the best of luck on the 16th!

[Wannabe1]

Thank you Jason! Really appreciate that. I am looking to use a plains style quiver this late season and with everything else, I am just overly pumped I guess. Can hardly wait to get out there!  

[Knawbone]

Wannabe,Hill bows have much mojoe. Wishing you the best on your first. One of the things that helps to pass the time is preparation. You can scout the area you want to hunt, make ground blinds, set stands, or at least find out where you need to set up for your hunts.Don't sit idol. The successful hunter is the prepared hunter. Get out in the woods and find the deer and where they travel, bed, and feed. By the time first day rolls around, you should have a really good idea where, when and how to tag that Deer. Hope this helps and good hunting.Knawbone

[Wannabe1]

I'm already familiar with the area I'm hunting as it will be the same as during the early season. I tend to stay out of the woods while I wait for the late season due to the gun hunters and I don't want to leave a bunch of tell tale signs before the late season begins.

Thanks for the well wishes for my first! I am having lots of hope.