Saying goodbye for another year

[Legolas]

Whitetail season closed here in Ohio for another year. I try to hunt the last day and it is melancoly as I will miss it so badly. 5 deer yarded together came in just about dusk and in trying to turn to see them better I got made. They stomped and eventually haulded tail. It was a win win situation.

I feel like a kid at Christmas morning the first day of whitetail season,such a contrast to the last day of season.

Paul

[Eric Krewson]

After I lowered my bow to the ground on my last day I faced the four compass points and said a word of thanks for letting me experience the woods one more year. I spoke in my normal voice and suspect any hunter within ear shot thought I was crazy but it has become an end of year ritual for me.

[Legolas]

Eric,
 I shall adopt your behavior as it puts some action to this emotion we all feel at the end of our hunting days. Maybe we  as Trad gang all could do this as a ceremony of thankfullness and begin a brotherly outward sign of our common union.

Thank you

Paul

[Brian Krebs]

Eric
  Its OK we all thought you were looking for your glasses   :p  

 I am sooo looking forward to the spring bear hunt; that I am fairing the non-big game season very well. Last fall the bears were down to the river; raiding fruit trees and anything they could get into. I am hoping that in the spring they will be eager to find my baits  

[longstick]

I remeber the last moment I walked back into camp...turned looked at the scenery surrounding me tipped my hat and said "until next year"

[Seeking Trad Deer]

I always feel equally as sad but this year was a special year and I feel satisfied.  Oh heck, I'm still out predator hunting at night for two more weeks so maybe that's why    .

[Bonebuster]

The last day must come, so there can be the glorious first day.

From summerlike temps at the beginning, to full blown winter at the end, we get to appreciate the change of seasons for all they are worth.

New Years day was it for me, and as darkness fell, and the snow squeaked under foot, I gave thanks, and begged for the opportunity for a sweet return.

Before we know it, the spring fawns will be weaned, and the velvet will dry, and because of hunter who care, we can do it all again.

[JDinPA]

I feel my season never really closes I just doing different things.
Inside research - scouting this month - topos.
Local shed hunting and light scouting for two months after that.
Then local turkey season.
Then carp season.
Then elk season or mulies if the snow ever stops in CO.
Then local whitetail.

[Flatstick]

I too give thanks at the end of deer season. Even if I'm unable to hunt that last day of the season, no matter where I'm at I like to see the sunset and say Thank You for another season. Good or bad luck, it does not matter. I hate to see it end but in all honesty, it sets me up for the pre-season jitters that I get when seasons start is just a short time away! The year is full of plans and getting equipment made & ready, it is indeed a "Full Circle" for me.

[SilverTip]

aint long to turkey season,    hey lego its been a while hope all is well pilgrim.

 Billy

[TomK]

Nice thoughts....  Thanks for posting.
Tom

[DaleinOhio]

My last day in Ohio was melancholy as well...right up until I crested a rise in the field I was crossing and saw 15 deer (three bucks, one of which was NICE, a bunch of does and little ones) feeding on the new green winter wheat about 150 yards away.  They were lit up bright gold by the sunset behind me.  I stood and watched them for a full five minutes before they figured me out and took shelter in the woods.

It was the perfect ending to the season.  I knew they would be here next year.

[barebow]

I had 2 little Fuzzy-Face's (this year's fawns), walk by my stand at about 18 yards. I had the opportunity to take a shot, but this was another one of those times where I enjoyed the feeling of the hunt more than the thought of the kill.