After 52 Years of Big Game Bowhunting...Tomorrow Begins a New Focus

[Bowwild]

Our bow season opens tomorrow morning. If it is like the past few mornings this week it will be a glorious time. I'll do like I've done for so many years, I'll be in the blind well before first light and wake up with the woods. Unlike most seasons, like last year I'll likely spend my time in a ground blind rather than in tree stands.

Instead of passing deer after deer in hopes of a bruiser and spending countless hours and days on stand during the season, I'm planning to put one deer in the freezer and then concentrate on three things:

1. Taking the grandsons hunting on Saturday mornings. Maybe a few evenings.
2. Squirrel hunting on property where I don't deer hunt.
3. Fall fishing. My son reminded me that we have never fished in the fall because we hunted so much. I'm even in the market, for the first time in my life a fishing boat.

For me this means for the first time since I was 16, bowhunting deer will not be my driving force from September through early December.

Oh, one thing can mess up this plan...if a bruiser strolls by just outside of bow range. 

[Bisch]

Good luck with the grandkids, the deer, the squirrels, and the fish!!!!!

Bisch

[Kirkll]

I took the same approach the last year or two and am doing so again this year again.  I already bought our fishing boat….. In the pacific NW we have some incredible salmon fishing opportunity in fall. I spent more time fishing salmon than hunting the last couple years and will do the same again this year.

For many years I rarely saw my wife and kids during hunting season. I spent most of September living in a tent on the coast chasing elk. My deer hunting was always saved for the black tail rut after Thanksgiving.

I wish you luck on finding the right boat. Get one big enough to take the whole family out now and then. It’s time well spent with your spouse and grand kids to both hunt and fish. Better yet get more than one boat so you can go solo in the little boat and just take your grandson if the urge strikes you.   Good sport! 

Kirk

[ron w]

Just have fun !!!

[Wudstix]

We're all trophy hunters, until something else walks by.  Enjoy your walk in the woods.
 

[woodchucker]

I too Roy, have returned to my youthful ways these past few years....

Fall fishing is the GREATEST!!! The colorful Brook Trout are so much more vibrant in the fall...

I realized a few years ago, that I hadn't bird hunted in years...
So, I dug out my bird vest, dumped a box of shells in the pockets, (hey, it's been a while)
Grabbed my old Browning "Sweet Sixteen" and went hunting... I shot 2 grouse, it was a wonderful day!!

2 years ago, I spent almost the entire Fall, chasing squirrels with my son's Plott hound pup, and a .22 rifle...

Bottom line... Life is too short, and there are so many things to do!!!

[Sam McMichael]

It sounds like you have a great plan in place. Good luck this year.

[GCook]

I can see the draw.  Chasing bruisers has it's draw.  But there are other things.  Important things.  Grandkids being a big one.

[M60gunner]

Well after 2 disappointing visits to the pain and nerve people I am going to sit and read about other folks hunting success this year. You know fishing might be an alternative.

[elkken]

Sounds like the best plan ever and I'm sure come November you'll agree   

[Bowwild]

Uh-oh.

This pic was on my son's cell camera. I just saw the pic about 15 minutes ago.

Best made plans?

[woodchucker]

Well.... maybe??

BUT! Wouldn't it be better if you had your grandson with you...??

[Bowguy67]

I understand your sentiment. It’s sort of the evolution I often speak about of the hunter. Later stages are all limit stages, limiting equipment, limiting what animal is acceptable, etc. While where I live deer don’t grow super big all that often thanks to a ridiculous management plan that allows unlimited does w button bucks being considered does. Not many bucks make adulthood and I haven’t seen a bachelor herd in many years.
Anyhow when you feel the need to give back, to teach, mentor, etc. That’s called full circle. When others enjoyment is as important or more so than ours, when they’re success trumps our own we’ve gotten to that point. I’ll be honest I used to be a guy went after the bigger bucks, I’d shoot a dozen or so a year in different states. As I noticed a decline I backed way off.
I started mentoring and I assure you the joy you’ll feel helping your grandchild drag their first doe is gonna best that buck. Who cares if you shoot a buck?. You’ve got nothing to prove. One day you’ll look back and realize it didn’t/don’t matter. The kids sure do though and what are they gonna remember? Grandpa taking them squirrel hunting and dedicating time to their success, their learning.
When I got sick 5 years ago I was forced even further to relent more of my ways. I’m now not so much even a bigger buck hunter. I can’t see well in one eye, can’t tell direction since I’m deaf in one ear. I hear walking and can’t tell where the heck it is. Gobbling the same. A little tough but hunting hasn’t changed for me. I still love it I just lowered my sights. Not that it pertains to you but just again being a deer hunter is refreshing. Brought some real fun back into my sport. No pressure to have to be there just in case he happens to be there too.
I can remember almost every second of every success anyone I’ve mentored has had. I’ll be honest do you remember all about every deer of your own? I can’t.
Believe me brother there’s so much more to taking a kid. One thing I’ve done that’s really added more to it is filming. Take a kid, try n guide him or her while filming the event, even the raw footage you’ll watch over and over. It’s what really counts. Good luck to you and them. Be safe this season

[Mike Bolin]

Roy, it sounds like you have a solid plan. Maybe it has something to do with getting older and wiser! I still have the fire for shooting my recurve and I am hoping to add a longbow to the stable soon, but I find myself enjoying working in the woods on habitat projects almost as enjoyable as hunting. In the past few years, I have passed shots that I would've taken not that long ago.
I've been thinking hard about trapping again. Never fished much as a kid, but the thought of it is becoming more appealing. Grandkids are 5 hours away and I'm hoping to be able to visit them more often. Given a choice between a visit with them and hunting, the grandkids win every time!
Do what suits you with no regrets. Kill a big buck if you get the chance or shoot a fat doe for the freezer. Mentor those grandkids. Wet a line. Enjoy your life...you deserve it!

[Wudstix]

 

[RAU]

Goodluck with your season,see your point,  I sometimes wish I could put the bow down here and there in the fall to  fish for walleyes or run up to New York for Salmon but I rarely do.