Trad Gang

Although I have been shooting recurves and now longbows since my 9th birthday (35 years ago), I seem to have lost the fire in my belly for hunting.

I started hunting at age 15 and it has given me much joy and taught me much about the natural world. Many of my longtime friends are a direct result of being involved with traditional bowhunting, traditional events and traditional organizations. I get several invitations regularly to hunt with my buddies and the past couple of years, I am not into it. I would rather just hang out with my friends. Eating a good steak and drinking a cold one appeals to me more.

I haven't turned into a complete wuss. I still spend time walking in to some great places with my fly rod in hand. I spent a week in the keys chasing tarpon and a couple other trips chasing steelhead this year.

It just seems that I have lost the fire to bowhunt. I still love to shoot and find watching an arrow fly one of life's greatest joys.

I first noticed this change of heart when I lost virtually all of my private hunting land 3 years ago. This is going to be the 4th season that I am not hunting my old bowhunting Mecca.

At fist I thought I was suffering from some sort of strange "loss of hunting ground remorse" I think this was true the first season. I hunted this great place for 13 years and I wasn't into going out and looking at new areas and finding new ground.

I have since found a couple of new places to hunt and they are great places. I still can't make myself get into it like I use to.

I have a few thoughts on what may have lead me to this chapter in my hunting life. I would first like to hear if any other long time bowhunters have lost the desire to hunt for a while?

Sorry for the long post. This is the first post I have placed in many, many months.

P.J.

:coffee:

I lost the fire around 7-8 years ago.

I found myself sitting in my tree stand thinking I should be at my mothers old farm house working on it. So I put hunting on the back burner and started working on the old house.

Then I started having shoulder problems ( bursitis and a small tear ). Surgeon didn't think I needed surgery, so I've let time do the healing.  Construction work has taken it's toll over the last 36 years.

The fire has not rekindled as of yet, but I'm hoping.

bhfp

P.J.

We all go through changes in our lives. Sometimes, through life's circumstances, our desires and needs, change.

I used to hunt only by myself. Now, if I don't have a friend or companion to go along, I usually do something else, as I prefer the friendship, and companionship more than hunting.

Nothing wrong with you. Place it on the shelf, and you may find you pick it up again with a new vengeance, at a later time.

Oh, and yes, I have lost the desire in the past to hunt. It has returned, but is no longer a "life and death" matter if I don't go. My wife will tell you I'm pretty cranky if I don't go though.

PJ

 I have been a hunter since I was a child and have to at times "lost the drive" to hunt. I have had 2 periods in my life where being afield lost it's appeal, when I was about 16 my father decided we all needed to switch to wheel bows "because they were more effective". I practiced with that damn thing till my arms ached and every time that let off kicked in my arrow fell of the rest! I never was able to hit a dang thing with it, but Dad kept pushing so in part out of hatred of that bow and the normal father and teen son stuff I stopped hunting. Single shot rifles rekindled my fire and were very satisfying to hunt with for years. Later in my life I had to live in a urban setting and the disconnectedness I felt from the environment and frankly my own spirituality led to allot of problems. One of the first things to suffer was my hunting. Unfortunately I had to get divorced, clean and sober and move to Alaska to find myself that time. On the plus side I now have a wondeful wife and child, and Tracy has reintroduced Trad archery in my life.

I do think it's really important to hunt new areas , methods and species from time to time to keep the rush going. If all I hunted was whitetail it would definitely loose it's luster fast.

No

I did for about five years in the middle 90's... I've since called these years the "dark years".

Moving to other states(4 times) with my job, getting married(to the wrong woman,LOL) were all factors. I just didn't "make" time like I had my whole life to bowhunt. I still hunted a very little bit; maybe a few times a year. This lasted five years and one spring after moving back to Missouri it just "clicked" in my head. I missed the lifestyle. I thought "I need to get geared up for deer season". Bows were bought, traded. All my archery "stuff" pulled out boxes to be detailed; started to shoot everyday and I was back...
My advice is to not sweat the bowhunting. Go travel, fish, spend time doing anything. Hang out with your buddies. Eat, drink have fun and don't worry about bows. It will come back.

"It" sure came back for me and I thank God that it did. I can't imagine life without traditonal archery in it. Most great things (friends, foreign travel, wildplaces) all happened when and because I had a bow in my hand. It just doesn't get any better than that !!!

Sanderlin III

You have a lot going on in your life just with the family, and all that you've "given back" being involved in trad bowhunting....I'd say it's a normal thing my friend.   Burnout can manifest itself in a lot of ways, I know.   Enjoy a brief hiatus if you need to.   When you decide to hunt again, and you will I think, make a small goal each season to "go for" to keep the desire fresh, and the accomplishments special.   And find new places....that is hunting too. Good luck PJ....and my offer is still open.  Maybe at least bring the family to Yellowstone and stay here and cast a few flies out back. - Mark

Went through that about 6 years ago. Have hunted sence I was 8 and for some reason I just didn't care if I went or not. I kept on spring turkey hunting because I do that with a buddy we set up under the same tree. But the want to bowhunt came back but it's different now. I don't care if I kill anything or not I just get my bow and go hunting. This year I think because of this site I would realy like to kill a hog. Never done that. But if I get to hunt them I will be a HAPPY man. And if I see one I will be over the top. I hunt public land all the time.
As far as my trad friends the guys I shot with were some of the reason I stoped. They were snobs if you didn't shoot a stick you were trash. I got so tired of it that I went back to a compound the last 2 years before I stoped just to tick them off. It worked aint seen them sence.  
Take the fly rod and go enjoy what GOD has made that's what it's all about or at least that what I think.
Tom

I have experienced the same thing. But I believe the reason is that over the years as some of my hunting partners and friends have died, I appreciate life more, all life. I still love to get into the woods with my bow, but when a deer is close, I really do not want to kill it.
Life goes by so quick, I do not want to end it for any living creature.

I am not some wierd guru but I am asked often to address this and other issues for men's conferences.  I will be leading a hunting retreat for men in a few weeks where we will address some of this.  I also work with this stuff on a daily basis. . .

My take would have something to do with your age and longings of a man's heart.  We were all created for something more than this world can offer.  As we work through meaning in life we go through four stages- wonder, truth/reason, love/relationship, security.  

At the mid-life time we realize that the temporal pursuits of this life just can not satisfy deeply. We start looking for something more in the context of relationships; i.e love, companionship, and ultimately being right with the One who placed us here (with these longings for Him in the first place.)

When we are younger, hunting can often become just another idol that we are seeking to use to try to fill something in our soul that can only be filled by relationship.  It is often like the guy who climbs the ladder of success only to find out it was leaning against the wrong wall.

Hunting, as wonderful as it is, can not fill our deepest longings.  Whether it be hunting or some other pursuit; at some point, often about mid-life, we get weary of the idols.  If we turn to the right relationship with our Creator (who is really there and He really has spoken), all of life becomes re-defined.  If we don't, we will either quit hunting, find another idol, or re-define hunting- though still never satisfying our deepest needs.  

Guys will do lots of crazy stuff at this age- like checking out of a marriage, start medicating more (drugs, alcohol, porn), buying more toys, and often become depressed.

Time off from hunting may get you some re-alignment, but if I were to bet. . .I would bet you are bored and even a bit apathetic (maybe even depressed) because your soul is looking for something that nothing in this temporal world can offer. There is only one place to find it. . .

My thoughts. . .Feel free to PM me if you have questions. . .

Dan

no and i sure hope i never do.

If you were losing interest in most things you use to enjoy I would say you were depressed and should seek professional help but if you are still a very happy camper when you are flyfishing then I wouldn't sweat it. There is no "should" to hunting. You stated: "I haven't turned into a complete wuss..." Is that what has you down, that "real men love hunting?" I say nonsense to that! Never berate yourself about what YOU enjoy isn't what someone else would enjoy or vice versa! Just do what YOU enjoy and no, it doesn't only come from a belief in God. I believe, but I am in a joyful place when I am bombing down a mountain on skis or hunting! I hope you work it out but don't force yourself to go hunting if fishing is what grabs ya!

i often wake up in camp, make that extra coffee, read my book and then whack some stumps with the others in camp. The rabbits will be there tomorrow... as will the deer and hogs. The reason we hunt , i think, differs from day to day and person to person. Let it always remain so....good luck to you . Ben

No and yes.

edited because I didn't see that it was a two part question..

Never have lost the desire to bowhunt.  Oh sure there's days I don't go cause I just don't feel like it. I will say though, that sometimes I just don't feel like shooting a deer that walks under me, but I still get that "feeling" when the deer is there, still get excited, even by the does.  I too find alot of satisfaction in bowhunting with friends.  Most of the time that is just as much fun as killing something myself.  In other words, I don't "need" to kill something, but I DO NEED to hunt. I know the feeling of being burned out over some of this "organized bowhunting", an oxymoron as our friend E. Don says, and he is correct.  Take a break if you need to, but I hope you get that feeling back PJ.  You are one of the good people.

I lost my desire at the end of one season back in my wheelie bow/gun days. I was making myself go hunting and that's the WRONG thing to do.Since I started Trad hunting about 5 years ago,I'm back to the way I was when I was about 15 years old.Trad hunting is kinda like Bowhunting Viagra.......I think.  :thumbsup:

I have recently acquired the desire to hunt. I have been comtemplating it for many years. I have a lot of questions about hunting including the emoitional aspects of it. I didn't think that I could do it. I now feel that I can do it and want to experience it. It is a part of life that I want to experience. I know that if I don't do it, I will regret it as I get old. If I don't like it, I won't do it anymore. All my questions will have been answered, but there will be new questions to ask. Am I a wuss won't be one of them. Just a different perspective. Good luck!
Brian

PJ, I remember talking with you on the phone one evening when I was contemplating joining ATHA. I have never met you but I definitely recognize your name from your being invloved in trad organizations and events. I would like to take a stab at what may be going on.
Being as involved in archery as you have been can be a good thing in the sense that you have given of yourself and you can say you have done your part. The bad thing is that you may have went to far, to the point of burning out. I can feel this happening with myself as I have been feeling somewhat the same as you describe but I found a cure. I have vowed that this is my last year serving in an official capacity for any archery organizations. Time to pass the torch.
The constant battles we deal with to make bowhunting bettter and to preserve our history can take their toll.
Even the constant barrage from the media to degrade bowhunting by pushing competition, trophy hunting, canned hunting, etc.... can get old quick.
I suggest this: Step back, take a deep breath, and put all aspects of bowhunting out of your mind. Hunt for yourself and no one else, but only when you are ready. Spend time with family and friends and let the bowhunting fire come alive on it's own.  :campfire:

Years of retail management and scarce time off took its toll on me at one time.  I still went hunting with the bow but my mind was not into it.
Don't do anything because someone else thinks you should.  I think 2-Big may have hit on a pretty good clue.  Take a break and look at what makes you happy.  If it is to be hunting, you will figure that out.  Just don't sell all of your bows 8^).

QuoteOriginally posted by Sipsey River:
... I still love to get into the woods with my bow, but when a deer is close, I really do not want to kill it.
Life goes by so quick, I do not want to end it for any living creature.

I've felt that same way a few times over the past couple of years.  I even decided one year that after I put one deer in the freezer that I was only going to go afield with my camera for the rest of the season.  It was great!

I've kinda hit that same place in my life. I am hoping bow hunting will rekindle that old excitement. I've always rifle hunted and have  been proficient with one (lot of practice) so I'd see an animal, boom they were dead. Then the work began, and with a big moose thats a lot of work. Plus a lot of it was the expanding population, most of the spots I used to have to myself, now has yahoo's with there four wheelers tearing around. That's why I didn't choose the tek bows, because aren't they just kind of a gun, just not as good ? If I had the money I'd do fly out hunts, have the place to myself, have the challenge of getting up close, now that'd be satisfying.

John

It's the process that counts the woods ,smells all the wildlife you get to see.  If you feel like some dinner than you drop the string, or not.

Bill

I FEEL CLOSER TO GOD WHEN I HUNT HELP"S ME GET THING RIGHT IN MY HEAD JUST BEING IN THE WOODS IS WHAT IT"S ALL ABOUT FOR ME

Take a kid. He/she will help you find it.

Guaranteed!

I still love to hunt as much as I did 25 yrs ago but I don't get into killing as much.  Hunting for me means working my land throughout the year, setting stands, planting food plots and time spent with friends.  I find that shooting a deer anymore just doesn't excite me like it used to.

I may or may not shoot one deer a year now for meat whereas it was once common for me to take 5 or 6 a year.  I kept track of 16 opportunities to take a mature deer (buck or doe) last year that I let pass and don't regret a minute of it.

I have a youth hunt planned in about a month which I have looked forward to as much as any hunt I've ever been a part of.

Brian "nature boy" from Tulsa

Hey PJ,

I flyfish a lot myself. Tie my own flies, have even made a rod or two. I like to bow hunt, I like to muzzel-loader hunt, I like to gun hunt. I like to fly fish, I like to troll for fish. Heck, I like to catch catfish from the bank with stinkbait. I like to sit in front of the TV and watch old cowboy movies or hunting and fishing programs.

I like it all, so I do it all. If you don't enjoy it, let it drop.

Spend your time doing the things that mean something to you (sometimes this even means doing things you feel like you HAVE to do). It doesn't bother me a bit to blow off what looks like a great hunting day to go and catch bluegills in the farm pond on size 12 poppers.

I am lucky (or unlucky some folks say) unmarried, no kids, not much in the way of family. I have one or two very good friends I like to spend time with, but if I don't see or talk to them for a week or two, they are still as close as ever when I do.

Someone told me once (or maybe I read it somewhere) "Don't sweat the small stuff, and it is ALL small stuff."

If you want to hunt but can't find the passion, try hunting something else. If you still like shooting, but don't want to hunt, shoot targets. Don't want to shoot, go fishing.

I don't think you have lost your way, maybe you are just tired of walking the same path. Getting a little lost might do you some good, some of the coolest places I have ever been I found while I was lost.

Tight Loops,
OkKeith

Nothing in my life refreshes me as much as hunting. I can take my bow and wander around on a place that I'm pretty sure holds no deer and still enjoy myself. I hope I never loose the thrill of watching the woods come alive at day break. It is the same moment of hope whether it is from a tree in my back pasture or in Montana. I think it is the anticipate of what MIGHT come by that fills me with hope.

I posted all most the exact same question earlier this year on a local PA bowsite. After having two back surgeries and missing more than I have hunted the last 3 years I was questioning if I was going to bowhunt anymore and I had zero desire to build bows, which I love. I just took some time away and found my passion returned on its own. Now I am back to driving my wife nuts since all I want to do is shoot or talk hunting  :) .

I lost the desire for many years.  At around 20 years old I just stopped.  I think it was mostly because my dad died a few years prior and I lost touch with most of his buddies I used to hunt with.  From time to time I would get the desire but not act on it.  Then my brother moved to Texas (he was never a hunter) and within a month bought his first pickup and shotgun.

It was on!

Since then I have been back at it like never before.  I think it was just the idea of having someone to go with that didn't make me feel like a 3rd wheel.

For what that's worth.

QuoteOriginally posted by Curveman:
[QB] If you were losing interest in most things you use to enjoy I would say you were depressed and should seek professional help.

I agree and had this problem.  I was unhappy about a lot of things and started to lose interest in the things I really liked because I was flat out depressed.  

I still sometimes wonder why I am in the woods when I could be with my daughters.  They usually want to play barbies more than anything, but I like to take them squirell hunting. I feel less guilty when they are in the woods with me. I do play my share of barbies though.  :help:  

If you are depressed, figure it out and make some changes. Life is too short!  :thumbsup:  

-Charlie

Hi PJ! I know that when I reached a certain age, late 30s-early 40s, I got to feeling kind of overwhelmed....kids were begining to get involved with sports and other school activities, there were chores to be done at home, church responsabilities, working longer hours and out of town. I just couldn't get fired up about hunting and when I did go, I had feelings of guilt that I should be doing something else. I still shot my bow when I could as kind of a therapy. Little by little, the desire to hunt started coming back....I think that as the kids got older and went off to college, I realized I suddenly had "free time" again! That period of my life went by really fast, driving/chasing kids around to basketball, soccer and track......don't know how I found time to eat and sleep! Now I hunt when I want to and as I get older, I want to more often! Take care old friend and if you want chase some Vigo Co. whitetails with me, just let me know! Tell the family Mike says "Hi"! Mike

I have been down this path as well.  In fact I am there also.  This is the first year I really have not pounded the mountains for elk.  I have relaxed and just enjoy the smell of the woods.  I to took my flyrod with me this year.  I also did some float tubing on some of the lakes.  Caught some really nice cuts and browns.  Provided supper for the troops that night with fish and fried spuds.  The campfires and friendship mean more to me than climbing a 12,000 ft. mountain looking for tracks, Ha.  Enjoy your time off.  I still shoot a lot of 3D tournments.  That is something I really enjoy, lots of others to share time with.  By the way, I have been shooting a recurve and hunting all sizes of game for over 35 yrs.  We still make a winter trip to Texas and shoot javelina.  That is a blast.  Try hunting something else for a change, it can be refreshing.

QuoteOriginally posted by BUFF:
 I hope I never lose the thrill of watching the woods come alive at day break.

:clapper:      :clapper:

Today, was opening day. I only had a couple of hours to hunt this evening. When I had to leave I was thinking how refreshed I was. No, I haven't lost the urge to hunt. But it is ok that you have. Jawge

nope

PJ, now might be a good time for you to make a selfbow. That will put the fire back into your hunting.

Mike

Never....

Hello PJ,,,The first thing I would like to say is thank you ! You have given to trad archery more then many of the rest will ever know of. You may not have a world renouned name or stack of books you have written, but you are one of the unsung heros that has helped rekindle and keep trad archery alive.

Don't be ashamed to take a break from it. If a break leads to a new adventure then so be it! I've learned to enjoy a morning sunrise wether it is from a deer stand, a mountain side, or the front porch. Enjoy life, family,friends and give thanks for what ever trail YOU choose to follow.

Actually I tend to get bored with a property every 3-5 years. Much of the quest (for me) is getting to know the property and the local herd.

I've gotten a little burned-out on hunting at times.  Usually toward the end of a season when I've spent many days in the field pursuing antelope, deer, elk.  The seasons here all come at about the time and are fairly short so trying to hunt everything can turn into a hassle. I've never gotten burned out so bad that I'd want to give it up altogether. Nowadays I focus on one big game animal a year and enjoy it more. The old saying, "quality, not quantity".

NO

not a bit...

I think we all change over time in our hunting needs or wants.

As a young hunter it seemed the key was I wanted to get that deer. I sure would put a lot more time in the effort. I hunted with a small group of hunters that were made up of my Dad and some of his friends. When he passed away I just could not seem to want to hunt at the camp any longer, it just was not the same. I then met a archer at a NFAA shoot and we hit it off and went to a lot of shoot togthers, became good friends and hunting buds.

He passed away several years ago and since then I still hunt but again it just not the same.

Plus I think the hunting itself also has changed, as well as my age and ability to hunt ( bad legs / back )

So I hunt each day during the season as weather and health permits, I go out for 3 hours in the morning and the last 3 hours each day. I use ground blinds, and keep waiting for that special buck. I let the does and young buck walk on by.

I also shoot most days from April ( snow off) thru November ( gun season ) I have a 30 target 3d Range and also shoot in the bow shop at 10 yards working on form. I still am I feel a lousy shot, got to be under 20 yards for me to take a shot, now for 3D I will take those 35 yard shots, if it looks like I can find the arrow.

So yes we do lose some of the fire over time.

Now I have a grandson that just loves to shoot and can not wait till another year he will be able to have his Jr. archery lic., now he is the way I was when I started, when I take him with me just to sit in the woods, you can se that face is like it is xmas morning...I wish I could bottle that look and feel.

Bill

I'm truly sorry for the people that do lose interest in hunting and hanging with their trad buds,as you are truly missed! a very good friend of mine is in that very state of mind now, i miss him and talking with him about archery and hunting! i hope one day he will return!! as for myself,no,never lost that feeling in 35 years and hope that i never do!every new hunting season brings that excitement of,like a kid on christmas eve, and each hunt during the season brings the same feeling!  for me hunting is way more than bringing home the meat,it is my therp. for the damage from everyday have to do it things,job,taxes,driving anywheres on these over crouded roads,bad neighbors,insane laws ect.... you get the picture!! i hope that you find that feeling again!

I'm sure I've spoken about it before on a post or two here- but I'm in the stage of life where every day is a blur.  Raising 3 kids- all playing sports, and I coach 5 different teams throughout the year.  Between home and work, I'm running circles everyday- hunting is my outlet.  I can't wait for the treestand time, peace and quiet, blood pumping encounters with my local whitetails.  The recharge of my batteries.  Not sure if it would help- but you may want to try photography.  Read some of Jerry Gowins articles, and pursue the passion through the lens.  Your still outdoors, and still hunting, but the clean up is a lot easier when you are successful!

What an interesting thread.
I have come to hunting late in life.. I never hunted at all when I was young, save for a few Pheasant hunts.
My desire was self induced and I "had it bad" for 10 years or so. Then, for about 3 years, up until this year, I lost it.
For me, as others have said, it was a "time in my life" thing. I found myself working more, my kids activities kept me very busy and I just got interested in other things.
Now, I've just sent my oldest Daughter off to College and I am getting into it again.
Don't worry about it.. You'll find your way back again.

Started big game hunting at 14. I am now 32 and I do not care for gun hunting deer like I used to. I think that is because I love bowhunting so much.

No; at least not yet-but I am only 63!

I'm sure there are alot of underprivledged youth that would appreciate a day in the woods with someone so knowledgeable.  Find one and take him/her out with you, the energy coming off of them when they see there first wild animal will hopefully recharge your batteries, or at least help you find that passion again.  Tim

I have never lost the desire, but like someone posted earlier, I have certainly lost the time. I am currently in that stage in life with small children and a very busy schedule that I find it very frustrating to try and satisfy my desire to hunt and enjoy the outdoors without neglecting my duties as a husband/father. I almost dread hunting season at times because of the stress it causes.

But my desire to hunt and spend time outdoors certainly has not wained. On the contrary, it has skyrocketed in the last two years since changing over to traditional gear.

I haven't lost the desire yet. But if I do, I guess I won't hunt. Is it sad to think you've lost the desire to hunt? Do you want to keep it? I have noticed that I go through "phases" for lack of a better word. It used to be all about primitive. Then I went to glass and carbon. Now I'm leaning more to the primitive again. I do think that helping a new comer is an added fulfillment. What I wouldn't have done (and still do) for someone to shoot with and show me what I needed to know!
I shouldn't have to explain why I hunt or how I hunt or if I don't hunt or why I don't bring home game. I hunt or don't hunt because I want or don't want to. I sat the season out 2 seasons ago. Being out in the woods or in my shop is therapy for me. Not that I had to tell you that, I wanted to.  :cool:

Well I'm in that boat myself right now. I can't say that I've lost the desire to bowhunt but, the fire isn't burning as brightly as it once did. I've been at this trad game for 47yrs. and it defines who I am, how I think about and relate to many things...you all know what I'm talking about. However,taking an animal has become, at least for now, not quite as important as it once was. I just enjoy being out there. That doesn't mean that I wouldn't shoot if the "greenlight" went on. This is the first opening day I've missed ever and it doesn't bother me. Of course I had rotator cuff surgery on June 13 and I can't draw a bow but, I will be able to by Christmas they say. However, that's not what governs all of the way I feel. I was talking to a well known trad man the other day, whom you all know or at least know of and he has similar feelings. I'm 57 yrs. old and he is three or four years younger than me. Is it an age thing guys and girls? Do we get to the point where we've taken our share of game and the thrill of the hunt diminishes somewhat?This thread struck a chord. Just my 2c. (nut)

no

P.J. all you need to do mate is hop on a plane and fly to Australia and have a good couple of weeks of no concience pig hunting in the Channel Country and when you get sick of that chase some goats on the Jump-ups, get the adrenlian flowing in your veins again. I have never lost the feeling for bowhunting and I have always used traditional gear for the 34 years I have bowhunted and it just gets stronger these days...Glenn...

Hey PJ! I would guess you do not have a close hunting buddy? If not, get together with someone that you have a lot in common with that loves to hunt. Sometimes it takes a good friend with the same interests to keep us going. I know I enjoy hunting a lot more if I am in a camp with like minded people.

Not yet,  I never can get enough of the woods. I like it now with a longbow more than ever.

whawhawhatttttttt???  :eek:    :scared:

The last 5 years watching my Mother fight a losing battle to cancer has taken a lot out of me.

I used to post on message boards everyday...I don't anymore.

I used to go to 20+ shoots a year...I don't anymore.

I used to shoot in 3 leagues a year...I don't anymore.

I used to hunt 30+ days a year...I haven't in 4 years.

I still shoot everyday just now I like to be by myself. I still love to hunt and this year I hope to get back to 30+ days.

Indeed, the fires in my belly are also barely there any more. Not sure if there's one single reason. Unlikely there is, and it really matters not.

I'm at the point these days where buying a 2008 NY hunting license is something that I'm having a hard time finding a compelling reason to do.

Back in the day, I lived for bowhunting. It's all I thought about, all I identified with, all I wanted to do each fall. These days, I'm more than content to have a backpack on my back with enough gear and food for 3 or 4 days, wearing my hiking boots, and map of the Adirondacks in my pocket.

Getting away from "everything" is much more of a priority for me now than sitting in a tree b!tching about the 4-wheeler tracks running under my stand, the random rifle shots that permeate the mornings during archery season, spending $4+ a gallon to drive myself into this aggravation, etc... The negatives that swirl through my head are beginning to outweigh the reasons for me to get up and go hunting.

Should this season find me absent from the woods, the only thing I can say that I'll truly miss is spending the first couple days of shotgun season I typically spend with Jeff and Bubba. That little time slot with my two friends will be missed, not for the hunting, but only for the lost time with them. It's the only time we seem to get together anymore.

Right now, the coin is still in the air. No idea how it'll land. I just know that I pretty much don't care...


Chuck

Well at the moment according to my g/f I am obsessed with bows and hunting. But I lost all desire to hunt or even shoot for a long period (maybe 5 years)and I did other things.

A couple of years back a friend invited me out hunting I turned him down saying I was out of practice, but it got me thinking and I started to shoot my bow again (Wheelie bow)... a little. Next time he invited me I went but wasn't too enthusiastic.

Then we did a few overnight trips and I started to shoot my recurve again.

I am still not sure if it is the hunting I enjoy, or the feel of "everything coming together" when I draw on an animal, or the time out with my buddies, or more importantly the time I spend alone surrounded by nature.

I always feel some remorse when I kill an animal and I think if that stops it will be time to stop hunting.

It obviously bothers you that you have "lost the fire" I think let it go and if its something you need it will come back, till then enjoy what it is you enjoy and don't regret that you no longer feel you need to hunt.

For me one of the greatest feelings is loosing an arrow and KNOWING it is going to be a great shot BEFORE it ever even leaves the bow. It can be a target or a clump of grass or an animal.

Sometimes you have to stop doing it for a while to truly appreciate it.

Hope you find your way dude.

PJ, I remember hunting pigs with you one afternoon on my Florida property. If I recall, we spent most of the time just having an enjoyable chat. A good hunt in my book. I sometimes find my fire for bowhunting waning a bit, usually when the days are hot and I have the flyrod in hand. But the first cool, dry evenings usually get my fire stoked and I head out. I did stop recently for 3 years, only hunting a couple times a season and didn't really miss it for about the first 2. But I'm fortunate to have alot of other activities to do year 'round.

Pray about it...

Bakes

Not really over all.

There have been times recently when I have just not had the the hunt in my heart so I got in my truck and went home. I think these recent events have more to do with not having my kids or wife as constant hunting companions.

Just sounds like you are in the doldrums. I personally would not be worried so much about not wanting to hunt. But the general trend. As you get older you lose some things worth keeping you know.

Don't lose your fire. Things are probably just all the same for you. Try doing something interesting. Maybe hunt a new species or just go somewhere new. Or it doesn't even have to be hunting related. Knock something off your "bucket list" and I think you'll feel better.

Yes, about a month ago.  I used to post all the time, just about every day.

This first-time post in while, it just takes a few bad apples.  I still hunt with bow ,
I haven't picked up my traditional since then.

Eventually I will get over it, and I realize it is my problem, because it is all my choice.

What's helping out, is I at work in the best bow shop in the area part time.


Pastor Carl

PJ,

I think you put so much effort into helping at the club and at the "TRAD NATIONALS" that by the time season is here your burnt out on archery/bowhunting.

I really hate to say this as you do such a great job at the cloverdale club, but maybe you should take a break from the club for a few years, or at least cut your involvement w-a-y down. It seems as if it has become like a second job to you and your not haveing any fun. I hope this helps

             Friends

               Joe Doyle

PJ,

Hunting season is the culmination of a year of planning and anticipation. If your plans sometimes don't pan out the way you hoped they would you may be disappointed even to the point that you lose some of your enthusiasm for the hunt...and that's understandable.

Having said that, the actual "hunt" is only a part of the big picture. Granted it's a big part but only a part none the less. I have been a hunter all of my life.  I started as a kid on the farm at 9 years old. I'm now 72 and I still have the fire in my belly. I've said many times if the hunting experience was taken out of my life you may as well throw dirt in my face.

To help keep that fire burning I am constantly feeding the flames of my hunting passion. I talk hunting and hunting equipment nearly every day with whoever I can engage in a conversation about it. I am continually looking for and trying new or different gear for the upcoming hunting season.

Last but not least I try to keep challenging myself in some way. It may be by going from carbon arrows to wood, from recurve to longbow, from tree stands to ground hunting. What ever, I've found that by increasing the challenge of the hunt  it enhances the enjoyment and excitement and makes the reward of success that much sweeter.

Here's a clip my Son put together for youtube that was on a TV show some years back.

May you have a   HAPPY hunting season      

 http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=SgCZL15gFJ4

Well, Let's see. I post a short message during a bout of self pity, lol. Hurricane Ike strikes the mid west (pretty strange for sure) i have to go out of town to participate in storm restoration (I work for a large power company) for a week. I come home and remembered that I posted this message and decided to check back and see what the scoop was and whoa, quite a few post.

First off, let me say thank you for all of the kind words of encouragement.

As those of you that don't know me, or have ever even heard of me for that matter should be able to tell by some of the post, I have been blessed by sharing the company of some of the finest men and women bowhunting has to offer. For this, I will be eternally grateful.

I love to hunt, I really love to Bowhunt. I just seem to have temporarily lost that "FIRE" that all truly serious bowhunters have. I have no doubt that the fire will return with a vengeance as I have a 4 year old son that will be hard to keep out of the woods. Since Ian has a tendency to get into trouble when left to his own devices. I am obligated to see to it that he is kept safe, and the rest of the free world is kept safe from him, lol.

Part of my problem of late is the fact that my oldest daughter use to be my pre season scouting buddy. She helped me set stands, cut shooting lanes ect.. She is now almost 16 and the I pod and the teen aged boys have replaced me and the woods.

My youngest daughter would be compelled to recessitate any creature that I was to mortally wound. This child has plans on being a vet and I have no doubt that she will do it. She does like eating venison though. She just doesn't want any part of the killing.

Ron LaClair described what my hunting seasons use to be like. They lasted 12 months. During the winter I spent time recapping my past season and attending various bowhunting functions. Spring came and I built equipment for the up coming 3-d season and spring turkey season. Summer was spent shooting, scouting and planning any adventures outside my normal activities. Fall brought what we waited for all year. I shot my bow virtually all year long and I was a great shot. I talked archery and bowhunting with everybody I could.

I truly miss the positive sides of these activities as well as the people. I don't miss the B.S. that seems to come with the territory these days.

While working on storm restoration in southern Indiana I met many of my company's employees from North Carolina and talking about hunting during some of our brief slow time did get me thinking about it (Hunting) more than I have in a long time.

I'll add more notes to this post tomorrow.

Some things happened last week to make me want it just a little more this year. I'll elaborate later.

P.J.

Good luck PJ!  Only you can know what makes you happy. The rest of us can only have opinions. Just do what makes you happy!  Life is way too short to try to fit into someone else's pants.

As you can see from the above posts - you have lots of friends that just want the best for you.

PJ,

Come down and fly fish with me for some snook. We'll stay at camp and I'll show you a hog or two and IF you feel like loosing an arrow you can. If not that's cool too.

I believe I used a fly rod you made this summer that our pal Don T bought at an auction. Caught my first rainbow with it. And it was as nice a 5wt as I have ever cast.

Don,

Be careful what you wish for, I just might show up, lol. I have wanted to catch Snook ever since I saw an old Sports Afield show with Homer Circle catching snook when I was a kid. The thought of back country fly fishing appeals to me and I am always up for hog hunting. I enjoyed your company and hospitality and I need to reciprocate one day.

Like many of you have eluded to, my recent lack of variety as far as game animals may be part of my problem. The past few years I have only hunted whitetails in Indiana Farm Country. Whitetails are challenging, beautiful creatures, but I need some more spice in my bowhunting life.

The little bit of hog and Javelina hunting I have done is enough to have me hooked. I need to do some more of that for sure. I know it's sort of cliche, but hogs and javelina were made for bowhunters. Even mediocre hunters can have success with these species, plus, they are tons of fun.

My old buddy Bob and I have talked about hunting for Moose and Elk for years and years. We need to do that before the guy gets too old, lol.

KB and I have talked about AK just about as long. KB has been several times, I have yet to make the trip. I want to make it happen.

Bill K has invited me to hunt with him as well. I cannot think of a nice guy to spend time with.

IndianaBowman and I had planned on chasing some of Indiana's critters, but he had to go and move on me, lol.

Mike B and Flatstick are two of the best that the Hoosier state has to offer, not just as bowhunting archers, as men. These guys are a couple of good dudes.

B Glass is another bright spot in the "what it's all about" category. She came into this sport with nothing more than a desire to learn about something totally foreign to her. Bona not only learned from many of us, she taught us much about what archery and bowhunting should be all about.

All these people and others like them are the reason I have felt so blessed by being involved with archery and bowhunting. All these years. I truly have received far more than I have given back to archery.

Nighthawk and 2big undoubtedly have some validity to their points. I have spent a lot of time doing for others within the traditional archery fraternity and I am burned out.  have been asked to volunteer more time for various groups, as well as being asked to be more involved in various leadership type of roles.

When Ian was born, I vowed that I was done serving on boards and committees. For a while people thought I was kidding when I said "Don't ask me again until Ian graduates high school.

The girls are to the age when they need a wiser, older, been around the block kind of parent. Ian will be needing me to Coach, as the girls did when they were younger. I have no doubt that my wife enjoys having her husband's undivided attention now days.

Mike, You are correct, I do need to build a self bow. You'll need to give me some pointers.

This past week I did see some things that rekindled my bowhunting spirit. First off, I saw parts of Indiana that made it hard to believe I was still in the Hoosier state. Old growth forest with rock bluffs, river bottoms and huge hay fields. I saw many deer and turkeys and even saw a badger. I have only seen 3 live badgers in Indiana since I moved here as a kid.

While working in some of the most beautiful country I have seen in the mid-west, I couldn't help but want to go back and explore the creeks and rivers with my fly rod and maybe even do a little hunting ground research.

I saw 2 trophy class bucks that made me long for my longbow and a quiver full of Zwickey tipped arrows.

I believe my hunting soul is still alive and well, it just needs a little break.

Be brave P.J Petinoit.

It`s the only advice I have.

When you NEED it, the solice the hunt has to give will be there waiting for you.

For me, hunting has always been the time when I am able to hear myself think. It is when I can take the time and truely count my blessings.

Priorities...get done what you must...get done what you want...go hunting and thank god for the opportunity to continue the path that is life.

Be brave, without hunting, I`m not sure what I would do.

PJ,

Come chase snook with me next summer. It's catch and release but you'll have a blast. I'd take you now but I've got a legit 130 ish FLORIDA buck fanning the flames of my fire right now. And I'm trying to get him without the aid of a treestand. Just my way of throwing fuel on the fire

PJ,

I understand about the daughter thing.  It's only a temporary thing...at least in my case.     :)  

They came back and I have another little one to start.

(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d69/GEakins/DSCF0359.jpg)

Good Luck and Keep your fingers crosssed,
Gene

I know PJ and he ain't no wuss, a man's man with a beautiful wife and  beautiful children my advice is spend as much time as possible with what God has blessed you with. Enjoy those babies while they are still young. Bill from NM.

What a great family you have Gene.

I was talking to a non-hunter about the difference between hunting elk and deer. I just shot a cow elk and cut it up for the freezer; and ate some of course.

 So- I went into an explanation of the difference of hunting deer and elk; and there is a difference; and I really didn't mention it as I could have.

It took being at home eating some elk stroganoff; while contemplating making some elk summer sausage.

I remembered what a bowhunting friend from Sweden ( raised on moose meat from the villiage meat locker) said when he ate some elk over an open wood fire. He said " they are made of candy!".

And you see I live nearly year round and certainly all winter round - with 300 to 500 elk.

I listen to them when I am laying in bed at night -mewing and occasionally bugling. All winter; everynight.

Somedays when I am elk hunting; I don't really want to elk hunt. Some days I don't really want to shoot a deer. Somedays I just want to shoot a really huge buck- when I know that chance is remote.

I am really not hunting those days - as much as -just being the preditor; but more just: observing.

I enjoy being the observer sometimes; just seeing what is out there; from the birds; to the beaver taking down trees along the river. I have found areas along the river that hold populations of frogs - something you don't often see in Idaho.

So - I see having days when I am not hunting; as part of who I am as a hunter.

Elk are different than deer; in that elk are indeed made of candy.

You can eat delicious steaks; and burgers; and everything requiring burger - all year by just going to the freezer and pulling out a package of elk that you put there - after taking it with your bow. Its really good meat; and yes sometimes I am completely emmersed in that desire to fill the freezer - over the hunt 'quality' itself. I indeed have a cow elk in the freezer ... not one of the bulls I have seen.

This elk in my freezer might have been the one that I heard in the night by my cabin; on a frigid night... echoing off the mountains in the darkness. And yeah; I think about that; and somedays I just don't hunt as much as observe.

I have the luxury of a month long hunt in September; and a month long hunt in December - and that allows me to enjoy the hunt; including days I do not want to just - hunt.

So yes; I do have times when I do not want to hunt.

Are there times when I do not want to be around my trad brothers and sisters ? Yes.

Bowhunting is for the most part a solitary experience. I do like that about bowhunting. It  is a good way of being with another hunter; but too : a wonderful experience--without being with another hunter.

You can get together after the days end; and compare notes; and tell of experieces of the day. You can laugh together; and then go off to your own man cave- or sleeping bag- and get some sleep. I think that is what most of us do when we hunt 'together'.

Elk hunting can be more of a gregarious activity; you have one person that will do the shooting; while one or others: hang back and try to call the elk by the shooter.

So you hunt together; and actively exchange observations about elk sign; noises; smells; and too; the beauty of the area. While I can look at a huge visa before me while alone; having someone else there to breathe it in for a few minutes with you; has great value too.

But there are times when hunting all alone; and not being with anyone is a great bowhunting experience.

Walking in the wild; discovering a deer or elk before it discovers you; stalking up on it and making a shot - or not- or missing - it all is important and precious... and a great memory - even when you are alone.

So; yes there are times when not being with another hunter are normal and do not interfere with my enjoyment of hunting.

When I am with another trad hunter; I often like to see that person suceed with a kill: over my own success taking an animal.  

I had a great week with a trad ganger this year; where neither of us got an elk; but had a great time together. We both have the memory of a herd of some 65 elk hitting the river at one time; a visual and audio experience: that never either of us: will erase from our memories.

But tonights hunt? It will be alone with no other trad persons. Just me; and that is part of bowhunting; and it does not cheapen the hunt at all.

Bowhunting for me is answering a call from within me. Part of that call is to kill an animal; but the great part of that call is to be where the animals are; and be in their world.

Sometimes I need time away from it; perhaps to just remember; or to think about- where its tracks and trails have led me.

But throw down the bow forever? Not in my thoughts - ever.

  :campfire:    :archer:

Well, I thought I would give you all an update on my hunting, or lack of hunting this season.

I have yet to carry my bow into the woods this hunting season. I have done some fall fly fishing, hiking and other outdoor activities.

Indiana's gun season opened last weekend and I went to the woods with my muzzle loader (don't throw rocks). I had 8 different deer within bow range. 3 of these deer were bucks, although they were smallish, they did have antlers. I was talking to myself during each encounter, all the while telling these deer that each and every one of them would have been dead if I had my longbow in hand and was in the mood for killing.

The friend of mine that owns this particular piece of land has a 14 year old son that just started hunting deer this year. I offered up my hunting spot for the next day's hunt, hoping this youngster would get a close encounter at least and be able to kill a buck at best.

Long story short, the father and son team went out in the morning, one of the young bucks came in where I told them he would, the new hunter was able to kill his first deer.

I am going to hang a couple new stands for the late bow season. I hope we get some snow, because I love hunting in the snow.

I am slowly getting back in the mood to do some hunting.

I am going to do some hunting over the Thanksgiving holiday.

I'm going thru the same thing right now !! ............... I havent hunted since mid Oct.  ........... the weird thing is right before season opened I was fired up more than normal !!!!!  

Somehow I seem to know its a temporary thing ,but I may as well kiss this bowseason goodbye !!!!

Geez if I don' go for 4 or 5 days I get withdrawls......

Been hunting since I was 16. I was self taught and learned from TV shows. Mainly Fred Bear and other shows from the 70's. Then I get in to hunting to get me off the streets, To help keep me away from drugs. In 2001, Xmas time I found out I had a Heart problem. At this time I was Firearm only. 6 months after Heart surgery I picked up a wheelie and started to hunt with it. Hunting at that time turned in to my Heart & Soul.

In 2005, The wheels came off and a New Birth come to me. Traditional Archery/BowHunting. Time got hard, and I don't hunt like I used to. I think I'm only hunting 50 days. That is what it was last year. Hunting is my Vacation from the real world. I know hunting is the real, REAL world, but it blocks out the other crap in Life.

Give it time and don't push it. If The Great Spirit, Fred Bear,Ishi and the others feel it's time... You'll be back out in the woods. Either by Yourself or with a buddy. Good Luck and Enjoy what You have.... LIFE.

I don't think it is possible for things not to change--there will be years when you feel excited about hunting season, years when you are distracted by other things in your life or even physical problems, years when you feel confident and patient, years when you don't, years when you have the time to dedicate to doing it "right", years when you're sneaking it in around other obligations. I just try to take it as it comes. When it's good, there's nothing better.   :archer: