The Ups and Downs in the life of a bowhunter

[Sean B]

As I sit here reflecting back on my 2013 hunting season, I find myself pulling myself breaking up the little "Pitty Party" that I was throwing my self after not being able to hit the deer woods as much as I'd like.

2013 started off in February with me driving up to Selkirk NY to hunt some bunnys and make some money for St. Judes at a small version of the JLMBH.  This is always a great time, and a great way to start off a year.

All winter long, I was preparing for check off an item on my bucket list and that was completing a wild turkey slam with my recurve. Well, at the end of March,  I headed to Ft. Peirce Fl to meet up with my buddy Kent Zocher and hunt Ocseolas and hogs with Jim and Irv of True South Adventures.  Kent scored on a beautiful bird and I had a miss. It was worth every minute sent in a blind!!  The hogs were a little buggered up, but I did get some bow fishing in, shooting some gar and tilapia.  I spent the next month preparing and daydreaming of chasing my Turkeys here in NY.

 Well.....While working out in my basement, I dropped a 200 lb barbell on my chest from a full arms length away.  I broke 5 ribs and put me out of commission for the entire turkey season!!  I also had to cancel my Trip to Quebec for spring bears with Tom Phillips. I was bummed to say the least.

I worked like a mad man all summer long awaiting my trip to Maine to meet up  with Toby and Roger from Black Widow Bows and hunt some fall bears.  So the end of August I packed up and headed north.  I stopped off at a diner in NH and had breakfast with David Kretschmar (Hunterdfk)  Its always a pleasure to talk hunting with another Trad hunter!  Later that evening I made it into camp with Tony and Lynn Boucher of Squapan Mountain Outfitters.  Again, it was a great camp, great guys in camp, and great food!!  I passed up a small bear early on in the week, but that as it turned out, it was the only bear that I had seen all week.  It was still a great hunt!

October came and I was ready!!  I passed on a few "iffy" shots on a few does early on.  Just as the woods were heating up, the tranny in my truck went!!  Between not having wheels, and trying to get as much OT in as I could to pay for my truck, I was sidelined.  It was killing me to not be in the woods.  its funny, a Thanksgiving post by Joe Skipp put things into perspective for me.  I thought about it, I didn't have a bad year or season after all.  $#!t happens.....I got to go to hunt some great places, meet some great people, and hunt with some great friends.  What more could a guy want!!

I'm now waiting with anticipation for a shoot at mcgroundstalkers, the big JLMBH, and my first  PBS bi-annual banquet.

[Sean B]

The 2013 JLMBH






My Osceola set up  

[Sean B]

The Maine Hunt

[IndianaBowman]

Sean, I'm looking forward to the JLMBH and the PBS banquet with you my friend.

[KAZ]

Well done Sean... Happy New Year!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Sounds like you made the best of your set backs and had a great year!

Hope to see you at Mikes and the JLMBH.

Its been too long since I shook your hand.

[John146]

Yes sir!!

[buckeyebowhunter]

Good post Sean, I experienced a year similar to yours but like you said Joe Skipp's post put it into perspective for me as well. I enjoyed reading about your year of hunting, hopefully more memories to come in 2014.    

[Izzy]

Glad you found your way bud. My season was real good and real bad. I brushed off the bad and savored the good. My family and I are all healthy and I have many hunts to look forward to. Joe Skipper has it figured.

    Great pics and glad you had a good season. See you at Mikeys.

[beaunaro]

Hey Sean,

Nice year's summary.

Come on down to S. FL. again when you can.

You're also welcome to visit WI and hunt whitetails with me. Stay at my house. We might not shoot a deer, but we will eat well.

If you book another hog or turkey hunt someday, and money's tight, just stay in the RV with me and the pups.

[Sean B]

Terry, I'm looking forward to it as well.

Thanks Kaz, happy new year to you too.

Me too Charlie!!

Izzy, See you in a few weeks
Thanks Robert and Todd

Hey Irv, I've been in touch with Kent, You just may see me this winter!

[Shakes.602]

YOUCH!!      You are a Lucky Man,  THAT  kind of Accident could have done Much More Damage than it did! You must have been in Good Shape to begin with to withstand that kind of Crunch on the Old Chest Cavity!
Its sure good to hear you ended up alright and could still get out in the Woods!!
God Bless You......He was watching over You My Friend!!  

[Sean B]

Yes Bill, I am lucky, and the BIG man upstairs was definitely watching out for me!!!. My vital signs dropped dangerously low in the ambulance and the re-routed me to a trauma center.  They said from that all the air being forced out of my lungs caused that to happen. It happened 5 days before the start of our turkey opener.  It took me till August before they felt better.

[tarponnut]

Looking forward to hunting with you again sometime Sean. There's a tom and several hogs down here with your name on them.

[OBXarcher]

Sounds like a good year to me Sean. It was good meeting you this year and can't wait til bear camp again.

[maineac]

It is easy to focus on the negative.  Had my own ups and downs this year, like everyone.  Sounds like you had a great year of fantastic trips and opportunities to be with friends.  Glad you are healthy again and will have even more opportunities to enjoy friends and the outdoors.

[Homey88]

That is some tough luck! I believe that 2014 will be your best season yet! Hang in there.

Yep! Sometimes we just have to look at things from a different angle!

Bisch

[Huntrdfk]

At least company and breakfast were good!!!


David

[mcgroundstalker]

OMG! Buddy..... Glad you didn't drop that weight on your neck!  

See you the 19th  

... mike ...