Raised both of my daughters in the woods hunting and fishing. They’re both grown and on their own now but those days were undoubtedly some of the best days of my life.

@Grant Richardson congrats on the harvest!

Georgia

W. GA

@Brian Madigan It happens to all of us. I’d be willing to bet that there’s not a single hunter here that hasn’t experienced what you’re talking about. For me personally, I look for things that I CAN change to beat out the “insanity” within my hunting. I can’t change the behavior of the game I’m pursuing. I can’t change the weather. I can’t change what other hunters are doing. The only variable in this entire equation that I have any control over is me. That variable I AM entirely in control of. It may mean I change the areas I’m hunting. Or the hours I’m hunting. Or the game I’m hunting. My entrance into my hunting area. Hunt from the ground or from a tree on your next trip afield. Swap bows if you’re able. Maybe instead of hunting a transition zone between bedding and feeding areas, I push in a little closer to the bedding area in the mornings or the feeding areas in the evenings. Go in late instead of early. Do what you can to keep it fresh and fun. Little things can make a big difference. If it gets to be drudgery, then take a day off altogether. Or two, even. Carry a firearm one day if possible. My point being that you’re the only one who can do that for yourself. I’m hunting strictly on public ground this year. I’ve always had a piece of private ground secured to hunt on for as long as I can remember. To add to that, the majority of public ground I’m hunting isn’t open to hunting throughout the entirety of our season. I’m also carrying just my longbow afield this year. The odds are stacked against me, greatly. But I’m finding ways to keep things interesting. Keep your head down and best of luck to you.

Thank you, sir. It’s been a great day with family and friends!

Thanks, Grant! One thing that I did read is that bears have a tendency to present some weird shots sometimes because of how “round” they look and the fact that they’ll often sit down on their rump like a dog does to scratch or maybe to rest, I guess. They say it can throw off a hunter’s perception of where the vitals actually are? Have you seen or heard of that?