Let the Hunt Begin

 

                I know that hunting is a topic of controversy for some people and it may offend some of my readers but I was born and raised a hunter. My father has always been a hunter and he wanted a hunting partner. He tried with my two older sisters and they were both repulsed by the idea. I was his last chance since I was the youngest and luckily, I found interest in the sport. It started when I was seven years old and my father let me shoot his BB gun for the first time. I became obsessed with target practicing and as I got bigger, so did the guns. I remember getting my very own 22 rifle with a pink stock. I was ecstatic. I took the hunter’s safety class when I was thirteen and soon after went on my very first hunt with my father. Now, every November 15^th (opening day), I wake up before it is light outside and trek out into the woods by myself. It is quite an experience.

                I like to think that I am more in tune with nature compared to the average person. Being a hunter forces you to be in the woods throughout the whole year. I put out trail cameras, plant food plots, and clear shooting lanes for my tree stands. This takes a lot of time. I like to check my trail cameras at least twice a month to see what kind of animals are out in the area I will be hunting. I spend all year preparing for November when I finally get to go hunting.

One Trail I Walk Out To Get To My Stand

 

                On an average day of hunting, I wake up at 5:30 a.m. when it is still pitch black outside, and begin the process of dressing. I have up to five layers of clothing for the day to keep me warm. I make sure I have all of my necessities and head out the door. Then, I make my way to the edge of the woods where I plunge into the darkness. The only reason I know where I am going is because I spend all year walking the path to my tree stand so I am prepared to make the walk in the dark. I rely on my senses to get me safely to my stand. In the dark, my eyes try to adjust so I can see a bit of the path (it always helps when the moon is full). My ears hear every noise in the woods and I usually can pick apart the noises. For the most part, I know the difference of squirrels and birds compared to the noise a deer makes while tramping through the woods. I finally find my tree stand and climb up and begin my wait. Sometimes I sit for four hours straight without seeing anything at all. I consider myself lucky when I have squirrels to entertain me. But on those days where I see deer walk out in front of me, I feel an emotion unlike any other. My heart is pounding and I am a nervous wreck. I need to decide whether to shoot or simply watch and unless I see something I really want, I watch. Then I climb down and head home.

                One of my favorite parts of the hunt besides actually seeing deer is just sitting by myself out in the woods for hours. It is very peaceful and you have nothing but time to enjoy the nature around you. I am very thankful that I grew up hunting because I have a different experience with nature then others and I get to spend lots of time out in the woods where I hunt. I am thankful every day that my father raised me the way I am.

 

 

My Latest Deer November, 2014