Hunting time and spouse/girlfriend--how to get more time in the woods

If they truly know you and love you they will understand that hunting is your hobby. I don't understand how there could be a problem if they understand this. I guess I'm just lucky in the fact that she really loves that I have an obsession about my favorite hobby. On top of that, I'm 210 lbs of twisted steel and sex appeal so she doesn't have a choice!

 

Amen, set the standard very early.

Give hard for 10.5 months, then asking for 1.5 months isn't being selfish.

Took her to FL.

 

Exactly. This is why I mentioned in Josh's quote. Give the other 10.5 months and if they have a problem with you asking for the other 1.5 months for bowhunting, it's their issue and selfish on their part. Give more than you get and you'll always be on top. Figuratively speaking. :D

Took her to Cancun.

 

I get more time in the woods...by spending more time in the woods. I'm glad I don't have to buy my time. There is a reason I married the woman I did.

 

When you have 3 kids and an extremely busy/high energy wife, then you might not see it as "buying time" in the woods. It is give and take.

 

Balance is a better word Jeff. I try to put a ton "in" to the emotional bank before and during the season. Because once my season ends, my wife's 4 month + long basketball season begins and I pay her right back. Not trying to buy anything, just being fair and doing my fair part. I have been hunting since I met my wife and actually took her with me before when we were young. She told me she had never seen the sun come up before! Hahahaha. She is very accomodating to me and supports my hunting interests.

I mean, why wouldn't my "wicked witch" of a wife not support me?

 

Well said Josh, Rob, rednas5!! Couldn't agree more.

 

Ok, back to the mildly funny/half truthful side of this thread.

----Wash the kids clothing unexpectedly and have their outfits laid out for a few days.....big big move to secure a happy spouse.

 

A sox fan Jeff?? You are dead to me now. :D

 

I agree its more of a give and take. Buying my wife a gift or doing housework won't result in me getting more hunting time. We have a mutual understanding because we both have activities we are passionate about. That is what works for us.

I have 2 kids (ages 5 and 1) and a wife that cycles, runs, workouts and works part time as a personal trainer and fitness instructor. She is serious about all of those including competing in 10k's, 25k's, marathons and duathlons. Besides bowhunting, I fly fish 75+ times a year. We make it work.

 

I got lucky, my wife knows how important it is to me and doesn't give me too hard of a time. Also, she knows if I don't get to be out in the woods and have that time to myself every year that I can get really grumpy. She would rather have me out hunting than at home and pissed off I guess. That and I usually have to take her on a vacation suitable for her or get her a "shut up" gift like someone else mentioned.

This thread has reminded me fall is coming and I need to start working being extra nice and attentive for the next month to score some points before MO bow season starts.

 

This usually isn't hard, as after a night of expecting the unexpected, you tend to get a little beat down.

I agree with the honesty at the start of a relationship. If she knows you are a nut then she can process it and deal with it. The same is true from the other end, I know my wife likes antique auctions, not my cup of tea or an inexpensive hobby, but I know it going in, just like she knew I was a nut.

 

It's all about consideration.If you are giving to her,she will be giving to you.This apply's with not only your time but your finances.
How come every time I see Rob and Jeff's spouses I have multiple thought's.One is that Rob and Jeff have out kicked their coverage.The second thought is that there must be some thing deeply flawed about these ladies for them to have settled for the likes of you two.Or they are legally blind.Or they are heavily sedated.Or that they are mail order brides.You catch my drift? Beautiful ladies,you two,it just doesn't add up.Just kidding!!!
Beautiful kitchen by the way Jeff!

 

What about me. My wife and I were married before I even hunted for the first time. One year into our marriage I met my biological dad and we hit it off really well. He introduced me to hunting and fly fishing. Now I have two somewhat time consuming obsessions. How do you take time for something that wasnt in the "original contract"?

 

With a woman as good as that, I can bet its hard to walk out the door without her....wow....you didnt hit a HR you hit a GS!!!. Sounds like you two were made for eachother and you both seem to be pretty content with where you stand in eachothers relationships. Now to get my wife to be more like that.

 

I'd recommend finding a 350# redneck girl who likes to hunt and fish.

Obviously, you'll have to spend a bit more on reinforced treestands, copenhagen, scratch-off tickets and cigarrettes, but once you get past that, it's easy to focus on all the positives.

Bigger girls are stronger on the drag harness, and are better suited to carry your gear, which are huge pluses. I've always said, if you "marry down," you'll always be in a dominant position, relatioship-wise.

Even if she's a little bit tougher than you, it's easy to get away from a foe who's big and sluggish.