The "I'm gonna make it happen this year" mentality..does it work?

It's the 14th of Nov. here in IL. I'm at home, sitting on the couch. Drinking coffee, ate some eggs (fresh from my hens) and a big pile of bacon.

I hunted the past three days. Saw a bunch of bucks, some nice ones too. But I'm tired and need to catch up on work and house and yard chores.

I don't take this deer hunting nearly as seriously as some of you. I do beat myself up over which spot to hunt in but otherwise, I'm out there to have fun. I could probably 'make it happen'.... maybe. But I settle for 'try to make it happen'.

 

I'm probably the worst in the entire world at putting pressure on myself and making a season into an absolute grind. I am just obsessed with achieving. I actually become a complete different person during bow season. Especially 3-4 weeks into it and I don't have anything on the ground. I get absolutely consumed on how to kill a big buck. I live eat and breath hunting this time of year. I try the whole "enjoy the great outdoors" or " just have fun" theory. That just doesn't cut it for me. I'm not going to hide behind the fact that in the end I'm in the tree to kill a big buck. Don't get me wrong I do notice and appreciate how fortunate I am to be surrounded by the beauty of the great outdoors. I really do. But at the end of the day that's not why I'm there. So yes I guess I'm guilty of putting too much pressure on myself and taking this stuff too serious.

But it's kind of with everything in life with me. My golf game, work , hunting, fishing, etc... anything I do I want perfection. And I'm not sure if it can really be defined as putting pressure on myself now that I think about it. I don't feel "pressured" to kill a big buck. I just get wrapped up in my pursuit of trying to. I dont' put myself in panic mode. And I certainly don't feel pressure from what someone else expects me to kill. It's more of a self motivated competitive nature thing with me. I work my booty off at this game.

I guess to answer the original question..... yes I think you can will yourself to kill one. I know I'm going to make it happen. Somehow ... someway I'll get it done. Tell the fat lady to chill out and don't warm up yet I have 6 days left

 

just follow the Dao...universal way that is....or become a Buddhist and reach Nirvana!! All jokes aside, yes, I think we can put ourselves in the right situation to allow it to happen...I also am guilty of "trying too hard" in the wrong place and the wrong way...Im learning...Every season I set out to take at least 1deer with the bow...that is my one goal that I know I pretty much control...shooting several and killing a nice buck is my secondary goal when it all boils down...I let the season dictate to me ...sometimes it works, most times it does...I just well, follow the "way"...but overthinking is my enemy, Brett you know that about me..

 

I have to agree with Duke on this one, Only after I got serious in my shed hunting was I able to get on the bigger mature bucks for the lsat several seasons. I dont always connect, but i do get very close. It was not happining so easy when I didnt put alot of hours in scouting the off seasson. I hunt very big woods, and for me to know them, is to spend many off season hours in them. Im a very relaxed guy anyway (just my nature) so I have never really beat myself up and over pressured myself anyway.
and congrats again on that beautiful buck

 

Its seventy degrees, I'm sitting on the beach looking over the gulf of Mexico. Pressure, smessure