1. Loading the camp gear in the truck. 2. The conversations on the drive to camp. (It's a long drive) 3. The first sighting of the hunted species 4. What we talk about after this question, "see anything?" 5. The first hot shower. I can have a good time even if I don't get a kill, but I can have a GREAT time if I do. -Osconda
Drawing back on a critter, knowing you're going to get a shot, that short morment in time when everything around you is deafened by your focus, nothing else matters, every ounce of your concentration is directed towards putting an arrow through the vitals, you're on autopilot, you pick a spot, settle in and trip that release and then all hell breaks loose as you feverishly process everything that just went down and is going down at that moment... the feeling you have right then as he trys to escape but you know he's toast. those few minutes right after the shot... calming down and then finally, the anticipation of recovery...
I love when you sit in a stand for the first time and your not sure if your going to see anything or not.. Then something walks out and has no idea your there.. I get so fired up bc its like I just did all this work and it payed off..
For me, my favorite part is all the preparation that goes into it; sitting in my treestand on those cold mornings and watching all the animals around me; and filling my tag on that "trophy" buck, knowing that all my hard work has paid off.
It is all about sitting up there at dark and watching the sun and animals come to life! It is so relaxing and is a great time to really get in touch with yourself and your thoughts. I like the rush of my insides when ANY deer comes in. I still get excited about any deer like it was my first time out. Now I have some time with my daughter in stand and she was asking tonight if she could hunt with me this year and the answer was oh yes baby! Would not trade that for anything!
I really like the sounds and sights while on stand. I also really like everything about hanging out with the other hunters in deer camp.
I love 99% of it all, It would be easier to say what I dont like. Draggin deer out! everything else is just the bees knees.
That first day getting your camo on walking to your stand, climbing up and sitting down. The feeling that it's no longer prep work, trail cams, practicing, thinking etc.... you are finally actually sitting there hunting. And letting the stories unfold.
Very favorite is when I see or hear the deer I just shot crash. Second would be when I get a text from K12 saying that he has a deer down. Other awesome things... just seeing a deer. I'm still all "Hey wow, a deer!" when one shows up. It's even better when they come within range. Getting texts from my pals about the deer they have down. Like the texts I get from Dan and Jimbuckhunter with their bucks. (ha!!) A good venison roast.
Sharing the hunt with friends and family. If it was just me that hunted and I had no one to share the stories with, well that'd just be boring.
I love walking out into the rolling forests, bow in hand, and with a sense of excitement and mental clarity that I do not find anywhere else on Earth except the fall deer hunting woods.
I love walking to my stand in the dark without a flashlight. I also get pumped when I hear a noise that I KNOW is a deer, but can't see it yet. My fav part of bowhunting though, is being in the woods when all of the trees are in their fall colors.
- Getting up into my stand - Seeing that first deer - All the wildlife that is out in the morning and the things you would never see in your lifetime if you didn't go hunting. - Seeing that cherry arrow and the blood trail. - Texting and talking to my friends to see what they got or saw.
