Anyone else dealing with real-life issues this year that has kept you out of the woods? My wife and I put our house on the market about three months ago and if I am not working at work, I have been working on the house. A new water line from the street, septic tank issues and now high radon levels to fix are just a few of the fun things I have had to throw cash at. But just like our friend from MN, I still have hope that I will get out before seasons end. To keep this bowhunting related, my go-to weapon this year is my Martin Hunter, that 2bears reduced from 60 to 54# last year.

care giver - 7+ years now

miss hunting a lot

I hear you brother, my problems are small. God bless…

yep havent hunted with a bow all year

Don't have it in my heart anymore since my wife died almost 4 years ago. I did sit one evening hunt this year but never made it till dark. My mind kept wondering back to my wife.

That will put perspective on things for sure. I know some guys have also had physical issues to deal with. I should add thanks to those who have shared stories of their hunts this year, it has been enjoyable to tag along, even if only by word.

Nope, septic issues here too on top of flus and colds that got passed around and a long salmon season that was a waste.

But life goes on so hopefully next season I'll make up for this one.

I haven't bow hunted this year, and I may not get to. I had rotator cuff surgery in early August, and it was as advertised. I'm just now starting to feel "normal" again.

Hunting put on hold for 2022 due to wife's medical issues. Hopefully 2023 will find me back in the woods.

various things including taking care of my father have totally limited my hunting to a few very short hunts by the house. I haven't even made it out to the lease, not even to gun hunt. it is what it is. plus my own health issues but not giving up

Haven't hunted truthfully in earnest since I put my first doggo down back in 98 I think it was. I like stump shooting though,but haven't done that in a good long while. Golf has taken up my time along with salmon fishing. stay safe

Not into it this year, although I was out a few times. We don't need meat, nor does my son and daughter who both live relatively close. I don't kill just to kill so likely won't be too concerned with getting any deer unless someone declares a need. Health is good for an old fart, and I spend most days taking care of critters and minding the property, or just shooting in the woods below my house. Wife is into her yearly cookie/fudge making so I have to be the quality control supervisor for that.

It was tempting today since it's sunny and in the mid 30's out there, maybe take the longbow to the woods later in the afternoon. You guys that love your venison, good luck and keep at it. I may get more serious after Christmas in the late season, but who knows.

Spent an hour or so one night walking around/stump shooting and checking the area out-really don’t have an area to hunt that I’ve been in the woods previously. Only one I’ve pre-scouted has had hunters in parking lot when I got there and it’s too small for 2-3 hunters. Otherwise haven’t hunted for a variety of reasons, health, age, no confidence, no desire, etc. Hopefully, this changes in late season as long as it doesn’t get too cold. But I do still enjoy shooting.

Kelly, come on over here next fall bow season, we still have affordable nonresident fees, and I can get you into some places that hardly sees hunters. I'll even pre-scout it for you. I also have a cabin you can stay in, or just bunk here at the house.

Pretty much done for the year. Our gun season opens tomorrow, and here we can't bow hunt during it. So 3 weeks from now I can go again but after gun season things are pretty shot up.

I never got any real hunting done. You've all read it before...I just don't have much within reach to hunt. I sat a few times in my backyard where I've only seen a doe and a yearling. I gave the yearling a pass an offered a shot.

I'm trying to force myself to hunt there because it's what I got. I had done a little scouting but mostly found treestands. Using Google Earth I picked an area where I thought pressured deer might go and had done a scouting trip in there. I was number 80 to sign in. The opening weekend of gun season I thought I head in and set up about the time guys were coming out in the morning. Well the had reached their quota of 160 hunters by 6:30 am and nobody else was being allowed in.

The weather has been awful...seems like 30-40 mph winds everyday that I can hunt. And I bought a new tree stand. That's where the inspiration for a "wind and treestands" thread came from. 24 mph today and 36 mph tomorrow. Sunday might be doable. There's a small (80 acre) tract of public land near by so if the lot isn't full of care Sunday I might pull off a "hunt"

I was sick for a couple of weeks and had to back out of a weekend with my son the the national forest. He had lousy weather that weekend too but he killed a small buck anyway.

That leaves 3 more weekends in the season. Christmas I'm with the grandkids, one weekend with my day and one more weekend where I might pull off some kind of hunt.

It's been 6 years since I killed a deer and that was in the back yard. I don't need the meat either. If I did, I'd stop buying the hunting license and hunting equipment and take that money to the grocery store where I could get something for it.

I am thankful that my lousy hunting isn't due to any real problems. Thoughts and prayers go out to those who missed hunting due to illness or worse.

Wow I wish I could edit that...the doe never offered a shot and the place I'm trying to force myself to hunt is a local WM.A that just gets hammered more than any one piece of ground should.

So, they say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. That means that unless I do something to shake things up I'm not going to kill a deer next year or any other year.

Only so much one can do but I'm going to try hard to save a little vacation for hunting next year. Too little vacation and too many demands on it. Then I can at least make the trek down to the national forest. It's just too far for a Sat/Sun trip.

Only other thing I can think of is to look for a lease. I don't know that I can afford it. My son said he would consider going in with me but he lives a few hours drive away. If it's too far away it's of little use.

I made it through the last several years by concentrating on fishing but I got the hunting bug again this year. I've caught every fish around here worth catching...probably more than once.

I do try to get some outside time by walking a loop in our suburban neighborhood for exercise. I bring this up, because one evening at dusk, as I was making the last turn to head to my house, I saw probably the largest buck I have seen in maybe the last ten years. He was a solid ten or twelve point with a wide flat rack. He was still in the company of a smaller seven-pointer in early October, no doubt headed to eat persimmons under our tree after dark. I don’t have to kill him to have fun, but I have imagined sending a green Eskimo his way a few times since then.

Seeing deer...there are a LOT of deer where I live. Wednesday of this week between the drive home from work and driving my wife into town I saw more than 200 deer.

Why does everything have to break down during hunting season ?

Ha! Too true Hexx. If if has a battery, or an alternator, or requires fluids, it is subject to change your hunting plans at the most critical time. On the other hand, it seems to not happen as much on days I have to go to work.

Shoulder surgery made me miss this season. First time I missed a whole season since I started in 1963.

Working 10 hour days at my job,plus 2-4 hours after work doing farm chores,etc,cuts into my time. Getting the ambition when I do have time can get tough,but I've been out quite a bit anyway. I have a certain criteria I stick to. Basically,gotta hunt with my longbow,backquiver,wood arrows,and mainly stilhunting. Any other method I feel like I'm cheating,lol. I know,sounds weird,but I get the most enjoyment setting restrictions on myself. Oh,my 15 yard limit has cost me about 8 different opportunities buts that part of my "rules"

Working 10 hour days at my job,plus 2-4 hours after work doing farm chores,etc,cuts into my time. Getting the ambition when I do have time can get tough,but I've been out quite a bit anyway. I have a certain criteria I stick to. Basically,gotta hunt with my longbow,backquiver,wood arrows,and mainly stilhunting. Any other method I feel like I'm cheating,lol. I know,sounds weird,but I get the most enjoyment setting restrictions on myself. Oh,my 15 yard limit has cost me about 8 different opportunities buts that part of my "rules"

Barely -

A total of 3 hrs sit one evening here in Texas and 3 days in Colorado on a mule deer hunt.

Least amount of hunting I've ever done by this time of the year in decades.

But I'm getting ready for a move to Maine, so I plan to make up for that chasing spring turkeys in May! :D

Work can get in the way for sure. I had a boss that used to say “If it weren’t for bosses and customers, this would be a great place to work.” But I enjoy my job, just not as much as bowhunting.

I haven’t. I’ve been building a shop and now that it’s finished, I’m working on a “she shed”. I want to go really bad. Aubrey in a week or so I’ll be able to get out for a few hours.

Retired 21 years now. Bought my 1st Deer Tag for Illinois 1st ever Deer season in 1957 & missed 4 shots. 1958 Arrowed my 1st Deer 1st, 1st shot Oct 4th in Illinois. Since then I4've been on an awesome journey & adventures many will never experience. This year I've had Covid twice AFTER the VAX & booster (no more for me). Aug I passed out at home & got my 1st ambulance ride to emergency room. After some tests ER Dr says you have numerous blood clots in both lungs, your right lung is dying & we can't stop it & 2 hours later you would be dead (take that sentence in). I've since had several tests at the VA & follow ups.. Physically I feel fine except my knees are shot. Anyway, still, this has not affected my "ability" to go bowhunting.. I no longer shoot Does & several years ago I set a personal goal on my next Buck (until then I have never been a horn hunter.. So, this year, I did NOT buy a tag. I do go to places where I see them & in fact, fortunate to have them visit my yard often. Wife is a pro photographer so we take lots of photos.. The biggest set back to me has been the loss of one of our beautiful 12 yr old grand daughters 2 years this April. Still unbearable pain & my pain is worse as I cannot relief the pain my Daughter has & her husband from the loss. I'm old but still physically able to Deer hunt & shoot 60# compound & 50# Longbow with ease. So, the Whitetails are getting a pass from me this year & I have no problems with that (I've been blessed more than most). My son & couple G-sons may sneak away to arrow some hogs in the south a few days in Feb to get out of our snow & cold. I am looking forward to some indoor tournaments & then of course, outdoor events.. My problems/worries are small compared to so many I see. Day at a time fells/gals & just keep a little faith. Those losing a loved one or companion is the worst, I think.

If zi lost a loved one I would not feel like hunting either

I not zi

I did make it to Colorado for a week back in September in search of elk, but I haven't been out deer hunting in Maine all fall. Too many other things going on; foremost of which is trying to get a book written about history around the Hudson River estuary, which I've been researching this past three-four years. Once the book is done I expect I will resume my outdoor habits with gusto.

For what it's worth, my own experience with losing a partner is actually what renewed my interest in archery. The search for good used bows, and then the fun of flight testing them and learning what features mattered most to me, has been the primary joy of my spare time for the last decade, and has filled the void that was left when I found myself a bachelor. The new friends I've made through archery, and the new places it's taken me to, has made a huge positive contribution to my happiness.

Season stopper.

Just like White Falcon, but my incision is a lot neater but the spasms are more intense from the other one. Spending time reading the Bible- Exposition, Commentary by Warren Wiersbe, should finish the 7 books by next hunting season, excellent studies.

Health issues this year. First time in my life that I have not got out at least for rifle season. I see the doctor this week for test results. Fingers crossed for a good result.

I killed a doe on our season opener, September 17th. I fell and tore my rotator cuff the next day, September 18th.

I've been very, very lucky to have had almost full use of my arm since I tore it and only recently has the pain gotten to be pretty rough and effected my accuracy with my bow. I have surgery on January 11th and will bust my butt with PT and following doctor's orders to be ready for next archery season.

I was able to hunt as much as work allowed this season so I'm very blessed.

You fellas that didn't hunt because you're caregivers or lost loved ones, may God bless you and lift you up. You're all in my prayers.

I hope everyone gets out as much or as little as they want, has fun and stays safe.

I haven't hunted and won't hunt this year. Recovering from surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Hopefully they got it all and I can get back to it next year.

Will keep all of you in our prayers for recovery and continued strength.

After tape was remover it all shaped up great.

This is a great thread! I’ve had most of these reasons ! ,,the care giver part ,,started my slow down,,,but when I did got a hunt in my first stop was to take care of my Pop,,,I’d tell him all about the hunt or fishing trip ,,,, he would light up engage in conversation,it almost did him more good than me? (I miss my old man bad) I had kids a little late in life am doing my best to get my son to love this life ! So far so. Good he can out fish me for bass any day ! Now my problem is I’m going through work related lung problems,,forced to retire ,more bad days than good ( hard to hide from my kids ) my 12 yr old daughter is a good fisherman too ,we are lucky to have a tiny place to hunt for now ,,,,,what I’m trying to say is it’s ok,,,it’s better to have a place like this to talk about it,,,,but my advice,,,,,,,don’t forget how a hunt or fishing trip,a stump shoot,,recharges that battery inside folks like us !,,,,keep the faith ,,try to get a younger kid into this ,,,,hell call an old buddy for a squirrel hunt,,,if it ends today We all had a good run ,,thanks for letting me rant and rave ,,you guys are the best and I thank all for sharing the stories ,,Jeff w

Crazy work hours and a nasty case of the shingles pretty much wiped me out. Took the boy out for a few hours on youth weekend, but I didn’t even buy a tag this year. Hopefully I can retire soon and get on with the things I love.

Haven’t hunted yet. I had prostate surgery October 6 (removed because of cancer). They found cancer on my kidney now it’s getting removed later this month. I hope to get a couple hunts in before that. If not might not see the Woods this year.

No hunting for me this year, missed the 3D season too. I have friends with heath issues that require a lot of time. I'm getting ready now for another month in Nevada and Arizona.

First season since 1969, had bad toe wounds and infection, 6 weeks barefoot going to operate next month, been a real drag.

Not yet. Might not. The deer had a pretty rough go of it this year with the drought and incessant wind. I'm actually feeding in hopes of getting the does healthy enough to breed. We didn't see but a couple of fawns this year.

Does Frisky count? Even when he's in the woods you can't really call it hunting.

Well, I was going to go see if there was parking space available at a public spot...though it's NASTY outside.

Then I got called into work.

Wow. Sorry to hear about the Texas deer herd

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