I know many of us are in the final stages of prep for the 1 Oct openers. I want to take a moment to wish everyone a fun and rewarding season. I also want to pass along some "old man" advice for some of the new saddle hunters if you will allow me:
1) BE SAFE. Guys so many of you have families and are needed. No deer or any other animal is worth you getting hurt or taken out. it happens every year. So please, take your time, think through things and don't assume any unnecessary risk. Be smart and ensure you have many seasons - I am sure your family will appreciate that. Make a hunt plan and let your loved ones know where you will be. Keep your cell phones on your person not in a bag. Don't try new methods without practice and thinking them through.
2) HAVE FUN. I need this reminder also. So often we get hung up on do this, do that, and put so much pressure on ourselves that we forget to enjoy the blessing we have. Be grateful, slow down and drink in the entire experience. Learn to watch God's creation at work each day. Deer kills will come and go - and the one constant is that time will indeed pass and once spent you CANNOT get it back. While hunting is our passion it is NOT the most important thing in life. I assure you, at some point you too will enter the twilight of your life and other things we take for granted now will pass. In other words stop and smell the roses.
3) DON'T ALLOW FRUSTRATION TO RULE YOU.. Things will sometimes work out just as we plan. Most of the time it will not. Don't let other hunters, equipment issues, life events frustrate you so much that you get down in the "saddle"...... seriously, manage frustration and turn them into opportunities to do some creative thinking. No matter what happens, the bucks are out there - chase opportunities rather then getting stuck in a "victim mentality."
4) KEEP YOUR COMPETION BETWEEN YOURSELF AND YOUR GOALS. it really doesn't matter what everyone else kills. Be happy for them but stay true to your goals. Any deer taken is a trophy - if you allow it to be. There are many countries where the average blue collar guy cannot even get a license. No one should dictate to you what your personal goals are....... and it is so easy to watch the silly farm deer videos and think we should be able to accomplish the same thing where we hunt. Possible but not likely in all areas. YOU dictate what success is for YOU.
5) Don't wear CROCs. And if you do, ensure you remove them when you take pics or go in public. JK - couldn't resist.
Once again, I wish all my fellow saddle hunters a great season filled with some awesome memories. but most of all, I wish that we all have many more seasons ahead.
Shoot Straight
DaveT1963
1) BE SAFE. Guys so many of you have families and are needed. No deer or any other animal is worth you getting hurt or taken out. it happens every year. So please, take your time, think through things and don't assume any unnecessary risk. Be smart and ensure you have many seasons - I am sure your family will appreciate that. Make a hunt plan and let your loved ones know where you will be. Keep your cell phones on your person not in a bag. Don't try new methods without practice and thinking them through.
2) HAVE FUN. I need this reminder also. So often we get hung up on do this, do that, and put so much pressure on ourselves that we forget to enjoy the blessing we have. Be grateful, slow down and drink in the entire experience. Learn to watch God's creation at work each day. Deer kills will come and go - and the one constant is that time will indeed pass and once spent you CANNOT get it back. While hunting is our passion it is NOT the most important thing in life. I assure you, at some point you too will enter the twilight of your life and other things we take for granted now will pass. In other words stop and smell the roses.
3) DON'T ALLOW FRUSTRATION TO RULE YOU.. Things will sometimes work out just as we plan. Most of the time it will not. Don't let other hunters, equipment issues, life events frustrate you so much that you get down in the "saddle"...... seriously, manage frustration and turn them into opportunities to do some creative thinking. No matter what happens, the bucks are out there - chase opportunities rather then getting stuck in a "victim mentality."
4) KEEP YOUR COMPETION BETWEEN YOURSELF AND YOUR GOALS. it really doesn't matter what everyone else kills. Be happy for them but stay true to your goals. Any deer taken is a trophy - if you allow it to be. There are many countries where the average blue collar guy cannot even get a license. No one should dictate to you what your personal goals are....... and it is so easy to watch the silly farm deer videos and think we should be able to accomplish the same thing where we hunt. Possible but not likely in all areas. YOU dictate what success is for YOU.
5) Don't wear CROCs. And if you do, ensure you remove them when you take pics or go in public. JK - couldn't resist.
Once again, I wish all my fellow saddle hunters a great season filled with some awesome memories. but most of all, I wish that we all have many more seasons ahead.
Shoot Straight
DaveT1963
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