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In Season Deer-pression

HuntNorthEast said:
I wanted to bring this thread back to life seeing as how my season starts on the 11th of this month.

This time though Pre-Season Deer-pression.

Anyone else feeling the pressure? I stress about everything hunting... I have a giant on cam that I know how to kill (previous years encounters). I am just worried about other people busting into the area, not getting the right conditions to hunt, and alllll of the other factors. Normally I wouldn't stress this much but given the location and such, one wrong move and he's into a zone I can't kill him... ask me how I know.

I need a boost. Anyone got some encouraging words?
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@HuntNorthEast - With a giant as your target buck this year, I hope we end up on the same team in this year's contest!

Encouraging words:
I have no doubt that you'll adapt & overcome whatever challenges get thrown at you - just stay confident in your ability and the intel you've gathered, and be ready to adapt to any new knowledge or hurdles as the season progresses. Ignore the internal voice of self-doubt and trust in your ability and hunting skill.

Philosophy & perspective:
@woodsdog2 is spot-on ... slow down and savor the process ... if your target buck gets the slip on you during one day's hunt, smile in admiration and find satisfaction in the fact that the quarry you're after is worthy and a challenge. (If killing him was easy, what's the satisfaction in that?) There will be another day, and if you keep learning and adjusting your strategy you'll get the drop on him eventually. As to other factors or other hunters messing you up, that's not in your control. So control what you can control. I'll say that again ... all you can do is control what you can control - so don't stress about the rest. Be at peace with the fact that there are factors outside your control ... that's hunting!

As a father with young children, your "me" time away from family is limited and precious. Try not to focus it on a singular objective. Don't let it become a grind. Slow down and savor the moments you get to be outdoors matching wits with the respectable quarry you're targeting ... whether it's "game-on", or one of those peaceful interludes between encounters with targeted deer:

Observe the woods come to life at dawn; Savor the crisp Fall air filling your lungs; Appreciate the beauty of the Fall color against the deep blue sky on a clear day; Enjoy the walk out under the light of the moon ... enjoy the process!

Soon enough, you'll be passing on your knowledge and skills to your little ones ... be sure to teach them that the enjoyment is in the process ... learning about their quarry ... scouting and gathering intel ... learning woodsmanship ... practicing and preparing preseason ... persevering but enjoying themselves throughout the hunt ... even getting schooled by the deer through trial and error as they learn and improve as hunters ... the enjoyment is in all of the experiences in the outdoors, and not just in filling their tags.
 
I used to let myself get sucked into the same downward spiral you describe. It happened almost every year when the bucks went into lockdown and I had a hard time "feeling successful". Then a few years ago there was a post here by an "experienced" (read old, not sarcastic) saddle hunter who pointed out that it is pointless to let the pressure of success and/or hunter burnout affect you. Don't stress over the things you can't control. You're doing one of the things you enjoy most and its 9 months between seasons. Enjoy it, every minute of it!

For what it's worth here is the post I was referring to.

Enjoy the Season

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...
saddlehunter.com
 
I think its easy to let the improbabilities and variables overwhelm you. Especially when you are targeting a specific buck. You have so many what-ifs in your head, mixed in with your plans and thoughts and strategies. Its easy to lose sight of the whole point which is to enjoy yourself and accomplish your goals. Many things are out of your control but that's not always for the worst. Sometimes a random occurrence like someones dog or a single hot doe, you never thought of or planned for is the reason you kill him, and no pre-season prep or late night tossing and turning will make that happen.You may as well just hunt your best hunt and let it all just play out how it will
 
LoadedLimbs said:
@HuntNorthEast - With a giant as your target buck this year, I hope we end up on the same team in this year's contest!

Encouraging words:
I have no doubt that you'll adapt & overcome whatever challenges get thrown at you - just stay confident in your ability and the intel you've gathered, and be ready to adapt to any new knowledge or hurdles as the season progresses. Ignore the internal voice of self-doubt and trust in your ability and hunting skill.

Philosophy & perspective:
@woodsdog2 is spot-on ... slow down and savor the process ... if your target buck gets the slip on you during one day's hunt, smile in admiration and find satisfaction in the fact that the quarry you're after is worthy and a challenge. (If killing him was easy, what's the satisfaction in that?) There will be another day, and if you keep learning and adjusting your strategy you'll get the drop on him eventually. As to other factors or other hunters messing you up, that's not in your control. So control what you can control. I'll say that again ... all you can do is control what you can control - so don't stress about the rest. Be at peace with the fact that there are factors outside your control ... that's hunting!

As a father with young children, your "me" time away from family is limited and precious. Try not to focus it on a singular objective. Don't let it become a grind. Slow down and savor the moments you get to be outdoors matching wits with the respectable quarry you're targeting ... whether it's "game-on", or one of those peaceful interludes between encounters with targeted deer:

Observe the woods come to life at dawn; Savor the crisp Fall air filling your lungs; Appreciate the beauty of the Fall color against the deep blue sky on a clear day; Enjoy the walk out under the light of the moon ... enjoy the process!

Soon enough, you'll be passing on your knowledge and skills to your little ones ... be sure to teach them that the enjoyment is in the process ... learning about their quarry ... scouting and gathering intel ... learning woodsmanship ... practicing and preparing preseason ... persevering but enjoying themselves throughout the hunt ... even getting schooled by the deer through trial and error as they learn and improve as hunters ... the enjoyment is in all of the experiences in the outdoors, and not just in filling their tags.
Click to expand...
That’s exactly what I needed! Nailed it! Thank you.
 
The themes in this thread remind me of why I love bowhunting - from a saddle in particular. There are a number of factors to consider and skills to work on. From bow tuning and getting my broadheads to group with fieldpoints to refreshing my one-sticking and rappelling to (most important for me) scouting - It's an engaging hobby. Probably lots of people aren't totally obsessed, but this guy is, and I'm happy to be...

I wish I was a headlight on a north-bound train
 
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