Thesouthpaw wrote:stash59 wrote:Thesouthpaw wrote:Thanks for the input guys. I hunted 40+ days this year during bow season, 90% run and gun, and never hunted the same tree more than twice. I guess I just listen to guys like Andy May and Joe Elsinger talk about only going in on "Kill Days", but I need to take into consideration that on the other days those guys are still out there scouting.
Andy and Joe didn't just start out only hunting a few "good" days. They put in plenty of time learning about what makes big bucks tick, in the areas they hunt. I'm sure I remember hearing them mention that they were in the woods every chance they could get. Earlier in their hunting "careers". To get to where they are at. What they can do with such little actual hunting time. Takes many seasons of experience, out there actually doing it. Putting in many hours, on as many days of the season as possible. You seem to be on the right track. Keep at it and you'll get there!!
This is true. I do remember hearing both say that they spent a ton of time in the woods when they were younger.
I'm also married, have a younger child, work 50-60 hours/wk, but still hunt 3-4 times/wk September-January.
My wife became cool with all of the work and hunting after a couple years of...
Being present when Im home. Staying off my phone/computer when my family is home and awake.
Take my wife on a date once/month, especially during hunting season.
Getting stuff done in the off-season... my take is I work on home projects as much as I hunt during the off-season. If my wife needs to make me a list, Im setting myself up for failure. She doesn't want to have to tell me what to do, and I wouldn't like that at all
Include my wife and daughter in hunting or scouting as much as they want to be.
Other hobbies (fishing, camping, etc,) are second or 3rd in the off season to everything above.
Even if I could "get it done" in only hunting the "good days", I wouldn't be satisfied with that. Id just hop on to the next state. Had to decide a while ago, what Im most passionate about, and create balance with family, work, and hunting- and keep the priorities in that order.