It isn't always about the "killing"

**ar15jules** · October 12th, 2015, 09:21 PM

I went out archery hunting tonight knowing full well that with winds gusting close to 30 mph and the temps in the lower 70s that my chance of seeing a buck that I would shoot were about slim to none. I went anyway wanting to attach a seat pad and pull rope to my new stand. About an hour in to the hunt, I was surprised to see a kestrel swoop down and quietly make the local chipmunk population one less. If that wasn't enough, I was treated to the eerie sound of a great horned owl about thirty minutes till dark. He was persistent and continued to hoot until after I climbed down and walked out of the woods in the dark. I didn't kill a mountable 8 or better, or even a doe. I still consider it a great night out hunting though.

**arjohnson** · October 12th, 2015, 09:26 PM

Best part about hunting is being in the woods and seeing whatever it is you see, bagging something is a bonus. I'm heading out Wed. after work, it will be my first time out this year.

**Deleted** · October 12th, 2015, 09:32 PM

My father-in-law has for his entire life gone out deer hunting and, from what I understand, has yet to kill anything. My wife is convinced that he just goes out and sits under a tree and relaxes.

**Qtrborecrazy** · October 12th, 2015, 09:34 PM

Ar15jules, lots of people don't take the time to smell fresh air. I love sitting and just watching spiders spin webs. I love the smell of rotting vegetation or the sweet smell of pine. Its great to be alive.

**ar15jules** · October 12th, 2015, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by arjohnson

Best part about hunting is being in the woods and seeing whatever it is you see, bagging something is a bonus. I'm heading out Wed. after work, it will be my first time out this year.

Good luck. The weather is going to be crappy here on Wednesday. I am a fair weather archer until the rut starts.

**arjohnson** · October 12th, 2015, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by ar15jules

Good luck. The weather is going to be crappy here on Wednesday. I am a fair weather archer until the rut starts.

I like fowl weather hunting, I've taken 3 good bucks on days most people won't go out. I'm looking forward to the rut as well that's the reason for the late start, I like rattling and grunting them in, works like a charm later in the season.

Good luck as well, keep us updated as I will do the same, the real hunting starts at the end of the month.

**arjohnson** · October 12th, 2015, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by SteelCityK9Cop

My father-in-law has for his entire life gone out deer hunting and, from what I understand, has yet to kill anything. My wife is convinced that he just goes out and sits under a tree and relaxes.

Nothing wrong with that, believe me I've taken more deer with a bow than I can remember, but I've also spent countless hours of time just enjoying being out there, it truly is very relaxing, stress free and peaceful.

**Gripsafety** · October 12th, 2015, 10:00 PM

I've always felt that it is more about what you're not doing on a given day.

**4thdimension** · October 12th, 2015, 11:41 PM

Aside from seeing cool stuff I just like venison. Anti's can't seem to grasp that. "O you just like to kill stuff" they say." No' I just like certain types of wild game. Also, hunting helps me connect with a by gone era when people truly had to work to survive. Harvesting a deer helps give me gratitude for our easy modern lives where we can just go to a grocery store.