I have hunted deer since I was 4 years old. Ever since then, I've been through stages in my hunting career that have gradually matured over time. I often wonder how other people mature compared to myself, but I think that would depend of a myriad of factors. I am now in my mid 30s. I have been fortunate enough to harvest plenty of mature bucks and does, some does can be just as tough to hunt as mature bucks. I've rattled and grunted in numerous bucks and does. Hunted a dog club. I've so far taken 2 boys hunting and had them kill their first deer on my watch. I'm sure there's a lot I am not saying. Now I find myself spending more time hunting public land rather than my own club or family land just for the challenge of it. I'm constantly trying to find that next chapter. Lately, I'm more apt to put someone else on a deer than myself. It pleases me more seeing someone else get a deer than me. I also have shot the antler off a 120" 8pt, accidentally centered a doe in the forehead with a muzzy broadhead(she was standing broadside so go figure), which I have mounted on the wall. I am managing land for deer. Of course I owe all of this to my recently passed Father and a looney old fart in Selma named Johnny Hale. (I'm sure Johnny would be proud of me to say that). Without my father taking me and Johnny helping to provide the location, I don't know how I would be living my life today. I couldn't imagine hunting whitetails not being a part of it. My uncle is a taxidermist, a lot of my family are born again, dedicated hunters, my very existence seems to be centered around family and our obsession. I have no doubt my 3 year old daughter will be a hunter. She already loves to fish.
I know folks come into hunting at different ages, and different stages of their lives. They have different priorities and evolve as hunters differently than others. I often hear folks say that hunters evolve from shooting everything to shooting almost nothing. Well, that ain't me. I love my backstraps and if I don't have any in the freezer I'm one ill SOB. In other words I'm still a meat hunter.
I know some folks to just give up hunting deer because they get plain bored with it. I don't think I could do that. It is in my blood and always will be. Every season I learn something new about a deer.
Sorry for the long spill but anyway back to my question, where are you as a hunter? What are your goals as a hunter? How did you begin your hunting career?
