I can't sleep anymore to excited for the hunting season just a couple of days away i can't take it anymore. I am ready to shoot something who is with me???

Ok, take some deep breaths, walk around, and RELAX.


First of all, the hunt should be about everything, not just killing, and the killing part is not the be all end all.

getting so jacked about hunting you can not sleep is a good way to get buck fever when the first sound of footsteps echo's thru the woods.

I'm with ya gooseman!

I hope I see a deer, but no big deal if I don't. I'm mostly looking forward to just getting away, enjoying the outdoors (looks like some nice weather this weekend!), and enjoying the company of my fellow hunters (we will have 14 guys in our camp this year, ranging in age from 14 to 80).

Plus having a "few" beers and winning some $$ in poker as well...I love deer camp and the week leading up to it seems to be the longest week every year!

Good luck this weekend hunters!

It is, I think, the whole package. While I find myself looking back and enjoying the rest of the whole thing more than the few minutes before and after shooting, I do notice that basically all of the experience except for the deer hunting is reproducible throughout the year, but far too many folks (me, included) don't make time to make it happen throughout the year.

Which is kind of strange. Other than the actual hunting the deer part -- you know: standing stock still in a stand freezing your nuts off for a couple of hours? -- the whole experience is a lot of fun. But most of us don't make it a point to get together and head out into the woods and nail a few woodchucks all that often, even though it's much easier to do.

Being older than dirt and retired I get out at least twice a week or more. Can't say I get too excited about deer even though I always get a tag. Never developed a taste for venison and probably won't at this stage of the game.

But I love being out, by myself, in the woods. Varmints mostly, but I do chase birds on occasion. Tree rats with the .22 are always fun.

Have been invited to join deer and elk hunts over the years but have always declined because the whole party thing leaves me looking for the exit. I had a CO tell me once that I should always have a buddy along in case of an accident. But if it's my time to go, I cannot imagine a better place to be.

But then, I'm a cranky old fart...

I'll be heading out Saturday to go pheasant hunting in South Dakota, then coming home late Wednesday to drop off the birds and switch the shotgun out for a rifle, then off to deer hunt for the rest of the week.

It will be a very good week!

I do agree it is alot about getting together with the guys and shot the stuff. I do enjoy shooting animals. but i love to eat deer alot to and use it to make brats and do all the processing myself me and my wife have a great time sitting down grinding meet and stuffing brats. I do aree with you joel about that we don't get together and recreate the times often enough we should all make more time for that with our groups.
Yeah i know i am totally gonna miss the first one i am so excited hopefully i see another hahaha.

I look forward to opening day more than any day of the year. It's like Christmas with guns!

I still look forward to the deer opener. I don't really care that much if I get a deer or not although I usually do. My wife and I process our own deer and that chore is one I like less and less as the years go by.

We both like venison and one deer only lasts a few months. I've got 3 tags but I usually don't take more than 2 since that is about the right amount of meat for us.

When I was a young guy, not getting a deer was depressing. These days the companionship of my son in-law and grandson in deer camp mean more than getting a deer. It's nice just sitting in your stand, on your own land and enjoying the scenery.

+1 there. That might be the part that I enjoy most....it's so peaceful and relaxing to just sit quietly in the forest and watch the sun rise and all the little critters come out of their hiding spots. I've seen so many different animals while patiently waiting for a deer to present itself.

Last year I had a little bird land on the barrel of my rifle. I sat perfectly still and I swear it didn't even know I was there. Later on, a small black bear came by...now THAT was cool!

Last year I saw a gray fox and my son and I almost had a barred owl land on the stand while we were in it. Came right at us.

Good luck hunting everyone i am up at my spot and awaiting morning.

I expect to see pictures from everyone when I get back from pheasant and deer hunting next week. I'll post mine as well.

From a previous year:

You have an internet connection in your stand!

Wow... I'm happy for a log to sit on - some people make things sooo technical...

Mostly-

I hope the weather holds out this weekend. Weather.com is saying rain up north all week. Its much easier to hear deer walking in if the leaves are dry.