my first hunt

[moodyamber]

It was very cold and wet but I still enjoyed myself just being out in the woods and spending time with the hubby.Unfortunately we didnt bag anything b/c my hubby twisted his knee and it was really bothering him,but we stayed out there for several hours anyway.He said for a first timer I did well in being still and quiet so I'm happy with that. (b/c I'm not a patient person and trying to keep me still and quiet is harder than doing the same with an ADHD kid on a sugar high and Mountain Dew.)

The only big problem I have is that I really need my own hunting clothes/boots. I wore a pair of my hiking boots and they got soaking wet right from the start and everyone knows once your feet are cold you're cold all over. I wore my hubby's military chemical charcoal suit and the pants kept slipping down and the jacket was a bit too tight b/c I've got a big chest and hubby doesnt so I couldnt really layer my clothing properly for the weather.But,for now its going to have to do until I can afford to get my own gear (hopefully thats what I'm getting for Christmas).

So all in all I still had a good first time experience.It was really cool to watch how things changed and came alive in the forest as the sun came up.

I agree its not all about the kill.While we were getting everything together the night before I was like a little kid on xmas eve lol. I was bouncing around the house asking tons of questions and probably bugging the heck out of my hubby while he was mentally checking things off his list of stuff we needed.

Then I couldnt sleep at all.Since we left the house at 6AM we had to get up early which I usually detest.But I went to bed at 9pm and couldnt sleep so I got back up at 2am and went back to bouncing around the house.I finally gave up and took a powernap until 5 and then sprang outta bed the moment the alarm went off. I was ready to go and putting stuff in my truck before the hubby could even finish getting dressed.

We were hunting squirrel primarily,just b/c he wanted me to experience and get used to the whole "being still and quiet" thing and to help me with my marksmanship.But we took along a 12guage just incase a deer or hog came across us,which they didnt.We actually did get 1 squirrel but it didnt fall right and got stuck way up in a fork in the tree where we couldnt get to it via climbing or anything....stupid tree!

So mostly it was a practice run for me this trip.And I'm frustrated with the weather too! B/c it was 40something while we were out in the forest and very wet but the very next day its 65degrees, pretty and sunny and dry. Thats Texas weather for ya!

Hopefully the weather will be better on my hubby's next days off.That would definitely improve my ability to stay still lol.
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[Jeremae]

Sound like a great first hunt. You want to go back out so it was a great hunt.

Don't worry about taking game, I can't count the number of days I've been in the woods where i've seen NOTHING to shoot but I loved every one of them. Besides, once you've shot a deer or hog, the hunting is over and the WORK begins.

A trick I learned from my grandfather and teach my kids that helps with the patience/stillness:

While holding still, search with your eyes by scanning from bottom to top of your field of view. Then carefully and slowly move your head either to the left or right and again scan with eyes only. Face front, repeat. turn other way repeat. Each time you scan, look for something you didn't SEE the last time.

I always started my kids on squirrels as they are a lot easier than deer. In fact I used my kids like a hunting dog to flush them for me to shoot.

[bpet]

Sounds like your husband is a really luck guy. Not only did you have fun, but he has greatly simplified his Christmas shopping.

[moodyamber]

Yeah,we went back out last evening and again today.I saw a doe today though we didnt kill it.I had to come back early b/c my knee is killing me from being on the ground so much plus its an old skydiving injury (long story) and it doesnt like this weather now that a cold front has pushed through.I guess I go from one extreme to the other...either falling at 120mph to sitting stock still lol.

I got lucky during my home town's xmas parade,the Gander Mtn. float was throwing out camo/promotional hats into the crowd and I snagged one.So thats one less thing I need.

yeah my xmas list is short:gun/hunting/reloading stuff.period.

[Rex B]

...... Do you have a single sister?

[The Marshal]

Then I couldnt sleep at all.Since we left the house at 6AM we had to get up early which I usually detest.But I went to bed at 9pm and couldnt sleep so I got back up at 2am and went back to bouncing around the house.I finally gave up and took a powernap until 5 and then sprang outta bed the moment the alarm went off. I was ready to go and putting stuff in my truck before the hubby could even finish getting dressed.

HA!! I am like that every time the night before I go hunting! I hope it never changes.

Jeremae gave you *fantastic* advice on how to sit still. I use that same method myself. In fact, it helped me get my Buck 3 weeks ago when I was sitting under some trees, and they walked up on me without seeing me. He who sits the stillest, wins! Heheh.

Another thing I do to sit still...pray! I never get discouraged if I don't see any game on the hunt. That is just a bonus. I do enjoy the sights/smells of the woods that most never even have the desire to get out of bed to experience. I find that while watching the darkness change to light, and moving slowly, that praying and thanking God for another sunrise to enjoy is a great way to relax and become one with your environment.

Welcome to the Hunting Club!


~Bill

[DoubleJ]

[stevie_d_64]

Just a pinch, right???

[DoubleJ]

depends on how big yer fingers are!

"How big ah boy are ya?"

[FightinAggieCHL]

Even the worst day hunting is better than the best day working.

[moodyamber]

Copenhagen? no thanks. I'll stick with Marlboro.

...and no I dont have a single sister.My sister is very married,pregnant with her 6th kid and shes my polar opposite.I dont want kids,love to fish,hunt and shoot....she's afraid of guns and wouldnt shoot bambi if she were starving.

But thanks for the tips on keeping still.I'll pass on the praying,I'm agnostic and my husband is half Shoshone.

[DoubleJ]

well, with 6 kids, she may hafta!

[moodyamber]

well, with 6 kids, she may hafta!

LOL! its a mixed marriage.The eldest 2 kids are from my bro-in-law's first marriage,the middle child is from her first marriage and the last 2...er going on 3 now are theirs together.I dont think my brother-in-law would know one end of a gun from the other.