Quit and take up golf, whiner, would you like some cheese to go with that.

I'm trying to like it, but it just doesn't compare to holding a firearm.

I started bowhunting last year, hunting from the ground. Purchased a good compound. Missed a couple does I shot at. Lost others because I couldn't draw while they were looking in my direction.

Before this season, I traded the compound for a good crossbow. Shoots nice. Opening day I saw five deer, but just slightly out of range at 50 yards. I've been out half a dozen times and have only seen one fawn sice opening day. I saw about 8 does crossing the street as I left though!

I'm so ready to have that smokepole, or my Kimber .308, or my Winchester 94 in my hands. I'm also VERY ready for November to get here.

Last year I bowhunted HARD with no luck. Then, I killed two bucks in less than a week during rifle season. After the second deer, I didn't go back out again. I seriously think that all the sweating and hiking with the bow for 2 months just burned me out. By the time I got a couple deer, I was DONE. Perhaps I would be more motivated later in the season without the bow.

So, I'm thinking of trading my crossbow for a nice smokepole. I might stay out of the woods until things heat up in a few weeks. Last year's rut was AWESOME in my area. I'm just getting sick of wearing myself out to see out-of-range deer every so often.

Quit and take up golf, whiner, would you like some cheese to go with that.

Also of note is the understanding you gain of deer by hunting the full season. I've talked with exclusive gun hunters before who seemed to be under the impression that deer behavior is the same in bow season as it is during the rutting gun season. Why would they know any different if that's all they've ever been exposed to?