2020 Season Wrapped

shirtshirt · Jan 3, 2021

Tonight I completed one of my favorite post-season rituals; cleaning my boots. Several years ago I purchased a pair of Crispi Valdres boots for an elk hunt in Wyoming. It was an expensive purchase, though one of my best, and I make sure to extend their life through proper care. At the end of the season I always give them one final cleaning and apply nikwax. While they have begun to show wear they have held up amazingly well. I always feel satisfied cleaning them. It's a reminder of the miles I've walked and experiences I've had. They are a reminder of hot days in the early season and those cold days where I think about getting a pair with more insulation. Most of all they remind me of time that has passed and how grateful I am to be able to spend some of it doing something I genuinely enjoy.

There were some days that were more difficult than others. I spent velvet, bow, and the rut without a deer sighting. I connected in December on the first doe I saw. She looked a lot bigger from the stand than she did when I walked up on her, a testament to the effects of deer-less days spent watching squirrels, fox, owls, and hawks. The second deer was a small 6. The third deer was a nice doe this afternoon.

Through it all my boots were with me. There aren't many pieces of gear that make it every single time I'm in the woods. I'm glad I have a nice pair of boots and look forward to putting them on again in the spring for Turkey season.

Coker · Jan 3, 2021

Wednesday evening was my last hunt. Me and my daughter hunted the afternoon and didn't see a deer. Came home, cleaned both rifles, put all my clothes away and called it a season. It's depressing but I Hunted hard and often and enjoyed every bit of it. Looking forward to duck hunting this month and having 2 months off before turkey season starts.

Moonman · Jan 3, 2021

We've been out of town this weekend. Part of my 2021 goal is to lose weight. Was headed to the track and the buck I hunted this year was on my land chasing a doe. There was another buck there too. I got to watch them look at me knowing they'll make it through to next year hopefully.

tree_ghost · Jan 4, 2021

I'm gonna give it one last run in Bama next week...Tennessee was awfully good to us this year!

Lost Lake · Jan 4, 2021

It's both depressing and a little bit of a relief putting the hunting gear away. Seems like it takes forever for it to come back around. I always miss it, but also glad to get back to life outside of deer hunting. Time to clean some rifles, shoot some coyotes, move some deer stands, and practice for 3D archery tournaments.

megalomaniac · Jan 4, 2021

I've already had to reglue the soles back on 2 pairs of rubber boots this year with shoe goo... a pair of lacrosse, and a pair of mucks.... and I dont even walk that far in deer season.

Maybe I should take better care of my boots, but I dont know what to do different.

I'm exhausted by the end of deer season, but I still have 6 more weeks to go in south MS.

Instead of boot care however, I usually thoroughly reclean my rifle and barrel before returning it to the safe.

JeepKuntry · Jan 4, 2021

I have a couple rifles to clean next week following juvi and then it's time to transition into scout mode. My plan is to cover areas I marked but never hunted. I plan to put some cameras out and leave them till around turkey season. That way I get an idea if those areas are active. I do the majority of my scouting post season. But I plan to do more late summer scouting. Come on September!