Struggling

[7mminatree]

I've had some health issues and have not been able to train for the up coming season. I normally continue a weekly hiking regime after turkey season to keep the legs and cardio system up. Haven't done any this year. Yesterday I went to check a stand behind my house here in Cherokee NF. During the season it would take me about an hour and a half with a 40 lb. pack and weapon to climb to this stand at approx. 3200 ft elevation. It's all up hill and VERY steep. Took all day to get up there and back! It's probably the closest and lowest place that I hunt. Some other places are a good two hour hike in. I'm not sure I'm going to be physically able to cut it this year. Not having the time to train and having so many home projects that have to be completed before winter, I'm fighting a loosing battle. I have deer all around my house here and could probably fill tags off my back deck, but that just doesn't get it for me. For all my adult hunting life it has meant to be hard and challenging. I have to and must work hard for any deer that I shoot. There is no sense of accomplishment otherwise. I just don't have the stomach to kill a deer I see around the house every day. So now my passion is waning. That fire that has burned for all these seems to be dying, dang it!

 

[MUP]

Hang in there buddy! Better times are coming! Just hunt that stand if you can, and see how it plays out from there. Still praying for you friend!

 

[huntintn]

papaw use to say, you gotta pay your dues.

 

[DaveB]

Like me, you want to return to where you were right NOW. Ha ha I tried that. Had cramps really bad. Slower and steady now. I plan on being ready to go opening day.

On my prayer list also.

 

[7mminatree]

Hang in there buddy! Better times are coming! Just hunt that stand if you can, and see how it plays out from there. Still praying for you friend!

thanks Steve, looks my bow season is gonna be scout/hunt scenario. Between cutting firewood for winter, which we need. I burned more wood last winter than I would in two winters. Man we can have some winters here.

 

[7mminatree]

Like me, you want to return to where you were right NOW. Ha ha I tried that. Had cramps really bad. Slower and steady now. I plan on being ready to go opening day.

On my prayer list also.

Well Dave, it's cramps today but yesterday it was father time.

 

[WORM82]

I hunt the CNF around Erwin & Unicoi also and am currently unemployed and looking for a job so I have lots of time on my hands and wouldn't care to help you with anything if you need it. Just gradually get back into the swing of things and don't over do it. Pm me if u need any help with anything.

 

[Nsghunter]

I teach patient's everyday, slow and steady wins the race. A nutrition tip; lower your fat intake, increase your good (brown carbs) carbs and lean proteins the day before and of the hike/hunt. Fat metabolism increases heat production and doesnt always give you as much energy as slow sustained carbs. Also decrease your salt intake and your water(if you don't have trouble with fluid retention et cetera. I make homeade energy snacks;
place a 1/4 cup raw oatmeal on a place, spread out,
heaping tablespoon of peanut butter(heated works a little better
two spread) on top of oatmeal
2 tablespoons of raisins
I usually use chia seeds or flax seeds as well, but you can use walnuts too but you will sweat more.You can add honey but it really becomes a fork food then.

turn it all together rolling it in the oats if it gets to sticky you could use more oats or raisins. to use in the woods roll into balls and keep cool or it will just be a putty(thats fine too, you just have to eat it with your hands). Eat 1/2 at the start of your journey with lots of water. Eat another 1/4 as you begin to feel tired and the rest as needed. Also, deer usually like all the ingredients so if its on your hands they might follow you.

This has a high glycemic index and load! if a diabetic is considering this it might not be safe. This is a blend of slow/medium and fast releasing enegy. give it a try it juices me up.

Water: studies show that most people are dehydrated chronically. I reccomened( no trouble with fluid pending) drinking until you bust then drinking some more. no more than 60 oz at a time, remember water toxicity is lethal.

I'll be praying for you, I hate it when we get limited by health.

if you have any specific questions, pm me.

 

[bowriter]

I've had some health issues and have not been able to train for the up coming season. I normally continue a weekly hiking regime after turkey season to keep the legs and cardio system up. Haven't done any this year. Yesterday I went to check a stand behind my house here in Cherokee NF. During the season it would take me about an hour and a half with a 40 lb. pack and weapon to climb to this stand at approx. 3200 ft elevation. It's all up hill and VERY steep. Took all day to get up there and back! It's probably the closest and lowest place that I hunt. Some other places are a good two hour hike in. I'm not sure I'm going to be physically able to cut it this year. Not having the time to train and having so many home projects that have to be completed before winter, I'm fighting a loosing battle. I have deer all around my house here and could probably fill tags off my back deck, but that just doesn't get it for me. For all my adult hunting life it has meant to be hard and challenging. I have to and must work hard for any deer that I shoot. There is no sense of accomplishment otherwise. I just don't have the stomach to kill a deer I see around the house every day. So now my passion is waning. That fire that has burned for all these seems to be dying, dang it!

Exactly the way I felt when I had to give up elk hunting. I no longer travel or work had to kill a few deer. probably that is why I don't get excited about it anymore. But let me give you a tip about something I learned. Once you start hunting the deer behind your house, They won't be so easy to kill. Some of the challenge will return.

I don't think that is why fire is dying. I think you, as do I, have caught something called calendar disease. The calendar has caught up with us. Two years ago, I killed 12-deer. Last year, I killed six. This year, I'm not even sure I will go.

 

[firedog]

The one thing I have learned in my life is, if we listen to our minds then our bodies will follow. If you tell yourself your not going to be able to do something then most of the time you want. I use to be the worlds worst at that.

I had a heart attack in 2008. Let me tell you something, when that happened I had made up my mind that I was done doing anything that would cause me to push myself. But after reading some good books from Joel Osteen, and with my wife continually pushing me to get off my but, I was able to turn myself around. I am no where out of the woods yet. I am still over weight which I seem to continually fight that battle. But I had constant anxiety issues that I have now over came. It has been no easy task by no means but I made up my mind I was going to beat this, so I started setting myself goals. Not only physical goals but life goals.

With my goals I would plan a 1 mile hike for example. I would start slow. I had lots of time to think about other goals while doing this. Lots of time to talk to the man up stairs as well. At the end of those hikes it got comfortable. Then I would bump it up to 2 miles then 3 miles. Then I would take trips out of town which was hard for me to do because of the anxiety. Then I would go further each time. Finally I got over those. Then I started planning goals in life. Things at work that I never dreamed of becoming or doing, which by the way I was a firefighter. So I set out a goal to become a fire officer. Which lintels a lot of schools. Long story short. I am a fire officer now and a Fire Inspector.

Don't let your mind take over your body in a negative way, keep a positive attitude and you will have positive results! Now for me to get back to work on mine. LOL

 

[southernhunter]

Sorry about the Heath issues I'll keep you in my prays. As for as desire to hunt goes I had to set goals. First one was to kill my first deer then a buck after that . I was feeling sorta like you at that point so I had to do something because I love to hunt and didn't want to give it up. So I set a goal to kill a mature buck and I did after several years. Once that was accomplished I was back at square one so I had to set something else as a goal. that's when I picked up my first bow and it started over again deer, buck ,mature buck. This process went on with muzzleloaders .pistols . crossbow ect. Once all that was old news I had to endeavor into other stuff like food plots., wildlife management and the list goes on. Basically anything I could do to keep the sport of hunt fun I'd try. After all of that I am glad to say I have come to point in my hunting life that i am happy just being able to go. Even if Its to see the same old doe feeding on the same old acorns out of the same old stand. I am just happy to be out there with nature. I no longer have to set goals to keep myself going back and I find it weird but it's now that a truly find the sport enjoyable. I don't rush to be there before day light like its life or death anymore and if I get tried I leave .if I want to move to a new stand I do so. Etc You get my point . I said all of that to say set your self a new goal until your able to get back up on the mountain . Maybe it's to kill a deer behind your house with a bow maybe a blow gun or your bare hands lol ( joking to make a point) maybe you'd find it enjoyable just too go hunt in the easier locations to reach just to watch and study the deer . Hunting ( not killing ) as you well know is a awesome sport that not enough people get to enjoy especially kids. I'd do what ever it took to keep the fire burning .