Can you believe it is October already… This year is flying by!
This time of year used to be one of my favorites for a couple reasons. First, I love fall weather. The temperature is perfect for me. I love when it is just cool enough to wear pants and long sleeves comfortably, but just warm enough to not need a jacket or sweater outside. That is still the case for me. However, I used to love it because that meant hunting season is here in PA. Lately, that love hasn’t really been there.
I used to really love hunting. Mainly, I just loved getting out to the woods and enjoying the crisp air and tranquility of being alone in the woods. There was a time, too, that it was a family affair. These days, due to a variety of circumstances, it just isn’t the same.
Last year I only went out one time. Well two, but the first time I literally turned around after walking a few hundred yards in and left.
Part of it is the loss of the family tradition. That certainly has impacted me. Growing up it was something we all looked forward to. Even though I was the only archery hunter, my father and grandfather would go out to just check on their spots while I went off and archery hunted. We’d all ride together to and from the woods, stopping for lunch at the spot that had been the go-to since before I was even old enough to carry a weapon in the woods.
The past several few years before last, circumstances dictated that I would just have to make those trips alone. It took something out of it for me.
Last year, that factored into it some for me - mainly the subconscious thoughts of it not being the same anymore, I imagine. The other factor is that I only really get out on Saturday mornings. The issue with that is, the weekends are also my time to spend at home with my wife and young daughter. I love spending the mornings with my girls, since I can't do that through the week. Even when I would look forward to going out to the woods, I would immediately be struck with feelings of sadness that it meant I was also sacrificing those precious mornings.
Honestly, I didn’t even mind not hunting last year. The passion isn’t there anymore. At least not right now. What I did mind was running out of the previous years’ venison shortly after the season ended… At this point, I hunt for two things: time outdoors and to provide some food for the upcoming year - as we love venison, and happily eat it year round when we have it. I HATED not having that option.
This year, I am going to try to rekindle the flame a bit, if nothing else, just so I can at least provide some food for my family. That being said, I have been having a bit of trouble rekindling that flame… Hopefully that changes in the next week or so.
Oh! Also, I smoked a Principe Accomplice Maduro this morning. What a pleasant blend that always satisfies my palate with notes of wood, coffee, and spices!
Take care,
-Trevor