I don’t know why for sure. Maybe it’s because of the insane amount of ticks that are keeping me out of the woods most of this summer, limiting my excursions to slow drives down backroads. Maybe it is the book I am reading called Buck Capers that is more of a collection of short stories, memories and adventures that the author has aquired over years of hunting the prestigious whitetail deer. Maybe it is the fact that our weather recently has been more like those nice October days rather than the middle of July. Maybe it is simply that I am getting excited for the November deer season. Whatever it is causing it, it is certain that I am suffering from Hunting Fever. I have been catching my mind wandering at all times of the day, thinking about waiting to ambush the next big buck or drifting back to last year’s successful hunt and how it seemed to be a real turning point in my hunting career. Almost as if I had taken that next step, feeling more confident in my abilities than ever before and also being able to enjoy the hunt on a bigger level than I ever have in the past. It wasn’t all about the kill last year, but the enjoyment of being out in the woods. Observing nature as life moved on all around me as if I wasn’t even there to witness the spectacle. Being able to enjoy the wonders of the Northland, such as the heavy frost coating the trees and underbrush so that it looked as if everything had been dipped in a crystaline frosting, then watching the sun begin to rise as it sparkled it’s golden light throughout the forest. Even though I have always enjoyed being part of our hunting party, which is all family, it was one of the first times that I felt like a senior member, not just the kid in the party any longer. Yet at the same time feeling grateful that I have so many wonderful teachers from which I continue to learn, especially my Dad.
Of course, here I go again with my mind wandering while I am at work. This time I figured I would share the fever with you. Don’t get me wrong, I am not in any hurry for the bitter cold of winter to return, but I would love to be out hunting right now. Hopefully a weekend walleye fishing trip with my family will help cool the fever a bit. I have a feeling it will end up giving me the fishing fever in addition to my hunting fever, instead of just easing the hunting fever.
I guess growing up an avid outdoorsman makes these fevers inevitable, they are in my blood and honestly…..I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I think that I have the same problem. Every time I drive pass someway that has deer in it, I am always thinking of how it would be to get out there and hunt those deer. But everywhere that I pass that has deer is in a county that does not allow hunting (Cook County IL, it is the county with Chicgo in it). My fever started really bad in July as well because every time I pass this place there were 3-4 doe on the side of the road, looking tastey, and ready to be hunted. Good luck to you all in the woods this fall.