After Hunting Season Depression

[Palawman30]

Doe anyone else get it? I get it bad after the deer seasons are over. Im not really looking forward to next season as I now don't have a place to hunt except for my camp in upstate Pa. Got to finish putting all my crap away.

[Nomad]

Yes, definitely.   Going to do some rabbit and squirrel hunting after the deer season closes on the 31st.  Maybe coyote after that.

[BowhunterNJ]

This time of year is rough, def not my favorite time.  February and March are slow going, but fishing is right around the corner!

[Rutting Buck]

Yes I got it too, but I am looking forward to the next season.  I didn't get one this year, but it only has me motivated to work harder this year.  I worked the entire summer 7 days a week and did no scouting at all, I contribute this to my no deer season.  I am putting all my gear away today as well.  I have 1 more run out to my club to gather the remaining items that are left

[Axiom]

Nope.. Cant say i do.. Fact is i look forward to the end because i get addicted, wear myself out but cant stop.. Every day i feel like i gotta get out there..  And when i cant get out,  i feel as if i'm missing something... Heading out today at 3, cant wait till Feb 15...  

[Bucksnbows]

Normally I would say a big YES, but after last fall's heart surgery and only sitting 3 times on a cull hunt (thanks Rusty and Matty!), for the first time in my life, I'm not depressed but rather very much looking forward to early fall bow as well as spring turkey and getting back to normal.  Trying to figure out my amount of pounds I use to draw my compound back so I can begin to shoot that again.  The cardiac nurses just cleared me for 50 pounds and my bow is set for 62, but I don't think the 62 means the same as dead-lifting 62 pounds.  Anyone know?  Don't mean to hijack, so feel free to PM me if anyone has info on that.

 

For the rest of you, think spring gobblers! 

[Rusty]

I love this time of year, I spend more time in the woods during February and March then any other time of the year.  Most of my best hunting spots were found scouting in late winter. 

[robnj]

its scouting season. pressure is off and its a great time to get out and enjoy the woods with out worrying about being quiet, wind direction and all that pain in the ass detailed stuff. a couple days scouting usually shakes that burnt out these woods suck kinda feeling i get at the end of the season. if your lucky and use cameras you can sometimes find some good bucks in new areas before there racks drop. great time to find were every one else is hunting so you can avoid them next year too.

[Hatchet]

still have the rest of this week to go . after 37 yrs of hunt'n 27 of them shot gun only  I got used to the end of season coming after 6day but since take'n up bow in 2003 n the longer seasons it doesn't bother me as much.. i'm glad to give them a rest .

[BHC]

Joe, I too get pissed off, but my kids and work keep me busy. I too have to put my gear away

[Haskell_Hunter]

I may put the clod weather gear away, but the rest of the gear stays out all year long.  Shotgun and muzzy are at the range whenever I get a chance.  Any excuse to go out shooting is legit.  Same for the bow.  What's better than coming home after a long day's corporate grind to an open beer and a target at 25-yards that just wants to get slammed?  50 arrows a day is therapy and good practice for the next season.

 

I may not be harvesting deer all year, but I am definitely hunting them...

[boomsox24]

The end of the season is time for reflection of the good, the mistakes, lessons and a fresh start. However it is a bit depressing knowing it's another 8 months to start deer season again. Time to clean the garage of all the hunting stuff and break out all the fishing gear and get that ready.

[Gruntmaster]

I can get a little miserable at times too.

Trout season use to keep my mind together, but not in the last couple of years.

I look forward to vacation in warmer weather not in this state.

Archery shooting and practice is fun all year.

Boat, auto, and sportsman shows always keep me in the loop.

Edited January 29, 2014 by Gruntmaster

[Nomad]

Nope.. Cant say i do.. Fact is i look forward to the end because i get addicted, wear myself out but cant stop.. Every day i feel like i gotta get out there..  And when i cant get out,  i feel as if i'm missing something... Heading out today at 3, cant wait till Feb 15...  

Feel much the same, hate missing whats going on with my deer. 

[Matty]

Spent 5 hours the other day and 2.5 hours today, just out hiking around. Love getting out in the woods no matter what time of year. Thankfully there's no "season" that can prevent you from doing that.

 

I kind of like when the hunting season is over though, because I can scout more thoroughly again without worrying about hunting, or messing up spots or other hunters. I do almost all of my scouting this time of year right into Spring before serious green up occurs.

 

I'm also still out for predators and deer a little bit, and already getting pumped up for turkeys and thinking about next years hunts. Hunting is on my brain year round and some of the times I enjoy most are when I'm not holding a bow or gun.

 

But there's still always a little sadness as a season draws to an end.