Finding time to Elk & Deer hunt

[seth30]

Hunting is my only real hobby,

So I work my butt off all year so that I can go hunting and not worry about any other issues..  This year I will spend 60 days consecutive up in the hills. After 20 years in the service it is about ME TIME......

Brother I have 14 in now, and looking foward to the magic 20 year mark so I can get some ME time in

That's what I thought!  Between the job, sports and the honey-do I have less time now.  I know you'll think I'm off my rocker but I miss those long quite duty days and the long quite underway days.  I definately don't miss the BS duty days or the drill til you drop underway days.  No real worries except deciding which crappy entree to have for dinner.  Braised BBQ beef cubes or chicken tetrazini?

I went from having 60 days of leave on the books and getting 30 days a year to having 0 on the books and getting 10 days a year.  Puts a little crimp on the hunting time.

I did get to spend part of my terminal leave hunting but also had to deal with the appointments, packouts and job search during that time too.

  I know Im going to miss those leave days and port visits, but I sure am not going to miss JP5, Simple Green, PD680, stripping and waxing, and beef cubes

[pianoman9701]

what gets me are these guys that hunted alot before they met so and so and now they cant hunt cause the wife says no..hell no..u my friend married the wrong person

No kidding there. When my wife and I first met, the very first discussion we had was that I take 10 days every year to go bow hunting, I hunt geese from November through March, I hunt deer and elk on the weekends during the late season, I turkey hunt, I train for hunting, I shoot all the time, etc. There is no discussion on this topic and she's on board.

[Todd_ID]

I guess I'm one who is headed down a dangerous path with regards to life choices.  All I do is hunting-related.  All the money is spent on hunting and kids.  My computer time is all hunting, both on and off the internet.  I have weeds 7' tall next to my lawn that needs mowed, but I just spent the day scouting and built a longbow the last few days that I've got about $600 into now in order to save money from not buying a new compound because I lost the last one bear hunting.  I have half the year off, and I'm hunting those days or at least doing something hunting related.  I have paths through my nice big shop that weave around the hunting stuff, but I know where everything is; yeah, I should clean it, but that would take time away from hunting.  I've got licenses and tags for 3 states, but no family vacations scheduled for the year. 

Bottom line is that I hunt too much, and that's a 

[buckfvr]

Its all part of life......especially if you have a family.  I know I hunted and fished way more than I should have, but maintained  ( barely ), a healthy family enviroment.  I ran at both ends of the spectrum from time to time,  but what really paid off for me was being able to retire at 52.  Me time is overly abundant, actually get run out of the house if I spend much time inside.  I would recommend retirement to everyone as soon as possible.  Make the lifestyle change and drag up and move to where you can do what you want right from home.  WHitetail hunting is my passion, and Im smack dab in the middle of it.  Doesnt hurt to have everything else available too, except blacktail. 

[pianoman9701]

It does boil down to priorties...people who want something make it happen..u cant compare to someone else who hunts more than u..u don't know their situation and every situation is different. I am divorced and have a girlfriend now... I lay it out to them THIS doesn't change I hunt and fish.. I never want to hear once about how I am gone too much hunting or fishing..u can join me or be happy but this is my PASSION! and its not replacebale, but u are.I will never again in my life worry about or deal with woman and their drama..keep it out of my life.

I also made decisions in life with my job and hours to accomodate my passion... I am lucky enough to work a 7 on 7 off schedule.. From sept 1 st to dec 15th I have 65 days off

Both my hunting and my wife are irreplaceable, but only because she's clear about my hunting commitment. I wouldn't have married her otherwise and she goes along happy with what I love.