re: What do you wish you would've known prior to your first deer hunt

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I killed my first deer at the age of 40. We were planning to just spot some deer. But a large buck happened to stroll by and my buddy offered the shot to me. I had to ask him the best place to aim. He pointed just above the shoulder.

I aimed and dropped it with one shot from about 100-150 yards away. By the time we got to it, his life had already been extinguished.

I didn’t feel anything. No compassion for the deer nor even a thrill for having shot it. It was frankly the easiest sport I had ever participated in, and to this day, I don’t understand why I would want to do it again. When it came to cleaning it, my big take away was that it was all much more trouble than it was worth.

But I tried. So I kind of wish I knew it was going to be so effortless and unexciting. I might have stayed home and drank that day.

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I first visited my wife’s grandmother’s family farm right after we were married in 1981. I dreamed about possibly that she might inherit it one day. That happened 4 years ago and I have spent many hours scouting and setting stands and moving them to get them in the right pinch points and overlooking the right trails. I moved a location of a lock on this year just about 20 yards this year and harvested the biggest 8 point I ever have with a bow.
I have harvested several turkey and deer over the past few years there and each one has been a challenge and a great deal of satisfaction due to my efforts! I wish that others could share the same satisfaction!