Slowing Down
Posted By
Bill Winke
at
4/27/2009 12:00:00 AM
Filed under:
journal
I have some advice for you that I think will change the way you view each day in the field. At the end of each stand session, pick the one experience from that time on stand that was the most interesting or most memorable. Don't dwell on the fact that you may not have seen the big one or whatever you normally use to evaluate success. Instead, simply look for that brightest moment and hold onto that. This simple act will dramatically change the way you spend your time on stand because soon you will start thinking about your best moment ahead of time, "I wonder if seeing that coon steal the ear of corn from that button buck will be my brightest moment, or will it be this incredible sunrise." etc. You will start to look for the simple joys of being out there with the wind blowing through your hair.
Now, if you actually shoot something, that brings a completely different opportunity to absorb the moment. Don't rush down from the stand to go look at him. Take your time. Sit down for a moment. Soak everything up. What does the sky look like? What does that raw northwest wind feel like in your face? Think back through the hunt and relive all the emotions and the excitement. Burn it into your memory. You will have plenty of time to look at the deer. Draw it all in. These moments don't come along very often - take your time and savor them.
Spend the few minutes necessary to enjoy every stage of the process. Relish everything from lowering your pack to blood trailing. Remember, how it all seemed so exciting and wonderful when you first started? It is time to recapture that sense every day. Don't take anything for granted. Tomorrow is not a promise. Soak up today.
Sit and look at the animal for several minutes as you absorb the scene and the emotions. Don't worry about rushing off quickly to get your buddy for help. Soak it up. There will be plenty of time for back slapping later. This is your time to be saturated in God's creation and to give thanks for this awesome gift.
Rushing and taking this experience for granted were mistakes I made when I first started deer hunting. I don't make that mistake anymore. I love every minute of it - even the tough times.
Just don't rush through the events of the hunt. Every day is a gift. Live it to the fullest.
