Jared and I are newby hunters. Jared has two hunting seasons under his belt while last year was my first. We’ve only been allowed to shoot bucks these last few seasons; which means even though you will see approximately 10,384 does while sitting up in your deer stand, you must wait out your days in the woods while hoping a buck will meander your way.
This year is different and more favorable since we have some good buck leads and especially since Jared won a doe tag in the lottery. Yes, I suppose we are gamblers up here. Folks around here call a doe tag “meat insurance.” We will have failed greatly if we don’t end up with a deer for our freezer.
How on earth as a 30 year old did I get the “I want to go hunting” itch?
Yes, great question. I am a part of a small group of lovely ladies who do awesome activities such as camping, study the bible, venting , cliff jumping, eating good food and yes- we had an afternoon after church last year where a few ladies brought their hunting rifles to site (and their handguns as well). I was a bit perplexed that we were doing this but went along since, why not?
They got out the sawhorse and targets and taught me some essential safety lessons. My friend fired off a shot, I couldn’t believe how loud it was! Next it was my turn- was I really going to shoot this gun? Just breathe. I fired off one shot, then the next. What an adrenaline rush. To my surprise I realized that I could not only hit the target but pretty close to the middle of the target. One reason I had never wanted to hunt before (let alone that my family didn’t hunt) was that I assumed if I even went hunting I would shoot off the leg of a poor deer that would be forced to hobble around the woods for the rest of its poor miserable life. In seeing that I might be able to hit and kill the deer I got a bit more excited about this whole hunting business.
I actually went home from that time with my friends and immediately began my online hunters safety course. People born after 1980 must all take this course.
In Jared and my combined three years of hunting we have come out empty handed. Hunting season begins again this Saturday morning at dawn. I get to go out opening morning while Jared is taking the afternoon/evening hunt.
Our hunting clothes have been washed in scent-off, and are currently drying the the outdoor breeze. What a beautiful sight
Wish us luck, hunting season 2016- here we come.
He Sowed She Sewed 
Cubs won the World Series- I’m going to go with this being your year!
Sounds good to me!!! Anything can happen!
You guys lead SUCH different lives than we do. And I love hearing about them! Good luck on the deer hunt.
(Also didn’t know you were born before 1980… 😉 )
Yes, it is true, Southern California and Northern MN could very well be the two most different places in the US!
Oops of the 1980s mistake- I need an editor…know of any good ones =)