While hunting deer, it may seem that time can go on and on. After all, it’s not like you can entertain yourself with a portable DVD player or even a radio like we do in the “real world.” Just you and nature, and nothing in between. The hunter must find a way to make all parts of deer hunting, not just the tracking and shooting parts, interesting.
The hunter may start to feel like a sentinel outside Buckingham Palace: unable to move, no matter what insects or creatures come with him. No matter the time, no matter the weather. It is very important that the hunter does not fall asleep, especially when he is standing on a tree.
Sleeping on a tree stand can lead to serious injury. Besides, if you’re a sleeper, you might miss a big bundle, right under your tree. Even worse, you might start snoring and frightening every living thing for miles around.
So, how can you revitalize deer hunting and make it more interesting?
Music: yes or no. With the popularity of mp3 players, some anglers have started to bring their own type of entertainment with them. Of course, if you really want to hold a deer, you have to keep your ears open at all times. Many people hear deer before they see it. Also, unless you have amazing headphones, the sound will only extend beyond your ear. And as some believe, some people can’t help but tap their feet or sing along to the music… well in town, bad when hunting deer. So, just say no to music.
One of the ways I stay awake is to stay as conscious as possible. I like to be in constant check of my surroundings. I focus all my attention on finding deer. I am constantly scanning the area and always use my peripheral vision. I keep my ears open for any sound. Most of the time, even in the afternoons when I spot a deer, I get to see many other species of wildlife, and the experience is amazing.
So, even I cannot fully focus all my attention on deer hunting all the time. So, I start playing games in my head:
I’ll take a famous person’s name, first and last, then have to think of another famous person whose first name starts with the first letter of their last name, and so on. This can amuse me for half an hour.
o I find a word, usually somewhere on my device, split it up and see how many more words I can come up with. For example, from the words “blind deer,” I get the words reed, beer, tie, link, blind, dinner, etc.
o Count trees or other objects.
Q I’m philosophizing.
I compose symphonies in my head.
o I’m trying to think of an animal for each letter of the alphabet.
I will empty my mind of all problems.
o I meditate.
The important thing is to let your mind wander and play for short periods of time only. Then focus your attention on your surroundings until you need another mental break.
For some people, deer hunting is monotonous. But then there are those who like the calmness and “boredom” of deer hunting. All the waiting is worth it, if only for those few exciting moments of deer spotting and shooting.
Besides, after a weekend deer hunting, I feel rejuvenated. The time I spent alone in the wilderness relieved me of all the stress. I sit and think and solve almost all my problems of the previous year. I am learning more about myself. I am learning more about nature. There are few things that are better for me.
