How do you keep yourself entertained?

I don't understand sitting in a tree on my days off... around my place the louder I play the stereo or rev the engines the more friendly the deer seem to become. Closest a group ever came was about ten or twelve feet. No joke. I was making so much noise I had earplugs and muffs on... dust flying everywhere.... damn deer scared the @#%^ outta me when i realized they were right on the other side of my wind break. Oddly they were a little surprised when I shut down the racket and accidently walked in on the party. Who'd they think was makin that much noise? Bunnies? :p
 
I get what guys like Wrong Way are saying about the sacrifice of having a phone in the blind wins them more chances to hunt- I'm just not that important! ;) When I'm hunting, I'm relaxed and having fun, but I'm 110% *there* because thats where I want to be. Considering that part of my job is "hunting", screwing up because I got distracted surfing CGN is not really an option either.

OP- Try a little Zen and be one with the forest.... or watch the squirrels.... or work a repeating grid search with your eyes. Just put the phone away and enjoy being unplugged in nature.

For those of you all squeamish about a little pee in the thermos:
A) Don't ask for a cup of my coffee :yingyang:
B) Dishsoap! :rockOn:
 
Granted, not a tree stand but, last week while duck hunting... after the early morning birds flying and about an hour had passed, I took a nap in the sun cozied up in the bull rushes. Slept for about 40 minutes when I was awakened by the sound of a small flock of geese flying over me. Ended up shooting the last one in the vee.

First time I'd napped... also, the first goose of the season for me.

Usually just drink coffee or have a smoke when nothing has been flying for an hour or so.
 
I prefer still hunting, but if I need to sit for long periods, I like to read, write, and draw. And I'm not shy to catch a few z's if the mood strikes. I have a phone, but it's off - only for emergencies.
 
If not this trip, the next, or one down the road, the blackberry, phone, whatever WILL cause you some grief or cost you an animal. You will be fixated on the device and an opportunity will pass.

And you will say to yourself "Damn! That joe-nwt was right! AGAIN!":D
 
I don't think your getting deep enough in the tranquil confines of the autum woods .... if those wireless jobies are still operating effectively.
 
I just relax and enjoy the scenery. I see how many birds I can identify by song and watch for a variety of animals, bugs, snakes. I will also enjoy quiet occasional snacks like chocolate! It is amazing what you can see and learn if you take the time and relax and watch.

You may get to see animals that you don't normally if you are just going for a hike. I once had a humming bird land on a twig right in front of me and sit there for a while, lynx, bobcat, fishers, raccoons, a fox that got very close, now know the sound of porcupines mating, the variety of sounds ravens make as well as other birds. You get to witness animals behaving naturally without the stress of them knowing a human is near. I loved watching that cute little fluff ball bear cub play. I remember watching a family of beavers cutting down trees and gathering branches then a baby beaver the size of a muffin climbed right by my foot and picked a small twig and swam back to the lodge so proud of its little twig.

Just relax and take it all in, you will miss it when your time in the woods is over.

ouch, ow, damn, ouch, cripes, move that way a little, yow, ow, trim those things would ya, ouch.......


I carve to pass the time. A face in a fallen tree, critters (I mean carve critters FROM wood, not carve the actual critters IN the woods), a toothpick for the time-passing tootsie roll.
 
Sarcasm On
I have a remote 6 barrelled mini-gun set up that I can operate from my home office. Not really much need for me to be in the tree??
I spend 365 days a year "hunting" and get a lot of work done too!!.
Sarcasm Off

When I get to the point that the actual hunt isn't engaging me almost 100% I figure I have been at it too much and take a break for a day or 2.

Like joe was getting at, I can't count the number of times that I have noticed the slightest movement that has tipped me to the presence of game.

I sometimes try to imagine all the deer that have walked around me, even when I was on full alert. And I don't think fooling with tech toys would be conducive to turkey success.
 
Sarcasm On
I have a remote 6 barrelled mini-gun set up that I can operate from my home office. Not really much need for me to be in the tree??
I spend 365 days a year "hunting" and get a lot of work done too!!.
Sarcasm Off

I don't get it? There are two kinds of people, those in the woods and those who wish they were. If bringing a communication device on an occasional hunt to afford a bit more time in the field how can that be a bad thing?
Is your sarcasm saying that one day a week in the woods with no phone is better than 7 days a week in the woods even if you have to bring a phone one or two of those days?
For instance, I decided that today I would hit my stand early and do some reading ( I get a kick out of reading this thread and the armchair advice from my tree-stand), so here I sit 19' in a tree listening to you tell me (from your house) that I should have stayed home? OK then, got it!
If you were that serious about hunting you would be in the woods, not at home telling other people how they should hunt.
Just sayin..
 
Sunday hunting is not unanimous across this land. ;)

Fair enough, but my point is that I can be in the bush any day of the week, solely because of my ability too communicate if necessary.
Having said that, even if I wasn't hunting I would still be out there, even just to scout.
 
I read a book.. I can stay out all day at the same spot, and finish 2 books in a day..

it helps me not fidget and move around. I've had more success with a book then without.

In case I get tired, I just put a sign out for the deer.. "please wake sleeping hunter.." never seems to work though..
 
Are you hunting ducks ....
Whitetail, bear, and Moose. I used to hunt ducks, but have missed going the last ten years or so.
I'm quite accustomed to the frozen solid feel you get when sitting still on a runway at sub zero temps, even with a crossbow, in December.
But, I probably do more walking than most of our guys in camp. Particularly on the rainy days when the bush is less inhabited by hunters, and the walking is quiet.
 
Is that some kind of new strategy ... or are you just tuckered out?:D

A little of column A, whole lot of column B.:D

My view at the time, complete with the mandatory CGN "toe shot."

IMG_0445.jpg


If gadgetry buys a bit more time in the woods - I'm all for it. Sometimes though, you just gotta turn that s**t off.
 
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