Have you ever lost your motivation
- Thread starter powdergun
- Start date
I've gone through the lost interest syndrome ,and gladly coming back.a lot has happened especially losing some hunting buddies.also I get sore easier now but I got me a new hunting pup to train and going to look for some new hunting relationships.life is coming back but I have to take a few advil when my back get knotted up.
This is a good solid thread with some very interesting points: thank you.
I have tried a lot of hobbies and I always come back to one of them being hunting, hiking and shooting (the three inter-mix so much I call it a single hobby). At some point I have always come back to it, even one time I ended up pretty broke and had to give up the hobby as a whole for about 4 years.
I wonder if your view of the sport is simply adapting. I know my mother is in her late 60's and she is just now moving away from target shooting of any kind, focusing on the actual hunt more. You state your "hunt feeling" wasn't there: I suspect that you might need to look at the hobby from a different direction. Recently I started back into tinkering with load developments and focusing on fewer firearms.
I think you and I, Icedog, are on the same page, so to speak. There is something about an almost spiritual connection to nature when I am out there hiking and scouting before the season starts. I have had to step over a porcupine because it kept waddling along on the narrow path in front of me: I had to step over the creature or walk into the chest high thorns. I have also had a curious weasel lick my boot when I sat on an old rotted cut line pile to have a snack. There are so many memories already made and I'm at least less than half way through my life, let alone my hunting and shooting life, and I want to make more: it is making more of them that matters right now.
...
But I am also at a point where time to get to the range is a problem. The range I belong to is far enough away (over an hour) that if I decide to go at all it is best to pack a lunch and the whole vehicle. Even packing as many firearms as I can I end up with a few I prefer, some that need reloads tested in and a few... that never leave the vehicle. I have decided to sell those few in the last while, working to make every firearm get used (appreciated) at the range when I go, and that in itself is a bit disheartening. Better to go to a good home than be a safe queen at mine I suppose.
I can see how not having the old friends to go with is a bit sad: most of my "range" buddies have families, heavy work loads and/or away. Maybe once a year is the best we can do to get together at a range now, and that is usually because someone's dad passes or someone has a kid, so we are together anyways. In some ways we are all so busy that if we simply had the time we would be together, so getting new buddies is not worth it.
So I have recently decided to focus on the hunting side this year, take the time to smell the moss and adapt once again within a beautiful and amazing hobby.
I have tried a lot of hobbies and I always come back to one of them being hunting, hiking and shooting (the three inter-mix so much I call it a single hobby). At some point I have always come back to it, even one time I ended up pretty broke and had to give up the hobby as a whole for about 4 years.
I wonder if your view of the sport is simply adapting. I know my mother is in her late 60's and she is just now moving away from target shooting of any kind, focusing on the actual hunt more. You state your "hunt feeling" wasn't there: I suspect that you might need to look at the hobby from a different direction. Recently I started back into tinkering with load developments and focusing on fewer firearms.
I think you and I, Icedog, are on the same page, so to speak. There is something about an almost spiritual connection to nature when I am out there hiking and scouting before the season starts. I have had to step over a porcupine because it kept waddling along on the narrow path in front of me: I had to step over the creature or walk into the chest high thorns. I have also had a curious weasel lick my boot when I sat on an old rotted cut line pile to have a snack. There are so many memories already made and I'm at least less than half way through my life, let alone my hunting and shooting life, and I want to make more: it is making more of them that matters right now.
...
But I am also at a point where time to get to the range is a problem. The range I belong to is far enough away (over an hour) that if I decide to go at all it is best to pack a lunch and the whole vehicle. Even packing as many firearms as I can I end up with a few I prefer, some that need reloads tested in and a few... that never leave the vehicle. I have decided to sell those few in the last while, working to make every firearm get used (appreciated) at the range when I go, and that in itself is a bit disheartening. Better to go to a good home than be a safe queen at mine I suppose.
I can see how not having the old friends to go with is a bit sad: most of my "range" buddies have families, heavy work loads and/or away. Maybe once a year is the best we can do to get together at a range now, and that is usually because someone's dad passes or someone has a kid, so we are together anyways. In some ways we are all so busy that if we simply had the time we would be together, so getting new buddies is not worth it.
So I have recently decided to focus on the hunting side this year, take the time to smell the moss and adapt once again within a beautiful and amazing hobby.
Last edited:
Well like many here have described very well I have lost allot of my drive and desire to hunt for various reasons. I still do a 4 day pheasant hunt in ND with b in laws. Do some local migratory bird hunting. Really miss my annual deer hunt but everyone has moved on. Just started calling coyotes last winter with another b in law.
I really do enjoy shooting skeet, sporting clays, IPSC and recently tried three gun. My favourite activity is spending time by myself in the gopher patch. I do have a PD hunt in the U.S. Of A on my bucket list.
I spend more and more time at the range by myself as I still love to shoot, tinker and reload. I like to help out friends and family by tuning their guns, reloading etc for them. I did struggle with these changes for awhile but have accepted them as I enjoy what I do and how I spend my time. Still love the trigger time.
I really do enjoy shooting skeet, sporting clays, IPSC and recently tried three gun. My favourite activity is spending time by myself in the gopher patch. I do have a PD hunt in the U.S. Of A on my bucket list.
I spend more and more time at the range by myself as I still love to shoot, tinker and reload. I like to help out friends and family by tuning their guns, reloading etc for them. I did struggle with these changes for awhile but have accepted them as I enjoy what I do and how I spend my time. Still love the trigger time.
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Lots of new hunters would love the help.
Living in NB I've found my motivation slipping. NB is something approaching 70% crown land and so much of it has been forested and in many cases replanted with spruce plantations Well the deer population has simply been decimated.
I grew up hunting big woods and hardwood ridges in the last couple of decades we have resorted to boating into an untouched area and enjoyed success -- it's now all been cut .. Even a federal game preserve that borders the ground was turned into a moonscape.
Maybe I'll get more active in waterfowl hunting -- that's still possible
But the deer heard is in very very rough shape with very little chance of recovery and has become concentrated along the farmland in the Saint John river valley, and in residential areas of the south.
Moose season is 5 days 3500 odd tags amongst 60 000 applicants so for many people a once in a lifetime tag.
Bear season is lengthy and the numbers are increasing but I have zero zero zero interest on ever guarding a bait pile.
Coyotes can be chased all year ... Maybe I should get into that
Waterfowl is plentiful (relatively ) and I enjoy jump shooting so there's maybe a chance to focus on that.
At the end of the day however waterfowl opening day and weekend were always my kick off and then as much time as I could watching meadows, still hunting big hardwood in pursuit of Big Whitetails. Those days are on their way out if they aren't over already and my motivation to get out hunting has dwindled with it. Man I miss it.
I grew up hunting big woods and hardwood ridges in the last couple of decades we have resorted to boating into an untouched area and enjoyed success -- it's now all been cut .. Even a federal game preserve that borders the ground was turned into a moonscape.
Maybe I'll get more active in waterfowl hunting -- that's still possible
But the deer heard is in very very rough shape with very little chance of recovery and has become concentrated along the farmland in the Saint John river valley, and in residential areas of the south.
Moose season is 5 days 3500 odd tags amongst 60 000 applicants so for many people a once in a lifetime tag.
Bear season is lengthy and the numbers are increasing but I have zero zero zero interest on ever guarding a bait pile.
Coyotes can be chased all year ... Maybe I should get into that
Waterfowl is plentiful (relatively ) and I enjoy jump shooting so there's maybe a chance to focus on that.
At the end of the day however waterfowl opening day and weekend were always my kick off and then as much time as I could watching meadows, still hunting big hardwood in pursuit of Big Whitetails. Those days are on their way out if they aren't over already and my motivation to get out hunting has dwindled with it. Man I miss it.
Some people lose interest when they lose their hunting partners, or their kids moved away, or areas were lost. Some were likely only still going because someone else was stirring them up every year. Some lose interest with age, partly because if you do the same thing for a few decades it might get old. So what do you do?
Well maybe you just quit. People do that all the time. Maybe you find new hunting areas, maybe you find new hunting partners. Maybe you look farther afield for different experiences, different areas, different species, different countries different techniques. Maybe you need to become a trophy hunter if you aren't already, or a alternative technique hunter. Bow instead of rifle, still hunting instead of stand, muzzleloader instead of centerfire, warm climate instead of cold. Or maybe you just quit. Except for those who are lucky enough to get killed hunting practically everyone hangs up their guns eventually. Not me though.
Well maybe you just quit. People do that all the time. Maybe you find new hunting areas, maybe you find new hunting partners. Maybe you look farther afield for different experiences, different areas, different species, different countries different techniques. Maybe you need to become a trophy hunter if you aren't already, or a alternative technique hunter. Bow instead of rifle, still hunting instead of stand, muzzleloader instead of centerfire, warm climate instead of cold. Or maybe you just quit. Except for those who are lucky enough to get killed hunting practically everyone hangs up their guns eventually. Not me though.
Glock4ever
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
Once upon a time, I lost my motivation to hunt -- hunting for me is a very social sport. I dislike a lot of parts of hunting that are a necessary part of the sport (namely butchering and field dressing). I can definitely relate to your dislike of hunting alone. The suggestion of mentoring a new hunter is a good one - one that I really enjoy. I have taken a few friends out and introduced them to hunting. Some have come again and others have not. If you can't find a hunter that you want to go with, I suggest that you find a friend that is interested in hunting and take them hunting with you. Another way to re-invigorate your love of hunting is to do what dogleg suggests and try a different experience. I recently took up bow hunting because rifle is pretty easy for me now. I am also not afraid to go home empty handed so the challenge is very welcome. A new weapon may excite you as the techniques will force you out of your comfort zone; however if your main issue is the social aspect you may also consider joining a shooting club that has a strong hunting component within it and find a new shooting/hunting buddy. Taking a break is also not a bad idea, when I was in Ontario for 3 years I quit hunting and it really whet my appetite when I got back to Alberta...
I hunted ever year with my Dad and Uncles out on the farm in SK when I was young and lived to hunt, then I moved to MB and got married young and left it for quite a number of years. Then I started up again and went with a co-worker occasionally for a number of years. Then, my sons were born and grew up, and now once again I live to hunt! At my age now, I just can't imagine sitting out a year, it could be my last year on this planet, no-sir-e, I ain't gonna waste away a chance, I will hunt every year until I'm gone! OP, I hope you can shake that feeling you have developed! I know hunting alone is not that great, but if you can't find a partner, I do know how you feel. Place some adds locally, you never know, there may be more folks in the same position and would be quite willing to team up with you! Good Luck to you in every way!
Last edited:
Great discussion. Thanks for all the input. I still haven't figured out what I am going to do but one thing for sure is I won't give it up permanently. For now I love tinkering with the guns and just taking the dog out for hikes around the sloughs and through the bush. Problem is I am seeing a fair bit of game. There was even a bull moose on the quarter just north of the home quarter.
Maybe this year I might just leave the gun in the rack and just go out and clear my head without worrying about filling any tags. But you know Murphy's law. The biggest buck of my life will pop up and just stand there.
Best of luck to all of you this season.
Maybe this year I might just leave the gun in the rack and just go out and clear my head without worrying about filling any tags. But you know Murphy's law. The biggest buck of my life will pop up and just stand there.
Best of luck to all of you this season.
You can move to eastern ontario and I will become your padewan. Last year was my first year hunting. I did take a deer under the mentorship of a longtime friend who lives way too far away for it to happen on any sort of regular basis. I only know one local guy to go out with, although I am meeting more people around here. Hard to get into the small town community as an outsider. Takes a few years.
Went out for a quad run up the back yonder.
Here's a few photos..........no, hunting wasn't open.
That's the 22 I just put together that I bought off here.
Nudder thread.
These sceneries you don't git wartch'in t.v.
[URL=http://s614.photobucket.com/user/kamlooky/media/Sept%206%202015%20Kodiak%20Journey/DSC00103_zpsywfdc2qj.jpg.html]
[/URL]
[URL=http://s614.photobucket.com/user/kamlooky/media/Sept%206%202015%20Kodiak%20Journey/DSC00110_zpsuofo0bpr.jpg.html]
[/URL]
[URL=http://s614.photobucket.com/user/kamlooky/media/Sept%206%202015%20Kodiak%20Journey/DSC00113_zps69nitkel.jpg.html]
[/URL]
[URL=http://s614.photobucket.com/user/kamlooky/media/Sept%206%202015%20Kodiak%20Journey/DSC00109_zps9gpmmcbi.jpg.html]
[/URL]
I snuck up on this lazy tard snewz'in in hizz boat.
[URL=http://s614.photobucket.com/user/kamlooky/media/Sept%206%202015%20Kodiak%20Journey/DSC00017_zps0dbkjer1.jpg.html]
[/URL]
Here's a few photos..........no, hunting wasn't open.
That's the 22 I just put together that I bought off here.
Nudder thread.
These sceneries you don't git wartch'in t.v.
[URL=http://s614.photobucket.com/user/kamlooky/media/Sept%206%202015%20Kodiak%20Journey/DSC00103_zpsywfdc2qj.jpg.html]
[/URL][URL=http://s614.photobucket.com/user/kamlooky/media/Sept%206%202015%20Kodiak%20Journey/DSC00110_zpsuofo0bpr.jpg.html]
[/URL][URL=http://s614.photobucket.com/user/kamlooky/media/Sept%206%202015%20Kodiak%20Journey/DSC00113_zps69nitkel.jpg.html]
[/URL][URL=http://s614.photobucket.com/user/kamlooky/media/Sept%206%202015%20Kodiak%20Journey/DSC00109_zps9gpmmcbi.jpg.html]
[/URL]I snuck up on this lazy tard snewz'in in hizz boat.
[URL=http://s614.photobucket.com/user/kamlooky/media/Sept%206%202015%20Kodiak%20Journey/DSC00017_zps0dbkjer1.jpg.html]
[/URL]
"Hunting alone is just tiresome". You hit the nail on the head. I struggle with this every year. I hate going out by myself. Not that I can't do it by myself, its just that part of what I grew up to love about the hunt was the team work and comrodery.
I'm luckey that my oldest is finally getting interested.
Find someone to mentor, my only advice.
I'm luckey that my oldest is finally getting interested.
Find someone to mentor, my only advice.
I would go small game hunting and spend more time at the rod and gun and not make filling the tag a priority
nothing wrong with taking it easy hunting small game one of my Favorite warm up to moose season to shake off a bit of buck fever after a long Summer
nothing wrong with taking it easy hunting small game one of my Favorite warm up to moose season to shake off a bit of buck fever after a long Summer
Great thread!
im young still but am finding it tiring chasing the big ones so often an not getting the big ones so often,.... like, if I hunted less, id proberly see more and enjoy It more.
so thinking about that some more.
I say take a "season" off, an see where it goes
Cheers,
warm barrels
WL
im young still but am finding it tiring chasing the big ones so often an not getting the big ones so often,.... like, if I hunted less, id proberly see more and enjoy It more.
so thinking about that some more.
I say take a "season" off, an see where it goes
Cheers,
warm barrels
WL
I wouldn't take a season off, once the stay home door is opened it will be easier to keep it open. Don't let the thin edge of the wedge in. The best is to find a new partner, or a young guy that needs the help. Company can make all the difference, its easy to go by yourself when you're young and enthusiastic, somewhat harder when your old and tired. But enough about me
I too have had the thoughts of why. In my youth I hunted hard and I do every waking chance hard. Bowhunting whitetails became a passion for a lot of years even when raising a daughter on my own. Turkey hunting has now filled a considerable amount of time but damn those 3am mornings are brutal. I have taken a number of youngsters under my wing and taught them to enjoy the outdoors. As time passes they get older, like me and comes the time when they start going in their own direction.
I find that filling a tag is not the end goal it used to be. Do i cherish the November muzzleloader hunt with my brother, nephews and childhood friends. Without a doubt but even then I find hunting alone is more enjoyable. Every day I am in the bush I see things I wouldn't if my focus was as it had been in the past.
I find the older I get the more I revert to the simpler things. Just refinished and reblued a Squires Bingham 22 that has sat since I last used it coon hunting at 15 years old and put it back in Dad's cabinet. Rough as it was it put a lot of food and spending money on the table back in the day. The satisfaction of seeing that old gun come back to its original glory was something hard to describe. Now I sit recovering from some surgery and can't wait to take it out and shoot a bag of squirrels like I used to. I have shot more than my fair share of large game over the years now I find simple can be much more enjoyable. But pack it in completely, be a hard row to hoe
I find that filling a tag is not the end goal it used to be. Do i cherish the November muzzleloader hunt with my brother, nephews and childhood friends. Without a doubt but even then I find hunting alone is more enjoyable. Every day I am in the bush I see things I wouldn't if my focus was as it had been in the past.
I find the older I get the more I revert to the simpler things. Just refinished and reblued a Squires Bingham 22 that has sat since I last used it coon hunting at 15 years old and put it back in Dad's cabinet. Rough as it was it put a lot of food and spending money on the table back in the day. The satisfaction of seeing that old gun come back to its original glory was something hard to describe. Now I sit recovering from some surgery and can't wait to take it out and shoot a bag of squirrels like I used to. I have shot more than my fair share of large game over the years now I find simple can be much more enjoyable. But pack it in completely, be a hard row to hoe
I have been told, continually for the past 15 or so years, by a slough of doctors/specialists that I should be leading a sedintary lifestyle on full time disability. The pain I suffer daily, without meds btw, is pretty ridiculous.
I got serious about hunting in my late 20's/early 30's and at the time it was all about Big Horn rams. In 3rd year as a sheep hunter, in prime physical condition, I got crushed at work by a 400+ lbs liquid oxygen tank.
It took 3 years till I could manage shooting a rifle, let alone try any kind of hiking ect. But I "had" to hunt, I "had" to chase steelhead, I had to do many things, so have found the way to move past the disability and pain all these years.... With the help of a couple rock solid friends.
These days, the pain is real bad and the mobilty is decreasing and I want to hunt and freakin fish my azz off while I can still stand on my own.
My doctor pretty much looked at me last week and asked me if I realized that going back to my trade and continuing with chasin moose and deer would put me in a wheelchair by 50....
Well, I got 4 good seasons left till my buddies have to wheel me to my deer spot LOL
Some lose the hunting bug, some don't. I'll be the latter even if it kills me
I got serious about hunting in my late 20's/early 30's and at the time it was all about Big Horn rams. In 3rd year as a sheep hunter, in prime physical condition, I got crushed at work by a 400+ lbs liquid oxygen tank.
It took 3 years till I could manage shooting a rifle, let alone try any kind of hiking ect. But I "had" to hunt, I "had" to chase steelhead, I had to do many things, so have found the way to move past the disability and pain all these years.... With the help of a couple rock solid friends.
These days, the pain is real bad and the mobilty is decreasing and I want to hunt and freakin fish my azz off while I can still stand on my own.
My doctor pretty much looked at me last week and asked me if I realized that going back to my trade and continuing with chasin moose and deer would put me in a wheelchair by 50....
Well, I got 4 good seasons left till my buddies have to wheel me to my deer spot LOL
Some lose the hunting bug, some don't. I'll be the latter even if it kills me
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I wouldn't take a season off, once the stay home door is opened it will be easier to keep it open. Don't let the thin edge of the wedge in. The best is to find a new partner, or a young guy that needs the help. Company can make all the difference, its easy to go by yourself when you're young and enthusiastic, somewhat harder when your old and tired. But enough about me
You do rather well for old and tired!
