Thoughts From a Deer Blind

I spent the last week in Michigan in an effort to provide food via hunting.  I have been able to get back home in the fall the past several years in order to do so.  Last year, I was unsuccessful.  The two previous years, I was.  Harvesting deer is down in Michigan, especially in the Upper Peninsula.  There are several causes, one of the main ones is the weather.  The past couple of winters have been harsh on the deer herd as it kills off many of the yearlings.  That's just how it goes.  Circle of life and all that.

When you sit out in the woods for hours at a time, by yourself, your mind has a tendency to wander.  Mine does at least.  Other than watching the wildlife around you, you have to keep your mind occupied.  I thought what better way to help pass the time than to write down some thoughts as they came to and transcribe them here.  I just thought it would be fun. 

• squirrels and blue jays give zero fucks about being seen or heard
• I think I'll grow my beard out a little bit this winter
• If deer were carnivorous, they would rule the woods because god damn are they quiet.  They're like woodland ninjas
• Huh.  I still get 3G out here
• This is better than watching the Lions
• What was that noise behind me?
• Ten more minutes, just ten more minutes (mornings)
• I could easily sit here all day
• badger badger badger badger MUSHROOM! MUSHROOM! (here's a link if you don't understand)
• no sun, set slower (evenings)
• everything in your peripheral vision is a deer until you look and see it's just a leaf
• fucking rain
• fucking porcupine
• no matter what, I'm having a better week than you
• is Gary Larson dead?  (turns out, no)
• move slowly
• steady hand
• slow breath in and out
• safety off
• right behind it's shoulder
• steady hand
• exhale 
• squeeze trigger

 So this year, I was successful.  I got a deer a few days before I left.  Not a monster deer, but big enough so we won't starve this winter.  Hopefully next year I will be able to go back and get another one.  A bigger one would be nice, but I won't be too greedy.