The questions are endless, should I hunt public land or join a club? Is public land safe to take the boys on? More people are shot each year by unsafe gun toting people anxious to get a deer at all costs. I don't know that I feel safe on public ground, and taking my sons, is out of the question.
As I get older, and mostly as my sons get older I really want the experience to be with and for them. I've killed enough deer, (while I still love it, and wont give it up) I am more interested in introducing them into my love of the outdoors. Taking them along, watching their excitement, listening to them breath as they sleep on stand while I stand watch. Seeing them search the forest floor for signs. So having a place for them is crucial. - A good friend of mine manages a hunt club, I was in it a few years ago to give me some options, in the two years I was in it, I never pulled the trigger or released an arrow - a lot of money to be a spectator. He is in need of members, and I am in need of a place, so I wrote the check. It was somewhat easier since I have sold some magazine articles to fund this venture. Kind of neat that I can pay for my hobbies by writing about the adventures they provide. It is not profitable at all, but it is easier to justify the expense when I can cover most of the cost with selling articles.
I must admit I have missed hunting with him, of all of the people I have hunted with over the years, I have learned more from him than just about all the others combined. So I am looking forward to reestablishing that opportunity.
As the spring ends and summer approaches, I will be spending time scouting and locating good locations, it is different hunting with your kids, the scouting is different, the stand locations are different, can they walk this far? Is the stand easier to access? Is this more of an area for does or bucks? All of this has to be considered when taking young hunters, for them the success is in seeing deer, not harvesting. If they go two or three times and only see empty woods, they soon choose to sleep in or play with friends. Patience is something learned, not many are born with it, learning to use anticipation as a fuel for patience is learned. With an attention span of a few minutes at best, sitting in a stand for hours is difficult.
So I am hopeful, I am hopeful that we will be able to start over, that they will see deer, that they will have the opportunity to see, and perhaps if all the stars align, even harvest. We'll see, but at least I have a place now.
