Is Hunting a want or a need? Advice needed please

[panhandlehunter]

I work, spend time with my wife and hunt when I can. I haven't deer hunted one time this year. I'm just as happy as if I'd been every day. Last year, I had ample opportunity and I hunted HARD. Every day that I was off I was in the woods or sitting in a duck blind. 3-4 days a week from mid September to February. I do have to admit, that duck/goose hunting is my passion, so deer hunting takes a back seat. I'm able to duck hunt and be home before lunch so no big deal.

[DoubleGProstaff]

In our family it's a need, we do not buy meat from the store except chicken ( because I can't raise them I'm the city) and bacon.

[expressfish]

. One day she said " it must be nice that your life hasn't changed one bit" and that's when it hit me.

wow, that just hit a memory cell somewhere in my brain. I've heard that sometime in the past too.

[npe001]

My fiancé was never the one to make me choose between her or hunting/fishing, but I could tell she was not happy with me being gone from Friday afternoon till late Sunday night during hunting season. Or when I was living in Ft. Lauderdale running a marlin boat for weeks at a time. But I figured out real quick that if the Boss Lady is happy, life is easier. I made the best decision I had in a long time and made her a full time hunting and fishing partner. No more complaining unless I don't put her on fish or animals. Good luck and prayers up for you and your situation

[Bisch]

Man, I feel for you! My wife knows how much my hunting means to me. She does not understand it or how it could mean that much to me, but she understands how important it is to me, and nearly never has any objections. When my kid was small, I would take both of them to the lease with me (I know you said this was not an option for you). The only reason my wife went was because my son was there. She really has no interest in the outdoors or hunting. She just knows when I getting my hunting fix I am a lot happier guy and so she encourages me to go get my fix!

I hope you get things worked out in your situation!

Bisch

[Dadeo]

As many have said, take the wife and kids along on some family hunts.

Or like my wife prefers a photo hunt.

Some of the best times I can remember I have had with my wife or one of the three kids along.

Now as a Grandpa (Pa Pa ) I have had the honor of taking my grand daughters hunting.

It is not always about the harvest.

Most times it's more fun just to watch nature.

[TxAg]

I haven't read all the replies yet, but a 3 yr old and 11 month old is A LOT to handle by yourself. If you go on a hunting trip, hire a nanny for that week and let your wife enjoy herself. You sound selfish....No offense, but WE ALL want to travel and hunt far away places. You have the rest of your life for that. You only have 18 yrs with your kids in the house.

[tjtaylor]

Read a book called Wild at Heart by John Eldredge.

Publisher Overview:
Every man was once a boy. And every little has dreams, big dreams, dreams of being the hero, of beating the bad guys, of doing daring feats and rescuing the damsel in distress. Every little girl has dreams, too: of being rescued by her prince and swept up into a great adventure, knowing that she is the beauty.

But what happens to those dreams when we grow up? Walk into most churches, have a look around, and ask yourself: What is a Christian man? Without listening to what is said, look at what you find there. Most Christian men are . . . bored.

John Eldredge revises and updates his best-selling, renowned Christian classic, Wild at Heart, and in it invites men to recover their masculine heart, defined in the image of a passionate God. And he invites women to discover the secret of a man’s soul and to delight in the strength and wildness men were created to offer. John Eldredge is the director of Ransomed Heart

This. I've just started this book and it's spot on. It's something you could read together as it's not just for men.

My wife and I have 3 kids (10, 7, 4) and she is a stay-at-home mom. We also homeschool so she literally gets no break. I make it a priority to give her as many weekends and even a week of alone time. That gives her a break and me time to spend camping / exploring / fishing with my kids.

[Wac M Trac M]

I can relate. It's a big balancing act. Mo have to bust my tail to create the slack to go. I have a lease 5hrs away and local hunting land and I go on an out of state hunt once and a while.
After dang near divorce we sat down and I have her my demands and she gave me hers. She almost mirrored my demands but for things she was passionate about. So she gets a getaway with her friends once a year to match my out if state hunt.
When I go to the lease she has a honey do list when I get back. Everything get done before I go again. I watch our son that next weekend and she does whatever she wants.
I squeeze in hunts on the local ground just whenever I can. It's about once a month.
I always plan the lease trip well in advance so she is prepared. I usually leave her some fun money when I leave. It's working for us. The bottem line is I support her hobby and she supports mine

[rut n buck]

The answer to your question is:"Its a necessity"

[Dudley]

To the OP, I think we all hope that you get things worked out for both of you. I have often wondered, and thought about starting a thread on it, just how in the world so many guys can spend so much time at hunting without jeopardizing family relationships. I wonder how you can have a lease 5+ hours away from home, or spend several days at a time away. I guess everyone, and their situation, is different. I solved my quandary by buying my own small place so I can hunt where I live and never be "gone" more than just a couple of hours. We are inheriting a place about 2 1/2 hours away and I am not seeing that I will have much opportunity to hunt there due to the time away from home. On the flip side, I have a brother who is gone hunting or fishing for days and weeks at a time. I sometimes envy him, but that just doesn't fit me. With work, kids, grandkids, aging mother and MIL, and a home and property to keep up, I am thankful to get to do what little hunting I can. But it is what I choose to do.

[kyle1974]

if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy...

[CMLambin]

Wow again... Such amazing experience and advice

[Daniel75]

if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy...

This ^^^^^ and it can't be put any simpler

I'll reply in detail later. Same situation here, cost me personally.

[clinthwt]

Used to be ate up with it. Life has taken me to a place where it's not life or death any more. I just spent a weekend taking wounded soldiers and handicap folks hunting. I watched the entire 20 hunters harvest 32 does and 12 hogs. Cleaned them with some friends who volunteer with me and not once did I ever get that jealous feeling. I love to bow hunt more than anyone but a solid perspective on what my family needs of me vs my needs is what has me living with the greatest woman in the world. Wish you the best in your decision.