Just not feeling it...

[SwampRabbit]

Sounds to me like you hunted real hard while you could. Now you are building your business, while you can. Spending time with your daughters, while you can. For every thing, there is a season.

[jerp]

It certainly ebbs and flows for most of us. My interest has been back on the upswing since we have become empty-nesters. I have more free weekends and more free time in general. I'm also less apprehensive about spending money on my outdoor pursuits now that I am about done sending checks to bursar's offices. I figure after funding a combined total of 18 semesters of college, I'm entitled!

[sethcros]

I feel that way when it is a hundred degrees outside and I'm traipsing around setting stuff up. I've only been hunting about 3 years though, so it's hard for me to be tired of it yet.

[Smart]

I'd rather teach the girls how to execute a proper crossover dribble

You had me believing until right here.....Now I get the feeling its all made up...

[Kdog]

I haven't had that problem yet. I think one of those "several hunts scheduled" might snap you out of it and relight the fire. Every time I go on a hunt it seems I have the same feeling. "I really don't have time for this." But I am always glad to be there once I get there.

[Smart]

Hunting doesnt define you, its just something you do.

Agreed....family first..... hunting somewhere down the line. Took me some time to realize that, but I'm happier for it.

[DOUBLE.A]

I don't feel that way. Not yet. Not ever maybe. Idk. Maybe I'm just still young. Or younger than you. 32 this November. I have a 9 yr old daughter and 9 month old boy.

[Electrican]

So tell me more about your STX lease. jk It will come back to you, time off can be good sometimes.

[JTRichardson]

exact opposite, I would give anything to have the chance to hunt lately. Like seriously get upset that I was unable to find a lease with my budget this year.

That being said, I started hunting a month before I joined this site (2012) so I guess I've still got the bloodlust.

No wife/gf/kids also fuels that fire.

[Pineywoods]

Been there off and on over the years. I find that taking a break is good and seems to rekindle the drive after a year or so. When hunting starts feeling like work or as you said, something you feel like you "need" to do, it may be time for a break.

Good advice...i'm not at that point in my life yet but maybe i'll find myself there one day. It definitely sounds like your priorities are in order so just take a break from the treestand and keep enjoying your family and the moments that make your life meaningful. I can imagine that it will only make it that much more enjoyable should you find a passion for it again one day.

Now about that south tx lease.....

[Javelin]

All my life I have fished then this year I sold my boat and trying to sell my tackle. I just quit cold turkey. I just have other more important things to focus on. Which that said I don't think that will happen with my hunting. I enjoy taking others hunting and love seeing others especially females or people who never killed a deer before get their first

[crawdaddct]

I was that way for a while. When my daughter was growing up and boys were young. My boys are now seniors in high school. Luckily they love going to the lease as much as I ever did. Once the kids get into hunting it makes it fun again. Still is tough though. Varsity football really gets in the way, along with other stuff. Add to that my wife doesn't like hunting much. I have my schedule for heading down to south Texas. Depending on how well the football team does though will dictate my hunting this year. Luckily, hunting South Texas, the rut is so late, you can wait till late December and still do good.

Spring and summer are for the boat and my wife. Fall is for me and the boys. At least this year. Not sure what I will do next year.

One thing that helps also is I usually find a place to squirrel hunt around the house. Public land and such. Invite friends and family who don't normally hunt. Its fun and it exposes them to the outdoors around Houston.

As far as work goes, my dad worked himself to death. He loved it, but that didn't keep him from dying young. Work to me is a means to support my family and have fun. I enjoy my job, but when im off, its the furthest thing from my mind. Im also in a highly stressful job, so that's about the only way to deal with it. My time in the woods or out on the water, keep me focused on what is important.

[curtintex]

I don't feel that way. Not yet. Not ever maybe. Idk. Maybe I'm just still young. Or younger than you. 32 this November. I have a 9 yr old daughter and 9 month old boy.

When I was 32 I was driving roundtrip to Clair, Saskatchewan just to kill ducks. I was climbing in a tree stand at daybreak and back out at sundown....sandwich and bottles of water. I was sleeping in dive hotels with my dog while chasing waterfowl all over North America. Now, at 42, I dread driving to Academy to buy my new hunting license.

[CastAndBlast]

Im 32 and I am starting to see my drive to kill something decrease. Especially with a little boy at home. Usually I would have already logged 20-30 days on the coast fishing, but I have logged 2. The funny thing is that I am okay with it. I am getting excited about this coming hunting season (mainly about hunting out at Buff's place), but I will not be in a tree all day everyday like in the years past. I just don't have the desire right now. Once my little guy gets a little older, I will be pumped again I am sure. As of right now, I would rather take some kids and newbies hunting/fishing.

[BrandonH]

I've been getting that exact same way for the last few years. Life is busy and add kids into the mix it gets difficult to find time. I haven't been to my lease since early December... just no time and more important obligations. I used to drive 5-6 hours to the lease every single week during season. Haven't bought a new bow in over 5 years when I used to buy a new one or two EVERY year. When we do get a break to hunt I get more enjoyment out of taking my wife or kids than hunting myself.

Now that I've typed it out I'm feeling depressed.