Authors note: Please read my previous post before reading this post. It will provide more context.

https://javaandjesus.com/2026/09/18/why-i-started-hunting-and-fishing/

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming. Last winter, I had two hunting opportunities during rifle season. The opening weekend of rifle season, we saw nothing. Pretty sure the only thing I saw was a red squirrel.  The second time I went was the last weekend for rifle that I had time to hunt.

The second weekend was way different for several reasons. We had alot of other family members hunting with us. The weekend was much more compact because we had to be back for church on Sunday. And it snowed.

The morning and afternoon consisted of hunting several spots. We even participated in a drive. Nothing. We ate lunch as a group and eventually some of us ventured back out. My wife and I went to my father in law’s tree stand and camped out for the final hour or two of hunting time.

The snow was falling at a steady pace. The air was crisp. It was almost like a Hallmark movie but we were lacking a tree farm and the town Santa. Liz and I saw nothing….and then….I looked up and saw about 6 does in the open field. I whispered to Liz and she took note too. We agreed I would shoot first being this was my first time.

Lock in. Safety off. Breathe. Fire. I missed. Without hesitation, I loaded another bullet into the chamber. Before I could shoot again, the deer sprinted off.

A few lessons learned during my hunts of Season 1:

• Wear extra socks. There is cold and then there is cold when you are sitting on your duff. I learned this after my first hunt on Thanksgiving weekend.
• The outdoors are God’s gift to us to enjoy. Rain, snow, or sunshine, it is all a gift.
• There is great power and responsibility in making the decision to shoot or not to shoot. When we were participating in the drive, you need to be aware of who is where and whether you have a clean shot. When I had a chance for a second shot, the risk was too high. The deer were on the move and there was a farm in the distance.
• If you have never hunted for anything, please educate yourself before you enter any gun debate. Shooting at a controlled range is not the same as hunting. Hunting has rewards and consequences.
• Hunters are not barbarians. There is much in culture and on social media that depicts hunters as terrible people with terrible weapons. Overpopulation is why hunting is important.

Next post: Turkey Hunting and Why They Are ADHD