[/qb][/QUOTE]Thanks Gilbert! Do you ever make it to the TBoT shoots? I don't normally shoot 3D, but I'd like to make it to at least one or two this year. [/QB][/QUOTE]

Sent you a pm.

Gilbert

QuoteOriginally posted by maineac:
This has been a great topic.  It has been almost a year since I have been able to take any time to sit and read on TG.  I decided to take a couple of minutes today and got pulled into this topic.  Some great ideas.

I love to hear that! This is exactly the idea of the thread. I darn sure want to get better at hunting, and I'd rather shortcut my learning curve whenever possible!


Amicus, I replied to your PM.

I think some of these principles can help when you are stand hunting as well as stalking. When I'm waiting in a stand, I try to stay in the mindset that a deer is going to appear at any moment. It helps me keep moverments to a minimum and stay focused on really seeing what's out there. Where I hunt is really brushy, so deer DO tend to just APPEAR, and when they do, they are RIGHT THERE! CLOSE!  And even though it's thick and sight distance is low, the forest floor is quite soft and deer tend to make very little noise as they approach, they just sort of appear right there, and I didn't hear them coming. That, or my hearing is worse than I think. Ha.

I do try to practice that thing of stopping just a few yards into the woods and "acclimating" to the sights, sounds, smells, and just start getting my mind right for the hunt. It helps!

When in close proximity to game I clear my mind of all thought, and completely relax (as well as not focusing my eyes. Just relax completely).  I started doing yoga at work during lunch more than a decade ago in a attempt address the impact of long term overuse injuries. I first noticed when at the lunch counter at work after my 15 minute sessions. The clerks would go about their work not even notice me, especially if I was the only one there! Then they would jump out of their skin when I said something to get their attention.  The last pose on my workout tape is the "corpse Pose" Where you essentially lay flat on your back and clear your mind, focusing only on your breathing. Really works on game too.  Risk is, when you switch back onto "predator mode" a jumpy animal can pick up on that, so if they are close and they are jumpy, wait for them to look away before you switch modes