Thread: Preparing mentally

Originally Posted by whanahuia

Those of you that get excited, Would you describe yourselves as extravert or introvert?

Extrovert. Probably with undiagnosed high-functioning ADHD, which may not help

Good to hear there are a few others in the same boat. Bummer to hear it doesn’t go away after a few years!

Originally Posted by mopheadrob

Extrovert. Probably with undiagnosed high-functioning ADHD, which may not help

Good to hear there are a few others in the same boat. Bummer to hear it doesn’t go away after a few years!

I’d say I’m more of an introvert although my wife who worked with ADHD and special needs kids at school reckons I’m on the ADHD spectrum. Didn’t quite know how to take it when she said that.

I think if you look hard enough where all on the spectrum somewhere

My wife has worked with adhd people recons Ive go a touch of it. Kind of makes sense as I cant sit still for long and have to be doing something even to relax

Don't know that I prepare my mind as such for hunting although unconciously there is probably something happening. I do look forward to and enjoy the anticipation of a hunt / hunting. It's good for my mind. It calms me, destresses me. Mostly I hunt alone and appreciate solitude and my own company but certainly don't object to a good companion on the hill either. Hunting often gives me opportunities to read good books in the evenings as well, mostly when the weather is crap. Always I come home from hunting with clearer ideas and somewhat renewed determination for waiting chores.

I find I come back with a more relaxed body and mind set after some time out exploring and different exercise

Originally Posted by Happy Jack

My one and only question anytime I head out the door for whatever reason be it hunting, tramping or even work do I have enough food.

I usually pack the night before, I hunt alone as don't have any hunting buddies who can be available during the week.

Don’t pack your food after you have eaten.

Originally Posted by Happy Jack

My one and only question anytime I head out the door for whatever reason be it hunting, tramping or even work do I have enough food.

I usually pack the night before, I hunt alone as don't have any hunting buddies who can be available during the week.

Don’t pack your food after you have eaten. You won’t take enough.

In the beginning, I went into the bush looking for deer. As time went on, I found my reason for being there changed.

After awhile, I wasn't really there to shoot a deer, I was there because I needed the stillness.

I have yet to shoot anything along my favourite trail. But to stop and sit in the quiet with the sunlight slanting in through the canopy is very good therapy. The world's best green room .

I come out empty handed every time, with no regrets.

I do not eat what I am about to chase the night before or during the pursuit of.

Don't eat fish before going fishing and during fishing and same for deer hunting etc. No logic to it but just a funny thing I partake in when preparing. To be fair I am normally running on single digits of sleep for weeks leading up to opening weekend for duck shooting also. Doing idiot checks multiple times over.

Check car is locked by testing every door handle to be sure. Pack keys away inside secure zipped pack pocket...usually the inside one in the pack hood. Put on pack and check the car locked again in case had accidently unlocked everything when packing keys away.

It's the only last concerns of the mind I have before going bush.

I am sure many of you are overthinking this - you are not about to go over the top at the Somme at 0600

.... Stop it, all of you.... your doing my head in
I signed on to a Hunting Forum, not a psychiatry kumbaya convention ..............

No planning, straight in to drive mode. Get to roadend no rifle, no this no that. When used to hunt with Micky id at least get a feed.

It depends on the day, i have a lot of easy hunting nearby so I tend to just grab a rifle, clip on my bumbag and go walking for a few hours just clearing my head and not fussed if I see anything.

If its a multiday backpack hunt into the back country, then theres a lot of preparing, and once out there a lot of focus.
Finding the good vantage points, time covering ground, actively glassing and so on.
I'm never disappointed to come out empty handed