Thank you all for all of your postings! I have been hunting for 50 years. When I was 4,5,6,7,y/o, I went went my grandmother who actually would park me on a log in the woods, with a sandwich, and tell me to sit there and listen for them to 'POP." She told me that they "squeak" when they come up, and if I was very quiet, I might hear one. Hmmm... I believed her!
Of course, I know now that she was a rabid hunter, and she wanted to keep me in a safe place while she was foraging the woods. A 4 year old can definitely disturb your concentration.
I hear you men speak about the "primal" aspect of hunting these things. I totally understand that and feel that too, even though I am a woman. A serious insanity comes upon me every Spring. Do I really think that I am hunting for food and nutrition for my family? Maybe. Am I out there, because am remembering my grandmother? Maybe.
The fact is that I don't know why I do this. My husband and kids are curious, as I behave curiously, this time of year.
There's just something about the hunt...
Thank you all and good luck!