The Main Mission Became a Side Quest

I just got back from an awesome hunting trip.  My buddy James and I were selected to participate in a semi-guided hunt, sponsored by an area non-profit dedicated to veterans.  We met at the lodge on Thursday afternoon, with two other veterans selected for the event.  After quickly unpacking our rifles and cold weather gear, we were soon in the blinds for the evening golden hour.  We didn't see any movement, and returned to the cabin at the end of the day.

After dinner, the four of us, and the two hosts, spent the evening discussing local hot spots, claiming our areas for the next day, and getting to know each other for a bit.  Day two was a bust as well, though the other guys did see some promising signs.  After dinner on day two, I shared that James and I are novice deer hunters, having only taken up the sport a couple of years back.  I said I've never bagged a deer, and James acknowledged that his only harvest was a fully guided hunt.  I asked if they'd be willing to partner with James and me separately, and they were fully on board.

We spent the rest of the evening poring over the maps and determining how we were going to pair up.  Through all of this, we spent a lot of time swapping stories over a few adult beverages.  Day three brought the opportunity to improve our stalking skills, which is far more interesting and challenging than sitting in a blind all day.  On day three, I finally saw a relatively young buck, but I didn't have a clear shot.  James saw one doe, but again no clear shot.  Both of the other guys hit a deer, during the last 30 minutes of the day.  On day four, I saw two does, but again no clear shot.

This is the third year I've hunted deer, and the third year I've come home empty handed.  You would think I'd be getting frustrated by now, but that's not the case.  This year especially, I went out hoping to bag a deer, but I came home with something far better - new friendships.  Yes, it's true that harvesting a deer was the primary goal.  But when James and I left, I realized that somewhere along the way, the main mission became a side quest.  Here's hoping I can successfully harvest a deer next year.