Melly McSmelly sure talks a lot! Get a cup of coffee or a beer before reading!

[MellyMcSmelly]

It's all about the bucket list, baby!

My dad was a big hunter, fisher, all-around outdoorsman. He died when I was 10. Every year I'd say I was going to take the hunter safetycourse, and every year, something else took precedence. Then my mother died unexpectedly. She hadn't even retired. That was my wake-up call. I'm now living my bucket-list, living each day to its fullest. My husband used to hunt, and had gotten out of it for various reasons. I took the huntr safety class, an he bought beme my first gun of my own (I do have all of my dad's guns.) Then the bow class, and he bought me a bow.  I've gotten my first deer, unfortunately it was a buttonbuck, not the doe I thought it was. I look at it in a positive way, though- 1) I was out hunting alone when I got it, so extra proud. I did call my husband for coaching on the dressing it, since I'd not ever done it myself. Good thing he came, turns out he'd given me the dull knife for my fanny pack!!! (Got a nice sharp one for Christmas that year!) 2) I learned to LOOK CLOSER before taking the shot. 3) Because it was my first year out, harvesting a deer has helped to fuel my love for hunting. It's certainly not all about the harvest though. I enjoy just being out there, hearing the trees in the wind, even hearing those obnoxious squirrels! (Is an 85grain broadhead overkill for a squirrel?    LOL!)

We also started fishing this summer. We are blessed to live in a great area. Our neighbor has a bass pond in the woods behind his house, and we have carte blanche. It's about 4acres. Hasn't really been fished in several years. We've done almost all C&R there, but did keep on nice nice bucketmouth, and a few suicidal pumpkinseeds. (hook-swallowers)

My husband is a member of a hunting camp in the ADK. We actually got married there. Outhouse, no running water, gas lights, and a generator. We spend as much time as we can there, and would like to ultimately retire to that area. Unfortunately, I'm banned from there now until Dec 5.  :

Ok, I'm getting carpal tunnel from this! I'm happy to be here, and hope to be posting pics of a grownup deer this year!

[NYBowhunter]

Welcome aboard and great read    Congrats on the button buck.

[biggamefish]

Glad to hear you are enjoying yourself out in those woods. Keep up the fine work I bet that little guy tasted good and made you proud. That my friend is what hunting is about

[NYDeer]

Welcome to the forum.. Great your out there "Gettin' it done!".

[skyzmine]

Nice to have you here. And congrats on getting it done.