How do you balance off-season?

[Alan]

Do you go hard on family time since hunting takes you away? Or are you in the garage working on gear year-round? I think we all struggle with this balance. Let's discuss how everyone manages it.

 

[Robin1]

I try to spend evenings and weekends with family, even if it means less time messing around with gear. Finding the right mix is hard, but it’s worth it.

 

[Tabby]

Do you go hard on family time since hunting takes you away? Or are you in the garage working on gear year-round? I think we all struggle with this balance. Let's discuss how everyone manages it.

The time from Christmas until the snow has melted and mud dried up, well at least isn't ankle deep out at the range are not the best times of the year for me. Time is spent sleeping in, sometimes baking cookies or bannana bread, tinkering with the guns, doing upgrades if needed, reloading, mostly handgun ammo and refining rifle ammo to try out when the range is useable. I do a lot of reading and writing when the weather outside is frightful, looking outside at the clear blue sky and wishing I was outside then seeing the temperature hovering around the zero mark and think better of it. All in all the first three months of the year are not the best times of the year. Cabin fever becomes a reality.

 

[Crash87]

Off Season? is there one? I have once again found Predator hunting to take up some of the void. With that not a really thought hunting opportunity anymore, it seems the coyote population is doing good, will need to address that soon. With a plethora of different rifles and handgun calibers reloading can take up a lot of that time, just ask my Wife Pulling out 'ol friends from the gun safe to just throw an oily rag to can take up some of that downtime. Also have an a couple of rifles to fit stocks to and bed. With an upcoming winter hunt coming this summer, a lot of time will be getting ready for that, i.e. logistics, clothing gear etc. Shooting will also be a mainstay in keeping busy. Gotta keep that eye/hand coordination sharp.

 

[Alan]

I try to spend evenings and weekends with family, even if it means less time messing around with gear. Finding the right mix is hard, but it’s worth it.

Gear will always be there but time with family doesn’t rewind.

 

[Alan]

The time from Christmas until the snow has melted and mud dried up, well at least isn't ankle deep out at the range are not the best times of the year for me. Time is spent sleeping in, sometimes baking cookies or bannana bread, tinkering with the guns, doing upgrades if needed, reloading, mostly handgun ammo and refining rifle ammo to try out when the range is useable. I do a lot of reading and writing when the weather outside is frightful, looking outside at the clear blue sky and wishing I was outside then seeing the temperature hovering around the zero mark and think better of it. All in all the first three months of the year are not the best times of the year. Cabin fever becomes a reality.

That’s the most honest description of winter I’ve heard
Cabin fever is brutal but it sounds like you still make good use of the downtime.

 

[Alan]

Off Season? is there one? I have once again found Predator hunting to take up some of the void. With that not a really thought hunting opportunity anymore, it seems the coyote population is doing good, will need to address that soon. With a plethora of different rifles and handgun calibers reloading can take up a lot of that time, just ask my Wife Pulling out 'ol friends from the gun safe to just throw an oily rag to can take up some of that downtime. Also have an a couple of rifles to fit stocks to and bed. With an upcoming winter hunt coming this summer, a lot of time will be getting ready for that, i.e. logistics, clothing gear etc. Shooting will also be a mainstay in keeping busy. Gotta keep that eye/hand coordination sharp.

Staying sharp and prepared is half the fun, even if your wife disagrees

 

[Crash87]

Staying sharp and prepared is half the fun, even if your wife disagrees

She doesnt disagree really, as when I spend to much time with her she wants me to get out and reload etc. and out of her hair, Besides she knew what she was getting into and tonight will reap some of the benefits of a pan fried venison flat steak on hot cast iron with plenty of the veggies that go so well, onions and mushrooms. Time with family this Christmas will be preparing for the upcoming '26 trip abroad, Africa for 6. The other thing I didnt mention for burning up winter time in one of the most relaxing ways, is to fire up the plumbers pot and start pouring the silver stream. But for me casting bullets in winter is best done when the temp is above freezing as no heat in the foundry/garage. yet.

 

[CZMark]

Coyote hunting, ice fishing, range time, reloading. Every Sunday is spent with my family (with the exception of gun deer opening weekend). My kids and grandkids come over on Sundays and I fire up the smoker and/or grill and cook them nice meal. No amount of rain, snow, heat or cold stops this tradition.