We have all been shooting our bows relentlessly in preparation for that moment we have been dreaming about all year. That moment when time stands still and the only thing in your mind is the sight of your arrow sailing, at what seems to be the speed of molasses on a cold day, towards your quarry. A lot of us have also been paying attention to our physical fitness. Whether we have been hitting the gym or hitting the trail with our packs loaded, it is imperative that we make sure we are up to the task at hand come hunting season.
Out of all of this preparation, there is another area though that can be detrimental to a hunt. That is the area that rests between your ears. The mental game of backcountry hunting, and just hunting in general, can really be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. The ability to grind through tough situations is going to be what either sends you back up the mountain after that elk, or sends you back to the truck to head home. Let’s take a look at a few bumps in the road that we all might encounter from time to time.