How do you pass the downtime/stay motivated on a solo hunt?

Joined
May 21, 2014
Messages
9
Getting ready for a 7-9 day solo backpack archery muley hunt in an area that doesn't have high concentrations of deer. I've hunted this area before and know the potential for good bucks is there because I've seen them first hand. My issue is that after 4 or 5 days of only seeing a handful of animals I generally start to lose interest and have to start talking myself out of packing up. What do you guys do to keep yourself motivated and in the hills when there's nobody to bounce ideas off of? What do you do in the downtime to keep yourself entertained?

Thanks!
 

jlh42581

WKR
Joined
Sep 24, 2013
Messages
301
Play games on the phone, take pictures, scout, nap, eat, build a blind, get water, look at maps, poop
 

LJ Buck

WKR
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
Messages
863
Make notes now that will get you thinking straight and hunt on and read them, pictures also help.
 

gelton

WKR
Joined
May 15, 2013
Messages
2,510
Location
Central Texas
Staying on the move and remembering the last 340 or so days I spent preparing and waiting give me all the motivation I need. Also knowing this is my only chance each year to punch a tag out west. I thought I would read a book on my iphone but didnt even do that. Too busy during the day and too tired at night. Do plenty of hunting here in Texas but elk each year is the pinnacle of my hunting season.
 
Joined
Feb 4, 2015
Messages
792
Location
Western Wyoming
I glass all day long. Never know when that monster will get up to stretch or feed for a second.
I pic apart timber patches with my spotter.
Also get water and eat alot
 

COSA

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 29, 2012
Messages
215
Location
WY
It is tough for 7-9 days - I usually go for multiple 4 day trips (luxury of living within a few hours). I mentally make the decision that I'm not leaving early before the trip. I usually bring a good thriller novel to pass the down time.
 

Trial153

WKR
Joined
Oct 28, 2014
Messages
8,228
Location
NY
If in hunting from base camp, I stay away from camp as much as I can...come back to eat and sleep that's it.
As long as I am hunting I can stay motivated ...its the down time that chews at me and breaks me down.
 

dotman

WKR
Joined
Feb 24, 2012
Messages
8,200
I focus on the fact that I drove 800 miles, think about it all year and realize I have very limited time each year to let myself ruin it and bail.
 

Archerm

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 6, 2015
Messages
200
Hunt hard and sleep hard. The hunt always keeps me motivated whether it is 3 days or 14 days. I am am only at camp to sleep for a few hours then back at it.
 

Chem-E

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 28, 2012
Messages
132
Location
Lehi, Utah
I've started taking video and more photos. Keeps me occupied and curious. Also, like others have said, stay on the move.
 

danarnold

WKR
Joined
Feb 16, 2014
Messages
1,115
Location
Missouri/ and 81252
Last year I went to Montana with three other guys and was solo eight out of 10 days, I started talking to myself after a few days and towards the end I was answering myself to.
I read a little then I just kept pushing distance a little further, ended up successful
 

Chem-E

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 28, 2012
Messages
132
Location
Lehi, Utah
Last year I went to Montana with three other guys and was solo eight out of 10 days, I started talking to myself after a few days and towards the end I was answering myself to.
I read a little then I just kept pushing distance a little further, ended up successful

That's funny, I do the same thing. I sing to myself as well, especially if I am hiking back in the dark alone. Glad to know I'm not the only loon in the woods!
 

mtluckydan

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 7, 2012
Messages
290
Please don't take this the wrong way, but kill something on the first day and then it is a non-issue. If you are hunting that long and you can't stay focused, hunt somewhere where your odds are better.
 
Joined
Feb 25, 2014
Messages
503
Location
South Dakota
Please don't take this the wrong way, but kill something on the first day and then it is a non-issue. If you are hunting that long and you can't stay focused, hunt somewhere where your odds are better.

Easier said than done. That is a long time out on your own. Rather than just obsessing over the trophy deer you want to harvest, take in the other aspects of the hunt. The peacefulness of the wilderness and everything else. Get behind the glass and keep pushing forward. We count down the days to hunting season every year. Remind yourself that giving up is easy but usually followed by regret. You can't punch your tag from sitting at home.
 
Joined
Sep 22, 2013
Messages
6,389
If you are bored then you are failing to live in the moment and appreciate the entire experience. I never erxperience this because I know I could be banging on a keyboard at work. Time in the backcountry is pure gold and if you don't feel that way then maybe when you're older and have less time to do it...perhaps then you will fully appreciate the opportunity. From the moment I hit the trail I am a predator and stay in that mindset the entire time.
 
OP
D
Joined
May 21, 2014
Messages
9
Last year I went to Montana with three other guys and was solo eight out of 10 days, I started talking to myself after a few days and towards the end I was answering myself to.
I read a little then I just kept pushing distance a little further, ended up successful

Haha, I find that I generally have some of the most in depth conversations of my life while I'm hunting, alone!

Thanks for all the responses, hopefully I won't need the extra motivation!
 

zman

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 22, 2014
Messages
214
Location
New Jersey
Getting ready for a 7-9 day solo backpack archery muley hunt in an area that doesn't have high concentrations of deer. I've hunted this area before and know the potential for good bucks is there because I've seen them first hand. My issue is that after 4 or 5 days of only seeing a handful of animals I generally start to lose interest and have to start talking myself out of packing up. What do you guys do to keep yourself motivated and in the hills when there's nobody to bounce ideas off of? What do you do in the downtime to keep yourself entertained?

Thanks!

It's hard. I suggest making sure you gets lots of sleep. Somebody famous said "fatigue makes cowards of us all". Heck of alot easier to just pack it in when you are tired. I find that once you get past the 4th or 5th day it gets easier.
 

the_bowhunter

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 10, 2015
Messages
164
I read and write. Got into writing poetry. I'm definitely not a poetry kind of a guy but it makes you think and really passes the time. Journaling also helps. I only get my phone out for pictures and try to stay off of it after that.
 

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