Hunting season only comes around once a year. But, as excited as hunters get, it can be difficult to be in the field away from family for long stretches of time. Beat homesickness with these tips.
Sitting in the high deserts of Arizona with a tag in my pocket brought on a sense of warmth. It was finally here — the day I had been waiting for.
For the next week or so, I’d be out solo looking for bears. Living out of my truck never sounded so appealing.
But, as the days went on, my enthusiasm began to wane. What was once something I couldn’t wait to start was now something I couldn’t wait to finish.
It wasn’t the hunt pushing me away; it was thoughts of home pulling me back. I was homesick and didn’t know how to deal with it.
That was 7 years ago today. And since then, I’ve learned a thing or two about mitigating homesickness on hunting trips. Here’s how I prepare for the feeling of homesickness throughout the hunting season.
Bring a Little Piece of Home With You

If you don’t miss your family back home while out and about on hunting trips, I’d question your sanity. It’s completely natural, but it’s no reason to not go in the first place.
Long ago, I remember being on a fishing trip with some friends. To my surprise on the first night, I found some notes in my bag. They were notes for each day I was to be gone and were written by my wife. Each one had a short paragraph written in it about what she was planning to do that day.
This surprise became routine and bled right into my hunting trips. Taking a few minutes each night to read a note my wife wrote gave me a little piece of home. It made me feel like she was closer to my camp than she was. In turn, it would set me right for the next day.
Having little things like this to remind us of home is a great way to ease the homesickness that often comes with long hunts.
I’ve got a buddy who lets his kids decorate his bow. He sees that every day out there in the mountains. Different approach, same results.
Communicate While You’re Away

Bring a Buddy on Your Hunt

Remember, You Asked for This
