Top 10 Ways to Cure Boredom When The Deer Aren’t Moving
OutdoorHub Reporters 11.05.18
Hunting can be a very rewarding and exciting craft. Scouting out the perfect location to set up your deer stand, the quiet rush when a deer finally walks by and the careful, measured breaths before you take your shot; it’s a very visceral experience. But if we’re being 100% honest, it can also get very boring when deer aren’t moving.
While some people may be able to occupy themselves with nothing more than their thoughts and the surrounding landscape, I’d wager that most of us need a little more than that to make the experience more bearable.
Here are our picks for the top ten ways to pass the time while you wait for that buck to show up:
- Plug In
Possibly the greatest pastime ever invented, your smartphone is a great way to entertain yourself during afternoon hours when the deer aren’t moving or spells of boredom while hunting. If you have cell reception, you can do all the things you normally do on your phone; browse the internet, watch videos, keep up with social media, play Angry Birds, etc.
If you don’t have data where your stand is, a lot of services will allow you to download content to your phone. Netflix, YouTube Premium, and Prime Video all allow for this feature.
- Read
The second greatest pastime ever created, reading. A true classic. Bringing a couple of books with you will not only help to pass the time, but also sharpen your wit along the way. Plus, they don’t require data or battery life. Make sure to bring a few with you over varying subjects, just in case you get bored with a particular topic.
- Write
One of the more interesting ways to pass the hours, writing is a great way to stay alert during the hunt. The solitude and introspection that accompanies hunting for long periods of time goes great with a pencil and a pad. Write about what you see, come up with solutions to problems, or just make up a short story.
- Take a hunting selfie
If you didn’t take a selfie in the woods, did you even go hunting? While most people are taking pictures of their food or themselves, being out in the woods gives you have a chance to take pictures of things that are actually worth being photographed. Snap a few photos from your blind or from deer camp, and I guarantee you’ll find enjoyment in looking back over them at the end of the season.
Does taking a picture of a deer still count as taking a picture of your food…?
- Mentally Rehearse
For the hunting purist looking to completely unplug while on the hunt, mentally rehearsing the steps you’ll need to take for when the perfect game appears will help you stay collected under pressure. Few things are as disheartening as missing a shot. Run through it in your head so that when the time comes, you’ll be ready to rock.
- Text
Texting has changed the landscape of hunting in major way. Now, you can send your hunting buddy a quick message to let them know you saw deer heading in their direction.
- Bring a Deck of Cards
A deck of cards is essentially limitless entertainment. You can play games, make up new ones, practice your shuffles, or perfect your double lift. Just keep in mind that you might not want to show off your riffle shuffle, as the loud noise that follows probably won’t go unnoticed by nearby deer.
- Snack
Aside from the fact that snacks are great because, well, they’re snacks, they also help to boost your energy and focus. If you feel you’re having a hard time staying awake, or keep getting distracted, a snack is a quick way to refuel. Just make sure you don’t bring anything too loud or smelly, as you don’t want to alert any potential prey.
- Draw
Bringing a sketchbook is another excellent way to keep your brain engaged during a longer hunt. You can draw what’s around you, your dog back home, a new alien race, or even the perfect buck.
- Nap
I take it back, napping is definitely the greatest pastime of all. It’s definitely not something you want to do for long periods of time on a hunt, in case you miss potential game. However, a quick 30 minute nap shouldn’t hurt, and you’ll wake up much more alert and capable than before you dozed off.
Just make sure you’re staying safe. Napping is fine to do in a ground blind, as there’s no danger in falling out, but falling asleep in a treestand can be quite dangerous. Always wear a safety harness when hunting from an elevated treestand, and try all of the above solutions before trying to catch some Z’s.
