I used to hunt whitetails with a passion, but after my FIL passed and I had to act as the game warden of my Wife's family land, I pretty much lost interest.
I buy my allotment of buck and antlerless tags so that I can shoot several deer with different rifles, different cartridges, and different bullets, but it is mechanical, not passionate.
Now I prefer to hunt fox squirrels with a couple different 17HM2 rifles. The long season, no other hunters, and a liberal bag limit makes for a more casual and unhurried day afield.
I’ve been having a real crappy day and the first half of your post made me realize that my best days are behind me. But hey, hunting squirrels by myself in the woods all day is something I could get used to.
Sorry the in-laws killed your passion. As my soul sucking boss likes to say, “you’ll have that”.
