d?mn midgets, they own me

George, I hunted in SHNF for 4 years and gave it up because it's not very productive and HARD WORK, and I'm getting older. I saw 4 deer in those 4 years (0,1,3,0). I always felt the same way you do. Lots of these guys on here don't know what it is like to be back in the deep woods all alone. They hunt with buddies on a few hundred acres. Anyway, I think the fear is imprinted in our genes. Staying out of the woods at night was a good survival mechanism and those of our ancesters who didn't have it didn't survive to be here today. There is usually a thread each season with lots of entries by guys about being afraid in the dark going to and coming from the stand -- and these guys aren't even hunting the national forest.

Shoot me a PM and I'll hunt with you the rest of this season.

Spooked by the dark threads:

Thread 1

Thread 2

Thread 3

Thread 4

Uh, BTW George, don't read these until AFTER the season!

Ain't no biggie George! You'll get used to it....

As I have said many times I'm OK as long as have my 5,000,000 candle power light, my big skillet, and a long handled wooden spoon to beat on it with.

Never got scared in the woods at night until about 7 years ago when I got turned around and had to travel unknown areas. As it began to get dark, panic was setting in fearful I would have to spend the night in the forest. Since then, I get off my stand too early. In the morning, I arrive a bit late.

Best thread I've read in a while.....you can't make this stuff up.

I have hunted since I was 7 and I still hate walking to the blind in the dark. It gets to me every time. I still dont use a lite unless i absolutely have to. I guess I have seen too many movies. Lol.

It is true that all men have irrational fears. My mom gave me advice that I still use to this day, if that fear arises, remove your thoughts from it. Imagine a more pleasant situation. Maybe its putting that big ole buck in your crosshairs, maybe something unrelated.

Good luck

My G/F freaks out in the woods in the dark. I explained to her that the only thing to fear in the woods was me. I am the one who is armed and can be very dangerous.

The last time my wife got a little scared in the woods was when we crossed a small patch of grass and she saw the foxfire. She thought it was "spooky" and made me take her back to the truck.

HnF...I tried my best to not ask this, and I almost succeeded...but I'm a failure

Is this when you learned that it was okay to cry?

Sorry bud

This ^^^

I got broke of the dark at an early age when I started hunting by myself and had to walk to and from each hunt. The first few trips I just knew the woods of Brownwood, TX were filled with mountain lions. It didn't take long to realize it was more my imagination. The only thing I fear now is stepping on a rattle bug, or better yet, my kids stepping on one.

You'll work through it the more time you spend in the woods. Good luck in overcoming this phobia as you're disrupting the prime times of each hunt by going in at first light and leaving prior to last light.

I have hunted in east Texas a lot over the last 15 years and at first, it was very intimidating. Growing up hunting in west Texas where mesquite trees are the norm, darkness was brought to a new meaning in the piney woods. I have friends that have never hunted in ET and really don't know what it's like.

Part of what helped me become more comfortable was all the hanging out in the woods drinking cold beer. There would be five - six of us riding along on four wheelers and we'd stop, kill the lights, hang out (drink a few cold libations) and relax. After a while it just became like anything else. Several times since, while out filling feeders, I'd do the same thing by myself. The sounds, smells and feel are pretty cleansing. Nowadays, the total darkness of pre-sunrise/post sunset, anywhere, is what I really look forward to.

As soon as you can accept your fear, you can start functioning the way you were intended to.

Now that is funny right there! I think I snorted.....

I would never have admitted to being scared of the dark. I read all the comments, but didn't laugh hysterically till I got to the one about putting a brick in his purse. Priceless.

Dad told me about one dark night when he was walking back from the stand, and one of his SNL's was walking with him. One of those totally black nights, and what sounded like a panther howled. He said it sent chills down his spine, and he turned to the SNL and said "Wow, didja hear that?". No SNL...so Dad got his flashlight out and there was one glove and down the path there was another glove, and then a ball cap. SNL had beat feet 1/4 mile to the truck and was waiting there for Dad.

Nope! That was before the light, the skillet, and the spoon! ...and it was really dark in the back yard that night!

Just when you think you have conquered your fear, you will step into a covey of quail. If that don't leave a brown streak in your shorts, then you are cured.

I'm scared my butt is going to permanently hurt after sitting here and reading this entire thread. Good times tho. Hope you get over that nacawhatever.

Go up to Colorado, Wyoming, or Montana, hike into the mountains at least ten miles from the nearest dirt road, and face your fear... You won't be scared of the east Texas woods any longer I promise.

yea havnt you seen Wrong Turn! this will bring on a whole new set of fears..

Wonder how many internet tough guys on here would be afraid of crash landing in Africa,surviving only to see the sun setting about to be feeding time.Anyone gunna admit to that?I would.My point,there are things to be afraid of in East Texas at night.Some of them ,people.

That does get me from time to time.Suprised more than scared.

Well George for only your 15th post you certainly got everyone's attention. IMHO this is mostly caused by the unknown. There's only one way to do it and that is to force yourself to get out there. I learned to hunt what I call the big woods up in Idaho in the 80's and there are a few things there that can ruin your day for real. I carried a .41 Mag when I bowhunted because there were enough bears around to make me think about it. I have to admit I was nervous starting out because even though I'd had basic land navigation training there are no fences out there if you get turned around and lost really is lost, unlike here where if you find a fence follow it and you'll usually be OK.
Good luck with it.

I got goosebumps after reading about real woods in Idaho.

This may be because I may have touched upon a subject that more folks experience than would care to admit. And the ones that don't have trouble comprehending it. After all, admitting one is terrified of the wilderness at night on a deer hunting forum is akin to admitting to suffering from E.D. in the adult film industry. Only an idiot would confess to it. Lo and behold, here I go!
Seriously, I am not ashamed of my affliction because I know it is purely a mental issue and has nothing to do with my intestinal fortitude. And I'm enjoying the sport of deer hunting too much for it to get in the way. I received a lot of good advice from some of the great visitors of these boards, and I really appreciate the support, and did get a big kick out of some of the other replys.