These last two days were some of my best days of my life. I'm glad I didn't get anything yesterday, and instead spent the day scouting and learning valuable lessons I took into consideration today. I also got to see all of the property, and I'm still amazed by the beauty of it all. Today's weather was nicer than yesterday's weather. Without the strong 30-40 mph wind, everything was warmer and easier to handle. If the wind was blowing as hard today as it was yesterday, I would've had a hard time staying so still when we were tracking the does, and I probably would've suffered frostbite in my fingers.

Hunting isn't for everyone. It's a sport for only those who are willing and able enough to brave the elements. Most of the guys in wheelchairs were missing their shots, which is why we heard so many shots throughout our hunt, but the skinning rack barely saw anything. It takes years of experience and months of preparation for each hunt to be successful. Even then, your chances of success are only so high. 

This year, the season started a week early. This is to ensure the wildlife populations can grow again after a very successful previous season. Also, game wardens just love to annoy hunters sometimes. That's why the pronghorn were so scarce. Most of the does haven't yet come down from the north, and the bucks have already been down here to fight for breeding rights before the does come. 

I'm blessed to have the gifts of hunting I have. Deep down inside, everyone has those hunter instincts, but only so many people these days are willing and able to hunt. I'll be recovering for several days. My eyes are red and scratched from the dust, and my lungs are sore from the dust and from holding my breath so much. My legs are sore from charging across the plains, and my arms are sore from holding up my rifle and dragging my doe to the truck. 

But it's all worth it. It's worth it to me anyway. Hunting is hard. It's survival of the fittest out in the wilderness. But it's amazing and beautiful. I wouldn't trade my God-given ability to hunt for anything. I love to be out in the outdoors. Not just in the outdoors, but in the true wilderness where there are no marked trails or man-made-and-maintained landscaping. I hate hiking, but I love to wander around the untouched wilderness. You never know what you're gonna find or what you're gonna see. 

Next season, I shall return, hopefully with a buck license this time. Though, I must admit, if I get a buck license next year, the land will be overrun with lone does. In the meantime, I have a lot of work to do within the next few days. I have a skull to clean, a hide to stretch, clean, and salt, and lots of meat to cut, wrap, freeze, cook, and eat.