With opening day of the WV bow season knocking on the door, I find myself excited but a little reluctant to answer. I know that may sound crazy, but it always seems that no matter how prepared I think I am there is still plenty left to do. Not major stuff like hanging stands or scouting. I’m talking about getting clothes washed and carbon suits activated, arrows wrapped and re-fletched, boots scrubbed and cleaned, nuts and bolts tightened, practice sessions intensified, and schedules cleared.

To be honest, as exhausting as those things can sometimes be, they’re really one of my favorite parts of the entire preparation process. Each year, when I open up my hunting bags to get my gear in order, it is like running into an old friend I haven’t seen in a while. Immediately, my mind starts to conjure up images of hunts from the past and encounters yet to occur.

A big part of my preparation also includes cardio and weight training. Chasing whitetails in the mountains of West Virginia isn’t easy and it doesn’t take much "inactivity" on my part before I start falling behind in the never ending quest to keep up. So, I try my best to maintain a steady workout schedule. I admit, at times it’s hard, and I find myself struggling not to cut corners or simply give in and quit.

This week the temperatures have dropped dramatically and the leaves have begun to fall. Just the other morning, as I climbed into my practice stand to shoot a few rounds, I was certain the season had begun. I was positive that 3-D target standing 33 yards downrange actually moved. As I walked along the leaf-strewn path to retrieve my arrows, the only thing missing was a splash of crimson on the ground.

And what awaits my arrow downrange when I launch it "for real" only need be legal for me to have a successful season. With hunts lined up in Illinois and Texas, as well as my home state, I am excited for things to start to say the least. More than anything, I am simply grateful for another year to join in this chase that we all love so much. As I rummage through my gear from seasons past I am reminded of why I do what I do just for that one moment when time seems to stop.

Every now and then, a Big Brown Truck passes by the house and my excitement level spikes as I think about a few select Scent Blocker items I have put my faith in to help me do one thing this year…get close enough to kill.

Here comes another truck. Maybe this time he will stop.

Flores--