There is a noble quality to sitting on a log in the grouse woods in mid-October. It’s a time to soak in the last of everything good. It’ll all change in a few days when the vibrant orange and red maple tree leaves fade and fall. Soft mast plants will droop, and hardmast will fall. Sitting on the log is preferable to the time I sat in my Jeep. That was the time I chugged a quart of freshly pressed apple cider and power cleaned a tin of Cope while listing to the falling acorns beat a tune on the steel of my CJ5’s hood. It sounded as good as the clang of a halyard against a mast on a windy night but wasn’t as good as sitting on that log.

Truth be told I was a little worse for the wear. I was in New Brunswick, Canada for the woodcock opener on September 15th. Following that week in the Maritimes I headed for Vermont to catch the grouse opener which fell on the last Saturday of the month. After that I crossed the state line into New Hampshire just in time for the debut of my New Hampshire season. After a solid month of hunting, I still had a way to go. The season was still open in Massachusetts, and then I had to meet my friend Roger in Pennsylvania and button things up by hitting the woodcock flights in Jersey. My string of 4 — Ocracoke, Rowdy, Albert and Rebel — were as well.

While mid-season slumps can come from a lot of things, the biggest culprit is usually fatigue. Nothing good comes from fatigue, for it whelps sketchy shooting and sloppy dog work. If a slump goes on for too long it can be enough to make even the hardcore think about taking up another sport.

Hunter Fatigue: Shooting

Where it comes from: Missing birds comes from a lack of focus and a slow target acquisition. It can come from being in subpar shape, staying up late, and the excesses of camp life, notably overeating and drinking. Hard living takes a toll on even the best of us.

How you can fix it: I asked my friend Lars Jacob, a professional shooting instructor and gun fitter at Wild Surroundings how he handles shooting fatigue. “We think about gun mount, swing, getting ahead of the bird, getting our face on the stock and other mechanics while the bird disappears,” he said. “When working with students I work to focus them first on seeing the bird and second on determining its flight pattern. When you’re sharp it’s easy to focus on the bird and its flight pattern, but when you’re tired that focus softens. Target acquisition is the first step towards hitting, and if you’re tired then that’s the first place to look. After that, review your mechanics to make sure your fatigue isn’t contributing to poor form. Have a buddy look at your gun mount to make sure you’re leading with your front hand. Make sure you’re bringing the muzzle up to the bird, and that you’ve got a correct shoulder position with your head forward on the comb. The shell is discharged the moment the shotgun is mounted and results in a smooth, confident shot. Fatigue reduces a hunter’s focus on the bird, and if you can't acquire the target and move and mount your shotgun confidently then you're guaranteed to miss a lot of birds."

Hunter Fatigue: Woodsmanship

Where it comes from: Fatigue makes us sloppy in the woods. Ever not have the juice to hunt after 3 PM? If so, you’re missing The Golden Hour when gamebirds are actively feeding to have enough energy before they roost for the night. Ever been slow to get up on a point or react to a flush? By the time you get up on the point the bird has walked far ahead and flushes out of distance. Ever not get in the best position for a shot? You know you haven’t if your muzzle connects with a tree when you swing. Or maybe you change targets, figuring that you missed the first bird so the second one has to be easier.

How you can fix it: Poor woodsmanship usually can be a rookie mistake, but it happens to the most seasoned who are hunting hard. Physical fatigue causes distractions, so get in shape before next season. If your fatigue is coming from having a lot of things on your mind—personal, professional, financial or others—then button them up before you hit the woods. Or find a log to sit on and forget about all that other stuff. It’ll be there when you return so don’t let it skunk your hunt. Stay focused on your task, which is to have a good time hunting with your dog and your buddies.

Dog Fatigue

Where it comes from: Dogs that are out of shape and haven’t been conditioned during the preseason will get fatigued more easily than dogs that are fit. But even well-conditioned dogs that are hunted hard get worn down. Tired dogs make mistakes. If they don’t knock birds they’ll crowd and pressure them. Tired dogs don’t pattern well and take shortcuts. Even though they have the drive to go their bodies are dragging. They can be prone to injury, mostly because they’re pushing beyond their limits.

How you can fix it: For preseason work, practice like you play. Conditioning is important, feeding a performance food helps, but make sure you run your dogs where they’ll hunt, too. The twisting, turning and wild bird contacts get their minds and bodies ready for the season. It’s more realistic than training in a manicured setting, so be sure to practice where you’ll play.

Set the right tempo for your dog. If your pace is either too fast or, even worse, erratic, then that’s what your dog will pick up on. Before you know it he’ll be out of control. Slow down the pace and keep him relaxed and your communication will improve. Calm dogs hunt well, excited dogs make mistakes. Pay attention to your dog’s needs and he’ll take care of yours.

Keep a winning game plan, change a losing game plan. The key to overcoming a slump is to figure out what works for you. For some, pushing harder results in a breakthrough while for others it’s the straw that breaks the camel’s back. If your shooting is rough, then pick up a case of clays and grind ‘em up in the gravel pit. If your woodsmanship and dog work is suffering, then sleep in or take the afternoon off. Who knows, maybe you just need to suck it up and get it done, maybe you need to sub-out the whiskey for green tea, who knows? But do whatever it takes to get back on track. Hunting season is short enough as it is without having a mid-season slump drag on longer than necessary.