Well said. I think I probably been in this game a bit longer than you, but I came to the same conclusion many years ago. There was a time all my relationships suffered from turkey hunting. I missed too many birthdays and special events and often was so disengaged with my family and friends it was sinful and I became unpleasant to boot. Finally I found a relationship with the Lord. He showed me I had indeed made turkey hunting an idol. I changed my ways and grew both as a person and turkey hunter. I also pray before I hunt and I give thanks when I am done. Many days I just sit in God's creation and meditate on what a wonderful world it is. Funny thing happened, I actually became more successful as a turkey hunter without the pressure I was putting on myself. Make no mistake, I still hunt turkeys hard and I enjoy it very much, but I approach it more as a blessing than a conquest. I found out you will enjoy life, faith and hunting even more when you balance it all out and give each it's dues.
