The end of deer season is a lot like the breakup of a serious relationship.

There’s nothing like a sad old country song to get you through a rough patch…like the end of deer season. You put your time, sweat, dollars and heart into it, and then one day, it’s just over. Here are some of my handpicked country songs to help you cope with your loss.

A Fire I Can’t Put Out – George Strait

“I don’t know how to handle, the sheds you left behind. They’re like a lighted candle burning up my mind.”

Some deer season endings leave us possessed, like Captain Ahab chasing Moby Dick. The shooter that we could just never close on, and now our chances are gone. It burns you up and preys on your mind constantly, especially if you find his sheds in the spring. That fire motivates you to hang stands, improve the property and keep your shooting sharp, but it won’t be fully quenched until you’ve got your hands on that buck.

 Over When It’s Over – Eric Church

“It’s a white tail flagging, it’s a stop sign.”

Yeah, it’s over and there’s nothing you can do to get it back (except run down to Arkansas where season stays open until February 28). It’s final. Done. Please don’t call me again. Sure, you can look forward to shed hunting, trail cam pics and 3D shoots but nothing comes close to the real thing. All you’re left with are pictures, memories, and hopefully, some meat in the freezer.

Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It – Darius Rucker

“I left out in a cloud of tail lights and scent spray. Swore I wasn’t comin’ back, said I’d had enough.”

Sometimes, after the long grind of a hard season, you’re looking forward to calling it quits. When sunset falls on the last day, you leave the field and are glad to be putting some distance between yourself and deer season. Maybe the the year was filled with more heartache and disappointment than it was worth. Even so, at some point in the spring you’ll start thinking back on the time you spent with fondness and sweet nostalgia.

What Hurts the Most – Rascal Flatts

“What hurts the most, is coming so close. And having you out of range, and watching you walk away.”

The last night of the 2017 Missouri archery season found me 70 yards off the trail I should have been on to get a shot a mature eight. I could only watch helplessly as he ambled up the draw and disappeared into the evening fog, safe until next year. With one buck tag remaining, I was so close, which is why it hurt so much. A bow hunter himself, I’m sure Rascal Flatts lead singer Gary Levox can sympathize.

That Just About Does It – Vern Gosdin

“Maybe we should call a truce? We could but what’s the use?”

Isn’t it strange to shift gears so quickly? The last four months have been spent finding anyway possible to get quality time together, then, it’s all over. No walking in the woods to your stand with your bow. No heart thumping moments as you come to full draw. No more hero shots and texts to your buddies. A truce has been called. It’s game off…for now.

I Wonder Do You Think of Me – Keith Whitley

“On that ole closing day, you just drifted away. I wonder, do you, think of me?”

Ever wonder if deer miss being the object of our attention and pursuit once the season closes? Do they saunter past your stand, wistfully casting an eye skyward to that empty seat? Do they miss catching your wind and blowing when you least expect it? Keith’s song expresses the longing and the doubts you likely have about your former relationship with deer. Was it as one-sided as you feared?

Here in the Real World – Alan Jackson

“No the boy don’t always get the buck, here in the real world.”

For those of us ending the season with an unfilled buck tag, you know what I’m talking about. You want to tag a monster, and even as the season dwindles you hold out hope that one will step out just before the curtain closes, but that doesn’t always happen. So you’re stuck here looking back on what should have been. It’s unfortunate, but it’s the real world.

One More Day – Diamond Rio

“One more day. One more time. One more bowhunt baby I’d be satisfied.”

Oh for just one more day in the stand. That’s when the bruiser would walk past. But just like in the song, you know it’d only leave you wishing for one more one more day. It’s hard to say goodbye to deer season and there’s never such a thing as “enough”. If you had the opportunity though, I bet you’ve already worked out your strategy and how you’d spend your time. Maybe take a risk and push into a bedding area on the ground? Pay better attention to your scent control? What would you do with one more day in the deer woods?

Are you feeling no pain? Did that help?

It won’t be easy, but hang in there and put this mix on repeat. You’ll make it through this break up just in time to start getting ready for your next season.