Sara Outdoors

Category: In the Woods

  • Post bow hunting relaxation.

    Post bow hunting relaxation.

    After an early morning bow hunting in the woods, there’s nothing better than slipping into something comfy and easing into the rest of the day.

    back home from bow hunting

    I made myself a fresh yogurt smoothie, found a sunny spot by the window, and cracked open a good book I’ve been meaning to get to.

    Relaxing after the hunt

    Somewhere between a few chapters and a long stretch of quiet, I started building out my hunting wishlist on Amazon—new trail cam, upgraded broadheads, maybe even a pair of boots I definitely don’t need but absolutely want.

    It’s the perfect kind of slow, cozy reset after the rush of a November hunt.

    winter PJs
    Getting into the holiday shopping sorta mood.

    Here’s a simple, delicious smoothie recipe that includes both coffee and kefir — creamy, energizing, and great after a long morning outdoors:

    Coffee-Kefir Energizing Smoothie

    Ingredients:

    • 1 cup chilled brewed coffee (or cold brew)
    • 1 cup plain or vanilla kefir
    • 1 frozen banana
    • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
    • 1–2 tablespoons nut butter (almond, peanut, or sunflower)
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • A handful of ice cubes
    • Optional add-ins: 1 scoop protein powder, cocoa powder, or collagen

    Instructions:

    1. Add the coffee, kefir, and frozen banana to a blender.
    2. Toss in the nut butter, cinnamon, sweetener (if using), and ice cubes.
    3. Blend until smooth and creamy.
    4. Taste and adjust sweetness or thickness to your liking.
    5. Pour into a chilled glass and enjoy a tangy, lightly caffeinated pick-me-up.

    It’s probiotic-rich, energizing, and perfect for a post-hunt recharge.

    woman with coffee smoothie


    Finding the Perfect Forest for Deer Hunting

    deer walking in a forest
    Photo by Chris F on Pexels.com

    The perfect Southern forest for bow hunting deer in the fall feels like stepping into a quiet, living cathedral. Dawn settles over a mix of oak, hickory, and pine, their leaves shifting from deep green to warm shades of gold, rust, and burnt orange. The air is cool but not harsh—just enough to make each breath feel crisp and clean.

    A good Southern bow-hunting forest has layers, each one inviting deer movement.

    You’ll find:

    Mature Hardwoods

    Tall white oaks and red oaks dropping acorns that deer can’t resist. The ground beneath them is scattered with cracked shells and fresh tracks.

    Pine Ridges

    Dry, soft pine needles create quiet walking paths and make perfect bedding areas along the higher ground.

    Thick Edges & Transition Zones

    Where hardwood stands meet young cutovers or brushy thickets—prime travel corridors where bucks feel safe slipping between cover and food.

    A Nearby Water Source

    A slow-moving creek, swamp edge, or small pond draws consistent deer traffic, especially during warm Southern autumn days.

    The Sounds of Fall

    Squirrels rustling leaves, the distant call of a crow, and the faint crunch of hoofsteps on dry foliage… all surrounded by the earthy scent of damp soil and decaying leaves.

    Bow-Hunter Friendly Features

    • Natural funnels formed by terrain
    • A steady wind pattern for reliable stand placement
    • Plenty of large trees for hanging a stand or saddle
    • Open shooting lanes without losing the forest’s natural cover

    In the Southern fall, the forest is alive but unhurried—a place where the whitetail rut simmers, the mornings glow amber, and the woods feel made for quiet patience. It’s the kind of forest where a bow hunter can settle in, breathe easy, and become part of the landscape.

  • November Bow Hunting: Quiet Morning in the Autumn Woods

    November Bow Hunting: Quiet Morning in the Autumn Woods

    One Woman’s Bow-Hunting Story in the Autumn Woods

    A crisp November sun filtered through the last stubborn leaves as she settled into the blind, breath floating in faint white wisps. The world around her felt hushed, as if the woods themselves were holding their breath. She drew her camouflage jacket a little closer—not because she was cold, but because she loved the anticipation that came with these quiet mornings.

    selfie: in deer blind with bow

    She’d been bow hunting since she was a teenager, taught by her grandfather, who always said that November was the month when the forest revealed its true character. Today felt like one of those days he used to describe: calm, golden, expectant.

    She checked her bow, feeling the familiar weight in her hands. Everything about this ritual grounded her—the steadying of her heartbeat, the rustle of leaves in the distance, the soft hum of morning wildlife waking up. There was no rush here (or after as she relaxes).

    Bow hunting wasn’t about speed; it was about patience, respect, and reading the land.

    buck on grassland
    Elk buck are off limits where I am. Photo by Isaac Mitchell on Pexels.com

    A faint crackle of movement caught her attention to the left. She froze, eyes scanning the tree line. A young buck stepped into view, cautious but unaware of her presence. For a moment, she simply watched it—admiring the way it moved through the brush with quiet confidence.

    She inhaled slowly, letting instinct take over. Whether she released the arrow or not wasn’t the point. For her, the heart of hunting was being part of something bigger than herself, something ancient and honest. She felt connected to the land, to her grandfather’s teachings, and to the stillness that made her feel more awake than any coffee ever could.

    woman with bow in tight jeans

    The buck paused, ears flicking at some distant sound, then disappeared back into the trees as quietly as it had come. She lowered her bow and smiled to herself. There was still plenty of day left, and November always had a way of surprising her.

    Getting ready the night before the hunt
    Getting ready the night before the hunt

    So she waited, surrounded by the soft glow of autumn, content with the hunt—whether or not it brought anything home.