Good post Phil, Can't say I've had to deal with this yet because I'm still in college but I sure have seen my pops catch some hell for it. I will take note of this for when I get married in the future.

this is genius. i think that i'm going to adopt that formula for a number of other life activities

Not a bad formula. I think, in my case at least, I might even add an "if I'm late, you can buy a new pair of shoes" clause, too! That way, she might actually be disappointed if I'm not late!

When momma ain't happy...ain't nobody happy.

I always make my friend, Dave, drive that way I can blame it all on him yuk yuk. actually I told her I would be home before the rooster crows, Hell, I shot that rooster 30 some years ago. We made an aggrement when we got hitched that she would not interfere with my hunting and I would not interfere with anything she wanted to do.Your formula would never work for me because it seems there is always one more thing to do before I go home.

After 33 seasons which included more than several hunting trips with the wife, including wading along to the duck blind while pregnant, I have found its just easier to take her with you. A shotgun or two for her birthday that I can borrow (;-). Had her first pheasant mounted a few years back.
She did finally learn to use a climbing tree stand this year. I think she could use a new bow for Christmas. Maybe I can set it up where she can't pull it back and I have to use it.

I agree with Phil 100% here, based on past troubles. I too have set unrealistically early return times, just to make the wife feel better about me being gone all day. But if I'm 45 minutes past due, I'm getting the Stink Eye the rest of the day from her. Now I say a time that is very easily attained, I get home 10 minutes before that, and I'm a hero. Also, I call as I get close to home, and ask if she needs me to pick up anything on my way home. Happy Wife, Happy Life. With this, it doesn't seem to matter if I'm gone 5 days, or 8 days in the autumn to hunt.

you guys getting home early better be careful or you'll catch "louie the lip".
And I think "Buckstopper" has the right idea.
If you take her with you, you don't have to kiss her by.
Smart "buckstopper".

Measuring the length of your marriage not by years but by hunting seasons. That is a true sportsman with a good tolerant wife. Bless her.

My lovely wife learned to expect the unexpected during hunting season. For moose hunting the rule was that she was not to call out the search and rescue until I was two days overdue. It was difficult for her since I often went to the bush for a week or two at a time. And I hunted alone (though usually had my lab along). But I think she lived by the golden rule that will always make any marriage work: Spouses who truly love their partners will love seeing them enjoy themselves. Indeed, they will take great joy in it. She also accepted the fact that driving back and forth sixty miles for day moose hunting was much more dangerous, especially as I got older. How true that turned out to be. While visiting her family she was fatally injured in a car accident two years ago last month.

For typical day trips (i.e. hunting birds) there never was a set time for me to return unless some other family obligation required my attendance (e.g. church dinner or kids' functions). Except for those situations I don't recall her ever asking for a set time when I would return from a day of hunting. Also, I never had a cell phone until the last year or so of our marriage. She was an exceptional wife. But she didn't think so. One in a million that's for sure.

Dave, great advice. It also helps to marry a girl who has a hunting father and/or brothers in the family. That way they know what to expect. Somewhat.

Why is it the wife stays home? Is upland hunting a sexist activity? Speak up some of you gals! All of these guys expect you to stay home.

About a zillion years ago I got into a real mess sheep hunting in Alaska. My guide and I were rescued. We staggered into the metropolis of McGrath, a newspaper reporter wanted to talk to me about my harrowing adventure and I said only after I call my wife to let her know I was OK. (TV was a novelty in those days). After telling my wife we were safe and mostly sound, she wanted to know what I was talking about. Somewhat taken aback, I explained we were ten days late from a sheep hunt. Oh, she said, " I thought you were having good luck, bad luck, or just a good time".

Knappster...Yes they can! I was fishing out of an Alaskan Lodge...think it was in Yakatat, AK. and this gal was fishing/staying there with a few guys as I remember. She raved about this funnel apparatus she had bought so she could stand up with the guys and pee when they took a fishing break. She went on, and on about how it worked, and how great it was...embarrassed the heck out of me.

Or you could just bring your spouse with you. I got my GF into hunting several years ago and she loves it.

I can't hunt like that. Besides, who the Hell do women think they are? Have you ever said to a woman..."I need to know exactly what time you will return from shopping?"
No....you haven't.
Come on guys....the American male is being neutered.
"I'll be home when I'm done hunting....I'll give you a call when me and the dog are loaded up and on the way back."

Until the health of my parents became a problem, I always left my cell phone in the car.
These days I see guys talking to the wife every 30 minutes making small talk..."What are you doing?" " I miss you too." ....etc....GET A ROOM.

The woman fell for you BECAUSE you were a bloodsport fanatic. Then the first thing they do is to try and change how you operate.....and when you do...they don't like what they get, so they whine even more.
Great some balls American men...and by the way "Soccer still sucks"... GO NFL.

;)

Great Post. Taking all this in consideration for the next season for sure.