Now that deer season is over : :( : , what have you learned/experienced that you will do differently next year? Are you going to make a change in equipment (bow, broadhead,etc.), method of hunting,(ground vs tree ) or what? I always try to reflect back and learn from my messups. One of my problems was not practicing enough during hunting season. My form (or lack of it) cost me a nice buck. After my mmmmiss, I took my old 3-d deer target and placed it in the woods where I park my truck to go hunting. Just a few minutes each day shooting in a realist setting at a 3-d deer target before going hunting was a big help. What about you? What are you going to do different?
i have learned that you actually have to shoot if ya want to make meat! :readit: :banghead:
I learned that hunting in the cold, snow or rain was easier @ 30 than it is at 51. Not sure if I'm getting softer or smarter.
Ken don't feel bad. I'm guilty of that one myself.
I learned that there is absolutely no substitute for scouting.
Dont rush your shots.
Do more off season sight prep. After frost use camo with a lot of light background, (Predator ASAT etc) A heck of a lot about general deer movement on my property I was totally unaware of. (Good snow cover helps)
The older I get, the better I used to be.
Eric
I learned that to never to make a long shot a snap shot!
Pick a Spot
I learned that Blacktail deer read the WA hunting regulations to find out exactly when legal shooting hours ended. I also learned that if you use a wounded rabbit call you better be ready for what ever answers when you are still stalking.
Definitely practice wearing ALL the clothes and gloves etc. that you will be wearing when that deer presents itself-missed a nice one this year as a result I believe of not doing just that! :banghead:
I learned that I have to get up earlier than I thought because it always takes longer to put on my boots than I remembered and it's a longer time to reach the woods. I enjoyed the hunting but felt the deer were way trained before I got there at all. Good place to hunt but really needed a tree stand, but decided to ground hunt, but, but butt! If I had less butt a tree stand might be possible. Had fun anyway, and at least I saw a good one!
pinenut
Stay out of the middle of logging roads....stay on the sides where the cover is. :knothead:
I learned that some people will break the law just to kill a deer. I actually already knew this, just had it happen on the property that I hunt. Has brought about alot of static between me and another guy.
I learned that Snuffers are the broadhead that I will always rely on.Oh and that 2 Alleve tablets before a 10 hour treestand sit make it go alot easier.
Trail cameras are the greatest scouting tool and fun gadget that you can use.
I need to get out more and building a House sure screws up your season. Ditto about using trail cameras.
i learned it was my bones popping and cracking that was making the noise,not my tree stand.
What little I have been able to get out ths season, has taught me scouting is the key to making it happen. No sense in sitting a place that isn't likely to pan out. Also to be patient, but at the same time sometimes you have to just plain get squinty eyed and make the shot that is presented work.
Gun...Ditto on building a house. The place will be nice once its finished, and I am 98% done. Unfortunately, so is the season..
Spend a lot more time shooting with experienced traditional archers if possible....Kirk
I learned that old age is no longer sneaking up on me. It has arrived.
I learned that I do not like deer hunting as much as I want to. Thank god the wabbits like me!
QuoteI learned that Snuffers are the broadhead that I will always rely on
Same here Izzy. Other than that, though...
1- Same lesson I've learned every season...it's not the kill that truly stands out, but the hunt.
2- Stalking & groundhunting sure is fun, but there's alot to be said for sitting up in the canopy as the woods awaken all around you
3- If done right, the effort one puts into the hunt is it's own reward...
4- A side (GFA) quiver can be quite the handy tool.
5- Camo...it's a bonus, not a necessity.
6- Bowhunting was NOT meant to be a solo activity! :campfire:
I have learned that I do not need a tree stand for deer hunting, that my wife needs more cover, maybe a portable blind for next year. mostly I learned i need to put up a tree stand to keep compound hunters from putting tree stands above my all natural blinds.
Hunt where the deer are!!!--no matter what your pre-season scouting told you---be prepared to move!!
Good one bamboo. I relied on old habits this year and it made me end up working harder later to find deer. Practice, scout, slow down. Don't be afraid to scout during the season, just do it on a rainy day.
I learned that I have to get off my lazy butt and get out more in the preeseason scouting, I learned that at 46 I am no longer in shape to wonder the woods as I was once able. It sucks getting older and having physical limitations. I ad a ball of a time. No deer to show for it but a great experience none the less.
missed 3 deer this year! realized i shoot a game differently than at target. i basically am a snap shooter but when shooting at deer i "aim" and think too much.
also learned that if you change something on your bow it can cost you! changed my silencer from wool to rubber and my bow was loud and 2 of my misses were deer reacting to the twang!
was a good season though, saw deer most every time out and made a new hunting buddy.
Pick a spot
Deer DO go completely nocternal when the orange army hits the woods, at leats in area that I hunt.
Pick a spot
Deer dogs suck
Pick a spot
Scout more hunt less...I always seem to hunt where the deer were last week.
Geez, Where do I start (first year trad guy) lets see.
1) Any deer with trad equiptment truly is a trophy. I realized this the longer the season went on. (didn't get one this year)
2) Shootin at squirrels is fun again.
3) My climbing stand isn't recurve friendly.
4) This trad thing is addicting, frustrating, fun, different, &fun!!!
5) Bad seasons make you appreciate the good ones that much more.
Those are the major one's that jump out at me for huntin, shooting and tuning could take up a whole page. Example: When you have a knock high tear, move the knock higher :confused: WHAT, then i learned about false tears when the feathers bounce off the shelf ;) Joe
What did I learn ?
Sometimes luck is just not on my side.
I learned the direct way is not the best way to the stand on the property I hunted this year. There was a bedding area between where I parked and walked to my stand and it took me a couple of times to understand what was going on.
Although I killed a good Buck with a longbow this year , I have learned that I have more confidence in and shoot a recurve better . Also that I need to stay OFF CLASSIFIDES but I still have a hard time doing that ( LOL ).
Mike
You can pretty much have the public land to yourself until the rut and then it becomes a shopping mall.
I learned that God is still in control, because I hated hunting public land, I don't know how many times I asked for private land to hunt, and !
When I gave up and God had control of it, I not only got private land to hunt, but all the 18 tree stands on the land to use. God was good to me this year. I never use my own tree stand once. And I never took a shot from my bow, my freezers not full of deer meet, but 45 lbs. of it ! And my heart has two new friends in it. So you never know, how your hunting season is going to go, I really enjoyed every time I went out into the forest. And the last day, setting on the forest floor, no chair just in my insulated hunting suit with 8 in. of snow under me I will always remember the sunset, and how it looked, and how I enjoyed this year. Even though I never shot a deer.
I have to say this year was a peaceful year in my neck of the woods.
God is good,
Pastor Carl
When i hunt from a stand thats 20ft or higher, well lets just say its alittle differant than 15ft. I'll practice a little more from 20ft in a tree this year.
Over time I have learned that I am a deer hunter for 2 months out of the year. The deer are deer for 12 months a year, and are much better at what they do than I am. :bigsmyl:
more preseason scouting-can't count on previous years successes or travel routes.
my knees aren't what they used to be.
don't pass on a deer if you want meat in the freezer.
Nothing with bow this year but enjoyed the woods as much as I ever did. No heavy drags anyway.
I learned the hard way (and was very lucky) not the climb a wet Oak with mud on your boots.
I'd probably been killed, but I landed on my head, literally.
Also, account for the sun coming over the trees in your face at 0930, muffed a shot at a spike.
Deer season in Ohio goes until the first weekend of Feb, so I'm no where near finished making my mistakes for this year yet. :-D
The big thing I am learning this year is that you can't connect if you don't shoot. I see lots of squirrels and a few bunnies and always manage to come up with a good reason to leave my arrow on the string. That needs to stop.
Shoot first, ask questions later!
Always bring 2 sets of gloves cause the first set will have at least 1 glove fall to the ground...
Don't spit without looking down...your'e going to hit your glove...
Smile more and remember that sitting in a tree on the edge of the Milkyway beats any day at work
I learned that sunshine can cause trees to drop their leaves as I observed this at daybreak on a frosted fall morning (and I thought it was wind and rain)
Keep my shots under 20 yards and aim low. This years deer are smarter cause after taking a well placed arrow they run straight for my truck... :goldtooth:
Leg
QuoteOriginally posted by Bob G:
Over time I have learned that I am a deer hunter for 2 months out of the year. The deer are deer for 12 months a year, and are much better at what they do than I am.
LOL, so true!
I learned:
-Pick a spot. No, really, I mean it. Concentrate, grasshopper.
-All the hoping, praying, and wishing in the world will not get you a deer (or anything else for that matter). You have to make it happen.
-I'm doing something right, because I was surrounded by deer. Sometimes too many!
-Beware the barbed wire.
-It's much more fun with friends! :D
Never use a climber when I have a stomach virus!
Ive learned this season:
-dont wait to shoot fill a doe tag on ANY doe.
-Beaver bite HARD!
-Not to let someone else hunt from you stand, cuz they will ALWAYS shoot the biggest buck in the woods.
-Getting a decent target is worth the $$$
even though i could not do any scouting, or food plots this year due a construction accident, it was a great deer season. still have a few tags to fill but not too worried bout it.
Spend less time building bows and arrows...and more time playing with them...Kirk
Trophy Hunting for a big buck leads to an empty buck tag :D and less meat in the freezer.
Patience,Patience,and then more Patience.
We've still have untill Jan 21 here in KY,so it isn't over yet :pray:
Been at this "traditional thing" for a quarter century this year. Still, I am constantly reminded that when it comes to quality bowhunting equipment, you get what you pay for.
Chippewa Stands are top shelf. Second to none!
Make a friend out of your local leathersmith.
I learned I can hunt from daylight to dark three weekends in a row and still only see the big boy chasing a doe at about 60 yards away, but did have shots at 14 other bucks and umpteen does.
If your invited to hunt from one of JC,s stands do so
Lot's of good info on here...
For me... The big three this year...
1.) Trust yourself- when you feel you can, you probably can!!! When you gut tells you this is a good place, or to move the stand, move it...
2.) Be patient and never quit..
3.) To thine ownself be true... bow season was real slow, So I grabbed the rifle to make meat... results were fruitful shots @ 12 yds & 18 yds- woulda been nice easy bow shots from the stands I was in...
Being adaptable, but also being persistent! Just when you think things are'nt going to happen, they do. Had a great season with 59 1/2 hours spent in my stands.
Scout, Scout and Scout.
Have plenty of options when the wind doesn't cooperate.
Scout
Stumping may very well be the perfect hunting practice.
Did I mention Scout?
Brian
I learned that I can't make a BW recurve quiet enough to use deer hunting. I am getting older and it isn't a thing for the faint of heart.
God bless,Mudd
Well I didnt make meat this year, first year back to traditional gear, but Ive accomplished that feat before using some pretty fancy bows. As for what I have learned...hmmm lemme reflect a bit.
1. Ive learned that hunting with a stick and a string in my hand is just as exciting now as it was when I was 8 years old.
2. Ive learned that I can.......I can complete an entire season without the urge to pick up my gadgets again.
3. Ive learned I can get the same adrenalin rush from drawing my trad bow on a spike buck that I have no intention of shooting as I can get from shooting a nice one with my compound.
4. Mostly Ive learned that even when Ive limited myself I am capable of enjoying the pursuit, the journey, the hunt so much that the kill is secondary.
I have no regrets from this season, my goals were met. I stuck it out and enjoyed every minute and every failure.
Ive learned that I work way to much to get in any real good hunting time..
I learned that game camaras and tag out rocks. I also learned to pay more attention to the distance of the game. Skyler
"Lord loves a workin man,""See a doctor and git rid of it,""Never trust whitey...." :campfire:
I learned it is awesome to walk the woods with a stickbow, arrows that I have made, fully confident I can perform when the shot presents.
Feathers make more noise than vanes.
The spirit of the hunt is back with fervor.
Hunting with my fathers equipment brings back great memories.
There are some things in life more important than hunting.
I learned that the look on a hunter's face when they kill their first Trad bow buck is priceless. I also learned that when you are having chest pains everyday of a two week hunt it's not a good idea to wait till ya get home to have it checked out.
I learned I hope? It's A bad idea to use a cheap lock blade to try and fix something. the first day of A nine day hunt in southern ohio on nov,4 I just about cut my middle finger off.
I learned that I need to stick with one bow.
seize the moment.
the older I get: the harder I have to think.
I am just as happy when I get a shot opprotunity-to not take a shot; as when I take a shot....almost.
wolves have to be subject to control measures.
My lesson, don't rush the shot choice- have a touch of patience, even if its the last day of your week long hunting trip out of state. Wait for the right shot opportunity- it will happen.
I've learned the following..
Cherris every second in the woods
Preparation and anticipation of the hunt is as important and fun as the hunt itself
It's good to be alive
I learned that I need to befriend more of my tradgang brethren of the midwest or south so they will invite hunting and rescue me from the god-forsaken deerless state called Massachusetts!
I also learned that the season is long and to shoot in all you hunting clothes from warm weather to sub zero. I found I had a hard time shooting with my cold weather gloves until I rolled a piece of bike innertube over the handle of the recurve.
I learned to send in my Centennial Watershed (CT) Permit ON TIME in '08!
QuoteOriginally posted by Dirty Bill:
"Lord loves a workin man,""See a doctor and git rid of it,""Never trust whitey...." :campfire:
Lol - now I need to see that movie again. :-p
I learned not to hunt deer in California.
I learned that poachers once turned in and pinched can get real ugly. Four stands and three walked through hunts later. You have to ask yourself, is it worth it?
Learned
1. Always have a game cart close by! At 53 I can no longer drag deer miles back to the truck.
2. I will never take a straight down shot at a deer again! I passed on the biggest buck I have ever seen in the woods because I hate that shot. Saw him a day later and he offered me the same shot and I hit him just to the left of his spine.
Had 1/3rd of the arrow in the deer but did not pass thru. No blood sign, looked for 5 hours and did not find the deer. I'm sure he died but I'll never know. Was sick about the shot for days. I will know better next time!
Speaking of shot placement, last year I was 3 for 3 (does) and this year 0 for 2. the 0 for 2 were both passthroughs but must of hit a bit far back and probably got only 1 lung and liver rather than 2 lungs. Shooting for the 'big' kill zone. Never found the 2 deer that I know I killed. Next year shots will crowd the shoulder with 2 bladed broadheads with tips that wont bend on bone.
I've learned to watch for those Game and Fish meetings and to show up and voice my opinions!
We need to stand up and be heard!!!
This was a major lesson learned for me....Terry
Ok I'm going out on a limb. This just theory and some may think I'm wrong but here goes. I have noticed a change in the way deer have been moving over the last 3 to 5 years. I am seeing deer sign from May to the beginning of October. Then it all but disappears. I am seeing the same thing in more than one area. The first thing that comes to mind for me is food. The deer are finding a good easy source of nutrition. The next thing that comes to mind is food plots. I'm not against food plots in fact I also think they are the reason for bigger deer taken in my area. Has anyone else noticed this pattern.
This year was another for the learning books! The one thing that will stick with me more than anything is don't get greedy, oh and remember to pick a spot, concentrate, follow through, and pay attention after the shot!
The thing I learned from this season is that shooting in my backyard from a perfect stance when I am relaxed and warmed up is not very good training for shooting from under a live oak tree cramped from sitting for several hours on a three legged camp stool when the deer walks in from my right and I'm set up for a deer walking in from my left, and I can't move to change my set up without spooking the deer.
I learned that patience really is a hunters` most deadly weapon.
I learned (from another hunter) that the small can of pepper spray will run out before the grizzly gets done chewing. ALWAYS carry the large economy size. This was after I found out there were seven confirmed grizzlies within two miles of a spot I usually hiked around in when it was still dark.
Also learned I more problems with interference from other hunters than I did with wolves when both were in the same area.
If you're hunting an area where the landowner wants you to only shoot does....you will have a buck walk under your stand...twice....
I have learned to not set my stand right over the trail I'm watching. Get back 15 yards or so.
hey mark u,are you using the pepper spray to ward off the grizz or carrying it so they can season your hide before they eat ya? may the lord watch your backtrail!!!
I learned that I got out out a few more times this year, but still not enough!
Three big lessons this year:
1) I learned what it feels like when you make that perfect instinctive shot and don't even remember releasing the string. :knothead:
3) I learned that no matter how hard I try, I still can't keep my head enough to not 'pluck & peek' when I have a whitetail standing broadside at 15 yrds. :banghead:
Shot an elk, missed a deer but still an outstanding year.
Howard
I was reminded that stands creek when it gets cold, and turkeys definately look up.
That I really like longbows, for their light weight.
Never sell your house and have to move in the middle of the season.
That I work to danged much and don't hunt enough...........
I learned that if I,m stubborn enough and willing to fail alot you can bag turkeys spotting and stalking, Also learned badgers just love custom wood arrows, must taste good to them. Also learned blind is alot easier to take turkeys. also the hills are getting steeper canyons are getting deeper and a 15 lb turkey at the bottom weighs 28 lbs at the top.
Oh yea I almost forgot.
If you don't want a kid to lose it in the woods tie it to them.
8 year olds hate face masks.
A kids definition of sitting still and yours may be different.
Whisper is a very loosely defined word to kids.
Number one but one I already knew... Just being out there with your kids,regardless if successful or not, is priceless.
Brian
I learned that a little change in tree stand placement helped alot and I need to pick my spot better.
I learned to practice shooting up close at like 5 yards or so.
I learned that black bears excrement has usually berries in it.
Sometimes Grizzly's has pepper spray and a whistle.
Paul
I learned that I love to spot and stalk Javies. I also learned a hog can run forever even if you think you made a perfect shot. Tough buggers for sure. Good people in camp make a no game sited week bearable. I will go back to Canada for Caribou.
I learned that you really need to be in shape to keep up with Hornhunter elk hunting, otherwise he leaves you in the dust.
You cant shoot thru a tree to kill your elk, it stops the arrow.
When your luck is running good in a year when deer hunting, ride the wave & hunt as long & often as possible. It may never be that good again.
In order to kill big deer, you need to hunt in a place that has them. it is much easier to kill one.