Just thought I'd ask you guys some of the things you learned this year/accomplished?
For me, this year was one of the best I've had! I learned a lot and spent some time in the woods with some great people.

#1: I really enjoyed organizing hunts with some great buddies, family, and fellow Tradgang members! It definitely made my year. I'll be sure to take the time in the future to plan to hunt with others.

#2 I feel really happy with my scouting skills and keeping the bar high in stand placement. I moved a lot of stands and pulled a lot more in an effort to only hunt stands that would give my buddies and I really good success. The extra effort paid off and in the future I will not maintain a stand that doesn't present with a game animal within range at least 50% of the time. Getting lucky won't be an option.

#3 I learned a lot about hunting new areas and had good success on public land. I grew up hunting my parents farm and had always wondered if my success was do to having a "cherry" spot to hunt. I found the opposite! I plan to focus more on public land and save up for my own price of private land to purchase in the next 5 years.
Would love to hear your thoughts and wish you all a blessed 2015!

1. I learned how much fun 3rd tournaments  can be and hope that I can make  more of them this year!

2. Don't over think it....

3. Got my first trad harvest this last fall and I'm amazed how fast and clean a sharp broad head  can put down a buck. Sharpness is the key!

4. Sit back and enjoy  God's creation.

God bless,
Rodd

I learned that when you grunt a mature buck to a stop, on a crisp morning........Aim low!!!!

Yep!

I learned never again to pass-up a ten yard shot on a mature doe that had no clue that I was there...the result was "tag soup."

What did I learn?....

1- Work is over rated.

2- Take a day or so off before and after a hunting trip.

3- Leave nothing un-done at home before you go away.

4- A Trad Get Together is what I live for.

5- Who ever dies with the most toys, wins!

Happy New Year Everyone!

... mike ...   :D   ...

As I get older, I am learning that you need to do it or it won't happen.  I keep saying next year, and there may not be one.

ChuckC

QuoteOriginally posted by ChuckC:
As I get older, I am learning that you need to do it or it won't happen.  I keep saying next year, and there may not be one.

ChuckC

Ain't that the truth........  

I learned that when you move to a new  hunting territory do not neglect to check out your old faithful spot. The new one was a flop and the old one was overran with big bucks. Lol, that's the breaks of outsmarting yourself.

Don't panic when the big one "appears to be leaving"

1) Get on target first rather than getting to full draw and then moving on target.

2) I need warmer clothing when the temps get below zero F.

3) Trail cams that are located close to the ground will be stolen.

I am not sure I really learned anything totally new, but I sure was repeatedly reminded about the importance of continual review of what has been learned before. Also, somebody stated that a research project on excellence looked into the difference between very good performers and outstanding ones, and this applies to music, dance, sports and many precision activities. It stated that the threshold is crossed at approximately 10,000 hours of dedicated practice. Guess I still have a way to go in 2015.

Don't just rely on what you think has always worked.
You have to do the prep work.
Try new things.

I also got to spend some time with a fellow TradGanger, and I was reminded that isolation is refreshing, but the fellowship is why we do this.  

I look forward to trying to participate in some "group" hunts and making a few more 3-D shoots.

Lastly, I learned that it will always seem really hard until it isn't... that is, once I get a harvest or a great opportunity, it seems easy.  Then it's hard again until the next.

Lastly, I learned to enjoy every second of!  Admire what has been created for us to enjoy.

I learned a little more about stand placement and how much fun my Ghillie suit can be.

QuoteOriginally posted by Michael Arnette:
Just thought I'd ask you guys some of the things you learned this year/accomplished?
For me, this year was one of the best I've had! I learned a lot and spent some time in the woods with some great people.

#1: I really enjoyed organizing hunts with some great buddies, family, and fellow Tradgang members! It definitely made my year. I'll be sure to take the time in the future to plan to hunt with others.

#2 I feel really happy with my scouting skills and keeping the bar high in stand placement. I moved a lot of stands and pulled a lot more in an effort to only hunt stands that would give my buddies and I really good success. The extra effort paid off and in the future I will not maintain a stand that doesn't present with a game animal within range at least 50% of the time. Getting lucky won't be an option.

#3 I learned a lot about hunting new areas and had good success on public land. I grew up hunting my parents farm and had always wondered if my success was do to having a "cherry" spot to hunt. I found the opposite! I plan to focus more on public land and save up for my own price of private land to purchase in the next 5 years.
Would love to hear your thoughts and wish you all a blessed 2015!

Oops

I learned I stopped killing deer when my wife and I dropped to 1 vehicle.  I have been getting closer though every year.

If you're going to hunt from up high practice from up high or at least remember to aim low !  Big bucks up close are harder to kill than does farther away ; at least for me !

I learned that I need to do more scouting.  Weather changed my plans right during the rut and I was out of my best spot.  I had to scramble to find a spot since I had focused my efforts in areas I could no longer hunt.  For next year I'll do more scouting starting right after the season ends (Jan 10).  I'm going to log the spots in a spreadsheet with coordinates and what wind(s) would be best to hunt them.

Equipment wise, I was pretty set.  Except, I need to put some felt tape on the metal parts of my lone wolf sticks and stands.  I've used it for 10 years without but quieting it down would be a plus.

I do have a new bow on order for next season as well!!