Tough year, but a good one.

[Jerry Jeffer]

Well, it's about the end of another year. I was very fortunate to be able to hunt more then I have in years. I was able to get out a total of 76 days of bow hunting since Sept. 8th up to now. The deer were hard to find this year, though they were around. I think I just got used to doing the same old things I have been doing the past few years, and it wasn't until I made some changes that I did have deer coming in.
    I started off the early season seeing a few bucks, but I needed to shoot a doe first. That was in NJ. Once PA opened, I was fortunate to get a doe my first time out, but that one was swiped by a bear. The rest of the year I had to hunt very hard just to find deer. I worked hard and put my time in moving around, trying new sites etc. I managed to have a few encounters along the way, and each was exciting to say the least.
     Most of my encounters with deer didn't provide shot oppertunities, at least I didn't think so at the time. Looking back, I think I could have pulled off a shot here and there, but probably better that I didn't. It wasn't until some late season hunting that I had some more shot oppertunities. These shots all ended up as misses  many of which were due to bad form of some kind. (back tension, dropping the bow arm to peak, etc.) There were also a few arrows that met with an unseen branch or two.
      I had high hopes of tagging deer or a bear. I had my chances. I must say this was a great year all in all, and the tag soup was delicious.

[SlowBowinMO]

Great attitude!

I had some excitement this year as well, but failed to close the deal.  Still a good year.  

[Bonebuster]

I second what SlowBow said,... Great attitude.

I think its ALWAYS better to look back at a passed up shot opportunity to say "I probably could have pulled it off" rather than say "I wish I would have waited for a better opportunity".
To me, it proves you are out there for all the right reasons.

That cool breeze that comes one day in late August
will be back before you know it, and you will feel
the change in your blood.

January 1st is the last day here. I always hunt the last day, and couldn`t care less if I take a deer, or not.

I can`t say it was a tough year, because it seemed I couldn`t do anything wrong, so I will say it was a good year. I learned to be more aggressive in my methods, and less concerned with antlers.

I hope next year you miss out on tag soup.

[kctreeman]

Sounds like a pretty good year to me. 76 day of bowhunting?  Man that's a couple of years worth for most folks.

Tim, we still have another 20 days or so.  It should be really good in the morning.  I'm in the process of gluing some STOS 160's to my arrows for the morning hunt.

[SlowBowinMO]

All righty then John, hope we get some pictures someday!   :D