2015 Regrets?

[superkodiak]

I got all sweaty walking in to the stand and sat at the base of the tree I was going to climb.  After about 15 minutes of sitting it began to lightly rain. I debated whether to climb the tree if it could get worse. I grabbed my grunt call and let out a few grunts.  I had a beautiful 8 point on top of me before I could reposition for a shot let alone grab my bow that was leaning against the tree. I also had my sleeves rolled up and hat off.  His eyes got bigger than mine when he stopped at 4 yards.    I know better and should have been up in the tree.

[Michael Arnette]

I really don't actually. I do plan on holding out for a good buck next year instead of being so string happy. Also, I enjoyed getting shots on camera but I plan to see if I can arrange for a swap with a buddy in editing. I had to watch the film so many times that my memory of the actual shots has faded.

[Sawpilot 75]

Originally posted by Basinboy:
 

Originally posted by Kingstaken:
Corey - Were you waiting for a bigger deer?            

I was telling myself "You can't kill a Giant by shooting the good bucks"  I had pics of one in the 165-170 class range and was hoping he would show up......
But I got him "on video" both times    
Click to watch below
   [/b]

That is true. I know the feeling.

[Pryor]

Spent opening morning of elk hiking like crazy looking for animals.  By 11:00 I had not seen much, so I sat a water hole that I had intended to be at before light.  After about an hour I fell asleep in my natural blind.  Woke up with a cow and calf staring me down at 3 yards.  I think I was more suprised than her and after a 2 second stare down she took off.  After she was gone I back tracked her and she had already watered at 12 yards. I will never get caught sleeping on the job again.  when I got back to camp I checked to trail cam pics on the water hole only to see a nice 5 x 5 watering at 7:15 that morning.  Next year I am going to make a plan and stick with it.  And bring instant coffee in my overnight pack!!!

[stagetek]

My regret was a lack of motivation. Not sure why. The weather was decent, I was seeing deer, just didn't seem to "have it" last season.

[Bowwild]

I never anticipated getting sick the last two weeks of the season.  In 2016 I won't put off as many opportunities to get out.

[elkken]

Nope ... shoulda, woulda, and coulda are over worked, look forward not backward and enjoy your life today !  

Best to you all this New Year    

[Altiman94]

I took my first trad deer last fall.  After that harvest, I missed two more afield. Both were clean misses.

I then purchased a new bow and hardly shot over the off season.  I didn't feel comfortable enough with the stick bow to hunt with it this fall.

I still hunted hard and was able to harvest a good buck by standards, but not with traditional equipment.

My regret is not shooting in the off season. I learned my lesson there.  I'm going to shoot more this off season and would also like to try a few ground hunts.

[96ssportsp]

A broken foot in the middle of archery season.

[DKG]

No regrets.  Looking forward to 2016 and the challenges and adventures she brings

[trad_bowhunter1965]

Not hunting Elk.

[buckracks7]

I didn't get to hunt at all due to health issues.

[Hermon]

Didn't get to hunt a single day, but no regrets.  Family issues took precedent over hunting.  Family always trumps hunting.

[Slickhead]

Just didnt hunt enough
Couldnt get arrow flight right
Just didnt work out this year
Maybe 2016 will be better.

[Arctic Hunter]

I shot what I thought was a doe and it ended up being a little buck...(great shot though).

Deer steaks make it easier to deal with though.

[shag08]

I finally got got my first trad deer in 2015. But I also had a major screw up on the biggest deer I've ever flung an arrow at...TWICE! But I have no regrets. $#!+ does happen when hunting...that's just the nature of the game. I don't let it eat at me.

Already looking forward to trying for squirrels in a day or two, and turkey in the spring. And I plan to go hog hunting one day this week...got a lot on trail cam. Tomorrow is a new day. We learn from past mistakes and try our damnedest to do better in the future.

[highlow]

I hadn't followed this thread until today and see Corey's post. I suppose if you have bigger bucks in the area than the one you posted pics of, then I can see you passing that one up. As for me and where I hunt, I would compare passing on that one to my passing up a spike because I know there's a "nice" Y buck somewhere close by. I envy anyone hunting in areas that produce deer like in Corey's. More power to you. But yeah, "What the hell were you thinking?"      

[Basinboy]

Originally posted by highlow:
I hadn't followed this thread until today and see Corey's post. I suppose if you have bigger bucks in the area than the one you posted pics of, then I can see you passing that one up. As for me and where I hunt, I would compare passing on that one to my passing up a spike because I know there's a "nice" Y buck somewhere close by. I envy anyone hunting in areas that produce deer like in Corey's. More power to you. But yeah, "What the hell were you thinking?"            

Well I tell myself every year that I'm going to hold out for a 150 or better when I hunt that place. Usually I cave in when it's getting close to going home time and shoot a 120 class buck which would be a good deer back home. But knowing that a giant could walk by at anytime, I stuck to my guns this year and last year and ate my tag. Now I usually end up with a few deer on my home turf every season. But the deer herd on the public land I hunt has plummeted and I only saw a few all season and did not get a shot off. So for the first time in many moons I have not killed a deer! Not complaining though as I have taken a good bull elk and some hogs. So passing on that good buck in Kansas does bother me a little, but knowing I only had one tag and knowing the potential of the property I was on, I decided to gamble  
I still have two weeks left in this season to hunt and I will go down swinging!!!

[BowHunterGA]

Did not spend the time I normally spend in the woods prior to season. Will not do that again. Have already spent 3 weekends in the woods scouting for this fall.

[KSdan]

So ironic. . .  reading Basinboy-Corey. . . I did the exact opposite this year.  I shot a buck- good by many people's standards and I am actually grateful- but I really do wish I had held out longer.  I may find myself next year on the 2016/17 version of this thread posting how I should NOT be holding out and be more grateful for any opportunity. . .