Bad Karma, Mojo, or just bad luck?

[DRR324]

While sitting on stand the other morning, contemplating life in general, this thought occured to me and I haven't been able to shake it.  Please bear with me, it takes time to contemplate these things.  So, I've been at this hunting thing for over 25 years.  Took my first buck at 12, and have been successful harvesting 80+ whitetails in my life.  30 or so with rifle, the rest with compound and recurve.  Lots of farm does, lots of young bucks.  In 1996, I stalked and took my best buck to date- a whopper of an 8 point that scores 97".  This buck now resides as a head mount in my office due to the 3 hour cat and mouse stalk, and the 46 yard shot (with wheels).  Since that buck, I have resigned myself to trying to harvest no bucks smaller than him.  I have taken a couple- while hunting with my kids.
But- while passing up little ones, I have had my share of encounters with good ones.  The 17 yard quartering shot on a 125 inch 10 point, missed a hair right and clipped the inside of his front leg.  Tracked him over a mile and a half- he lived and was taken by a rifle hunter on the opener.  A 130" 10 point- flat missed him at 35 yards- "aim low- down they go" was my motto while shooting wheels- well- he never flinched, stood stone still as the arrow clipped white hairs under his lungs.  A 125" 8 point- while rifle hunting with father in law.  It came out into the opening- I ask dad if he could see him while I handed him my rifle.  He hadn't shot a deer in 17 years- so I wanted him to take the shot.  By the time he found the buck in the scope- he moved off.
Nice state land 8 point- came into my mock scrape- stopped just under the only possible branch blocking my shot- turned around and moseyed off.  Last 2 years in Missouri- 6- 130 or better buck sightings, had one bedded for an hour at 30 yards- only to get up and move away, another snort weezing his way to me- only to stop 19 yards out- behind a small tree- turns and vacates.  Wind, scent control, movement- had nothing to due with the outcomes.  Deer never knew I was there.  I have other tales of the close calls, but sealing the deal on a good one just hasn't happened for me.  I think about my buddies and the amount of time I spend hunting, scouting, etc, and know full well I am ahead of them in the grand sceme of things hunting wise- I can put myself in position to have about one good chance per year for a good buck.  Which is pretty good here in Central Michigan.  BUT- I just am missing something to make it happen- not sure what it takes to get it done every or every other year.  Guys that take great bucks every year obviously have an edge with property, and better quality herds.  I'm thinking I need to be excised of my hunting demmons past- or contemplate more about my numerous years of big buck defeats......
Please don't start a debate about any buck is a good buck with trad gear, I know, and would much rather drop dimes on does.  Little ones don't grow to be big ones if I take them out early.....
anyone else share my bad karma- mojo, or bad luck??

[Tom]

I would say if you are having 1 good encounter with a decent buck every year you ARE ahead of tons of other people out there. I have taken 3 what I consider to be good bucks in 43 years of hunting ( all weaponry). I enjoy having the close encounters even if a shot is not taken.My heart gets going over any deer in close proximity-when that feeling stops I will take up golf.
 Mentally being prepared for taking the shot is the most important thing in my book. Sitting on stand I look around and envision where I can take a shot and play it through my mind. That way I feel ready when the time comes.
 Good luck and don't be discouraged, enjoy the doe meat and when it is time for that big buck to drop he will.

[Dave Lay]

Man, thats huntin..and sounds like good mojo to me..  I dont want to even think about all the "what if's" over the years. I look at those as a positive and something to build on. I have bowhunted for about 35 years, almost 20 of those are bowhunting only, and have only taken 3 of what some one might call "trophy" status that being over the P&Y min., (for the record, I very much dislike the whole scoring, and record book thing...)  But I have had a whole lot of close ones, that is what sticks with ya as it sounds like it has with you. But if killin a really good buck with trad gear is your goal ya have to have that mindset. Carry your trad bow everytime you are deer huntin, not a rifle or wheel bow, and set up for close shots, not 30 yds and such, those deer should walk by undisturbed for another day.. hang with it it will happen. ya just have to stay after it. sounds like you have the deer kinda figured out but you have to put yourself in the position to kill it.

[hit or miss]

I hear ya!  I haven't killed a deer with a bow since '92, if I remember right.  Spent a few years hunting with pistol, rifle or muzzleloader and came back to the bow 4 years ago.  The first year back I missed the biggest deer I ever shot at with a bow but I did hit the pencil sized stick between us.

I've seen several great bucks up to probably 160 or so and can't close the deal.  This year I'm hunting basically anything full grown.  I need to turn around this karma too.

Patience and more patience is what will change things, I hope.

[DRR324]

I should have mentioned that I have been hunting traditional for 12 years now, last rifle hunt was 6 years ago.  I go through the mental shot selection process every time on stand, if he comes through here, or here, pick this shot etc.
I think part of the deal is I have a couple of good bucks I got trail cam pics of this year, and my expectations are running pretty high.  Unfortunately, my 40 acres hunts small, and I have neighbors on both sides hunting alot.  I know how they both hunt, and am thinking more along the lines of them messing things up and making the bucks either nocturnal or vacate altogether.  I'm staying out of my little 5 acre swamp, waiting for my neighbor to the south to cut his corn, and move some deer into the wood lots.  Been out 3 time since Oct 1, haven't seen a deer yet- leads to the frustration and mind wandering.
 
 

[Tim Fishell]

Dave, I know what you mean.  I think if it wasnt for bad luck I wouldnt have any at all in the deer woods.  I have been hunting bow and gun for 14 years now and have taken 1 deer in that time with a gun.  I have yet to take a deer with my bow.  I am just always in the wrong place at the wrong time it seems.  I am lucky if I even get a shot opportunity in a hunting season.  And if I do it never seems to go the way I want or need it to go.  Oh well I still enjoy getting out there and taking it all in.

[blueline]

Dave I dont think any of that is bad juju. I beleave in doing every thing right (or as best I can) keep a positative attitude, and visualize all things.
Remember If you can live without a big buck you probably will. Take it personally, Expect a bigen every time you go out, but understand they dont do things the same as average or majority deer. There are some great reads out there from folks the get it done reguarly,so pick up a book an move toward the big buck that is waiting on you. If you can change your mind you can change the world!!!!!(at least your world)

blueline

[longbowben]

Sounds like you have a bad case of BUCK FEVER you need to pick a spot quit looking at the horns,every time i miss i didnt pick a SPOT.Good luck dont look at the horns, pick a SPOT.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Nothing bad about what going on with you. Hunting isn't about killing, It's about HUNTING. So far I haven't gotten a deer this season, but it is still a trophy season for me.

The Great Father, is looking down on you and He will give you a nice buck when the time is right. Till then enjoy the woods and the animals the Great Spirit send your way.

[Wile E. Coyote]

I think if you come down and spend some time in the swamps of Louisiana you will return and see just how much GOOD LUCK you have. Been at it for 20+ years and though I've taken my share of does I've never had an opportunity at a buck that would score close to 100.

Think your watching too much TV where they all kill P&Y Bucks. Be Happy with what you have, cuz you have it alot better than many.

[jcarter]

It took me 10 yrs of bowhunting "ONE PIECE" of property before I finally connected on a P&Y animal, since then, every year , I've put myself or somebody in my family on a 130+ animal for the past four years in a row( 5 130 plus animals in 4 years). I must mention also that where are farm is, it is not an area that is known for large deer, its brush and timber, no crops!

It took that long to figure the game out on my farm! I must mention that four years prior to harvesting that animal, I passed on every spike, 4 pointer and six point that walked by!

 IF your hunting several pieces of property, my suggestion would be to PIck one, maybe two farms, and learn them front to back. Their dominant wind, where the mast trees are, where the escape routes are, where the "breeding holes" are, etc.. It's going to be like starting all over again, but it's worth it!

Take a notebook with you right down where, when, temp, moon phase, wind direction and so fourth when you see deer! After a couple of years worth of notes, you will be able to predict deer movement on those farms with ease.

I GUARANTEE YOU, if you start doing this, your trips out will be much more rewarding

Your time will come......when it does... it will be the best feeling in the world!

[MI_Bowhunter]

Originally posted by Tim Fishell:
Dave, I know what you mean.  I think if it wasnt for bad luck I wouldnt have any at all in the deer woods.  I have been hunting bow and gun for 14 years now and have taken 1 deer in that time with a gun.  I have yet to take a deer with my bow.  I am just always in the wrong place at the wrong time it seems.  I am lucky if I even get a shot opportunity in a hunting season.  And if I do it never seems to go the way I want or need it to go.  Oh well I still enjoy getting out there and taking it all in.

Same here except for me its been 25 years and two deer, both with a gun.

[DRR324]

Thanks for the replies so far guys.  Keeping the positive mental mojo is the toughest.  BigBen, the fever isn't it- I can get it done when the time comes.  My two near misses I talked about- the 17 quarter shot- I worked at an archery shop and had spent so much time on everyone elses bows-I didn't get to shoot mine much (wheels) and found out that night that I was shooting to the right (the side I missed on) by 4 inches.  The other shot was just a touch low- but right where I wanted it to go- thinking he would drop at the shot as most of mine do.  SInce the switch to trad- I've been passing little ones- and counting coup on them- wanting my first trad buck to be a good one.  I'll stick with it- and of course enjoy my time in the woods as that is what its about.  (BUT- I really want a good one- or three, four, etc). Thanks guys.

[longbowben]

Keep up the good attitude, good things come to those who wait.I wish you the best of luck.  

[Mike Hames]

Sounds like to me you need to start clearing your shooting lanes a little better.   :D      
Just kidding. Be there, done that.    
I have been waiting for "That ONE" for several years. Close encounters is what keeps me applying for draw hunts in othe states and paying those fees. I can't wait, every year to get back in the woods and hope this is the year. Good luck.
Stay with it. I have all of the slick heads I want to shoot in many places I'm allowed to hunt.
Just take a couple a year for the freezer and relatives that can't hunt anymore due to poor health.
Mike

[buckeye_hunter]

It sounds as though you may just be an ethical hunter that has let many poor shots pass. Good for you! It is hard to sit and wait!

-Charlie