The truth, a hard lesson in reality.....

[TraditionalGuy]

I can feel your pain, but for me it's the pigs. Here in California, we have a huge pig population that you can hunt all year round. And yet, 95% of pigs taken are on private lands. It really sucks to try to find public land pigs. I have seen two running from about 100 yards away in all my years of hunting them here. I feel like I may have to go for the private land if I ever want to harvest a pig in my lifetime.

[Shawn Leonard]

Ron, you don't get it. I miss out on nothing and get everything and more than you guys get. I also get the final results. I love everything about the hunt itself probably as much if not more than most, but if you don't think the hunt is not about the kill in the end you are sorely mistaken. If you feel that way bring a camera, I have actually petted a wild deer while it slept in a falling snow storm. Would of been an easy kill. I don't carry a camera or if I do its on my phone. Just tired of "I don't hunt to kill something!" Maybe that is why guys that feel that way don't kill stuff as it means their heart is'nt into it!! Shawn

[jacobsladder]

Some folks hunt for venison, some folks hunt for horns, some folks hunt for solitude, some folks hunt to socialize and be a part of something....some folks hunt just to spend time in nature.....with or without a bow..............I happen to enjoy venison....so am thrilled if I can put a deer in the freezer......very few of us are starving...so if hunting is just about killing, I doubt we would be talking about all the deer we pass up..........It is nice that we all can choose our own hunting style and other opinions really mean absolutely nothing.

REDSHAFT,

sorry this thread got off topic....I agree public land can be tough hunting...the deer get pressured and can go nocturnal or move very little before dark...my advice is to go in further, hunt the thick areas, and go into areas that hunters do not like to trek...thats where the deer will be.....I also agree with others that it doesn't hurt to knock on doors.....mow the old ladies lawn for hunting rights....the small  5 and 10 acre parcels can hold some tasty venison...good luck this season !

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I guess its all about what you want to get out of it.

If you want to see more deer then do something different.  I know its hard when you are in a sparsely populated area.  The biggest problem when you dont see many deer is you tend to let your guard down.

knock on doors and lay down some boot rubber on public ground.  I even will walk around with a bow inn hand during perfect hunting times.  I would be wasting my time and mad at myself if I ever sit in a spot I deem only fair. I dont get much time to hunt therefore want to maximize my time in the woods.

If I am learning a new public spot, I will walk around during peak rut if I have to in order to find a good spot.

Its hard for a youngster to stay interested when they dont see anything.  

I like to do as Rob mentioned. Keep walking until you find a lot of fresh poop.  

Think about it, deer poop about as much as people. If you find a spot with a Ton of poop, they must spend a lot of time there.  If a spot looks mediocre and has very sparse sign, keep moving.  

I have a place where deer trails look Huge but they dont use them. not sure if they are seasonal or just old but it gets traveled by 1 or 2 deer a week.  Even though the spot looks good, i dont even consider sitting there unless I am strapped for time or just need to get out.

Again, Its all about what you want.  Best of luck.

[Knawbone]

Originally posted by jacobsladder:
Some folks hunt for venison, some folks hunt for horns, some folks hunt for solitude, some folks hunt to socialize and be a part of something....some folks hunt just to spend time in nature.....with or without a bow..............I happen to enjoy venison....so am thrilled if I can put a deer in the freezer......very few of us are starving...so if hunting is just about killing, I doubt we would be talking about all the deer we pass up..........It is nice that we all can choose our own hunting style and other opinions really mean
absolutely nothing.

REDSHAFT,

sorry this thread got off topic....I agree public land can be tough hunting...the deer get pressured and can go nocturnal or move very little before dark...my advice is to go in further, hunt the thick areas, and go into areas that hunters do not like to trek...thats where the deer will be.....I also agree with others that it doesn't hurt to knock on doors.....mow the old ladies lawn for hunting rights....the small  5 and 10 acre parcels can hold some tasty venison...good luck this season !

Well Said, I like to tie tags as much as the next guy, but some of my most satisfying and soul fulfilling hunts involved no kill at all.

I hunt for the thrill not the kill!  My choice!  I choose!

[Todd Cook]

I don't mean to ruffle any feathers, but I gotta go with Shawn on this one. Find better land. I will admit I don't know anything about hunting up north. We've got a lot of deer and hogs here, but I have to travel some to get to them. The public lands close to me are not great, so I don't hunt them. I travel 2 or 3 hours to get to my spots, but usually shoot multiple critters per year.

I've got 2 kids still at home and money's tight these days, so I just do 3 or 4 long weekends per year instead of every weekend.

[Orion]

If you're seeing so few deer, it is time to reexamine where you hunt and perhaps how you hunt. Killing a critter doesn't depend on how much time you spend in the woods, it's how you spend the time in the woods.  Good luck.

[buckeye_hunter]

Public land can be tough, but there are deer out there. Public land is what I hunt the most. If you aren't coming across deer, then something is out of whack. I know I'm in Ohio, but there are deer in PA as well.

If you are hunting good food sources, deer should be coming to your location. Some areas are low in deer numbers, but the deer have to be there somewhere. Have you hunted white oaks?

Good luck and I respect your commitment!

[Keb]

You hit the nail on the head, you can't kill what is not there. You must find spots that have big deer, and it can be done on public land.

A week trip to a better place, Midwest could be better thn an entire season in a dead zone.

It's a sacrifice. I travel to hunt, I don't get to hunt as much, but my chances and success has risen 100 percent. I save my pennies and vacation  and do DIY hunts all over.

[moleman]

Thank you Shawn, for reminding me why I dont visit here much anymore. Rather than being supportive and offering constructive ideas or comments, you lash out with the egotistical " Ive killed more critters than you have, so obviously you suck at hunting mentality ".
I agree that we hunt to kill and I also understand the joy of the hunt, blood or no blood, but if you read the post that this man wrote, he is offering encouragement and best wishes for those not as fortunate as yourself who have access to private property.
Hunting private property is a privilege not a right and for many, that privilege is never granted, no matter how many doors you knock on.... so for guys like you, consider yourselves blessed, as it doesnt happen for all.
Shawn....project literacy.....getcha some! and then maybe you will understand the post, though I doubt that you will ever understand the true message that the post delivers.

[Bear Heart]

Having spent six years chasing blacktail here in western Washington state I feel you. Pile of tag soup. I learn something each year so not a waste.  This year I am giving eastside mulies and Michigan whitetail a try to "get something under my belt". I suspect I will make my way back to the blacktail ghost.

[Shawn Leonard]

Moleman, I was duragatory and never boasted and was not egotistical just being honest. I wish nothing but the best for the gentlemen in the post. You my friend are wrong, took me 14 years of asking politely every year to get the area I hunt in a bow only area, never say never. Moleman you obviously don't get it. I was actually being constructive, if like the post starter and Ron W and maybe you yourself are not killing deer than obviously the something is wrong with their approach. 42 years and one shot is not good and I am glad Ron keeps at it, but I am sorry not just me but tons of folks I know hunt properties that have only a few deer per square mile and they manage a kill every few years. As far as understanding the post, I do obviously more than you!! I appreciate what he was saying, still does not change the facts. Young people are the future and young people get bored very quickly not seeing game and give up too quickly. No reason it has to be that way, just have to start thinking different and changing things up thats all!! Shawn

[Shawn Leonard]

I also should apologize, not for what I said but for getting off topic!! Definition of Hunting: to pursue or seek game for the purpose of catching or killing. I wish everyone the best of luck. I do hunt to kill and that is not my only reason but by definition that is what it is!! Otherwise we are pursuing game for the love of nature. Best of luck to all who choose to actually hunt!! Shawn

[pdk25]

Originally posted by moleman:
Thank you Shawn, for reminding me why I dont visit here much anymore. Rather than being supportive and offering constructive ideas or comments, you lash out with the egotistical " Ive killed more critters than you have, so obviously you suck at hunting mentality ".
I agree that we hunt to kill and I also understand the joy of the hunt, blood or no blood, but if you read the post that this man wrote, he is offering encouragement and best wishes for those not as fortunate as yourself who have access to private property.
Hunting private property is a privilege not a right and for many, that privilege is never granted, no matter how many doors you knock on.... so for guys like you, consider yourselves blessed, as it doesnt happen for all.
Shawn....project literacy.....getcha some! and then maybe you will understand the post, though I doubt that you will ever understand the true message that the post delivers.

Sorry man, but some of your comments are out of line.  Shawn's first comments were constructive and his advice was spot on.  His subsequent posts were responses to people whose advise was essentially 'don't worry about not killing many deer'.  That is their take on it, and his is different.

[ChuckC]

Moleman


 
ChuckC

[Izzy]

Originally posted by moleman:
Thank you Shawn, for reminding me why I dont visit here much anymore. Rather than being supportive and offering constructive ideas or comments, you lash out with the egotistical " Ive killed more critters than you have, so obviously you suck at hunting mentality ".
I agree that we hunt to kill and I also understand the joy of the hunt, blood or no blood, but if you read the post that this man wrote, he is offering encouragement and best wishes for those not as fortunate as yourself who have access to private property.
Hunting private property is a privilege not a right and for many, that privilege is never granted, no matter how many doors you knock on.... so for guys like you, consider yourselves blessed, as it doesnt happen for all.
Shawn....project literacy.....getcha some! and then maybe you will understand the post, though I doubt that you will ever understand the true message that the post delivers.

Well, I was glad that you had moved on, guess your back to tell us how enlightened and "Traditional" you are.   :rolleyes:

[achigan]

"Find where the deer are. Hunt there." Fred Bear
It sound simplistic,, but it's about as good a piece as I've ever received. If I wanted a trophy deer, I scout a lot more, talk to the rural mail  carriers and school bus drivers. Stop and chat with a farmer when you see them out working. I'm  a meat hunter, and the local farmers are happy to have me take whatever I can. I dodn't leave a mess behind and always offer a stick of summer sausage come Thanksgiving. "A man's gifts make room for him."

[Izzy]

Originally posted by RedShaft:
I did some thinking other day after seeing posts in the past and present about how many deer you have got or see each season or shots per season or what have you. I just realized I have been bow hunting 19 years. 15 of those have been very serious miss only a few days the entire archery season and many seasons hunting every single day. I had the fortune of having state public land close to home where my parents could drop me off up until I was old enough to drive. I have  6 or 7 large state lands with in 20 min of my home. I have tried my best to learn deer and study deer. Read book after book article after article. Browse through forums looking for answers. Now while I have come across some great books and most mag article cover basic principles. To say I have not  put in the time and worked through adverse weather and been out in the mix of things trying to put pieces together would be an understatement. Diligent practice, scouting map reading all that. Literally beating myself up and making work out of this sport I love so dear. I counted and I have taken 5 deer with the bow. And I can tell you I have not screwed up on too many animals. I am lucky if I get a shot in a archery season. Sometimes going a week to 2 weeks without seeing a deer. It's very difficult to gain Experiance when it's like this. Shot opportunity Experiance and learnin deer behavior is tough.  Im not exactly sure what direction i want to head in my bowhunting career. keep pounding it out start taking a laid back approach. I do want to get things figures out before my son comes of age.

Before I go any further I want to say that you guys huntin public land know exactlmwhere I'm coming from ESP places like pennsylvania, Michigan ect. And those of you who have to hunt head place year in and year out my hats of to ya. ESP those of you who get it done. All this was bringing me to my thought of my son who I will be taking out, now this is along time from now... I want to be able to put him on game so he don't have to deal wih what I have. Hunting is hunting but it's hard to dedicate yourself under these conditions. And you mite say why dont you get off public land. Well there is so many here that hunt and because of the deer numbers and issues with the state and there deer management programs, no one wants you hunting there land. They all hunt too.

So I want to both thank and give you other advice. To those of you on this site who go out of there way to help people learn from your Experiance is just awesome and thank you so much and also post pics and stories of your hunts is awesome it helps keep guys like me spirits up and helps keep our heads up its possible for it to come together. And those of you in my kind Of situation. Keep your heads up this season. Stop beating yourself up. It may not be you, but the area you live in or the places you have to hunt. Keep working at it and try to have fun and stop putting so much pressure on yourself. In your area you may have access to private land. And I will tell you before you get to far into your hunting career, find some so you can enjoy un pressured deer hunting and see and taking game. All the reading and scouting you do will not help you learn if the deer are just not there. And you need real in the woods experiance, you can only learn so much from a book. I know we all just enjoy this bowhunting but you want to put animals on the ground too.  Why we are out here! Keep your heads up.  Keep the faith!!

Buddy, for sure something isnt right. Private property isnt always the answer.  The private property that I mostly hunt is small and surrounded by whitetail wasteland where every deer gets shot, tag or no tag. I hunt it for the sake of safety and familiarity mostly. Keep looking. Im sure there is something better not far from where you live. If not change your tactics til you find out what works for you.

       There are folks here on this forum who have done far worse than your 5 deer in a whole lot more years so you are doing something right. Focus on what made those hunts successful and concentrate on those specifics. Good luck to you and your son. Keep him involved and soon you wont care about your deer and other game, you'll be more pumped about his than you could ever imagine.    

[bbell]

I know how you feel. I was feeling that way about 6 yrs ago, so my buddy and I totally changed areas. we started to ride bikes way back. And we started to see elk. Same thing with deer. I was hunting the same way every time and it didn't work but I kept doing the same thing over and over. Once we changed how we hunted we got into alot more game.

That still doesn't guarentee anything. In those 6 yrs each year I have had elk and/or deer in bow range and either botched the shot(twice) or the wind (feels like 500x). But the chances are there.

It's funny guys bring up the poop thing. Stupid simple but I can think of an area I hunt that I havent seen alot of sign but keep hunting it without scouting it real good. Might have to go for a walk about.

One last tip. Talk to your local game warden. Usually they are pretty friendly and willing to help. And they know the areas pretty well.
Good Luck, Brandon

[Muss03]

Wow! I am very fortunate here in Ohio. We have a lot of public land that guys kill deer on every year. Lots of private land as well. I will in part throw in with Shawn here. Maybe not all about the killing but it's a big part. I take pleasure in the whole process and if im not preparing venison for my friends and family than a huge huge part is missing for me. If I go a day or two without having deer under me, I will change things up. More times than not were passing on shots here but we almost always see deer, and that is an essential part of it for me.  don't think I could do it long term if I wasn't seeing deer and experiencing the feeling of anxiety/anticipation when I hear them coming. It's almost a type of high for me. Just my 2 cents I hope it turns around for you.