Frustrations of a first season

[zim]

Not only my first year bow hunting, but also my first season actively deer hunting. Boys, I am getting driven crazy out there.

I have to be doing something incredibly wrong. Not only am I not getting any deer in range, I'm not even seeing any.

I'm learning all of this on my own. Have permission in a few spots with wooded acreage. I feel like I'm doing the right stuff but just getting my butt kicked (playing the wind, hunting on sign, playing the weather, sitting near acorns, etc.)

I'm gonna continue to grind, just using this forum to air some frustrations. I enjoy seeing y'all's pictures and reading your posts. Hopefully I'll be posting pics myself soon.

 

[Ski]

It can be frustrating for sure. Sometimes it's a feast or famine type of endeavor. Just remember that there's an equal high for every low.

What part of the state are you in?

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Some areas of TN just simply don't have Many deer anymore. I can't imagine being a new hunter in my area, it would really suck. If you are in a good area, then just keep grinding. If you are in a sucky area, I recommend going somewhere with a lot of deer like a lot of Middle TN or areas in West TN.

 

[SES]

I've killed 3 deer in several decades of bow hunting. I would rather be in a tree with a bow hanging next to me than just about anywhere else. Enjoy the experience of being out amongst them. If your easily discouraged, sell your bow. It can be maddening.

 

[rtaylor]

Let me help you feel better about yourself. Back in 2008 I did 19 all day sits before I saw a deer. I finally started telling myself I wasn't going deer hunting just getting out in the woods to relax.

 

[1jamey]

Trail cams do so much scouting for me one of the best tools to use.

 

[Crappieaddict]

Trail cams do so much scouting for me one of the best tools to use.

This!

 

[zim]

Thanks boys. Don't mean to come across as whining . . . just getting it off my chest.

I have some cams out. And see some decent deer on them (I think).

I will keep at it. I'm sure this happens to everyone. I do wish I could figure out my mistakes and correct them.

PS I'm up in NETN.

 

[zim]

I've killed 3 deer in several decades of bow hunting. I would rather be in a tree with a bow hanging next to me than just about anywhere else. Enjoy the experience of being out amongst them. If your easily discouraged, sell your bow. It can be maddening.

Im not gonna quit. That's for sure.

 

[Deer Assassin]

Ne Tn is the problem

Dude I'm in my 20 year and I have had a lot of frustration
It never ends
Take the good with the bad
Enjoy it
Hunt with friends and family

The advice I give every new hunter
You want to kill a deer in Tn

Be in the woods every minute you can in November period

 

[Deer Assassin]

Btw
Good luck to ya

 

[Ladys man]

I've lived in east side most of my life. Now hunting is hard here, November it picks up same places I bow hunt are covered with deer but during bow season I might not even see a deer even if sign was there. Do not let it get you down. I hunted 7 yrs before I could kill my first, then starting putting 1&2 together. Now I'm able to put 2-3 deer a ye in the feeezer, but I will say this year has been different.
Keep your head up and stay in the woods you will figure out what mistakes your making and learn from them.

 

[270MONTS]

It does get frustrating at times. Don't get down. Everyone has slow days or even slow years. When you do get one it will all be worth it.

 

[zim]

Thanks boys

 

[EastTNHunter]

Getting into hunting can be tough. It may sound funny, but you have to learn to see the deer sometimes. I can only imagine how many deer I missed seeing until I learned to look for a flick of a tail or ear, or a moving leg. Sometimes even to this day, a deer will just "appear" out of nowhere, even if I was just watching that spot. You often won't see a whole deer out in the open, especially if you are hunting cover.

You've gotta crawl before you can walk. Don't get discouraged. Learn what you can along the way, but enjoy the ride. Be in the woods and soak it all in.

BTW, I've been told that some parts of NE TN have good deer numbers, but I'm assuming that those areas are more around agricultural areas. Also, this year has a bumper crop of acorns in many areas, so the deer movement can be low during those times. When the white oak acorn supply dries up in a few weeks, focus on remaining food supplies (red oaks, etc) and cover and you should find them. This is often in a totally different place than they were in the summer or early season. Also, food plots and fields sometimes draw hunters, but if the area has much pressure then the deer may not use them during daylight hours... in this case hint travel corridors and staging areas leading to those food sources.

 

[Mag]

I don't think you said how you're hunting. Ground, stalking, stand etc ?

 

[bwgarrett3]

I'm in East, Tn and it can be extremely frustrating at times. There aren't a ton of deer in most places but there are some good deer!

How far NE are you? You've already gotten some great advice on this thread but I'd be willing to come sometime and help you out with boots on the ground. I don't claim to know it all but wouldn't mind to help if I can.

 

[Bone Collector]

As other have said, the NETN is the issue. Lower deer densities = fewer sightings. I taught myself too many moons ago. It is hard, to see what you are doing wrong if you do not know what is wrong or what is right. It is even harder if you don't see deer to be able to deduce what you are doing wrong (if that makes sense). Just go have fun, learn from your mistakes and your eventual successes, and eventually you will start putting it together and will start killing deer. It gets easier and easier.

That being said, sometimes the chips seemed to be stacked against you. There are no guarantees. Other times even when it shouldn't go your way it does.

 

[zim]

As other have said, the NETN is the issue. Lower deer densities = fewer sightings. I taught myself too many moons ago. It is hard, to see what you are doing wrong if you do not know what is wrong or what is right. It is even harder if you don't see deer to be able to deduce what you are doing wrong (if that makes sense). Just go have fun, learn from your mistakes and your eventual successes, and eventually you will start putting it together and will start killing deer. It gets easier and easier.

That being said, sometimes the chips seemed to be stacked against you. There are no guarantees. Other times even when it shouldn't go your way it does.

That's exactly where I am at right now. I know that I must be doing something wrong, but when you don't know what wrong/right is how do you correct it?

I live in Johnson City. I have hunting permissions in Sullivan Co, Hawkins Co, and Butler. So I'm kind of all over the place. I have a hanging stand that I am using. I am varying the heights that I hang it. Learning to read topography and predict how deer will travel.

I'm definitely still enjoying myself out there. I guess I sound like I'm whining haha.

Appreciate it fellas.

 

[zim]

I'm in East, Tn and it can be extremely frustrating at times. There aren't a ton of deer in most places but there are some good deer!

How far NE are you? You've already gotten some great advice on this thread but I'd be willing to come sometime and help you out with boots on the ground. I don't claim to know it all but wouldn't mind to help if I can.

I live in Johnson City. Hunt in surrounding counties.