BSK
Well-Known Member
Trying to kill the oldest/biggest buck on the property. I was absolutely driven by this goal. My harvest goals are far more modest now.
The end of things …
- Thread starter fairchaser
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I'm curious what caused this shift for you. Was it the frustration of how hard that can be? Accepting limitations of what most areas in TN can produce?
Carlos
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It could be just the seasons of life, so to speak.
There's a hog hunt at Catoosa this week, maybe you'd enjoy chasing them for a change of pace?
There's a hog hunt at Catoosa this week, maybe you'd enjoy chasing them for a change of pace?
I've been there. I'm 58 now. Went through some big life changes 3+ years ago. On top of that, lost my 1000 acre lease I'd hunted for 20 years and had so many great memories. I thought I'd just quit. Not in a pouty way, but just a "maybe it's time now" way. But, I started hunting some public land. I started expanding to and exploring other public land...it was like when I first started hunting. New places, new excitement, new scenery, new puzzles to unlock. It really ended up firing me up again. Now, I'm looking at the possibility of getting on a new lease - just thinking about the privilege of learning a new tract and figuring out good spots to hunt, has got me excited. I'm in good health and good physical health for my age. I run regularly - 3-6 miles at a time. I can still hike in long distances with 30-40 lbs on my back with no problems. I am really excited about this new phase in my deer hunting. I'm living proof - There is life after a long time lease is gone.
BSK
Well-Known Member
Although I was successful many times, I realized that kind of hunting isn't fun. Being successful ended up being more of a relief than a moment for celebration.
I realized having fun with my family was far more satisfying.
Although ironically, once I started looking at hunting as just a chance to have fun, my opportunities to take one of the best bucks on the property each year hasn't declined. Over the last 5 years I've either killed or had the opportunity to kill one of top 3 bucks on the place each year. And I'm free of all the pressure I used to place on myself.
Bgoodman30
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I am sorry to hear this and I fear our county is not far behind.. Although from what I am reading it seems like more of the issues are created by humans (including TWRA) and less CWD? What I mean is if the antler restrictions were still there and seasons went back to pre CWD do think it would really be this bad? What if Ames was in a vacuum and no one knew about CWD in the herd how many mature deer do you think would be lost?
Flintlocksforme
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I remember seeing the changes over the years too. I went on my first successful trip at 10 in 1979. If you were around then you clearly remember the antlered deer slaughter fest of the 80s. In high school I tagged out in rifle season in 5 hunts. Back in the paper tags / checking stations days. The local GW was at a career event about that time at our school. He found me and congratulated me and said I was probably one of the first to tag out by the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It was his way of telling me that he knew I was done for the year. All 4 bucks were 1 1/2 old but one that was 2 1/2 year old 8 point. We killed about a dozen bucks or more each year between my father and I ever year back then. 80 percent-90 percent would get a pass today. Luckily I had friends that duck hunted and there were still quail to hunt.
Bottom line is the bucks are growing bigger than I could ever imagine back in those days. I see it getting nothing but better as more and more lose interest because they have set the bar too high (not hunting if you don't have a trail cam pic of a big one), CWD, or just getting old.
Bottom line is the bucks are growing bigger than I could ever imagine back in those days. I see it getting nothing but better as more and more lose interest because they have set the bar too high (not hunting if you don't have a trail cam pic of a big one), CWD, or just getting old.
We're just east of Ames and it's the same for us. As it was, it was not unusual to have 80-100 sightings of deer a day. I doubt that I have seen 20 all year
bowhunterfanatic
Well-Known Member
I've struggled with this a bit. Just can't seem to find one I want to shoot this year. I've run cameras harder this year than I probably ever have before and I'm just not turning much up and what I have or did turn up is either dead or totally disappeared on me.
Carlos
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The cameras may be partly to blame here, as they have a tendency to put a damper on hunting- if you aren't seeing huge bucks, often times you won't go- or that's me anyways.
I wonder this as well, when I look at the regs for CWD zones I can't help but think that thier goal is to decimate the deer population especially the older age classes by allowing rifle hunting as much as they are. Personally I think the regs are pure garbage for CWD zones. As soon as they implement them in the counties I hunt, I'm out. I'll spend my money in another state to hunt.
BSK
Well-Known Member
That is EXACTLY their goal. The theory being, you can't spread a disease between animals that don't exist.
BSK
Well-Known Member
Of late, they seem to have become a very short-sighted organization that believes the act of regulating is far more important than what is being regulated.
I was about to say the same about hunting East Tennessee, there has been years I've but caught a glimpse of deer
I went this evening, and just before dark I saw a buck fawn, then his mama and sister showed up behind me. LOL
