What do you think?

[huntncoach]

In no way do I consider myself an expert deer hunter - novice is much more like it, although I have been hunting for about 10 years now. I want to share some observations from my experience:

1) Most of what I know about deer and hunting them I have learned through experience. However, I have gained some valuable knowledge from you good fellas and my hunting partner on my lease. I just don't always trust what other hunters tell me because their advice/expertise is not what I observe as accurate in the woods. Is that bad? Do any of you feel the same way?

2) Just when I think I have something figured out about deer behavior, they prove me wrong! This season has been extremely difficult. Zero deer sightings in three weekends of hunting on our lease. I have only seen deer crossing roads/trails as I head out to hunt or back to camp. I spent a lot of time figuring out what I thought would be the best stands based on different wind directions. Still a big fat zero!

3) The more years I put behind me, the more I realize it's not all about the kill. Don't get me wrong - I would love to fill my freezer with at least 3 deer per season. The anticipation of seeing a deer and maybe getting a shot are what keep me going back into the woods - even in tough years like this one. i also have begun to enjoy the preparation of hunting areas (well before the season, of course). I guess that leads to the anticipation.

4) Because I now hunt mostly pine forests and thickets, I realize how much I miss hardwoods. I just can't hear the dang deer walking on pine needles! It's something I am still learning how to hunt (4 years now on our lease), but always jump at a chance to hunt hardwoods.

5) Deer hunting really is a big fraternity. Although I don't always trust the advice of my lease mates - I do appreciate their willingness to share. I have also developed some new friendships with some of those guys.

6) Finally, I always get a little emotional when I am fortunate enough to harvest a deer - something about taking a life. After the thrill of it all I pay my respects to animal. I imagine i could never be a serial killer.

As disappointed as I have been the past few weeks, I still plan to get out there as often as I can and wait for Mr.Big Buck to show himself. I haven't taken a really good buck yet (7-pointer being my biggest), but I have some on trail cameras finally. Good luck to all of you the rest of the season!

 

[TNGunsmoke]

I've been deer hunting for about 8 years, and I lean something just about every time I go out, whether I see a deer or not. Largely I have learned on my own, but the land owner and a couple of the other guys that hunt on the same place have helped me out a lot.

 

[MrBill]

I just hunt, I don't get all emotional about much.

 

[benellivol]

1) It's not that bad. Nothing is better than first hand experience.

2) I have that happen to me nearly every time I hunt. I've seen a lot of deer this year, passed some small bucks and a few does up, but they never quite do what you want them to do.

3) Hunting and not seeing any deer is still better than a day of working. I enjoy being in the woods, I enjoy watching everything going in the woods and if I get to fling an arrow or shoot a bullet at a deer it's a plus.

4) Pines are hard.

5) There's definitely a bond with the guys you hunt with

6) I get the shakes after I hear or see them fall

 

[csi-tech]

Everyone's experience is different. I love everything about it. Except gutting them.

 

[Mike Belt]

Keep on keeping on! Experience is the best teacher and you can get a lot of good advice from your fellow hunters. After a while you'll figure out the difference between those that think they know something and those that actually do. I've been an avid deer hunter for 40 years and the deer are always teaching me something... especially humility. When and if the time comes to where you don't learn anything and you know it all write a book. I'll buy a copy. Enjoy the hunt and the road that got you there. The kill is just icing. Different parts of different properties sometimes require different hunting approaches. The more you hunt them the sooner you'll learn the best methods. Pines can be difficult because of the very reason you mention; it's almost impossible to hear them moving. Believe me though deer love pines. I hunt areas that have both pines and hardwoods and many times I'll forfeit hunting the hardwoods opting for the pines instead. It can be hard to single out a spot to set up because usually the interior all looks the same. Look for any differences in elevation such as fire burms. Deer love to travel them and along their edges. Thickets inside pines are also an attractant as are the growth around any waterholes you might find inside. Much of the sign you find may appear random but upon closer inspection there's generally a method to their madness. Hunting pines will require seeing them first so there's a lot of panning the landscape rather than relying on your hearing. Once you start having success figuring out how deer move through them you'll start adding meat to the freezer. Good luck.

 

[AT Hiker]

6) Finally, I always get a little emotional when I am fortunate enough to harvest a deer - something about taking a life. After the thrill of it all I pay my respects to animal. I imagine i could never be a serial killer.

I feel this way too, often times before the shot and that keeps me from pulling the trigger. This is the main reason I cannot shoot fawns, I have a sense of regret for them. Almost like the playing field is not level.


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