Hangin it up for the year

[Kingpuck]

Well spent about 15 long days in the field specifically hunting outside of scouting (driving around and walking). All that to end up with tag soup. A little bummed as it was an expensive year but it was still worth it. Learned a great deal about deer behavior, tactics, locations, and strategies. Learned a lot about myself too. Going to be a gym rat for the next couple of months. Also need to become a map junkie and learn to scout some better areas.

The new rule for me is if there is a road to it then skip it. Have been to so many forest roads and cutoff roads that it is dizzying. Put a little over 3,000 miles on the car, and wore out some boot leather. Next year is going to be interesting.

Deer was hard enough but how on earth someone can get an elk is beyond my imagination. Thanks everyone for keeping me motivated and educated on this awesome sport. Hope to be back at it again in the summer looking for some nice new ground and some big animals. Keep the stories coming they keep me going.

Now back to the office wars for a couple more months.

[ICEMAN]

Dang, was hoping to see you post a photo this year!

Don't put all the gear away just yet....get someone to take you on a yote hunt for some fun, look forward to the spring turkey hunt, etc..etc....

Hang in there!

[brokenvet]

I am tired of Tag soup, maybe I'll try deep fried tag.

[Heredoggydoggy]

I've been eating Tag Soup so long that the Lotto odds are beginning to look good! 

[bobcat]

Don't give up quite yet. If you can muster up enough motivation, get out in the woods every chance you get in the next couple of months. This is a great time of the year to be scouting (thinking mainly of blacktail deer).

[ldjbuff]

I know of some nice Blacktail areas if you need help.....

[Southpole]

Keep scouting all year and bring a good coyote/cat rifle, that's my plan for the next three months. Keeps my mind off of an unsuccessful deer season year and hopefully get me in a better position to be successful next year. 

[Kingpuck]

Thanks guys. Will keep working out and trying to get the boots out there.

buff, might just take you up on that offer.

Otherwise, anyone got preferred recipes for tag soup?

[fillthefreezer]

another good way to keep those mountain muscles working is do some snowshoeing. nothing is as quiet as snow covered ridges all to yourself

[Button Nubbs]

Archery seasons are still going! Don't give up now!

[Doc Sauce]

While I was deployed, I found myself searching for your posts.  You had the same questions I had and the advice you got really helped me too.  I hate that you didn't bag anything this year.  Neither did I.  I think I might have had unrealistic expectations. 

Thanks for the thoughtful questions.  Better luck next year.

[Arnbo]

With late Archeryhaving a month long season maybe you just need
 A little while off. You can always get a big fat doe and they tend to taste better.

[Kingpuck]

Didn't realize I had a fan club  Might get out for another weekend hunt or two before the close of the season. Will have to do some work on good old Google maps then.

Was so frustrated today when I went back to check on my apples from Monday only to find that they had started logging on the road!!!!