Giving up

[Kingpuck]

Well after considerable effort, time, gas, and expense I think archery hunting is just not for me. Find it next to impossible to find animals, or even get in range. Shudder to think of the thousands of miles I have driven and the money invested in gear without result. It was fun while it lasted but the benefits don't seem to outweigh the rewards. Could have had an entire rack of grass fed beef in the freezer by now.

It inspires me to see all you guys getting nice animals but the public land game is just not working out. Will continue to read the stories and enjoy the cool people that visit the forums. Unfortunately the hills just don't hold any animals for me. Carry on guys, carry on.

Thanks for all the encouragement over the past couple of months. You all have been awesome.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Well if you hunt and think you are getting your expanses back in the meat you harvest you are misinformed. It's a hobby, passion, sport and family tradition. Don't give up, if I remember right this is your first year hunting, if so I didn't get a deer until year 4. Then I got one, then again the next year then went blank the next two years. 10% skill, 90% luck right time right place. Keep at it, you'll have success come your way, and when you do it will feel like a million bucks!  pardon my pun. 

[runamuk]

I hate to say it....you will be back, maybe with a muzzy or a rifle but this is an illness.... I am 0 for 5  I havent killed anything no grouse, rockchucks nuthin but I keep getting sucked back in.......its a sickness...

[kglacken]

If you are in it just for the kill, then i suggest you do give it up. it can be extremely frustrating and time consuming and it does cost a ton of money and time! If all you want is a successful hunt then it isnt worth it. However, I love archery hunting for multiple reasons. Longer seasons, better timing of seasons, less people, and a challenge! There is nothing like a perfect arrow flying to your intended target, but for me, its more about the hunt. its tougher and it challenges you mentally. I didnt kill an animal until my third or fourth year bow hunting, but when it happened, I was estatic. all the time and effort was worth it. Just something to keep in mind! 

[PlateauNDN]

What 300 said and run.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Benefits?  There are benefits?    

[snowpack]

What kind of deer are you hunting for?  Blacktail make me want to give up all the time and I've been doing this for 3 decades.
I find that as far as season timing goes, modern is generally better timed for deer.  Unless you did a lot of scouting early in the season and want to get a buck you've been watching right away...then archery is good.  But it almost sounds like you covered too much territory and didn't tear up their turf. 

[Sandberm]

I can see where it would be frustrating. As with any hobby,hunting by archery can be expensive and it seems like, with any hobby, you really have to spend a lot of time at it to be good. Time most of us as adults just dont really have.

 Starting tomorow I will be in my third year of trying to get a deer with my bow. I suppose Ive made it even more dificult on myself by going with a recurve bow, but thats how I got introduced to the sport and I really enjoy shooting my recurve.

I must say though that over the past two years I have had an absolute blast hunting deer despite not being able to tag one. I enjoy the scouting, the planing and I even find it humorous the amount of failure I have in trying to get within 30 yds of  a deer....any deer.  I spot, I stalk, I circle around, I circle again, I hunker down and wait, and after hours of this I grow impatient and the deer spot me and run. At the end of the day I am spent, completely worn out. I go home and whine to my wife and then I get up early the next day and do it all over again.

[Harborhunter]

You still have till the end of the year!  Keep hunting!

[bobcat]

Have you only been hunting for blacktail deer? If so, before you give up on hunting entirely, give whitetails or mule deer a try. Blacktails are really tough to hunt and it can be tough to stay motivated when you hunt for many days without seeing a deer.

Mule deer and whitetails certainly don't always come easy, but you're much more likely to at least see deer, even if they're not legal animals.

I would also recommend that you buy the multi season deer tag. Yes it's another $180 you'll have to spend, but for a new hunter, I think the extra time it will allow you to hunt will be invaluable.

I'm considering giving up on blacktails myself. They seem like they're almost to the point of being an endangered species in many areas. This year my group felt fortunate to see just one doe per day. That's how bad it's become.

[coachcw]

leave the weapon in the truck and you will see plenty of game 

[gonehuntin68]

If it was easy it would not be fun.   

[MLBowhunting]

Pm me I have a few spots I can take you too

[pope]

Four years here and no deer. But I had a shot at a superb buck last year and this year, my only opportunity came when a tall spike walked under my tree stand. I was at a mandatory meeting at work, at 8 a.m. on a Saturday. I checked my trail cam and learned of my misfortune. I also had a primer blow up in my face at the range, and Remington turned my rifle around in 2-1/2 weeks with a new bolt, trigger, the works!

My advice....don't give up on archery. Where I hunt there are plenty deer and in September, they reliably visit open areas where you'd find them in the summer. By October they are in the shadows, but they're still there. Also, don't drive. There are deer within 45 minutes of where most of us live. More homework, less driving.

The only reason I'm still interested in blacktails is because of how challenging they are. I started hunting because I was looking for something to replace the thrill and challenge of rock climbing. I was prepared to be disappointed but instead, I'm finding the excitement is in trying to figure out and plan how to approach next season.

[patton1]

I'm 31 years old and have been hunting with a bow since I was 12. I've given up bow hunting probably 15-20 times for one reason or another. It's a real Love/Hate relationship but I love it way more than I could ever hate it. Hopefully this is NOT a real "Giving up" moment. If nothing else at least try with a rifle or muzzy. Maybe you'll come back to archery after you have some success with another weapon.

[300UltraMagShooter]

Head to Spokane or somewhere east and find some public land.  Put out some bait and wait.

Do it this week and you will get a deer even if it is a small one (if you can shoot).

Baiting is great for beginners and people that aren't great at real hunting.        

[DoubleJ]

Pm me I have a few spots I can take you too

Stay out of my spots Shelton boy

[PolarBear]

You are trying too hard!  Just get in the woods, sit your butt down and let nature bring it's bounty to you!  Don't give up!

[Savage3006]

Don't give up friend, keep on hunting and you will find success. You're welcome to join me next year for general season rifle. Just send me a PM and we'll make it happen.

[TheHunt]

Well, once you figure it out.... You will be paying 16 - 22 dollars per lb of meat.  Not the cheapest but it is a hobby and fun entertainment.

[Slimdog350]

You can't give up man. If your not having any luck seeing animals then look at maps or google earth, pick a spot and go check it out! Be versatile, be confident. Shoot I didn't kill my first elk for 7 years. Then I was on a hot streak and the last 2 years I've been stumped. My buddies and I went east for deer and have had great success. You can't give up. This year has been my worst and I'm already planning for next year. There are lots of good spots around you. You just have to find them. I've worn out a lot of boots finding my areas. Always be looking. You see a spot you think might be good, don't wonder, go look! Hunting isn't easy. Otherwise every yahoo would do it! 

[deltaops]

Frustrating is putting it lightly! I know how you feel. I used to bow hunt in MO then I moved to WA. Never hunted again until last year with Modern Firearm. Still no luck in WA. Paid the extra money and went to a different state, I got lucky for sure, but I paid the price. To me it was worth it. This year my wife, son and I went out and my son is the only one to tag out. Next year the wife will not hunt due to other obligations and I will be switching to bow.

If you feel like giving up due to money then I would consider that too, but I am doing it because its fun and I want my kids to get involved more with the outdoors. Its expensive for sure but in the long run, it is fun times and great memories just being out and away in the woods.

[furiouzgeorge]

The hunt has to be more than the end goal...meat. Meat's great, but...at the end of the day it's the experience you need to hold on to. Change your experience. If you're tired of what you're doing spice it up, do something different. Get a partner, get a compound, hire a guide. Whatever you do don't let a lack of meat in the freezer dictate whether or not you had a fulfilling hunt.

I'm leaving tomorrow for a week long hunting trip for Elk in a GMU that doesn't have a resident herd...why? Because I dislike bumping into other hunters MORE than I like Elk. Do I stand a chance? Probably not. Is it a wild goose chase? Sure. Will I become stronger both physically and mentally? Heck yah! Make the experience positive, then no matter what the outcome is, it'll be worth it. My

P.S. If you finally do make the plunge and quit I've got dibs on your gear!

[Turner89]

I can see where it would be frustrating. As with any hobby,hunting by archery can be expensive and it seems like, with any hobby, you really have to spend a lot of time at it to be good. Time most of us as adults just dont really have.

 Starting tomorow I will be in my third year of trying to get a deer with my bow. I suppose Ive made it even more dificult on myself by going with a recurve bow, but thats how I got introduced to the sport and I really enjoy shooting my recurve.

I must say though that over the past two years I have had an absolute blast hunting deer despite not being able to tag one. I enjoy the scouting, the planing and I even find it humorous the amount of failure I have in trying to get within 30 yds of  a deer....any deer.  I spot, I stalk, I circle around, I circle again, I hunker down and wait, and after hours of this I grow impatient and the deer spot me and run. At the end of the day I am spent, completely worn out. I go home and whine to my wife and then I get up early the next day and do it all over again. Good post Sandberm. My wife has listened to me come home ,and  whine also.    Over the last eight years I've been on a roll. This year I didn't even see a buck, untill the last 1/2 hour of the last day, and he was running 50 mph back to the timber line.
  Next year you might take one on the first day. It can litterally happen at any minute.  If I remember right, you started posting on here about learning how to hunt, and that you had little to no experience. I bet you know a great deal more now than a year ago. Don't give up.

[huntnnw]

I woulda given up 25 years ago if it was about money.... I have spent over 50 days hunting this year countless more scouting and I have put nothing in the freezer. I also ate 2 non resident ID elk tags..I dont quit a passion never will..if anything it makes me even more hungry for the next year

[DoubleJ]

Never think about the money

[Boss .300 winmag]

I wonder what ever happened to this guy?

He was on the forum on the 14 October 2014.

[billythekidrock]

I wonder what ever happened to this guy?

He was on the forum on the 14 October 2014.

Last Active: October 04, 2014, 08:50:40 AM

[_DarkTimber_]

I've never been archery always modern fire, but this next year I think I'm gonna buy a bow and get after it, I've been hunting for about 10 years now on the wet side and now I can say i am going to give it a shot knowing everything I've learned over the years. But don't get me wrong I learn something new about them every year. I just want more of a challenge! My advice is to never give up always push further the rewards only get better. Good luck!

[Magnum_Willys]

Walk out the back door, 20 deer under the feeder, shoot largest, pickup with tractor and haul to barn.  Another successful year?

That would make me quit. Embrace the challenge !

[woodsmen]

Same as Runamuk, I am 0 for 5, but I can say that I am getting closer, any year now will be my year. I was totally deflated this last Monday, as the modern was ending (except for late buck), then on Tuesday, started back on my plans for next year. Plus sitting on the sofa watching football in a warm, dry, comfortable house, with a toilet, fridge and all the other trappings doesn't compare to beat'n down brush in the attempt to find an elusive deer. Good luck

[pianoman9701]

Ha! I should've given up after my last elk 12 years ago. But I have venison in the fridge this year and with 1 pepperoni stick, the bitter tang of tag soup becomes a distant memory. Focus on the people with whom you hunt and hunting camp. Focus on that irreplaceable time you get by yourself in the woods when you could be in an office getting yelled at. I work all year to hunt 10 days. It's worth it every year, tag soup or not. Or, go on a freakin' cruise! 

[Jonathan_S]

Hope he makes the decision to try it again.

If not, here is that (harsh) stance that I will take.  It is a good thing he never killed anything because it might have prolonged his thinking that he was passionate about hunting.  It is not something to do because it is cost comparative to filling the freezer with grass-fed beef.  I know some of you claim to do just that and everyone once in a while, maybe it does happen just right.  If somehow I killed nothing for two years I would only be steeled to hunt harder, smarter, and longer.

Not to knock the guy but hunting probably just isn't his thing and that's okay.

He is probably similar to my wife in that she just enjoys the outdoors and if it weren't for me cleaning her guns, scouting, and walking her in/out of the woods then she wouldn't go.

No disrespect.

[Special T]

Elk or deer Camp is vacation in the woods with friends...  I have  not elk hunted in a couple of years due to long travel and cost... So i hunt with a bow for deer close to the house. Yast year i got my deer within 10 min drive from my house. I LOVE trying to find spots/ get permission close to home. I get to hunt more (afterwork hunts in Sept) and still have time to do all the otherthings life requires.  Huting is what you make it. I want to pit myself against the Blacktails and challenge myself to be stealthy...

[TeacherMan]

NEVER give up! Just find new area! OR go after a diff species...