about to give up hunting all together

[b0bbyg]

Might have been a troll but there was some good info in this thread.

I know some areas well from past hunting and have seen some nice bucks. Need to read the books I have collected to add some more knowledge and then get back at it during the late season.

[billythekidrock]

When you spend more time complaining about hunting on the Internet than actually hunting... Maybe you should give up.

Pick a couple hobbies and do them right, not 100 hobbies and do them all half ass.

Hunting around here is tough but that's what makes it fun. I hunt out of state nearly every year, in a lot more game rich areas and wouldn't give up hunting blacktails for any of it. The challenge and he reward of finally killing one is well worth it to me, and what I look forward to every year. Seeing two does in four years is either a lie or you just need to get off the internet complaining and get out in the woods and figure it out.

In this case agree 100%

[jstokes12]

Ron Swanson says, "Never half-ass two things. Whole-ass one thing."

[billythekidrock]

I'm gonna have to throw the B.S. flag on this one....there is absolutely no way anyone can reasonably hunt even a few years in this state without tagging a deer.  Yes i have the Vail permit this year but due to Eastern Washington archery elk hunting commitments have  not been able to get out into the area until yesterday for modern rifle.  I had the permit last year and hunted modern firearm as well.  Went out to Vail yesterday morning and by 9:30 (without scouting this year) only relying on last years trips saw 20 deer---3 of which were spikes.  hunted yesterday afternoon and saw a 2 pt and a 3 pt in the same clear cut 30 yards apart (budy"s young son couldn't get either of them in his scope).  went out this morning and was blanked...dam weather broke to partly sunny and sucked for hunting...went back out around 3 this afternoon and saw deer as soon as the rain started around 4....95% of them were in what I refer to as "nuclear" clearcuts....you know the ones with no green or trees in them---just bleached wood..have absolutely no idea what they are doing in these clearcuts but that is where i've been seeing them...saw 2 more spikes just before dark

I agree and often wonder how, especially westside hunters, can go so many years without notching a tag. I have had seasons where I don't see a "shooter" buck by my standards, but have only had a few seasons in 35 that I did not have some sort of opportunity and that was mostly due to lack of effort on my part.

I get it if you are holding out for a 3pt or better, but I would never suggest that for a new hunter or someone who has not killed a deer. I believe that you need to build on your successes and to most a success in hunting is notching a tag. Killing a legal animal, regardless of size can build confidence and help with learning the skills required to handle the various situations we can encounter in the field.

To go more than a couple years without notching a tag on the westside is a foreign concept to me. Sorry, but it is almost comical to me when I hear it. I try not to judge, but often wonder who, how and why a person can't connect. I understand special circumstances, abilities, disabilities and such, but any able bodied person with an average intelligence, that puts in some effort should be able to scratch up at least one opportunity a year to harvest a legal deer. I think that effort, or lack of, is the most common answer I come up with. I am not saying that that is the case with our members who are unsuccessful, but it could be part of the issue.

Effort can be anything from researching and applying for permits, preseason scouting, internet scouting, trail cams, securing private property, learning sign and what it looks like at all stages of age, learn the human factors for your area and how to use them to your advantage, identifying locations bedding, travel and feeding locations, setting up stands or blinds, finding backup locations and even plan c locations, etc..

It also means putting in real time, record your fav tv show, miss the football game on tv, save vacation time year round and use it during the season, saving money year round and even setting other priorities aside. But it boils down to making hunting THE priority, being in the woods as often as possible during the season and making the most of the time, weather and situation that you have.

If what you are doing is not working, then change it up. Parking at the same gate? Change it up and come in from another direction. Only going out on weekends? Try mid week. Mornings only? Switch to evenings. Hunting with the same people or by yourself? Change it up. Don't carry your rifle on your shoulder while out in the woods. Don't talk with your partner about the football game while hiking in, better yet, hunt by yourself and don't distract yourself with non-hunting thoughts.

Just last night I helped a family friend blood trail her first deer in her first year of hunting. She passed HE this year and has never been in the woods alone before. She put in the effort to change what she could as far as her schedule goes and sat on a cut a few mornings and most evenings until a small buck made a mistake. This was in the CF.

My wife has only gotten out two mornings, but sits on a cut nearly every night for a couple of hours. I have taken her out on the morning trips and I meet her every night as she comes out of the woods. She has seen several does, a small buck and missed a large two point all in the CF this year.

Now my poor nephew... He is 13, in his third deer season and has not gotten off a shot. His first year he had an opportunity at a spike but couldn't get it done. Second year we saw about 25 does and not one buck. We did not make use of a second deer permit for the westside. This year he has a Skook doe permit but we could not find one within 200 yards and don't have the Vail permit. He is getting discouraged, BUT he is not putting in a lot of time. He only gets out a few hours on the weekend. He plays on two football teams and practices 5 nights a week and has two games a week. He is the star of one team and they play for the championship again this weekend.

The reason I mention my nephew is that while he has seen game and has had opportunity, he is ready to give it up because he is not having the level of success that he has in sports. BUT he is not putting the same effort into hunting as he is into sports.

Granted, the three hunters above are not doing it all themselves and have experienced hunters for mentors. Myself or my brother are doing the scouting, but again, everyone is putting in some effort. If you don't have a mentor then you need to put in the effort to find one.

Sure, sometimes you can just walk out in the woods and shoot a buck, but most of the time it requires effort.

[Guy]

Typical WA harvest rate is what, about 25% ?

So it's not at all unusual for a typical hunter to go three years or so between notching a tag. The fact that you've only even SEEN two does in four seasons afield tells me that you're likely hunting in the wrong area. Have to hunt where there's a decent population of game. That's something I learned the hard way, a long time ago. Hours and hours afield, in an area with no game, produces nothing.

Take a hard look at where and when you're going. Take a harder look at the harvest reports. Talk to a game biologist or two... Talk with successful hunters. Heck, read here about where hunters are meeting success. Don't be afraid to drive across the state to some game-rich area...

Best of luck, Guy

[pianoman9701]

Typical WA harvest rate is what, about 25% ?

So it's not at all unusual for a typical hunter to go three years or so between notching a tag. The fact that you've only even SEEN two does in four seasons afield tells me that you're likely hunting in the wrong area. Have to hunt where there's a decent population of game. That's something I learned the hard way, a long time ago. Hours and hours afield, in an area with no game, produces nothing.

Take a hard look at where and when you're going. Take a harder look at the harvest reports. Talk to a game biologist or two... Talk with successful hunters. Heck, read here about where hunters are meeting success. Don't be afraid to drive across the state to some game-rich area...

Best of luck, Guy

I believe archery is more like 11% for elk, 15% for deer. I may be mistaken.

[runamuk]

I have to say for myself reading comments like this

I'm gonna have to throw the B.S. flag on this one....there is absolutely no way anyone can reasonably hunt even a few years in this state without tagging a deer

Actually make me think I should give up because obviously I am not good enough. Thus I dont deserve to hunt.  I am not worthy because I am unable to fill a tag inside 2 years when anyone in this state can and if they dont they are liars.

I have tried I have done the very best I can each year based on my situation and I still have no dead animals to show for any of it.  I get frustrated but for some sick unexplainable reason I keep trying but the more times I read how anyone who goes more than a couple years is basically some sort of hunting loser according to some the more I doubt myself. 


thanks to those who shared more insight... maybe some year I will hunt with someone who can get me to a better spot until then I will just keep trying and doing the best I can.  I like the hills like em a whole lot better when no one else is in em though.

[brew]

I have to say for myself reading comments like this

I'm gonna have to throw the B.S. flag on this one....there is absolutely no way anyone can reasonably hunt even a few years in this state without tagging a deer

Actually make me think I should give up because obviously I am not good enough. Thus I dont deserve to hunt.  I am not worthy because I am unable to fill a tag inside 2 years when anyone in this state can and if they dont they are liars.

I have tried I have done the very best I can each year based on my situation and I still have no dead animals to show for any of it.  I get frustrated but for some sick unexplainable reason I keep trying but the more times I read how anyone who goes more than a couple years is basically some sort of hunting loser according to some the more I doubt myself. 


thanks to those who shared more insight... maybe some year I will hunt with someone who can get me to a better spot until then I will just keep trying and doing the best I can.  I like the hills like em a whole lot better when no one else is in em though.

hey Runamuk...in no way was i categorizing anyone who hasn't shot a deer in a couple years a "loser"...i just find it extremely hard to believe that someone has seriously hunted 14 years and not shot a deer...i understand that circumstances dictate "success" (whatever your opinion of success is).  In my humble opinion if you are serious about hunting/killing deer and your tactics are not working than you should change your tactics.  What is the definition of insane ?  doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result....

[runamuk]

I have 6 seasons now 3 on the wetside and 3 on the east technically central.  I change what I am doing and still cannot seem to make a forked horn magically turn into a 3 point  and I choked last year on a legal buck because I just was not 100% certain about a fence.  So I am not one who never see's deer I see plenty of deer just cannot seem to put it together.  Oh well it will happen or it wont.

[billythekidrock]

I have 6 seasons now 3 on the wetside and 3 on the east technically central.  I change what I am doing and still cannot seem to make a forked horn magically turn into a 3 point  and I choked last year on a legal buck because I just was not 100% certain about a fence.  So I am not one who never see's deer I see plenty of deer just cannot seem to put it together.  Oh well it will happen or it wont.

Maybe something needs to be changed that you aren't aware of? Just swapping regions or from still hunting to blind hunting might not be enough. Maybe a steady mentor that has been successful in your current hunting region with your preferred tactics.

And I wouldn't say you choked on the buck because of the fence. That is hunting and sometimes it doesn't work out.

[runamuk]

I have 6 seasons now 3 on the wetside and 3 on the east technically central.  I change what I am doing and still cannot seem to make a forked horn magically turn into a 3 point  and I choked last year on a legal buck because I just was not 100% certain about a fence.  So I am not one who never see's deer I see plenty of deer just cannot seem to put it together.  Oh well it will happen or it wont.

Maybe something needs to be changed that you aren't aware of? Just swapping regions or from still hunting to blind hunting might not be enough. Maybe a steady mentor that has been successful in your current hunting region with your preferred tactics.

And I wouldn't say you choked on the buck because of the fence. That is hunting and sometimes it doesn't work out.

Yes I am sure it would help however my bigger change from married to single has seemed to really make me not a good candidate for finding mentors.  Or I am just in a bad area.  I did hunt one season with someone locally and it was quite awesome I had a lot of fun but life happens and people get busy. 
Its ok was just a rough crash landing on the end of this season, it is harder when you dont have mom's, dad's, grandparents, brothers, uncles, boyfriends, etc to really mentor you.
I also know I did not scout enough the woods got shut down due to fire and when they opened back up it was spend money to scout or save it so I could hunt.

[SeaRun1]

I have 6 seasons now 3 on the wetside and 3 on the east technically central.  I change what I am doing and still cannot seem to make a forked horn magically turn into a 3 point  and I choked last year on a legal buck because I just was not 100% certain about a fence.  So I am not one who never see's deer I see plenty of deer just cannot seem to put it together.  Oh well it will happen or it wont.

Maybe something needs to be changed that you aren't aware of? Just swapping regions or from still hunting to blind hunting might not be enough. Maybe a steady mentor that has been successful in your current hunting region with your preferred tactics.

And I wouldn't say you choked on the buck because of the fence. That is hunting and sometimes it doesn't work out.

Yes I am sure it would help however my bigger change from married to single has seemed to really make me not a good candidate for finding mentors.  Or I am just in a bad area.  I did hunt one season with someone locally and it was quite awesome I had a lot of fun but life happens and people get busy. 
Its ok was just a rough crash landing on the end of this season, it is harder when you dont have mom's, dad's, grandparents, brothers, uncles, boyfriends, etc to really mentor you.
I also know I did not scout enough the woods got shut down due to fire and when they opened back up it was spend money to scout or save it so I could hunt.

Don't get down about it.  You have an entire off season to scout, read books, practice, etc... 

I grew up in a non hunting family.  Not a single relative hunts.  That is a bummer but not a hunting death sentence.  Be the first in your family to be a successful hunter.  Just dedicate yourself to getting a deer and put as much effort into it as you can.  It is not a matter of if but more when for you to get a deer. 

My blacktail this year is 100% a result of spending a lot of time scouting and watching and gaining the confidence to be in the right place at the right time.  I wasn't sure if I would get one this year but was going to keep at it until December 31st if need be.  Be confident!

SR1

[ghosthunter]

OP

You are ahead of me so far. I have killed lots of deer in my life, ducks, and a few elk. But the last five years I cannot seem to connect with anything. And I hunt with others. But they are not conecting either.

I have been trying to kill a turkey on my own for seven years. Nada, Called a big Tom in one year and missed him. Called in a dozen more and they all busted me.
Now sure, I could go over and hook up with Bearpaw like my buddy did the past two years and kill a couple of turkeys no doubt, But thats not my interest.

For me it is not the killing but the preperation ,the trip, the time in woods, running there gps, all the other stuff. Sure I want to kill a turkey but on my terms, on public land,called in by me, at a location I picked.

Sounds like you need to hook up in a camp. Where you get a little more support and something to take home when an animal isnt in the cards.

[billythekidrock]

I have 6 seasons now 3 on the wetside and 3 on the east technically central.  I change what I am doing and still cannot seem to make a forked horn magically turn into a 3 point  and I choked last year on a legal buck because I just was not 100% certain about a fence.  So I am not one who never see's deer I see plenty of deer just cannot seem to put it together.  Oh well it will happen or it wont.

Maybe something needs to be changed that you aren't aware of? Just swapping regions or from still hunting to blind hunting might not be enough. Maybe a steady mentor that has been successful in your current hunting region with your preferred tactics.

And I wouldn't say you choked on the buck because of the fence. That is hunting and sometimes it doesn't work out.

Yes I am sure it would help however my bigger change from married to single has seemed to really make me not a good candidate for finding mentors.  Or I am just in a bad area.  I did hunt one season with someone locally and it was quite awesome I had a lot of fun but life happens and people get busy. 
Its ok was just a rough crash landing on the end of this season, it is harder when you dont have mom's, dad's, grandparents, brothers, uncles, boyfriends, etc to really mentor you.
I also know I did not scout enough the woods got shut down due to fire and when they opened back up it was spend money to scout or save it so I could hunt.

See to me a single person of the opposite sex would be an easier situation to mentor in. For me it was an odd vibe to have your husband constantly come out and hover around when we were bear hunting.

Now see, you are observant of your situation (like not scouting enough) and why (due to fire closure and money). That gives you a starting point on what to start working on and what to do different next year.

[Kulimand]

but seriously if there is sign there are deer it took me the first couple years on the wetside to figure out even how to see those blacktails, once I did I saw lots of deer just never the ones I could shoot.

I'm a newb too and I've heard a lot of talk like this about not seeing them.  I've been out several times now and haven't even see does.  My more experienced buddies at work seemed a little surprised by this.

Could you please elaborate about this?  If I'm not seeing deer that are there, everything else I've been trying to do/change/pay attention to could be pointless.

Thanks