about to give up hunting all together

[Stickerbush]

Even though this post might have been a troll I'm going to post anyway since its a relevant topic, I've been hunting since 2007 ish and I started hunting in college. Mostly I have done bird hunting but have gone on a few hunts for elk and deer. In all that time I have only once taken a shot at an animal, bowhunting shot at a nice buck and missed. Anyway this and that happens, school sports work etc. And never really put in the time, but this year little brother had a doe tag so I figure sweet this is an opportunity to put some meat on the table! Even if it wasn't me doing the shooting. So I take him out hunting, see a few deer. Pass on a few long shots, and finally get in the position to take a nice shot.... Bang boom miss nothing to show for it. Next morning go back onto an area we know holds deer, out busts this big buck and takes off running gone. Excitement was high as this was the first legal buck I had ever seen while rifle hunting. The hunt ends, no dead deer. Disappointed ? Yes, a little. But the point is that it made me hungrier, more motivated for the next time and I can list off a dozen more things i could have done to prepare to make the hunt a success.

This state I think it can be hard to figure out big game especially if no one in your family taught you how. But I feel the quote of Russell Wilson "the separation is in the preparation" really pays off. There is always more you can do to prepare for a hunt, in my opinion I have yet to scratch the surface of what the future holds in terms of hunting and that really excites me. That is where I am at, greatfull of the experiences I have but hungry for more in the future. If you want instant gratification maybe small game is a better option.

[GurrCentral]

My position towards folks wanting to quit hunting due to lack of success has been changing.  I used to believe that helping educate and added support was worth the effort.  Figured with just a little guidance they could change their outlook.  Maybe I'm becoming more cynical or people are just getting more fast food/entitlement oriented.  Either way if someone starts in whining about their success and saying they are going to quit, my first reaction lately has been, "Go ahead and quit.  Do you have a gun you want to sell?"

 

[runamuk]

There are maybe 3 people that fully understand how I operate and maybe 1 who really understands, usually if I have hit my quitting wall things are about to get interesting 

so sure deer ended now I have even less time for elk but I am having the best time going out getting drowned like a wetsider and so far saw one cow(elk not angus).  I flat dont think I can get to where they are hiding this year so may make one more run at it and then I dunno look for coyotes. 

I like being out there so its never really a bad thing, deer was just frustrating this year in all sorts of new ways.  I think however I have learned some more and theres always next year right    yeah yeah I know I quit

[RadSav]

yeah yeah I know I quit

That sounds more like playing the hand you are dealt than quitting.  Wouldn't hold that against you!  I think we have been out only five or six days this year.  And only one small buck to show for it.  But that's not quitting that's life getting in the way

[DoubleJ]

I haven't been out a single day through my archery tag in September and both my son's in October.  Not a single day.  Life does get in the way.  I was busy 8 days a week with soccer coaching in September and in october, both my son's prioritized soccer over hunting this year.  Last year was not the case but this year, even when offered, they said they'd rather go to the soccer park and work on their game.  I'm not one to push them to hunt if they would rather do something else.  Burning the tags kinda sucks though.

[irishevox]

So this guy doesn't exist here anymore?

[OutHouse]

Scouting is key. I scout for the entire summer. When I do that, I see bucks. If I slack on scouting, I see much fewer animals, if any at all

[MtnMuley]

Scouting is key. I scout for the entire summer. When I do that, I see bucks. If I slack on scouting, I see much fewer animals, if any at all

What drew a new guy to bring up this long forgotten topic on his second post??

[Blacktail Sniper]

He didn't read the date of the prior post....details...details!!!   

[pianoman9701]

If my hunting depended on my success rate, I'd have been taking my vacations in Cabo for about a decade now! 

[MtnMuley]

Funny because, I've never took a vacation where I could sit back, sleep in, and relax.  I keep pondering the tropics one November............

[Jonathan_S]

He didn't read the date of the prior post....details...details!!!   

Or the warning that says, "dude nobody has posted here for 120 days...are your sure?"

[westsidehntr]

Scouting is key. I scout for the entire summer. When I do that, I see bucks. If I slack on scouting, I see much fewer animals, if any at all

What drew a new guy to bring up this long forgotten topic on his second post??

He probably did a search for something that popped up this thread 

[MtnMuley]

Scouting is key. I scout for the entire summer. When I do that, I see bucks. If I slack on scouting, I see much fewer animals, if any at all

What drew a new guy to bring up this long forgotten topic on his second post??

He probably did a search for something that popped up this thread 

1 post and key words "giving up"?

[Curly]

Well it is somewhat interesting. It looks like 30draw maybe did give up hunting or at least posting on huntwa.