Can you have a horrible season despite killing a buck?

rybohunter · 10-30-2007, 05:47 AM

Title says it all. Does killing a buck of your intended size criteria, make it a good season? Even though you may have had a terrible season in every other aspect.

You hear so often that people say they have "œsuccessful" seasons without killing anything. Well, can you kill something but still consider yourself to not have had a good season?

GMMAT · 10-30-2007, 05:50 AM

Sure. Jury's still out on my season, and I've "killed" plenty.

Western MA Hunter · 10-30-2007, 05:53 AM

I think a successful season has many aspects. Quality hunts, Good encounters, etc. For me, a bow season is a success if I succesully harvest a deer and have a good hunt to do it. I don't care if it is a buck or doe

Austin/WI · 10-30-2007, 05:59 AM

You can take a quality animal by pure luck. You could be having a terrible season and stumble uopon some dumb luck and take a good animal. Doesn't change the fact that the rest of your season had sucked.

Big Duane · 10-30-2007, 06:01 AM

if you can have a GREAT season and not kill anything, sure, you can have a HORRIBLE season and fill tags too I imagine .....

iowabob85 · 10-30-2007, 06:02 AM

I say if you harvest a deer with a bow by a clean ethical shot it is always a good season no matter what else happens.

mohunter82 · 10-30-2007, 06:10 AM

nothing is impossible. if your like me it probably something just slightly outside of hunting that is dragging down your season. i just try to remember that i am enjoying something that get me back in touch with nature. Just being in the woods with the peace and serenity makes everything better.

JoeRE · 10-30-2007, 06:14 AM

That is a personal decision, on what makes a 'good' season and I will stay out of it. My greatest season was when I harvested one of my smallest bucks. I just had a great time and learned a ton.

BobCo19-65 · 10-30-2007, 06:20 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: rybohunter

Title says it all. Does killing a buck of your intended size criteria, make it a good season? Even though you may have had a terrible season in every other aspect.

You hear so often that people say they have "œsuccessful" seasons without killing anything. Well, can you kill something but still consider yourself to not have had a good season?

Personally, I don't make the size criteria judgement before hand. I make the call when I see something.

But to answer your question, I'd say yes. For me to really feel 100% good about everything, I want my arrow to go where I am aiming it on the deer I want to hit.

GR8atta2d · 10-30-2007, 06:29 AM

If whether you kill or don't kill has any affect on your seasons, success, then you hunt for different reasons than I.

Sure a nice buck would make it more successful..but lack of one doesn't make it a failure.

Can you have horrible hunts? Sure, maybe you get soaked by rain, orfall in a creek, or another hunter ruins your plans...but thats the trials and tribulations of a season..Not the defining moments.

But an entire horrible season..or halfway through, and you're still undecided...that's unfathomable.

It's the Journey thats important!