RE: What makes for a successful hunt?
of course i like to get my animal, but that has little to do if its a successful hunt or not. i want to experience the whole thing. if im traveling, i like to see the way of life in the area if possible. i like to experience the animals im hunting, not like in a "theres one, shoot it" setting, but where i get to spend some time with the animals. if i dont see anything or any sign i have trouble calling it a success. and yes, i like to fill tags. any or all of this makes a hunt successful.
a good friend of mine bases success on 3 things, and i agree.
1) desire to see either the animal or plenty of sign for whatever is being hunted.
2) if a guided or swap hunt, the "host" making an all out, honest effort for the hunter.
3) see at least one mature or trophy sized animal, or there recent sign enough to know they are there, even if not harvested or even nearly close enough to shoot.
works for me too.