ORIGINAL: DannyD
......After you shot the doe you fell out of the tree stand and broke your back. Was your season successful?
In this case my opinion is that this would not be a successful season. But a deer was killed so according to Jimmy S this is a description of a successful season (sorry Jimmy i'm not picking on you. i'm only point out that you and others say deer=successful season).
Danny, you are absolutely correct. If I fell out of my treestand after shooting a deer, it certainly would not be classified as a successful season. Yep, even thoughtI was successful in tagging a deer. You get no rebuttal from me.
It is, and has been my contention, that just because we all love hunting and all have a wonderful time with family and friends,there isstill such a thing as failure when hunting.
I never suggested that I measure the kill as the final, determing factor, for me,if I had a great season. I always have a great time whether I shoot a deer or not. That feeling is never in question. I have never NOT had a great time hunting.
I just have a hard time understanding how someone that scouts and hunts a big old buckthat he/shehas seen for years....and when the moment of truth comes, loses out to that deer. And does not admit that they failed.
There is nothing wrongwith admitting that. Trust me, I have failed miserably while hunting many times in my life. No one ever took away my birthday....I take that as part of the entire hunting experience.
If I never failed while deer hunting, I wouldn't be here typing this. I would be sipping umbrella drinkson my own island.
Maybe he heard/smelled/saw you just as you got ready to shoot. Maybe he only gave you a running shot after you failed to see him first...there are alot of different scenerios. When the dust has settled, the buck lives another day because he won and you lost. My goodness, that probably happens more often than not.
So, when I'm back after my trip and someone asks me how was the hunting?
I tell them all the wonderful things that happened.
I tell them how proud I was of the guys that did tag.
I tell them how much I learned this season alone.
I tell them of the funny stories that happened during the trip.
I tell them I had the best time doing what I love most.
I also tell themhow excited I was when I finally got a look at that big buck and how he again outsmarted me.
When they finally ask..Was your trip successful"?
My reply is "no".
Andmy answerhas nothing to do with all the wonderful things I experienced as a deer hunter.