I havn't had time to type out an extended reply until now.I understand the intent of the thread,where I didn't completely before.I don't think about my not killing a buck that meet's my criteria for taking as failure.Do I hold myself responsible for my results,yes I absolutely do,but that burden is not a heavy one! I hunt to enjoy myself and I give it every thing I have for the time I am able to commit to it.My family comes first,my business comes second,and some where maybe fourth or fifth comes my practicing,scouting and hunting time.I hunt for my own enjoyment and satisfaction not to bolster my reputation as a competent hunter or one of my area's best.
I enjoy every aspect of it and am continually fascinated by every aspect of it and as a result I am always learning and looking to improve my effectiveness.
At one point in time it was important to me for my standing in the local hunting community to be succesful every year on better than average bucks.Embarrassing to admit but true at the time.Whether that was part of the maturation process for me as a hunter,I don't know it seems likely it was.When I let go of that and just allowed myself to enjoy every moment of it without the self imposed pressure my successs and enjoyment sky rocketed.
The bottom line for me is that I give it every thing that I have with the time that I have to devote to it,and what ever happens happens and I am loving every minute of it.I may experience dissapointment in not realizing the taking of a particular class of buck but never failure!