when I don't find animals as it seems like I just get frustrated and can't get close to save my life. Is there any way to stay confident when nothing seems to be going your way?
I think it has A LOT do do with confidence to answer your original post. A confident hunter knows he did his homework, and his follow thru....
When I start questioning myself I try to break everything down. I concentrate ......really concentrate.... I ask myself questions like, " why would a deer pass through this lane " or "is this a SMART location or a convenient one...... If your not seeing game ask yourself WHY ? Is it you ? Are you downwind ? Are you REALLY being still. Are you scentfree ? Are you getting to your stand QUIET ? Can you be more quiet ? If not - can you act (sound) more like a deer on your way in, or a squirrel)
Are you setup too close too a bedding area for your approach direction and noise level ?? Can you approach the stand from another vantage point ?
Is your stand silloetted against the sky ?
Just ask yourself questions - smart ones and be honest with yourself. Then if your doing things right - get hardcore...... stay on stand longer - and get there earlier.
Well thats enough for now.....
Good luck - keep your head high.....