Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

Last year I got permission to hunt a private farm and there were deer all over the place.........this is new to me because I have hunted public land for most of my life and done very well.........however, the days that I have seen deer are FAR outnumbered by the days I have seen nothing. I have also hunted a lot of private property but nothing with the action that this place had.

I couldn't help but feeling like it was just a little too easy ya know?? I mean I could tell you when and where you would see deer there and you could set your watch by it. I killed my buck on Oct 26th and my buddy killed his on Oct 27th........out of the same tree. I could have killed propbably a dozen deer from that stand over the course about 10 days. I saw many bucks.........had at least 5 or 6 in bow range (3 in one day)..........and this was all before the rut.

I just remember the feeling that it was not much of a challenge to kill a deer there........and it wasn't. I don't look down on the deer I took there........I just don't feel like I had to do anything special to get him other then get out of bed and not miss from 10 yards [8D] I don't consider either of those as unique skills.

Kinda like watching guys sit over a food plot full of 30-40 deer and just wait for the biggest one to get out in the open and drop him............great deer??.......sure.........but seriously, how excited could you be about bagging one like that? The only skill you need is patience.

I killed a doe by gun last year in the middle of about 20 truckloads of guys and freakin orange everywhere.............that deer has a higher ranking in my heart then the buck I killed on that farm with my bow. I had to use my head and knowledge of the land to figure out where the deer would head under such high pressure and when they would go there...........we dragged her out under the brightest moon I have ever seen. The buck I shot at first light with a steaming cup of coffee in my cup holder which I drank while I played Yhatzee and gave him a 1/2 hour.

Does "easy" matter to anyone else??

I didn't......and won't go to that farm with my gun...........That would be such a slam dunk it would be simple instead of easy.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

This will get good. Easy 5-6 pager.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

Atlasman, if it's too "easy" for you, there's a real "easy" solution: don't hunt there.

And don't wear ScentLok either! ;)

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

I see where you are comming from atlas. Since were teammates this year hunt that easy spot again ok?:D

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

The easier the better;)(Go team 22)
I bow hunt because of the challenge. That being said......If it gets to easy with the compound I will probably go traditional. I don't for see that ever happening. I'm not sure if bagging a mature whitetail could ever be "easy" where I hunt. Easier perhaps that some other land around but not easy;).

"Easy" Is also in the eye of the beholder. I hunt on some pretty good land. I could almost pick the day to kill a doe or a small buck ifI chose to.My brother in-law gun hunts this land. With two guys hunting they couldn't even manage to kill a doe last fall.[&:]It's not becauseof a lack of deer in the area. So for themI guess its not too easy!

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

I almost exclusively bowhunt, almost exclusively on public land - the Big Cypress swamp in south Florida. It is hard terrain, hot wet and buggy. We have a small deer heard and we are only allowed to take 2 bucks a year with at least 5 inch antlers. I have to work for every single opportunity see a shooter, much less to take a shot at one. In a perverse way, it gives me a great sense of accomplishment. Some of my friends think I am insane, and maybe I am a little, but to paraphrase someone: that which we obtain too easily we cherish too lightly.

It is not commonplace for me to see deer in the woods. Last year I spent about 25 days hunting and came to full draw 3 times. Of those I only shot once. But every time I see a deer in the woods it makes my heart pump like nothing else does. I think if I saw 50 deer a day I would lose that. I do not denigrate other hunters who have an easier time of it. I do not think less of their hunting accomplishments. But I do cherish my own because it is hard.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

I didn't.............with a gun................and I don't ;)

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

No such thing as an easy hunt. I see plenty of deer on our property as well, but to wait for the big one, have them come in and make a perfect shot is rarely too easy. THe more deer the merrier.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

There is no question I will be perched 25 up with bow in hand on that farm.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

Part of the challenge of hunting is finding new places to hunt, private or public. As long as it is unfenced and unguided, I consider it to be just as satisfying wether taken on public or private land.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

I couldn't agree with you more. I have hunted private lands with food plots, but I mostly hunt WMA(wildlife management areas) where baiting is illegal. By not being able to hunt food plots or baiting, you have to step your game up a bit. Moreeffort has to go into each and every successful hunt.
IMHO it is more self-gratifying. Beats the heck outof work either way you look at it.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

AMEN!!!!!!!!


Take that boy under your wing

You obviously know what I am saying though right??.............if you can pick the day you want to kill a deer then the word "difficult" doesn't really come to mind ;)

Not that there's anything wrong with that...........just wondering if those deer that you can pluck off any old day to fill the freezer stir the same emotions and/or memories as others you have killed.

For me there is a difference.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

That is so perfectly worded it is freakin' scarey.

Let me just say danowak.............I know EXACTLY how you feel.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

All I know is I hunted my azz off last year for 2 does...... and that was private land!!! I'll take an easy hunt any day.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

Why do you wait for the "big one"??............more challenge?

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

I don't care about public vs private............I have hunted some private land that wasn't worth spit.........and some public land where you better have plenty of ink in your pen because multiple tags will be filled out ;)

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

I have fonder memories of the doe I worked my butt off for last year then any other deer I killed............I had 2 deer on the ground opening day of gun by 7:40 am Doesn't get much easier then that.........I never hunted the land before and just climbed a tree on a field edge. The only skill I used that day was marksmanship........when I think back on my treasured hunting memories that day won't be at the top of the list.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

NO

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

Atlas,

Not to knock the buck you shot(i've shot my share of young bucks), i remember it being something like a 1.5yr old 6pnter or something similar to that, but what your describing seems to be the exact reason a growing number of guys are holding out for bigger; more mature deer. Even on private land (unless your on a penned farm) I think you'll find they AREN'T so easy to kill. You can defend it any way you want; but killing young deer is easy-like you said all it requires was a little patience and marksmanship. Now, the big ones, your gunna need a whole new bag of tricks.;)

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

Right on! Some just don't want to admit it! ;)

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

All of my hunting has been on public land and I get totally disappointed in not seeing any deer. I sat in a stand yesterday for 7 hours and was really bummed about it. I would really like to have a lot of deer around to actually hunt. Getting the deer there is only pat of the equation. You still have to be able to get a good killing shot off. I was able to hunt my first private land two years ago and I was elated to see deer in the same field I was in. Unfortunately it was the last day of the season and a coyote ran everything off before I could get a shot. I vote go for it and don't feel bad about it. Just think of all of us out here who are envious of you. If you still feel bad about it then leave your bow at home, climb your stand, put your knife in your mouth and jump on the next deer that passes.:D

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

Has nothing to do with it............it is just a numbers game..........no matter what you are after..........if you don't believe that then go hunt some outiftter in Saskatchewan or Kansas or Iowa or Illinois, where you can sit and watch a field full of bucks bigger then any you ever killed.

It's just numbers...........not size. I hunted many areas under STRICT QDM rules last year........never saw a deer.......not a doe, not a young buck, nothing. the land gets POUNDED by pressure because of guys thinking there are big boys ehind every tree due to the QDM..........there isn't.

Has nothing to do with age............it's a numbers game............sure they are easy to kill when they are running around like rats........anything is.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

Funny coming from someone who has never harvested anything older than a yearling with his bow. :eek:

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

I agree with Atlas on this one. It's definitely a numbers game. Sure, there are exceptions, but for the most part it's about numbers.....

For instance, I've been hunting for 20yrs and I've never seen a deer over 150 on the hoof. EVER, not while scouting, not while riding, not while shining, etc. They are just very rare down here. Now, go to the Mid West and 150's really are'nt that uncommon.

I went 2 seasons back to illinois and saw 3 bucks in the 150 range... Why? Did I become a much better hunter from MS to IL? No, its all about the numbers......

With that being said, you still have to have balls of steel to drop the string on a mature buck. It's definitely not all dumb luck.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

I myself would hunt there also.Do you think that the owner might want some of them gone.The best thing you could do is take a few of the does off his hands and it would make for better bucks in the long run.Closing the does to buck ratio there ould make for some excellent trophy chances in the future.You are probably helping out the farmer who owns and farms the land.I hunt a apple orchar which is very asy to kill deer on but the hard part is waiting for a trophy to walk by before shooting there are so many.The biguns dont come out so easily.You also have to worry about over population of the area so any taken out is helping yourself with meat the farmer and the herd.So keep hunting and just take a video cameera with you.This would be interesting to see a video of.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

I hunt where the deer are. The more the better. Hunting acually is more difficult then those who see one or two per hunt. It's very hard to get a shot off with so many eyes around.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

I've got an opinion on this. I hunt NH every year, and I do not see a deer every day I hunt. I put in a lot of work to see and potentially harvest 1 deer a year. Make that a "legal buck", 3" spiker, and it would be possible to do everything right, but still not score over the 3 month season. Taking a mature buck could be described as very difficult, but attainable. I love it though, the challenge of it makes the sightings and eventual harvest incredibly rewarding.

I also hunt dairy farms in PA and NY. Taking a legal buck could be almost guaranteed within 5 days of hunting. A sighting/opportunity on a mature whitetail is also a matter of time. There are a lot of deer around, and more than a few are mature bucks. It is actually "easy" to get a deer, harvesting a mature buck could be described as "moderatly challenging".

I also have hunted Iowa during the rut, do it yourself mind you, but on prime private ground. Several opportunities at a mature buck would be guaranteed within a week. Harvesting a mature buck could be described in my opinion as "easy".

I hear Atlasman's point loud and clear. Personally, I found the challenge is a huge part of my passion for hunting. I find myself passing on opportunities to hunt those farms in NY and PA for the challenge of a large NH deer. I may go back to Iowa, as I have an open invitation, but it won't be hard to harvest a mature whitetail. The challenge would have to be self imposed while waiting for a really large racked deer. Since we all hunt with different goals, I can understand how a guy who really just wants to harvest a legal deer finds a certain area "to easy" and may hunt a different property accordingly. Not all that different actually from a guy who hunts an area with lots of large racked bucks who holds out for the largest around to add challenge.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

Thats why your there probably and got permission. Its private and there probably over run by deer. Just call down some buddys and thin out the herd. Then you wont feel bad about the gun.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

My hunting has never been easy. I hunt a lot of public ground and deer sightings really go south when the season starts heating up. I also have a few small honeyholes around residential areas where deer are very numerous. Still not easy but the chances are better. For me to be in your situation would be great.

If you want a better challenge though, shoot only deer 130+ or whatever is an applicable trophy in your area. I can guarantee you that a 3,4,5 1/2 yr. old deer won't present the same "easy" oppurtunites that the small bucks and does give you.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

Exactly.You can see does and small baucks by the hundreds.BUT getting to the right spot and getting a arrow through a mature P&Y whitetail is a whole nother ball game.They dont get big for being easy.They are smarter then you in most cases and you have to be on top of everything and every deer around you to get to the big ones.Holding out for a mature buck is the biggest challenge.There may be a few decent bucks who most would be happy with,but just sit and let them go and watch the big boys run them off and take control of the doe herd and then you have some action worth waiting for.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

YEP I'M WITH YOU


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RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

Exactly.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

I dont want my huntin to be easy. I want the animal to be hard to hunt, otherwise it isnt fun at all.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

I don't "feel bad"about the deer I whacked there........and I won't feel bad about any I stick this year........I just don't consider killing a deer in that setting to be much of a challenge.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

I am not searching for a better challenge.........I already have one. I'll go to that farm as long as I am allowed and kill as many deer as I have tags for.........I'm just honest with myself in saying that it is MUCH easier there then other areas I hunt.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

I have no interest in that...........and I am not searching for a greater challenge. I am just being honest that some places I hunt are like shooting fish in a bucket and others are like finding a needle in a hay stack.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

After spending my childhood hunting in Vermont, when I moved to PA the hunting was "easy". Since I hate tagging out on the first day, which prevents me from spending quality time by myself in the woods, I raise my standards when I am in PA now. When I hunt in Vermont, I shoot whatever is legal. When I am in PA, I get selective and will usually watch several deer until I have a good mature 3 1/2 year buck or doe in front of me. I like this because I still get the excitement of watching the younger ones, and I still get to spend time in the woods "working" for a good sized buck or doe. Most years in PA I end up eating tag soup but I enjoy the time I hunt there much more than anywhere else because of the greater presence of game. I actually shot more deer in Vermont last year though.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

Yes, I do. I had just typed up a nice, detailed response in reference to two gentleman I know that hunt areas similar to what you describe.

Suffice to say I am envious at times but would also willingly admit that I have a certain sense of pride from being able to take a deer each year from heavily pressured public land.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

Very well said...........I am notabout to give up that "petting zoo" as my brothers call it........I just feel differently about deer I take off heavy pressured public land becausechances are few and far between.

RE: Do you care how "easy" your hunting is?
 

For some reason when I picture Tiffany Lakowsky out of her hunting gear[:-];)she doesn't have balls of steel:D