is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

I have seen so many does it isn't funny. 68 to be exact to five bucks. of course I haven't seen the same buck twice. I know I have alot of work to do around my area (and it will be easier to accomplish in gun) with getting the sex ratio at least back in the milky way, but man, buck sightings have been few and far between. I'm not discouraged, because there have been only two hunts this year I haven't seen deer. not too shabby, and I get out alot. I'm of the mind that if I have to kill does for the next several years, so be it, it will be a better spot in the long run for bucks. yes? no?

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

No not for me it isn't. If I only kill does that's fine by me......a trophy none the less as far as I'm concerned. I enjoy the thrill of the hunt and while it's a tad bid more thrilling if you're staring down at a "hammer" ;)it's still a great rush and an accomplishment no matter how many times I have done it before.

cough....cough... now there is this matter of a contest going on, and while a doe is great, it doesn't get any points....so the pressure is slightly on this year....but I live for pressure:DNot quite like playing infront of a full crowd at Mile High, but pressure none the less;)

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

I could care less it is being out there that does it for me. THe deer is a bonus.

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

If its brown it is down! Do you measure the amount of your manhood on the size of the antlers?

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

Better that than how many yearlingsyou kill...

Ohh, and no its not a bust if I don't kill a buck. But, I usually hunt pretty hard until I either a) kill the buck I'm after or b) the season is over

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

Not even close to a bust, I agree that would be a bonus, kind of like fishing, if you catch fish it's a bonus, or golfing, if you have some great shots they're a bonus.

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

I guess it depends on why you are hunting. I always consider a buck a bonus, but I normally hunt for the meat. This is my first season bow hunting so if a buck comes into range and offers me a clear shot, sure gonna take it, but if a doe offers me that shot first, that is what I'll be eating this year.

May my aim be true
and my arrows fly straight
May I see that monster
before it's too late!

May my kill be swift
and my prey fall near
Hope my wishes come true
and I get that deer!

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

most of my deer go to hunters for the hungry here in virginia. I've donated two so far, one is going to my parents in PA, and the other is going to a lady that cannot get out of her house. I donate her at least onedeer every year. I think that next deer will be for me.

I was thinking of this post while on break just now (at work till ten thirty) and I remember my first year in va...I only got one shot, and connected on a doe. I am very fortunate to have four down already, a personal seasons best for bow.

I know about the contest, and maybe that is why I am a bit anxious about it, but I am not going to tap a deer just to have points. I could've done that two times already. now, as far as if it is brown it is down...that is a last day, buddy has no deer only thought. I am very careful about not shooting button bucks, as careful as I can be. passed on several the other night, and blew a shot at what I believe was a doe at five yds, yet am glad I didn't get the shot because of the .1% chance it was a button buck.

I do see more bucks when the rut comes around, and here in virginia, muzzleloader coincides with that...I've seen some real nice deer in early november.

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

No

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

To me it is all about the time I get to spend in the woods. I hope to at least harvest an animal to put meat in the freezer.

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

Absolutely Not !!!! But a nice buck is always a + :D

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

Not to me! The season is a bust, if I don't get anything (or worse, if I don't even SEE anything for that matter!)

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

if you see as many deer as you say how can that be a bust????(you saw 73 deer this year)i havent seen that many deer in my lifetime of hunting.15 yrs.so call yourself lucky.

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

I would say it's a bust.

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

nope.

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

If you hunted where I hunt (Genessee County in Michigan) you'd be thrilled to see that many deer. I don't care if they are bucks or does. I've been out 10 times now and seen one doe and two fawns. Same thing last year during bow season. You don't know how lucky you are to see that many deer in one season. When you go all season and only see 3 or 4 deer you have to take your shot when you get it and be thankful. It's tough hunting, but every time I see a deer I get that buck fever feeling even if it's a doe 100 yards away. Count your blessings and shoot some does. If you won't, I'd be happy to come to your camp and get my first bow kill.

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

No...at least I hope not, I haven't got one yet:D

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

I will be honest it's going to suck if I don't kill a buck this year.

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

Where I live its kinda hard not to kill a buck unless you are passing up a lot of them. I have seen 3 times as many bucks this season as does. With that said my goal this year to kill a wall hanger and I have passed up a lot of small bucks and if the season ends and I dont have a buck it will be because I was holding out for the big boy and I can' be dissapointed in that. Its harder to stick to your guns and be patient than it is to whack a little 1.5 year old deer. But to echo what every one else said, being able to get out in the woods and see deer,maybe take a couple ofdoe, havea blood pumping close call with a couple big ones.....what else can you ask for, it doesnt get any better than that. Buck or no buck my season would still be a success.

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

I have no problem filling my tags with does i've donr it the past couple of years!

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

My season is only a loss if the freezer is empty come January. ;) For me, shooting a buck is a big bonus.

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

I agree with most, a kill doesn't necessarily make a season. Several season I have plenty of opportunity at bucks I choose not to shoot and then end the season with no buck on the ground. It's still a great season.....

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

Being a newbie bowhunter, I told my teammates in this year's contest that my season would be complete if I hunted hard for 3 1/2 months and took a small doe. That said, I got my doe and now my goals have changed. :DBut being out there just before darkness falls or right before it gives way to light and hearing the leaves go crunch, crunch, crunch - not knowing what's headed your way, a 14 point buck or a caravan of squirrles - is what makes the season worthwhile to me.

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

I hope not, otherwise I've had a LOT of busted seasons. :D I can understand when I read posts about people only seeing three deer a year, then I would be more inclined to have the "brown it's down" mentality. That's what my early hunting years were like, hardly saw anydeer,but that's because I was terrible at hunting and didn't have anyone to show me better, except Outdoor Life and Field and Streams. After years of hard knocks(and some better hunting locals) I usually see lots of deer. Bowhunting improved my sightings as well (and my skills). I've gotten to the place where I just don't enjoy shooting small bucks and will only shoot a buck if I want to put him on the wall. I also don't shoot does often because I don't want to drag. LOL Now that I've got my own place I'm going to start shooting a LOT of does to try and bring ratios closer to ideal. Having a deer within bow range is a victory to me even if I don't shoot. It's all fun and a pasttime that allows me to see a lotof beauty and see sunrises and sunsets.

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

No Way, Hunting season is only a bust, if you don't see any deer.

If a season was a bust because I didn't harvest a buck, I'd have about 20 "bust seasons".

I've already passed a large buck (for me) this year, and so I feel that my season has been great already. A buck o nthe pole will be the topper!

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

Abso-fricken-lutely! :D

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

It's all about where you hunt. Some guys have access to honeyholes and see 10-15 deer a night. With bucks all year long. Others like me have to hunt the land they have permission to hunt (or drive 2 hours to state land). For me, where I hunt, killing a doe with a bow is an accomplishment. I really think some people don't realize how lucky they are. It kind of rubs me the wrong way when some guy sees 80 deer a season and whines that his season wasn't a success because he didn't kill a trophy buck. Here in Michigan, where there are more bowhunters than any other state, and the deer are subject to extreme hunting pressure, your chances of killing a nice B&C buck are worse than any other state. You guys in Iowa need to have a little perspective....

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

The kill is just a bonus for me. Especialy now living away from the hunting grounds, I can't wait to just get home and be around my dad and brother and the woods. I have had excellent luck the last four years, taking an 8-pointer each year, which is pretty sweet, but there are also a few years previous with no deer for any of us. I never really appreciated the are I grew up in until I moved away from it and now I see just how lucky I was/am. Two more weeks and then home for 18 days to hunt!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

I've ended several seasons with 4 or 5 does and no bucks tagged. It wasn't because I didn't SEE any bucks, just none that met my personal standard. FOR ME, I don't want to end the life of a potential trophy buck when he's a 1 1/2 year old small 6 point. He could be a real trophy someday if given enough time. Dragging home a spike or small fork horn isn't more satisfying to me than a doe because I know I just killed my "seed bucks." I'll take a doe every time over a young buck.

Now when a buck that meets or exceeds my personal standards enters my bow range . . . ;)

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

A bust, not quite..... but in country that live in;I believe strongly if I put the time and effort in, I should get a shot every year at a mature buck. I feel very fortunate in that respect and realize othersdon't have it as good I as do, but then again I am not living in a whitetail mecca either.I expect to harvest a buck every year and would be disappointed in myself if I didn't, because for me whitetail bowhunting is like any solo sport like wrestling for example..no one to blame but me and if my opponent out smarts me or I dont work hard enough to succeed...then I get what I deserve....a lack of effort/preperation on my part would likely motivate me to do even more for the next season...,

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

Plenty of perspective here. I lived in Michigan (Lansing) for twelve years I know where your coming from. That said I let plenty of bucks walk in Michigan also. It is true I didn't kill a Boone & Crockett buck in Michigan, but I have never done that in Iowa either. They don't come around that often. I'm not sure that most people realize how big a 170 inch (net) typical is.

In giving my answer I wasn't trying to be a smart aleck. All of the time and preparation I put in to kill a mature buck is no small amount. I should kill a mature buck. Of course there are seasons that aren't as good as others. Over time you can't keep killing a bigger buck each year than you did the year prior. It just doesn't work that way in the real world.

Don't get me wrong, I love being out there. More than most I can guarantee that. But if I just wanted to feel the frilly feelings I get when I am in the outdoors I could save myself a lot of time, money, and effort and simply go on a picnic...:)

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

This is just my opinion but, I don't see why people want 1:1 or 1:2 buck doe ratios. My way of seeing it is the more does there are out there the more that there will be pregnant for next year posibly creating more bucks.

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

deer hunting here is difficult. I talked to an aquaintance of mine the other day, and said that he didn't want to shoot a doe because of the possibility of a buck being nearby and screwing up the area. this from a guy that saw 13 deer all last year. doesn't want to shoot a doe for that reason, yet cries that there are no bucks around. I don't get it. other people will shoot anything that has four hooves and is brown. weekend warriors, or first and last dayers as my buddy and I call them. the herd management concept here is so misplaced and misunderstood it isn't funny. I just wish that we had better educated hunters around me, everywhere for that matter. not saying that there are not smart hunters out there, because there are, but do some research. be a good deer hunter.

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

I will hold out to the very end of the season for a mature buck that I want to look at on my wall for the rest of my life and the lives of my children and their children, etc. I will harvest a doe for meat but if I don't get a buck then I'm disappointed but the season by no means is a bust. It's like any sport, as long as I did my best and didn't leave anything on the court/field and did my best then so be it...chalk one up for the monsters of the timbers. If it was so easy to get one every year and was no challenge, then I wouldn't do it.

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

I am disappointed if I don't kill a buck but I also pass up a lot of bucks every yeartrying for a mature buck. I enjoy my time out there no matter what but the bottom line is taking a big buck or tag soup. I don't like tag soup and never will!! I've eaten it enough times!! [:@]

As for shooting one due to the contest. I still feel you should shoot one that you are happy with. The contest should not have any bearing on that. Ihunt hard reguardless of the contest. Last year I ate my tag... this year I didn't.

Tim

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

Nope, if that was the case, I woulda quit hunting years ago...I have yet to kill a good racked buck after 7 years of hard hunting.

Something keeps me going back out every year...

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

lol same exact phrase i use on my land. I see any deer as a trophy with a bow. I pass on button bucks and very small deer of course but If its a 2 year old doe ill take her.

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

Depends on the person I guess.

I've hunted the last 5 weekends. Saw7 different bucks, numerous does. Had a squirrel run over my boots. And quite possibly the coolest thing was a large hawk that was perched 50 yards from me fly right at me. I'm not small by any means,and I'm sure I don't look like an easy feast. It got to about 10 feet, realized that I wasn't lunch, and veered away quickly. It was so surreal, as it turned, it craned it's neck to look me over . Very cool (seemed like slow motion). And the best/worst of it all, I had a sweeeeet 8 pt. at 15 yards. Is it a bust, not to me. Then again, I hunt where the doe are plentiful (Pepin County, WI), and am fairly confident that there will be meat in the freezer by Thanksgiving.

The Trashcanman

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

There has to be more to it for me than just seeing or connecting with deer(doe or buck). If that was my only reason for being in the woods, I would have stopped going out awhile ago.

RE: is the season a bust if you don't kill a buck?
 

Seasons a bust = empty freezer

Full freezer = mission accomplished