salty

Well, That concludes another empty handed bow season for me.. I passed up about another 20 deerthis season in search of that elusive wall hanger buck. I knew I should have shot that spike on the second day... damnit []

oh well, I have a dandy spot picked out for tomorrow mornings opening day of rifle.

ShaggyPA

salty - Don't feel too bad...I haven't bow hunted at all during the last 2 years... big bummer!!! Next year will be a different story however... as long as I can figure out which new bow I want to buy... lol

BobCo19-65

Yup, I'm empty handed also, first time in 10 years. But I still have late season to go.

salty

do you guys hunt with the gun also? I am big into both archery and gun.. Archery is my favorite though.

I don't consider it a full wash out since I did not get a deer.. I had the opportunity may times at a 4 point and a huge bodied spike but such is life.. It is a pleasure just being out there in the woods seeing the wildlife.

BHunter32

Their is a big difference between coming up empty handed and not being successful. It seems you chose to hold out for a good one, and even though you didn't tag one, you were successful. You had alot of deer in range, which means you did you homework and were in the right spot. It's just that what you wanted didn't give you the shot. I too hold out for the big ones, and I had 10 different bucks within bow range this year, so even if I hadn'ttaken one, I was still successful and didn't come up empty handed due to the fact of the time I spent in my favorite place in the world, up a tree with a bow in my hands. Even though we all want those big wallhangers, you really do not have to take one to be successful. I commend you for setting your goals and sticking to them this season. In my book that makes you a successful hunter. Good luck.

iowabob85

Salty BHunter said it all. Don't worry about coming up empty because you had a game plan and stuck to it, you were alot more successful than alot of people that took questionable shots. And no i am not pointing fingers or trying to start a argument.

Arthur P

Salty, you sound like an old spinster, griping about being old and lonely because she decided to hold out for Mr. Perfect instead of settling for Mr. Right.[8D]After passing on 21 deer during the season, you wound up empty handed by choice, not by circumstance.

Too bad you didn't get the horns you wanted. Hope you enjoy your tag soup though. I hear a little rosemary and garlic works wonders for that stuff.

danowak

Consider yourself lucky that you have so many deer in your area that you have the luxury of passing on shootable bucks. Down where I am, I have already spent a dozen days in the woods and haven't seen a shooter yet, much less one in bow range.

salty

I had to let a large buck last season walk.. It was getting dark and I could not judge the distance. it would have been a shame to hit him and just wound him for the coyote's dinner. Gun season is tomorrow and i will be right back at it..

Thanks guys!

cmscat50

Don't feel too bad. I wounded a 160"+- deer this year (he's ok), had another 160ish within 75 yards, and passed a 20 yard open shot at a 130" 10 pointer who another hunter later killed . I'm bummed about hitting the one, but look at the season as a success with all the quality deer I saw.