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I hunt every chance I get. Being out in the woods with family and friends is great. I do not necessarily enjoy havesting deer as I give mosy of the meat away as the family won't eat it. For me the best par is the wildlife and having a chance at a nice deer.

I am very selective in the deer that I take. Managing the deer herd for me is the most enjoyable part of the hunt. I found out years ago that you are usually going to have an unsuccessful hunt if you go expecting to harvest a deer.

I enjoy trying to get within yards of deer, hunting on a ground blind, doing as much as I can do to go undetected. Irf everyone shota deer everytime out, we would have few deer and not many trophies out there.

A successful hunt is one where I leave the woods with a smile on my face and some knowledge that I did not have when I walked in.

I used to hunt to kill, now I kill to have hunted. Symantics? Maybe. Difference? Absolutely.

JRW

To me, a successful hunt is anytime I can get out of the house and into the woods without getting too much grief about it from my wife when I get back.

Last Sunday I spotted a 10 pointer heading across the field in front of my stand. I gave him a few doe bleats and turned him my direction. Although I couldn't get him curious enough to come any closer than 80 yards, that's still the closest anyone has gotten to him in the past 2 seasons. I consider that a success. Especially since this is only my 2nd season and the other guys who hunt this property have been hunting for years. Now if I could only make that 10 pointer my first deer that would be the ultimate success.

Anytime I'm in the woods. No matter what the season, I am always deer hunting. Not hunting out-of-season mind you, but even when you are scouting, selecting stand sites, etc., you are essentially performing the acts that are all-encompassed by one word - HUNTING

That's why IMO, if you're in the woods, it's a successful hunt. If it wasn't, why bother going back!



GForce

Shoot often - Hunt always

I have to agree with wimp (first reply at the top) that a successful hunt is when I harvest what I'm after.

I consider being in the woods a blessing, which supercedes success.

-Brad
Eastern Nebraska Bowhunter

I solo bowhunted CO one year - packed in myself with a backpacked and hunted hard. I did kill a 5x5 bull, first bow elk but the hunt itsself was demanding, tough and very rewarding.

Another elk hunt that my Dad packed in with me. Another hard hunt and we both took big bulls.

The hard physical hunts are very reewarding to me, those and the hunts my Dad and I share.

Killing an animal doesn't make the hunt.
Stealthycat's Photo's

The most successful hunt I have ever been on - to date - was the day that my 11 year old went deer hunting for the first time in his life. Although he shot at a doe and missed it was still the most exciting time I have ever had in the woods.

I look forward to him getting one this year - regardless of how big or small it is. When he gets one - that will then be the most successful hunt for me.

Every moment in the woods is great. I love it. But a successful hunt is one where I put myself in the right place at the right time. Here's an example:

My in season scouting found a river crossing being used by some of the more mature deer in the woods. I saw two deer that walked across on a row of barely submerged rocks. I found fresh scrapes and tracks a few days ago so I set up a ground blind. As I walked out to the blind I stopped to check out a very fresh scrape. As I stood up, I was EYE TO EYE with the buck that made it! We were on opposite sides of a fallen tree - all I could see was his eyes and antlers. He turned and trotted across the stream.

I will never forget that moment. I went home with a story and the feeling that, as a hunter, I am a success.