Venting on my no deer frustration!
 

I am very very very disappointed, all the work I’ve put into bow hunting and here I am in the peak of the season and am seeing less deer than ever. I feel I’ve hunted as hard as I ever have. I’ve controlled my scent, watched the wind, read bow hunting magazines, books, forums, watched video’s, scouted new woods, found new spots, cleared trees, spent money on archery gear, practiced, planted food plots, tried scents, tried calling, tried rattling, called in sick from work, taken vacation day, tried being extra quiet, hunted from tree stand, ground blinds, natural blinds and still I haven’t seen a buck (other than a fork and a nub) from my stand. Hell, I’ve seen more bucks from my car. I am very disappointed and discouraged at this moment. Is bow hunting really this difficult? Or am I really that bad. Just don’t know what I can do different. I don’t think I can hunt much harder than I’m doing. I’m pushing the limits of my patience and time away from my family. I don’t like the idea of giving up, but I’m barley hanging on to the end of the rope...

RE: Venting on my no deer frustration!
 

hey man i know how you feel but beleive me, if your spot is worthy....you will have something come. just wait it out a little longer.

RE: Venting on my no deer frustration!
 

Hunting can be frustrating. Try to be patient, if the deer are there and you are careful you MAY get your shot. You say you are hunting hard, could it be too hard? If you over hunt your stands the deer will pattern you rather than vice-versa. Good luck, the season isn't over yet!

RE: Venting on my no deer frustration!
 

I never said it was easy! All it takes is one deer to walk by at the right time and you'll forget all about the "not seeing any Deer"!!! Keep at it, eventually it will pay off!!!!! Good luck!

RE: Venting on my no deer frustration!
 

bowhuntin' really is that hard!is this your first year bowhuntin'?you need to have more patience! so, what if you start to see more nice bucks in the stand but they do not come within bow range!? then you will be frustrated over that, too! be MORE patient and someday it will pay off!

RE: Venting on my no deer frustration!
 

I know what it's like to not see deer. Believe me I went almost an entire season two years ago without seeing a single buck.

Be careful about overhunting your spot. You might be overpressuring your hunting spot.

The other thing is that it doesn't matter how hard you hunt if there aren't any deer there. Sometimes you just gotta find someplace else to hunt. Hunt where the deer are.

RE: Venting on my no deer frustration!
 

Fear not deer tale, for now is the time of year when you'll have a nice buck show up in what might be the most unlikely spot in the woods. Not sure where you're hunting, but I like to practice what I call pop-up hunting durring the rut. If you have a climber, hunt a pre-selected spot in the a.m, and take a stroll and use your gut feelingto pop up in tree when you think a spot looks promising. Like I said, it may be the most unlikely looking spot, but then again, the deer wont be acting "normal" for a couple/three weeks. Try posting up downwind of the thickest crap you can find. Bucks like to cruise these areas sniffin for a sweetheart. In any event, the worst day I spent in the woods beat the heck outta work. Oh yeah, on the way home from the hunt, pick the wife up some flowers, and a little toy for the kids. And when you do score on a deer, take the boys at work some jerkey. Helps keep everybody happy:)

RE: Venting on my no deer frustration!
 

I've been hunting since 1999. Right now if I can count right I've got about 10 or more sites that I hunt. I usually only hunt them two times in a row depending upon wind. I've shot 4 does and one buck in my career. It's just that I thought it would get easier. I thought I was figuring the bow hunting thing out. But just when I think I've got it figured out I'm back to the beginning again.

RE: Venting on my no deer frustration!
 

Dont worry your not the only one! I've had terirble luck this year. Not seing much of anything but they are starting to move. I seen 4 doe's in the field today at 1:30. So keep trying and they'll hopefully come to ya!

RE: Venting on my no deer frustration!
 

If you have done your homework and hunt smart the deer sightings will come. What I do is relax and try to enjoy being able to be out there as often as I can. Here where I live in La I'm luckly to see a deer probably every 4 or 5 times on stand so just have to be patient and maybe when I do see deer it will be the right one. You can't see deer at the house.

RE: Venting on my no deer frustration!
 

Its that hard, and more hard!
Why do you think we congratulate every harvest and tell people that they are all trophies? The frustration is what makes the harvest soooooo sweet. I compare it to golf, its a game that no matter how good you get you can always get better, a bad day can happen at any time, but so can that once in a lifetime moment that you will never forget. And, as a plus, if you are really addicted (like me) you can come out of the woods having never taken a shot but still be all smiles because of something new you saw or learned.
You don't have to make a kill to have a successful hunt!

RE: Venting on my no deer frustration!
 

There is such a thing as being snake bit..... but usually we bite ourselves. If it ain't workin'....... change it. Assuming you have deer in the area, you have a couple choices. One... keep on keepin' on. Two.... do it different. Right now in most parts of the country you better be hunting does. The bucks are going to be close. If you're seeing does... just hang with it. If you're seeing nothing..... you aren't doing it right or there are no deer. We too often get caught up in old habits and beliefs. You have to be willing to make drastic changes if it isn't working. BUT... it usually comes back to you've done something or things wrong.

RE: Venting on my no deer frustration!
 

This is my first season...I have seen bucks while in my stand the last 4 times. This first 10 (or more) times in my stand I didn't see anything. Guess what I did??? I got out and scouted.......just walked aroung in the woods with my bow and looked for signs and deer. I saw rubs, scrapes, and does. I set up in those areas with my climber and started seeing things like 6 points working scrapes, does behind me, coyotes, and a NICE 8 point behind me today with no shot. I am frustrated, but at least I saw some deer in the stand. Good things come to those who wait. (we hope)
Don't be affraid to shake things up.

RE: Venting on my no deer frustration!
 

Oh ya... While I've been out hunting or at work in the mornings my wife and kids have been seeing a six and fork in our back yard. (we live right in the woods in northern Wisconsin). They've seen more bucks in their pj's than I have in my $1000 bow hunting set up.

But seriously, thanks for the feedback - I know what the costs and the stakes are. Its just, it seems like some folks are so damn lucky. I need some luck. I need some luck real bad.