I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

This is my 3rd season bow hunting and I have yet to tag a deer. Once, in the last minute of the closing day (last year) I actually got a draw on a doe, but two other does came crashing through and broke every one up. Doesn't matter, I would have missed anyway as the deer was further out than I thought.

Most often I see nothing. Tuesday morning I had one pass behind me UP WIND! That's all I saw that whole day, one, although, fat doe.

Today was the best day for sightings. I gave up on my morning spot and headed deeper into the woods. I walked down a service road and a doe was on the side running right towards me. I hit the dirt, and she kept on cruising. A kick grunt didn't stop her. Bu-By! At the crest of the hill I saw a deer crossing the path. I crept closer, then the deer came back the other way. I got closer. As I kept moving, I noticed a doe to my left and she noticed me. As soon as I stopped she waved by-by with her tail.

I steathly walked closer. walking heel to toe and trying to sound like a deer. Then I saw a deer pass from left to right again. Is this the same deer going back and forth 50 yards at a time? Or are there many deer playing the scooby-do trick on me. Doing the duck walk now and notice Mr. Big Buck on my right. He crosses the path a trots down the shoulder 100 yds. and exits again on the right. Then I notice another buck on my left. I crouch down, And peek back up. I THINK it's a buck. Im doing the belly crawl now and popping up every 10 yds. or so. Still there. This went on for an hour. Finally I get closer and I see a fallen birch tree with bark hanging off of it. My eyes have tricked me again!

I start with a half upright walk. Oh No! It WAS a buck right behind that fallen birch and he's taking off. Two quick grunts stopped him and he turned around. I inched a little closer and emptied my pockets of possible noisy stuff. 3 yards at a time and a quick peek. Now I am close enough to observe him through the tall grass.

Keeping an eye on him on my belly, and only moving when the wind blows. I'm about 50 yds now and I need to play this out. Then I see him turn around and slither away behind some shrubs. I wait it out to see if he comes out or goes the other way. .5 hour passes, I sneak back to get my stuff and make my way to 30 yds from where i last saw him. He didnt seem spooked, maybe he'll come back. I wait another hour and noticed 5-6 deer crossing the service road further down from left to right.

I figure this guy slithered away and he's not comming back. So I decide to make my way down the service road closer to the other deer crossing. I am walking up right, but very very quiet and slow. Suddenly, the buck I thought has slithered away, jumped up an took off. Grunting didnt stop him, he was gone.

I was hoping he would circle around so I moved quickly down the service road 20 yds. past his bed. Laying in the dirt, I see him cross at that other deer crossing. But I never saw him come back. I wait it out and move closer to that deer path. Another buck makes his way behind me. I heard him grunt, I turn around, and he is leaving the path. I decide to wait that out for an hour or so.

No activity for a few hours now an it's getting late. So I take it slow back to my morning spot. What do I see? A freshened scrape and a pile of turds.

Back at the parking lot I see another fellow who is wrapping it up. I left the woods today feeling pretty good about myself for seeing more activity in one day than I had seen in all other trips combined. Even though I jumped a buck that I was stalkig. So I ask the other fellow how he did. He said "I let 8 does and one small buck go. I got two does already, so I'm just hunting for the big boys. Did you see anything?" I said "hmm, just a few."

Then one of the maintenance guys comes by and tells us a story how some guy got a 12 pointer this morning on his very first day of bow hunting!

All this time I have been blaming the public land and preassure. I am paranoid about scent control. I practice 3-D shooting all year, my bow is emaculatley clean and tuned. I play the wind. I read books, subscribe to 3 mags, and read this site. I look for signs of deer activity and hunt those areas. I make sure I am at least 20 yds. down wind of trails, scrapes, and rubs. What am I doing wrong? It's either bad luck, or I just plain suck. Probably both.

If you read this long sob story, thanks. I don't expect sympathy, or a reply, but I am frustraded to the point where I am thinking that my next post will be to advertise that all of my crap is up for auction on eBay.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

bjanakos, don't give up. You think that's bad, read on:
1. First year hunting, my muzzleloader misfires when a buck walks by. I change the nipple and 3 more misfires during the season. I borrow a friends' gun and on the last day I shoot a button buck and blow off 3 legs. (I have a witness to verify this one).
2. Second year, I spent the whole season without getting a shot.
3. Third year, I get deployed a month before season starts.
4. Fourth year, I get a double hernia at work and can't go out. All my hunting friends drop massive bucks.
5. Last year, (first year bow hunting) I crap out (shoot 2 deer and find each one after the coyotes finished dinner) and end up shooting a doe the last day of season. Duringmuzzleloader season, my new muzzleloader lag fires and when I am getting down to track the 6 pointer I shot, another hunter across the river finishes him off. During shotgun season, the store is out of my usual slugs and I try some hornady SST's. I shoot at a slickhead at 125 yards and took out his spine. Had to slit his throat to end it all.
6. This morning I take a shot at a HUGE 8 pointer with my X-Bow because I tore my rotator cuff and 3 tendons and end up killing the only twig that could possibly take the shot for the buck.

Point is, don't give up. I still hope to get that nice buck to mount on the wall. A day in the woods even when it doesn't end up the way we planned is still better than any other day.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

are you only stalking i would go set up a stand on that scrape and get there before day light and sit all day long sounds like good deer mvoement you should nail one

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

Paitence is key in hunting. I started bow hunting when I was a freshmen in highschool, it wasn't untill my freshmen year in college was I finally able to tag a buck with my bow. The first year I saw deer all the time and tried to shoot a couple bucks but was still learning that just because I am 25 feet above ground that I need to be still and that deer could still witness me drawing back. My point is I went through alot of sh!t my first couple years hunting but instead of just letting missed shots or not seeing any deer frustrate me I went back and reviewed those hunts and learned what I did wrong and it was important for me to even look at the things I did right. Well after all that last year I tagged my first buck and he scored just under 164 inches. Stay with it and you will definitly be rewarded.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

exactly ! sounds like your rifle hunting. sit down enjoy the woods . you will see the difference ! the deer will be walking not running. good luck !

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

BJ, you may think your a bad hunter, but I enjoyed your story, did you have considered to be writer for a hunting magizine?

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

hang in there friend,thats hunting, good luck

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

bjanakosI bowhunted 6 years before I got my first deer.I learned alot those years and it sounds like youre learning many things too.Don't let it eat you up.Fnd good spots be patient and sit tight.You'll also probably find that by relaxing a bit ,that things will start to fall into to place.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

Don't beat yourself up, it'll happen.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

Hey buddy, it seems like you're doing alot right. Don't give up yet.

I shot my first deer, a 9-pointer, my first day of my second season. It was 6 years and 13 misses before I got my second. Thank God I stuck it out. I've got 5 deer under my belt, and the last 2 were a piece of cake. Then, just this morning, I left my stand (I know, it's the rut, and I should have sat ALL DAY), and was knelt down at the base of the tree getting my stuff together when up runs a doe and the BIGGEST buck I've ever seen in the woods! He looked like one of those Ontario-deer you see on T.V. He was over 250 pounds, at least 5 years old and probably scored 150-155. Beautiful 10-point buck, broadside and unaware of me, AT 10 YARDS!!

I killed a branch.

Get you a stand, setup where you see the most activity, and watch the woods. You'll get one, just be patient.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

This is all sort of encouraging. I just started bow hunting this year. I've been out about six times, mostly whole weekends, and have seen only two does, with not a chance to shoot either one. Where I hunt, the deer are pretty scarce relative to other units in WI. I tried in all day today but didn't see anything. Lots of sign everywhere, but no deer. I've been learing alot. I know alot more about where to look.

how long does it take to get a deer?

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

I was able to get a 4 point with my bow my first year out. This makes my third year out and am ending it with no bow take last year or this year. I have seen a ton of deer, just nothing close enough to shoot. I did try a 40 yard shot at a doe and shot just in front of her (not used to shooting more than 30). Despite that I am havng the time of my life. I am ending my bow season seeing the biggest buck I have ever seen chasing a doe.That was just as awesome as harvesting a deer! Learn from every trip out as I am doing and take it all in. It is a lot harder to get a deer with a bow than a gun! Good luck!

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

I finally just got my first deer after 5 years. I feel your pain man.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

Those of you that are not getting deer for five years at a time, are you waiting for big bucks or are you willing to shoot does?(please respond to this question)
For me, I think it took me a few years to get my first deer with a bow, but now I get at least a few does each year. When it comes to bucks that is a different story. I've gotten a few, but I definately have felt the frustration, when it seems like you can't do anything right. This year I missed one and had one within five yards and couldn't get my release on the string. If I were you I'ld stick with it because when It does happen, It is so much more exciting then getting a deer with a gun. Not to mention the feeling of accomplishment you'll get because you stuck with it.

If it were easy, everyone would do it.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

Man, I feel ya! I have yet to kill one w/ my bow either(about 4 year total of bow hunt'n). I have missed one and lost one this year. Muzzleloader season opened this weekend but I didn't even take mine out the safe. I WILL kill a deer w/ my bow this year and it will be a trophy to me no matter what it is. I think that the more times you get deer into bow range the more you can learn about what they do when around you. It is alot different than rifle hunt'n. See'em shoot'em.

I wish I could afford to own my own chunk of land, it would be bow hunt only.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

Hey know the feeling, but then again, had nothing within range with gun either. Thought about it and realized it is about the hunt not killing. Yes, nice to harvest, but I have gained as much from being out there as actually harvesting. Eventually it has to catch up and as you gain experience it will all fall together. I have only taken two whitetail deer in 30 some years. One with shotgun in Ohio and one with bow, doe, several years ago with my bow. Still hanging in there though, and hunted with bow for turkeys and harvested two. Still waiting for that buck to come along, but eventually I figure the odds will be on my side! [8D]

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

Sounds like it was a successful hunt to me. Seeing/stalking deer is something that not alot of hunters experience. My first elk was harvested last year after 3 unsuccessful years of hunting them. It only makes the ones you get that much more special.

Regards,

BWjohnny

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

I would shoot does anytime. Trouble is this year when I had the bow, no does within range. Now they are coming in range but it is buck only...... does work just fine for me. As I always thought, can't eat antlers! :D[8D]

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

First off, thank you all for sharing your personal frustrations. It makes me feel less sorry for myself. There were many questions and I will try to answer as many as I can in one post.........

I hunt on Illinois Public Land. It is described as 5000 acres of "Scrub Timber and Wetlands." In other words, a fancy name for a swamp! There is a few acres of good forest with great trees for a climber. However, this is the area that gets the most populated. I have had people slop their way under me just about every time this year.

This property is 1.5 hours away, so ant hunting is a serious time commitment. I always hunt all day to get the most of my investment in time. There are other public lands closer, but population (hunters) is a huge problem and they are very restrictive about hunting times and locations, etc. This is the best bang for the "buck" if you will.

After my last time out, where the doe walked behind me up wind, I was on my way back when I discovered a fresh scrape. There are allot of mock scrapes out there from the other hunters, but this one had the tell-tale broken limb and smelled awful! It's right at the edge of a shallow creek and from what I can gather, this is the shallowest part and also a natural funnel. There are no decent trees to put a stand in within 100 yards. I poled around for a while and made myself a two nice natural ground blinds by utilizing dead falls and some trimming. One on either side to play the wind.

I was prepared to hunt that scrape all day and all I needed was my pack chair. I over slept and by the time I got there too late. I entered the woods and there were people lined up on the creek. I can see them moving around, drinking starbucks coffee and even herd them talking 100 yards away. I had to improvise and get away from the crowd.

I moved deeper in the woods where I found another good looking scrape. I hunted that for a while, but another hunter moved in about an hour after sunrise, banged around his tree stand, then started messing around with Velcro for 15 minutes. Whatever he was doing, I have no idea. I figured this spot was a bust, so I went exploring.

The area where the bucks were and where my whole story took place is open grassland / prairie. There are some shrubs that are about 6' tall and a handful of solitary oaks, but they are not suitable for a climber. Maybe a good strap on that can adjust to crooked trees. A ground blind might work, or it might stick out like a sore thumb. I also find it hard to shoot in there unless I have all the windows wide open and no screens. I was wearing my "Wetlands" camo that I use for goose hunting to blend in with the tall grass and sitting on a low-boy pack chair. My head was still a good 12" lower than the grass.

I would definitely shoot a doe. I like the meat and I have a tag for one. I also believe in proper management. I would let a yearling and a small buck go, but does are fair game for me. In this particular area, there were very few does. It seemed like the meeting ground for all of the bucks. I wasn't targeting bucks, I just got lucky enough to find them. Every buck I saw yesterday had at least 8 points. They were all wide, lots of mass, but not very tall tines. Must be the genetics in the area. I didn't see any small bucks.

Also, callingand rattling did very little. I able to stop that one buck, but other than that, they all seemed indifferent to calling. I guess every other hunter is doing the same so they probably have it all figured out.

Other than that, it WAS a great experience stalking that buck and getting away with everything that I did. I can't believe how noisy I was and still got that close. Had I not been walking upright, I probably could have walked right up on him!

Thanks again on sharing all of your experiences. The truth is, after I woke up this morning, I felt a little better about it. May father in law, who has a nicely decorated (with his trophies) basement told me that he has never been that close to a buck, let alone even care to attempt it. But sitting there all day, day after day, and not even SEEING anything is disheartening. I start thinking about the wife nagging about my hunting. Now I have to go home and tell her that I have not SEEN any deer again. She uses that as her ammo to protest my next outing. Then I start thinking about the half finished basement, 18 boxes of Pergo in the garage that is supposed to be laid down in the living room. The house needs painting. I need to winterize the bike. The cars need oil changes, The dryer needs a new belt, the weather stripping is falling off the back door. Also, this was the last weekend before firearm season and the rut so I figured this was my last chance. After those guys go through there blasting everything in sight, the deer will get REAL spooky.

I’m going to stick with it, but I think I might take a break for a while and go out thanksgiving weekend. Do some of the crap around the house and sleep in next weekend for a change. I have my big South Dakota muzzle loader trip all set up for December. That hunt always produces and I might get one archery tag just for fun.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

Thanks for the compliment! At least I hope it is ;)

To be honest I have thought about it, but not seriously. I thought it would be a fun hobby / side job, but I have never looked into what it takes to do that. I’m sure I don’t have the knowledge or experience for others to learn from. I’m no Charles Alsheimer., or Lamar Underwood, but if people want to read about my blunders and learning experiences in an “Evolution of a beginner bow hunter” sort of way, or how I fell into the lake on Saturday while trying to net a salmon, I can probably accommodate them.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

I hope you find comfort in the saying "even a blind squirrel will find a nut eventually" :D

If everytime you go out to the stand you learn something new, you havehad a successful hunt. Knowledge will make you a more consistant and confident bowhunter.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

Others gave good advice. You seem to be "book smart" when it comes to hunting and have had some great experiences afield. Put that knowledge in place - step to the next level, be smarter. Deer are funny critters but have a great zest for staying alive. Out smart them. Set up an ambush (ground or stand) and play it out patiently. You'll do fine.

I started bow hunting when I was 12 and didn't get my first until I was 18. Those six years taught me a ton. It took so long to get good at hunting because I didn't have a mentor (or a freaking clue of what I was doing) - I learned on my own. Get a good hunting buddy. It helps.

Also, deer hunting can get wierd at times. Years ago I went two seasons without getting a deer. I spent tons of time afield in bow, gun, and muzzleloading seasons and couldn't bring anything together. It happens. On the other hand, some times it goes well - my son bagged his first deer this year after spending an hour in the stand - his first hour of hunting, ever.

So, don't give up, and don't give up learning more about the game you hunt.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

Best thing you could do is hunt with someone who knows how to get it done and pay close attention. Short of that stop moving around, become a tree. Look closely at a tree and don't move anymore than it. Deer wait for long periods before they come into view maybe as much as 45 min. when they suspect some thing is there and your moving around makes them suspect it.Stay still. They are watching. I mean still. When you here the slightest sound it could easily be a deer looking to see who's there. They will stand stone still looking for movement. Don't give them anything to see and when they come into view pick your time when you can get the draw on them. They often notice the change so make the shot quickly and accurately. I've watched them for long periods and when they are behind something I will draw on them. When they step out it amazes me how often they will look up at me. Too late buy then. Mojo is served.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

Bj it sounds like your hunting silver springs,Chainolakes or maybe marsailes?Which public spot do you hunt?I have only hunted public land here in Illinois once,and didn't have any luck but know if I where to stick it out I'd probably have better luck.WHat part of the state do you live in?

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

I'm with Ohiohunter,
took me MANY, MANY years of hard work, studying deer habits, trying to learn WHY they do what they do - or don't. Eventually I put it all together and learned to keep my butt still, take my time with my shot, draw at just the right time, set up my treestand at just the right time, etc. You have to break what I call the 'Bad Luck' cycle - and eventually you will. I gave up I dunno HOW many times! Success comes to those who keep at it. Perseverance IS THE key. rad all you can, practice shooting and GET OUT with your bow and shoot as much as you can. More time afield = better odds for success!

DON'T QUIT!

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

dude,,don't give up that easy!!!! ALOT of people don't come as close as you have.ALOT of people hunt pubic land and don't even see deer..I hunted for 3 or 4 yeeears before I got my first. It was a nice little basket rack 8 point. I have not not gotten one (w/ my bow). I have passed up a couple early in the year last two years..two years it took me to learn this lesson. I won't pass em' up early again take a nice doe THEN go hunt that buck...stick to it...and good luck

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

Maybe we should hook up to hunt together????

I live in Mundelein, but I am hunting Heidecke Lake and sometimes Mazonia / Braidwood. THe Old Joliet Aresenal is open again as a Federal Reserve, but I have not yet checked it out.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

Thanks again to all of those who are egging me on. I have already decided to go out next weekend (this weekend is firearm) and depending upon what the wind is doing, set up EARLY by where I tracked that last buck and wait it out. I am already expecting that no bucks will be there since they should be in the tending phase about that time. There is always next year I guess.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

Sounds good bjanakos.I found a spot near Marsailes that doesn't look like it gets much pressure.After firearms season we'll try to set something up.I used to work up in Mundelein some years ago.Lowden Miller& castle rock are good spots too.We'll have to try and set something up.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

Man I feel the same way. I hunt my ass off and have nothing to show for it this year, then I see some "hunter" pull up in a beat up truck, jump out wearing blue jeans and a flannel shirt and pull a doe out of the bed. I asked him about scent control, and he looked puzzled, he always wore his clothes in his truck. That was his 2nd deer that season. He just looked for a good spot jumped out and ran his stand up a tree. I call it the redneck advantage, they just get out and shoot a deer. They use aluminum arrows, no limb silencers, tuned bow, whats that? Wal-Mart broadheads and don't even know what scent control is, yet they get deer. I think rednecks have doe urine in their blood.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

This is the 2nd season I've deer hunted. Last year consisted of me buying a rifle a week before the season, then setting on a bucket in the woods for about two hours in 5 degree temp opening weekend freezing my ass off not seeing anything. I hunted three or four different days without seeing a deer. We were seeing big rubs but not knowing what to do about them. I knew there were deer in the area b/c my family had farmed the land for the last twenty years. I finally saw an 8 point going by at 100mph after he got spooked from my bro-in-law trying to still hunt through the timber.

This year I got stubborn. I was hunting the rut b/c I was _convinced_ that deer don't move when gun season rolls around come December here in Kansas. I bought a bow. I bought a tree stand and I scouted early and had it up in August. I plopped that sucker in a big fat tree on a doe trail about 25 yards up the hill from where I sat on my bucket last year. WHy? B/c it was easy and that stand was heavy. The first afternoon and morning hunts in October had me worried I was still defeated. Then one morning late in October I finally started seeing deer. They weren't on my path though, they were a little further down the hill. Interesting, I though. In the last year I've done all the reserach, read the books, practiced shoooting... everything. But it still took seeing five freaking bucks hit that licking branch, rubbing their face all over it, using the same path in and out past that tree before i realized just exactly _what_ i was seeing. That tree was RIGHT IN FONT of where my dumb @ss was plopped last rifle season. Under the absolute nexis of a crossing and communal scrape, licking branch, etc. It's really amazing. I've seen five or six different little bucks hit it.

You're on the right path. And eventually you'll get it, too. My suggestion would be to get as far away from that crowd before first light as you can to a spot you think is decent. Then find yourself a hole, crawl in it and don't move all day. I'd find the thickest, nastiest looking stuff you'd rather go back to the car than walk through. Camp out just outside it. Then when you finally see one and you're ready to make a move you've got a whole new set of problems that you'll have to overcome that I will too. I'm thinking this weekend I need to try to practice drawing on one of my little guys and see how that goes. That never occurred to me until last week. I've still got a lot ot learn too. That's why this year I'm keeping the bow in hand and i know i've got until january to find a shooter. Good luck.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

Where are you hunting at? Don't give up, nobody said it would be easy. Getting that first deer out of the way is definately a challenge!

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

Your not alone , I've been trying for 3 yrs with the bow and have 2 near misses to show for it so far, one on a 4 the other on a large 8. I will not hesitate to take a doe.
I am still trying to find the perfect " honey hole" to put stand ; like you stated before there are only so many hours in the day, work , and family have to take priority.
Never say die.
I am persistant and I believe I WILL tag a deer with my bow............... eventually.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

well i have read yur story and i have only dreamed of seeing that many bucks in one area.
i just thought that i would share a story of one of my blunders with you. I was up at my cabin a few weekends ago and i had brought my bow so that i could go walk around and see if i could make me a deer shiskabob. so it was a few hours before dark and i decided to walk down the road to the lake (mind you we have a road that is not public and it is only used by people with cabins) so i walked all the way down to the lake and decided to walk down someones driveway, whom we had permission to hunt,i then walked all the way down there winding half mile road at a slow pace just scanning the swamp and hill next to me for deer, there was a tree across the grass road and i had to walk into the woods to get around it. after i got aroung the tree and took no more than 10 steps i heard on jump out right next to the tree. then i continued down the road and then marched through the swamp and back towards the main road without seeing another deer. then it was maybe half an hour before dark and i decided to walk back up to the cabin and just as i walked by someones driveway i seen a nice doe just grazing about 40 yards or so into the driveway. (and all of these driveways i am talking about are grass and are only used a few times a year when they visit the cabin) well back to the story... i thought yes i finaly am gonna get a deer so i stopped and walked back to the side of the driveway where i walked down the side of the driveway toward the doe. i was within maybe 30 yards where i couldnt go anyfarther without stepping into the driveway where i would take the shot and just as i took the last step i forgot to look for twigs and *CHRUNCH* i heard probably THE LOUDEST twig snap of my live and that is when the stairing battle started. we just sat there stairing at eachother like we were playing that game where you lose if you blink. we sat there for what seemed an eternety when i decided that i was going to move and try and draw because if i didnt then i would never know if i could have shot her. just as i move one more inch she bolted off with that infamous white tail in the air as if she were taunting me...
well that is my story and all i can say to you is stick with it and that you sound like you are one of those hunters who does everything by the book and im not saying anything is wrong with that. all i am saying is that you should just go to a spot with activity and sit even if it is on the ground, i mean why are any of us out in the woods.. just to see the wildlife and you cant admire the beauty of nature if you are concentrating to much onone goal. if killing a deer is the only thing you are there for then you just take out all the fun of hunting

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

That's like the story I had in Oct. I had bow hunted for two whole days without seeing any deer. The next day I'm going back to my camp for lunch and pull in the driveway and there are two does right in the yard. I laughed about that.

But the more I read up on hunting the more I enjoy and appreciate sighting deer even in a situation like that. They are beautiful animals to watch. And I have a lot to learn about their behavior.

RE: I've come to the conclusion that I suck.
 

Nova...that last part of what you said was excellent.


"am saying is that you should just go to a spot with activity and sit even if it is on the ground, i mean why are any of us out in the woods.. just to see the wildlife and you cant admire the beauty of nature if you are concentrating to much onone goal. if killing a deer is the only thing you are there for then you just take out all the fun of hunting"


Greatpoints and writing!!!!:)