Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

Here's a few. I reserve the right to add more as I remember them!

1. Killing a lot of deer is a lot of work.....and is NOT to be confused with necessarily having "fun"
2. DO NOT hunt when it's hot.
3. NEVER, EVER nock another arrow if you've shot a deer and you didn't see that deer go down.
4. Jeff's effective range is shorter than he thought it was.
5. The Rage 2-blade is an awesome head.
6. There's NO reason to be in a hurry. My deer will show up....and patience is a virtue;)
7. Never invite someone to hunt with "rules". They're either a good enough friend to be in your woods with carte' blanche shooting rights....or they're not.
8. My Allegiance will be hard to retire for the '08 season.
9. Your season can take a WONDERFUL turn in a matter of seconds;)
10. Big does have more meat on them.
11. A good knife is a WONDERFUL tool.
12. Easton a/c/c/'s, while expensive, are virtually indestructible and will more than pay for themselves in arrows NOT broken in deer.
13. Injuring deer sucks, BIG time.
14. Some things are better kept to oneself.
15. There are 3 types of hunters: 1) Those who have injured or lost a deer. 2) Those that have injured or lost a deer...and will not admit to it.. and 3) Those who haven't had enough shot opportunities to be a #1 or #2
16. A 200# deer, amazingly, is a pretty easy drag.
17. Deer hunting, in perspective, isn't that important. Life situations are, and we've all witnessed some of that in the forums, this season.
18. A little bit of luck will trump a LOT of skill
19. PA is a BEAUTIFUL state. Go back, often....
20. Hunt less. Hunt smarter. Have more fun.

Please add your own.:)

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

21.do not wear a new digital army shirt with the velcro name tag strip exposed in just the perfect spot forthe velcro wrist strap on your release to get caught at 3/4 draw. That's the heaviest part of the draw, and velcro hanging up and ripping makes enough noise to spook a nice doe at 15 yds.

22. be smart enough to anticipate problems like#21 before they happen and ruin a perfect shot opportunity.

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

not exactly a lesson learned, but neither is #19. PA is a BEAUTIFUL state. Go back, often....

21) it's fun to pee out of a treestand.

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

If you dont learn something everyday its a wasted day.I didnt learn a damn thing:D I know one you forgot.I'll let you figure it out.:D

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

Develop a relationship with a local that has ablood tracking dog. They can be a blessing. ;)

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

Man jeff good stuff.
For me I go with #20 as I have been over hunting certain stands this year trying to repeat last years success and well that just does not happen if I do this.

23) Do not move.
Yep sounds simple but I still made this stupid mistake this year on a buck heading my way. If anything I got caught by surprise which turning to look and busted.

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

#1 is funny. I learned that many years ago.
#4 I think can be applied to a lot more people than Jeff.
#11 can certainly make #1 a little easier.
#17 I was reminded of that again this season. It really puts things into perspective.

Although regarding # 16, deer dressing out in the 175-190# range are a &%^$# to drag. I guess the few less pounds can really make a difference. [8D]:D

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

rybo:

#16 is was ALL in my head, bro!

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

A straight down shot is not a good angle. Even though I easily recovered the deer, I will never shoot that angle again. If the arrow does not go all the way through, and there are a lot of bones there, then there is ZERO blood trail.

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

GIVE UP??? Here it is. Lesson I leaned in your case. Never would I think that a bunch of people on the internet would support and give encouragement to someone they really dont know.This was a surprise to me being new this year to this or any other site.So I learned that there still is some good people out there.Hard to find!!!

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

Check for bees in that hollow tree next to you

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!! NOW THATS A GOOD ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

I hear ya Jeff,

I remember being a 14 year old kid, maybe 120# soaking wet. Shot my first buck down in this rocky hollow, (it probably went about 130# dressed) and after we gutted it my dad went to help this old fellow get his deer out 1st, and told me just to hang out or I could drag if I wanted, but he’d be back shortly. I had the deer out of the hollow, and half way thru the field by the time he got back. This place is so nasty that I reluctantly hunt there anymore and refuse to shoot a doe in there, and can only imagine the work a big buck would be. Adrenaline it’s a wonderful thing!

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

Hey........you said I can come down if I want to shoot DOES. :eek::D

I take it you used the new one on "The Bull"?

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

#1 from this year--basswood leaves make really bad toilet paper when they are dry and crackly.

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

LMAO!!!! ANOTHER GOOD ONE.Man im learning some stuff today:D

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

Matt:

You're welcome ANY time...and to shoot ANYTHING you want. Rob's not coming this weekend, now......come on down. Temps are going to drop 20deg., Wed. night! I'll be in a tree, Thursday morning. Come on down!

YES!! The Bull was my first deer with the new knife!:)

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

(1) Green palmetto leaves work pretty well in a pinch. [8D]

(2) I need to sew a bowholder on my pants leg so my arm's don't get tired.

(3) I need to lose the rifle mentality - never take a marginal shot and different shot selection.

(4) Predator Fall Grey works great when skylighted (not a plug, but the deer didn't stop to fixate on me).

(5) Thinking hard about your stand selection can pay off (wind, feed, direction, etc).

(6) Never be too afraid to trim shooting lanes. [:@]

(7) Being still and prepared for a shot is about the best thing you can do on the stand.

(8) Deer love shallow ditches in the woods.

(9) Bowhunting is very difficult (not that I though it would be easy).

(10) Don't use a velcro buckle release (catches sometimes on draw = noisy).

(11) In golf, they say happiness is a long walk with the putter. Well in bowhunting, sadness is a long
walk on a good blood trail that dries up.

(12) There are more important things than deer hunting. It is amazing how it can consume you,
but sometimes we should stop, take inventory, and thank God for His creation and our blessings in life.

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

O.k. My biggest thing is DONT RUSH!!! Let the shot happen I could of had the buck of a lifetime if not rushing!!

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

Crap, your number two would keep me from hunting most of the year. Its still in the 80s here.

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

Make sure you're able to draw your bow long before any deer show up.

Bring a field point arrow with you to shoot in the ground for judging distance.

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

Hard work and determination will eventually pay off.

Big deer love brushy river bottoms (hm, who knew?? :eek:)

If you can't find big deer on one piece of land, find somewhere that does.

Never, ever, ever hunt w/ a marginal wind.

Open pattern camo is absolutely the way to go.

It's ok to shoot a big deer 3 times if need be. ;)

Firends are an INVALUABLE part of deer hunting.

Killing big bucks w/ archery tackle is a lot of fun, and VERY hard.

Because it's hard, it's also extremely rewarding.

I am good enough to get it done.

It's ok to let deer walk by.

Entry and exit routes are incredibly important.

Scent control is of utmost importance.

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

for myself
1. that i still love bow hunting as much as ever
2. Im proud that my son has safety harness etched in head forever after years of pounding it in him. its now a habit.
3. That killing a turkey with a bow gave me a new addiction
4. Honcho12 is still a bully and my pal
5. Hunt your best spots only when the time is right
6. That EHD can wipe a many deer out
7.That loosing 40 pounds and getting into halfway decent shape can make the season so much easier. I did not even sweat on the Hot days using the climber.
and draging deer is a cinch.
8. Trees can still hold green leaves at the tail end of Nov.
9. Germ likes to Hug (spoon) and i think i liked it :eek:[8D]Naaaahh!!
10. That changing my standards was not that bad after all

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

1. Deer do exist, dont let your mind wander after long hours of seeing nothing
2. An interest in bowhunting can quickly transform into an addiction
3. Make as little noise as possible getting to your stand, every sound counts
4. Calling although sometimes effective, is not magical, and should be used sparingly
5. You are your most important mentor, youd be suprised what you can teach yourself
6. Although sometimes frustrating, you are hunting to enjoy yourself

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

I would guess the best lessonwe should get from allof this is that all of us have plenty to learn.[8D]

From the threads about chasing hitdeerto soon I hope every one learns to go home, call a friend, eat lunch with that friend then hug your wife ,kiss your kids and then wait another hour before you go look for a less than perfect hit.

And last but not least if you feel your effective range is thirty five yards keep your shots in side twenty yards and you will be increadablyeffective.;)

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

Don't take binoculars into the woods when bowhunting!!!

This cost me a chip shot at a big 10 point this year. I was glassing some does 150 yards away when a 10 point snuck up to my left at 20 yards. I never knew he was there until I moved to hang my binoculars on the hook and the buck blew at me and bolted. It would have been the biggest buck of my life, if I'd only left the damn binoculars home..... Save em for gun season. They'll just distract you and you never know what could sneak up on you while you're glassing does on that ridge 150 yards away. :(

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

I'm the complete opposite, I live with my binos when I'm out in the woods. More than once I've caught a glimpse of something that turned out to be a nice buck that I was able to grunt in. Without the binos I would have missed out.

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

The reason that they call it a stand is cause you should stand as much as possible as to remain ready for the deer.

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

Yep, I almost never sit...even if its a 4hr+ watch. Needless to say, I'm developing a stronger back throughout the season.

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

I'm with you GregH. I absolutely HATE it when the rare occasion occurs and I forget my binos. I feel completely naked. I use mine a LOT to identify deer and I catch them using different routes.

It's a good thing to know when to move up the ridge 60 yds;).

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

1. Were all among friends here, my lessoned learned.

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

Jeff and I talked about this one and I think we're in agreement.

As we learn, as we grow, and even as we become much more confident in our abilities and shot placement. The stricter our "opportunities" become.

And my suck-up post.

When the a Brother is down, when the times are tough..through all the BS and (mostly) friendly mud~slinging. This board Rocks! The vibes set forth by the veterans seem to be transcended down to the newest member.

What an encouraging and supportive force we can be.

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

And I forgot.....

Next year I wanna kill LESS deer. I think a 2-3 deer season would ROCK!

Good stuff, GR8. Hear! Hear!:)

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

There's always hope...
Stay positive, look over the next hill
Planning works better than dreaming
A few seconds can change everything
binos are a must
You can sing or cry; choose to sing
Hunting is about sharing... 24/7/365. Open your door. The goodness comes back twice fold.
Prayers work

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

My stand over the ditch behind the lake isbecoming my alltime favorite. I took my third nice buck there this year.

Never leave your stand while it is still light enough to shoot. Almost cost me my buck this year.

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

At the same time obey your game laws.;)

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

The lesson I learned, the hard way, always be prepared. My friend and me were coming back in to the woods after a lunch break, No sooner then I hauled my bow up in the stand, a decent buck wandered into range, well actually right under me. I did not have an arrow nocked yet nor did I have my release on yet. Needless to say, I would not have been able to get a shot anyway since he stayed tight to my tree and on the off side where I could not shoot anyway. Lesson is, always be ready and expect the unexpected. Stay safe and have a good season.

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

I just learned a hard lesson this morning. I've been fortunate enought be cleanly kill most all deer that I've shot at. My confidence shooting at deer is extremely high. This A.M. I had a beautiful buck just at first light and all I had was a marginal shot at him. I figured I could take the shot no problem with the good streak I've been on. To make a long story short, I never recovered the buck. I will NEVER EVER take another marginal shot again. I no better than this and I'm kicking myself for taking that shot. I guess I got caught up in the moment. I've been bowhunting for a long time and I stress this to every Newbie about marginal shots and I go ahead and do it myself. I'm extremely dissapointed in myself. I just have to move on and learn from it.

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

#9 happened to me this year:D
I proved #16 wrong this year[:@]Hills suck majorly when dragging a 200+ lb deer.

RE: Lessons learned - 2007 Deer Season
 

#1 Allways be ready to shoot!!!

I missed my chance at my first bow buck (nice 8 pt) had the bow hanging on a hook next to me in my stand, buck poped out of nowhere right under my stand. Grab the bow, buck looks straight up at me and bolts off.