All I can say is ...I feel ya!! It has been 6 years since I killed a deer with a bow, and 2 since I killed one with a riffle. I dont know whats up with my luck, I used to harvest deer every year and now I rarely see a deer in the woods no matter what property I hunt. I am frustrated beyond all means, but I keep going. The sun even shines on a dogs @ss some days!

Hang in there man, I have went seasons without deer. There never a failure, it's no pressure. Pressure is paying bills, or getting shot at on convoys. It's an absolute privilidge to harvest deer, it should be looked at as nothing else. If you don't mind me asking where are you hunting at?

Keep in there and dont give up. I think I have gone a few times with a year or two stretch of no deer. Just go into the woods with the task of harvesting a deer in your head. and you will succeed. I only usually get to go out for a coupla hours in the afternoon, but have scouted areas well and know what to expect. I dont think that you can successfully hunt without having the right mindset. Next time you hit the tree, just be positive, and relaxed, and I bet success will walk through your shooting lane.
And when it does....just relax and shoot like you have hundreds of times in your backyard or range. How many times have you missed the target block? If one steps in front of you, you'll get it.
Good luck, congrats in advance, and see you in the woods!

hello,i think i would move the stand to get closer,it takes the same amount of time for a productive hunt or a non productive hunt,and make sure your high in the tree line,with trees losing leaves low stands arent favorable..............good luck...........

It's never too late to move your stand! As you said, you're learning every time you go out. Being adaptable is one of the hardest lessons to learn sometimes. For us it's agame. For the deer, it's their survival. Small wonder that they're better at it than us mostof the time. Keep learning and correcting mistakes and one day a deer will make that fatal mistake!

HANG IN THERE!!

Don't sweat the small stuff BigTim. I'm in my 3rd year bow hunting and bagged my first this year (86lb Doe). At first, I didn't know if I should shoot her or put a coller on her!!! LOL

Keep a stiff upper lip and keep trying. Good luck.

sullivan indiana southwest of indy about 100 miles by terre haute

Hang in there big tim. At least you are seeing animals. That in itself is a great hunt! I can't wait to hear the story of when you finally get that buck or one of those pretty girls on the dirt! You can do it man. This is the greatest part and the most frustrating part of the sport we all hold so close to us! Good luck brother!

bigtim----Move your stand. It is not too late. Just wait for a windy and/or rainy day to move it. Put yourself into a position to kill deer (go for broke). You are correct about this year not being a failure, for it hasn't been...you have seen more deer and have almost connected. Think about how sweet it will be when you do connect! Find out where they are eating, sneak in there and ambush them! I know you will close again...best of luck.

ps...I guarantee you would take one deer worth of meat over none! GO get em!

shadow

There correct about moving your stand.I seldom hunt the same tree twice.There are exceptions.Some are just in the right spot to work year after year.Yours must not be.If you see deer using another area regularly move over there.The best chance you have at killing a deer is the first time you hunt a stand.Sure it's alot of work,but being able to adjust to changes is what will put meat in your freezer and a rack on your wall.Sometimes hunters make things to hard.Deer hunting in general is not that hard.Deer need three things,food water and cover.If you see lots of tracks going into thick cover they are doing it for a reason.It provides food and bedding.They can bed there during the day,move around and browse and not wonder to far away from there cover.Do be afraid to move back in away from that field.The deer are there someplace.Just think of the thickest,nastiest place they could go,and then looks for lots of tracks going in and comming out.And always hunt the wind,and try to avoid walking on the deer trails.Good luck.