What determines a successful season
 

Everyone

RE: What determines a successful season
 

I’ll get hammered for this, but I determine success by dead deer. Otherwise I’d carry only a camera into the woods.

HOWEVER, I do not become obsessed or want to jump off a bridge if I don’t get anything. I can enjoy myself, and my season regardless of what I bring home. I can learn all sorts of things, share and make memories with family & friends, but TO ME, that is not success, that is enjoyment. I hunt because it is something I can enjoy, whether I am successful or not.

This season was one of my poorest that I can remember. I still learned a lot and got to see some neat stuff. But when it came down to putting deer within bow range, I was lacking compared to past seasons.(In reality, I was lacking to see deer at all) I still managed to take 2 does with archery gear, but over all I did not have the success of previous years, but I still had a blast out there and logged more time in the woods than I ever have. Now that being said, my last day is Saturday, and should I go out and drop a big buck, I would STILL consider this to have been a poor season, even though my success rate would increase and I’d be happier than a pig in mud to end it on a high note.

Hammer away.

RE: What determines a successful season
 

Of course the object is to kill deer so that plays a big role............maybe killing the deer you wanted to would be more specifically applied to "success"

An important thing to me is to feel like I became a better hunter for whatever reason and made improvements to my game that will pay off next year.

I think I did all of the above this year.........killed some nice deer......opened some new opportunities and scouted some areas that I thought would not produce in the past and feel very good about them for the future........in a nutshell, I feel like I continued to learn and evolve as a hunter.......to me that makes the year a success.


I always enjoy myself............success or not.

RE: What determines a successful season
 

Did I enjoy myself. That is really all that matters when you get right down to it. Am I having fun?

RE: What determines a successful season
 

Every season that God gives me the ability to get out is a successful one.

RE: What determines a successful season
 

I agree with this.

RE: What determines a successful season
 

E) None of the above

RE: What determines a successful season
 

I think a succesful season is one where you have seen alot of deer and had them in close enough for a shot but passed on them because you where looking for something better. I don't think it always has to end with a big buck or you would have nothing to look forward to the following year.
Being able to spend time with family and friends hunting is also a succesful year to me.

RE: What determines a successful season
 

yep

RE: What determines a successful season
 

It was a successful season when youwere able tocarry on a hunting tradition or start a new one. It's a success when you were able to go out and spend some time with your family and/or friends. It's a success when you were able to introduce a new person to hunting. And lastly, it was a success because you were able to go hunting and receive the joy and solitude you do from it, in your own way.

Getting a deer is just the bonus...

RE: What determines a successful season
 

I truly have to say, " none of the above ". Of course, having been a SUCCESSFULL HUNTER for more that 40 years, it gets easier to say that I judge whether a hunt was a sucess by whether or not it was enjoyable.

Anymore, it does not require an animal down to determine that, at least for me.

This is strictly MHO, and I respect others and the litmus test they use.

RE: What determines a successful season
 

Im in the stand,not at work,nobody bothering me,SUCCESS!!!!

RE: What determines a successful season
 

1. Did I enjoy myself

2. Did I have opportunities to harvest deer

RE: What determines a successful season
 

Having fun determines a successful season for me.

RE: What determines a successful season
 

When I'm hunting around home my objective or goal every year is to get that ever elusive P@Y buck. If that happens its a very succuessful season then. If I get a doe instead, its also successful but not as fullfilling but still successful! If I'm in Northern Minnesota bear hunting or if I'm out west elk hunting, just being there and doing them things is plenty good for me. If I get one its a plus but just being there and getting away and enjoying myself is what its all about.

RE: What determines a successful season
 

X2

RE: What determines a successful season
 

I was able to hunt and enjoyed it immensely so my year was successful.

RE: What determines a successful season
 

Enjoying my days on stand does it for me!:)

RE: What determines a successful season
 

Getting out there and enjoying it.

With the surgery I'm having my day's of hunting hard could be over.

If I can hunt next year I'm going to concentrate on being with my son and enjoying ever minute of it. I'm at the point if I never shoot a deer again but can occasionally get in the woods with my kids it will be allright.

RE: What determines a successful season
 

1. did I have fun?
2. Did I learn something?

RE: What determines a successful season
 

My decision making and actions through the season dictate whether or not it was a good one. I would much rather get no deer, but make no poor or unethical choices than get a truckful of deer, but having made bad choices. Fortunately, the two often go together, good, ethical choices leading to harvesting deer.

RE: What determines a successful season
 

All I can say is that this WAS NOT one.:eek:

RE: What determines a successful season
 

None of the above; Did I have fun and was it safe? (Nobody got hurt...)