Everyone

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.

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.

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

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

I agree with this.

E) None of the above

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.

yep

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...