rybohunter

Not even close. I had a bright spot getting a buck in Ohio. After that it was terrible. My hunting spots held some of the bestbucks that I've probably had to hunt and I didn't come anywhere close to seeing them, let alone getting a chance at one.

My overall deer sightings were terrible, & I only killed one doe during the season. Gun seasons start in a few days & I'll be out trying to knock off does and take a nice buck if given the opportunity.

buckeye

Not yet. The PA buck was a nice buck andexperience but killing a PA buck was not my main goal.

Still working at my main goal.

GregH

I'm not sure if you knew this, but I huntthis spot with a friend of mine. He's still hunting. He's had 2 chances at decent bucks while I've had 13. He has 7 stands set up, I have 3. He's taken a 135", 130" and a 118" as well as an antlerless (buck that shed). Out of 10 deer taken (6 by me), 8/10 were taken from my stands.

It's not entirely about the grounds.

I didn't always do this. But if you want to get bigger bucks, you have to pass on the smaller ones.

In wis and Ill, your average sized mature buck is usually in the 130" range. I'm fortunate to live here.

It sounds like you have a good handle on things. You're right, it is tough holding out for something that may never happen. A plus to this is that the things you learn are worth their weight in gold.

Good luck

GregH

It doesn't get much better than this.

Schultzy

My season so far has been a disappointment In my eye's. One mature buck sighting (3.5 year old 125") and I let him by. Other then that a bunch of little 1.5's and two 2.5's. I've put some good time Into hunting one particular buck this year. Where he's at Is beyond me. Hardly no scrapes, rubs In my woods. Kind of hard to hunt sign that Isn't there. Between hardly any decent buck sightings and bow trouble with my recurve It's been quite stressful the last month. I'm hoping the 2nd rut does something for me. I don't necessarily have to shoot one, seeing some good bucks would sure give me hope for next year. Otherwise this will go down as one of the more frustrating years for myself hunting whitetails In a long time.

dmen

My goal for 08was to get my first deer ever. I managed to accomplish it on Oct 13 with a small 10 pointer.I always thought that my first one would be via rifle, the fact that I gothim with my bow is a dream come true.Before the season started I had dreams of taking a few deer, but once the season started and the sightings were few and far between reality set in that I would be happy with one. I am still hoping to take down a doe before the season is over or possibly another buck but I have only 2 weeks left and only a few days to hunt. Either way this year has been a success and I hope to take the lessons from this year and use them to reach my future goals.

GMMAT

I didn't say it was. I hoped it woudn't betaken that way.

That's a lot of stand in that size woodlot. I suppose you don't have to worry about certain winds (with that many stands). Does your friend hold out for anything? I'm just wondering if he's not shooting the first decent buck he sees??? I'm really just asking. Those (your)numbers are impressive.

Honest to God....I've kind of found an inner peace with it all....lol. I have fewer expectations now than I did a month ago. I'm not "mailing it in", but if I said I wasn't more relaxed now than ever.....I'd be lying.

It'll be what it'll be.

I appreciate the encouragement. Your numbers make me have hope!

Duke....I concur with the first part (bolded). I hope to achieve the second part sometime during the off-season. I was rattled this season in this area.

mohunter82

I'm with you Schultzy. Bout the only goal i have met is that i have put in more time in the stand than ever.
My sign this year has been nonexsitant. hardly any scrapes rubs, trails or anything other than some 1.5 trying to be the mack daddy. Since Sept 15 there has only been 9 days i have been in the woods. but i still have a month and half and i aint quiting.

virginiashadow

My overall goal has been to kill a mature buck. The season is not over until the 1st week of January so I will still give it my best. My buddy and I hunted within 150 yards of each other yesterday morning and he had 2 large bucks walk past him at 60 yards at 0930 so I am still optomistic that I am hunting so far away from other hunters, that the bucks feel comfortable every once in awhile to show themselves...I hope.

My other goal was to have a plan for most every hunt I make, and so far it has paid off. I listed my top ten stand sights for the month of November and was able to hunt 7 of those sights, as 3 were closed off completely on the military base. I saw 14 different bucks, had 2 mature bucks within range, and arrowed a decent buck (2.5 year old). So all my scouting in the off-season paid dividends, but so far I have not been able to close the deal.

GregH

This guy wants to shoot P&Y bucks. I want him to also. But when the going gets tough his goals change in direct proportion!

His biggest problem is that he sets his stands and brushes out lanes that make him comfortable instead of the deer.