You should continue to learn. With that being said it sure helps to have more encounters of a close nature with deer. You could sit 90 x's a season and not see any deer....... 2 things you have learned. 1-- this stand location sucks 2-- why didn't I move earlier, heck what a waste of time.
I learned alot this season. The learning curve got real steep this year. My season was from aug 25 till nov 29 and I must have sat in stand 60x's or so.

x2 [&:][8D]

I learned that people like Germ (last year), NYBow, Buckeye (last year) can go without a buck (NY....still pulling for ya bro) and STILL have an outstanding season insofar as this thread is concerned (education/experience).

I also learned it can happen really quickly (season turnaround/verification).

I like these statements.

I think In some cases people get careless at the end of the season then get better. They get Impatient and do things they normally wouldn't being there hurting for time. In some cases It might be a good thing but I'd bet In allot of cases It's not. I know I've done some stupid stuff come the end of the season and It really back fired and made the little time I had left the rest of the year that much tougher being I might of educated that buck that much more. But then again one doesn't know until they try right. 3/4's of the way through my bow season Is when I think I'm at my best. Before that I'm getting In the groove but not quite there yet and at the end of the season If I'm still buckless I'm getting frustrated and doing things I shouldn't.

It's true, Trev. How many guys do you associate with that have been hunting "all their lives".....who are absolute GOMERS in the woods? This is no different than anything else. Some people will excel. You're one of them.

My cousin has hunted 4x the number of hours I have over the yearsand I honestly wonder if he knows what a deer trail is.

I would be pissed if my name was Gomer, LOL. Kind of like Einstein, greatest mind ever on this earth...and he is only referenced when trying to point out an idiotic action/statement. "Good going Einstein...Real Smart Einstein"[8D] Im betting Gomer was quite the hunter back in the day.

No way to add to what already has been stated.No you don't have to get better.If you want to get better and you are paying attention and you have a questioning mind,you will get better.

Sorry Trev. I know you hate to hear this....but you wouldn't WOULDN'Y understand....lol (probably never heard of "Gomer").

If you're as old as I am.....it's funny. Gomer was a real piece of work!

No I loved the Andy Griffith Show, still do. I understood the reference, just a feeble attempt to make a joke fromit[&:][8D]. Im still banking that Gomer Pyle was quite the hunter.[8D]

EDIT: I never watched the Gomer Pyle show (what you reference).....am I confused or was he also in Andy Griffith?[&:]