Do you look ahead too early?
 

The last couple weeks of my season I noticed my brain drifting ahead to next year. I'm kinda always planning and thinking ahead of things I can do different or better for the future. But seems like the last couple weeks (last week especially) I find myself thinking too much of next year and losing sight of this year.

I'm not sure how much it affects my results for the current season but I'm not sure it helps any either. I sit in my stand and when I'm at home thinking about stand locations, different lands, how to hunt the land I'm on better, the rut next year, entry/exit routes next year etc.... everything becomes "next year".

Some of it has to do with frustration and exhaustion setting in. I don't know it just seems like I let my guard down and lose focus on the current season. I find myself thinking too much about how I'm going to scout in the off season and what I want to do next year. Feels like I'm just going through the motions and riding out this year. I know one thing. I don't have the same focus and mindset as I do the first week. I wonder how much it costs me. Anyone else experience this?

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

I was thinking the same thing a few days ago.

After the gun seasons roll through here my schedule does not allow me to hit the woods very often. I have only been able to hunt three times in December. I have already put out cameras in areas that I plan on hunting NEXT year. I have bought 2 new sets so I will be better equipped to hunt more spots, and plan on getting some more.

I have also been trying to aquire hunting rights to land in a neighboring county for next year and pouring over topo maps of the current farm I hunt. I wouldn't say that it takes away the motivation I have for each of my hunts right now. I still make sure I am going through all of my stepsjust like I did on opening day, but as for thinking about next year well that has already sunk in for me as well.

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

I always do this. Anticipate what season is ahead...then halfway through it, start daydreaming about the next one. The day I killed my buck this year my mindset switched to spring turkey even though I have 2 doe tags and months of duck and predator calling left.

Like you said, I need to keep focused through the end..doesn't do much good to be thinking ahead to next year when you could be thinking about the current situation.[&:]

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

I do this sometimes as well. But I told myself a few days ago I will remain focused down the stretch here. I got into my stand yesterday at 2pm and by 3:30pm I saw what appeared to be a decent buck coming down a draw. Never saw him after that but it shows that the potential to kill a nice one still exists, even out of the rut. But yes, I do begin thinking of the following season sometimes after I become exhausted.

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

I'm definately doing that this year. What with my being on new land this year with little chance to scout I've been doing the "next year" thing in my brain all season.

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

This past weekend, my cousin and I were talking about turkey season....while we were driving to the farm to deer hunt! [&:] I would say I'm guilty of looking ahead. Mainly for me because I'm going to Illinois fora week next fall. Needless to say, next year can't come fast enough.

BUT...I'll be hunting everyday from this Saturday until January 1st. "He" can step out at any minute. That's my motivation. When I don't want to get up early to hunt, I just tell myself that "he" can show up at any time.

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

Yep, guilty.

I'm always thinking of ways to improve as well. But I do refocus during those magic last two weeks of season.

One of the things I'm always doing is evaluating my equipment, thinking of how I can improve something, make something easier, etc. I always end up with a few off-season projects to tinker with this way.

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

Don't put off til tomorrow what you might get done today. jk That is some song lyric but may hold a little water. Your season could change in one sit, that's what I always think. Probably because it has to for me as I only average 1 sit a month it seems like.:(

I think it's good to alway analyze my hunting, my areas, new approaches, etc. and to answer your question yes I am guilty of what you describe but the other side of the coin is bad too. ie WhatI find really frustratingthe past couple of seasonsis when you never have time to apply any of scouting, analyzing, ideas, etc. So if you are out there make the best of it if you can.

The past two seasons have beenrough(in a sense)for me as far as time in the woods, no bow kills yet this year(did have some oppurtunities) and even though Igot two blackpowder bucks and a couple of does during general firearms thisseasonI have only been out about 7-8 times since Octoberand have only been once since Nov 18 so I am pretty muchjones-ing for a hunt right now. It's like I'm happy I was mildly successful but at the same time I miss my time in the woods.

Anyway I'm just rambling so good luck with the rest of your season and your prep for next season as well.

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

NO, I have got a lot of hunting to do between now and next deer season! I still have about 3 weeks left for deer, then Coyotes, Fox, Rabbits, Pheasants, Spring turkey and I won a free Traditional gear only Hog Hunt in SC I still need to squeeze in! So I'm still hunting and not looking ahead except to a Traditional Bowhunt for rabbits with some fellow Wi Traditional Hunters in a few weeks! Way to many other critters to hunt before I worry about next year!:)

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

ALWAYS

Im constantly thinking about what im going to do next year and forgetting about this year.

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

Yes towards the end of the rut I start thinking of all the bucks I've passed up wondering what They will be like next year, and where I seen most of the deer movement, and whereto put treestands next year. Wondering which bucks will survive for next year. I think of tons of scenarios for the next year.

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

Funny reading this post, I was just sitting here at work thinking about next years season.

Shane

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

I do the same when things are slow on stand. I'm always thinking of trees I may want to sit in, what to trim, etc.

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

For all intents & purposes my season ends mid november. That gives me a pretty early head start on thinking about next season. I could pour all the brain power I have & then some into my late season and doubt it would change my results. It would take complete luck & near miracle for me to score on a buck at this point in time.

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

Only in the sense I stay out of areas I think bucks will be frequenting NOW (without a tag for them).

I know I shouldn't be thinking this way.....but the LAST thing I wanna see right now is a shooter buck.

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

I know the feeling. I am too. My mind is drifting to 3D season and next hunting season, what plots to plant, where stands should be, what winds to set forusing this year as a guide.

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

As soon as this season ends a couple weeks after Christmas and I walk a couple properties.......I won't think about deer again until the trout streams warm up in June.
My mind just instantly shifts from Deer to predators the rest of the winter, trout and turkeys.
I'll shoot the bow alot but it will be all a game for score until the last few months and I start seeing some velvet.

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

I'm in that mood right now. During my hunt this evening all I thought about was calling in some yotes and a good place to set up on some turkeys this spring.

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RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

I usually look forward to the next season just because I've learned so much the year before. I love this game. ;)

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

Guilty as charged. Although I know I'm hunting good land for big bucks and still have a good chance of nailing a big one this season, my mind has already drifted forward to coyote hunting after this season is over. Not only that, I find myself preparing my gear for spring turkey hunting as well. I've already pulled out all my calls and started practicing as I always do this time of year, and next deer season just seems too far away to even think about. I'll kick back into deer mode about next july, thats when the bow gets dusted off and I start practicing hard.

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

Why is that, Jeff? You might see a real nice buck and it'll increase your anticipation of next years hunt ..... also let you scout for HIM specificcally..... unless you have regrets of what you shot this season, why WOULDN'T you want to know what you had to look forward next season?

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

Your words, not mine.....as I have NO regrets for the deer I took this year (why should I?:)). I tagged out on bucks on 11/30. SO.....at that time....there's 3 guys hunting the new land (gun hunting) and I have two choices:

1. Continue to hunt areas that I think are holding a good buck (remember.....I already know where one is)......and take a chance of either bumping him to them (through direct or indirect pressure).....AND maybe tip the off as to where he is.....

Or...

2. Just stay the heck out of there.......and drop back to areas they can't hunt.

The way I see it......(and plenty will probably disagree with me).....if I use the above doctrine....I have a BETTER chance of him being there next year. I'll start my serious scouting after the season closes....and then I'll KNOW he won't be shot (legally). I kinda don't see the point in scouting for an animal that may not be there next year....when I have plenty of time to scout both this year and next for an animal that will most likely be there when bow season opens.

I have a different approach to shed hunting, too. ALL that tells me is....a buck was in that spot.....once. It doesn't tell me if he lives there. It doesn't tell me he's still alive (come hunting season).

I kind of start over each year with a new slate of bucks. I have to assume NONE of them "made it through".

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

I never said that's how you felt .... with your success, I would be BLOWN AWAY if you would feel that way ... I was simply stating that as the ONLY reason I could see ME not going in .....

I didn't know gun season was still open by you ...I understand why you would stay out now.... I would also ...

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

I hear ya, T. If there were NO chance of anyone taking them (legally).....I'd be all over that piece. ALL seasons close here (in my zone), Saturday (heck....that's TOMORROW!):D

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

This past Tuesday was it for WNY .... I'll be shed hunting while I'm shootin' bunnies from now on ...

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

I've taken to keeping notes for the past few years. I keep a note pad in the camper and I record reminders for the next season. Later I transfer them to a Word document.

I note things like which stands need moved, what gear needs repaired or replaced, and most importantly all the little things I've learned during the present season.

This year I discovered that one of the trees near where we'd always seen a lot of movement was actually a pair tree and a great food source. (We always thought it was a cherry tree since that is what it looked like from a distance.)

I quickly put a stand in that tree and killed my 08 buck from it. Turns out its a deer magnet and I mean a big time deer magnet.

In my notes I recorded when the pairs fall and the leaves disappear from that tree. That's the kind of stuff that's easy to forget in a year's time, when you hunt many stands and location.

Since deer movement within a given area can change, I note where I'd like to move or place a stand the following season.

Also the gear associated with bow hunting is crucial to success and comfort. I note what gear works best and what clothing is best for me in different temps. I note which scents got results, reminders about batteries for the flashlight and the rangefinder, things about the camper, the groceries, which stands need new bow ropes, and on and on.

Between family, work, and the all the serious fishing I do, its hard to remember so many details from one year to the next. The less left to memory the smoother things seem to go.

Yep, I always look forward.

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

I stumbled onto the same thing this year. Man when those pears drop the deer are all over them. I found the only problem to be the only tree around is the actual pear tree [8D]. Just the way the stand is situated those little buggers are all over me and under me in a second. Just can't see them (or hear very good). I was looking through my platform at 8 of them for about 45 minutes this year.

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

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That's funny, I had 5 beneath me at one time. It was at the end of the day and I figured I'd just hang up my bow and wait for them to leave so I wouldn't spook them getting out of the stand. I waited nearly 45 minutes and they wouldn't leave. I shook the branches and they just looked up at me and kept feeding. I finally had to just climb down and they boogered and ran off.

I thought that I wouldn't see anything out of that stand for a while, but I killed a decent buck out of the same stand the next morning at 8 o'clock.

And my pair tree is also all by itself about 15 yards out into a green field.
I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to hunting out of that tree next year.

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

I've spent ALOT of time recently thinking about next year...The last snow we had a few days ago I did some hunting/scouting to find where the deer are moving in the late season and thank god for snow! But yea Im always thinking about what I can change/improve, like clear cutting a small section for food plot, where to hang the next/new stands, what farms around here I can ask permission to hunt,selectively cutting trees to create moreforest forage, etc..Im already fired up for next year and Im not done hunting this year yet. I actually love the spring because of all the preperation/planting/scouting/ and anticipation (and turkey hunting)for the season to come.

RE: Do you look ahead too early?
 

no