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How do you define a successful deer season?

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How do you define a successful deer season?

Old 01-04-2010, 09:22 AM
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Nontypical Buck
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Default How do you define a successful deer season?

I understand everyone has their own reasons whether their deer season was successful. I also believe there is no right/wrong answer here.
Simple question: Do you have to shoot a deer to have successful season?

Personally, my answer is Yes. If I failed to meet my objective, in this case, shooting a deer, then my season was unsuccessful.

Did I have a great time? Yes
Did I enjoy the comrauderie with my sons and friends? Yes
Did I truly enjoy my time spent in the deer woods? Yes
Did I fully appreciate the anticipation of the upcoming season? Yes
Did I enjoy the time spent with 2 grandsons, appreciating the fact that these young hunters are now an important part of our hunting camp? Yes

Did I shoot a deer? No
Was my hunting season a success? No

Your thoughts?
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Old 01-04-2010, 09:25 AM
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i would consider your season a success. If you had 0 opportunities at shooting a deer then i would say no. If you had shot opportunities and did not take them then I would consider it successful.

The main thing is to have fun!
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Old 01-04-2010, 09:26 AM
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Basically the same as you. But atleast some deer in camp is expected.

We've never been totally skunked so that hasn't gotten us. (knock on wood)
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Old 01-04-2010, 09:28 AM
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I base it on how much I enjoyed it, and killing a deer has little to do with that. I've gone more than one season without a kill and still had a ball.
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Old 01-04-2010, 09:34 AM
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Short answer -yes. My average for years was 5 bucks, so anything above that is a good year. I'm at 7 now.

I usually base my season off the number of bucks I kill during bow and archery. When general gun season comes along, I only base my season as how well my dogs perform throughout the season..although I can't deny I like to kill a few bucks in front of them as well.
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Old 01-04-2010, 09:38 AM
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Everyone is different. I shot a deer and I am on the whole, not thrilled about my season. It wasn't about shooting the deer. The issues for me come down to not just seeing as many deer as I would have liked. The area around my stand was torn up badly as my dad felt compelled to clear brush on our ranch, so it kinda killed the whole 'sitting out there and enjoying the view and fresh air' aspect.

That said, I can't call it a failure either. I had fun and spent some quality time with my 8 year old daughter. Perfect for me would have been to see alot of deer and just sit and watch them, maybe take some pictures even. Just be able to watch them with her. We saw a few but not many.

But...that all gets the wheels turning for next season. Plans to get better at it, pick better spots, scout better, etc.
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Old 01-04-2010, 09:40 AM
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double post
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Old 01-04-2010, 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted by bryant1
Short answer -yes. My average for years was 5 bucks, so anything above that is a good year. I'm at 7 now.

I usually base my season off the number of bucks I kill during bow and archery. When general gun season comes along, I only base my season as how well my dogs perform throughout the season..although I can't deny I like to kill a few bucks in front of them as well.
7 bucks in 1 season and average of 5? Can I just ask, why? I know, it's legal, you have the tags for it, but why so many bucks??? Just curious.
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Old 01-04-2010, 09:45 AM
  #9  
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For me, I can have a great time in the woods and with family and friends, but if I don't kill a deer, I have failed and had an unsuccessful season.

Fortunately, in my 27 years of deer hunting, I have never failed to kill at least one deer, and 2009 was one of the best ever.
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Old 01-04-2010, 10:10 AM
  #10  
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yes and no,

Yes- I enjoy the time that I get to spend with mother nature, watching animals at work or play...the peace and quiet...just getting away and being free....

as for the no....well I worked my butt off and havnt been able to hunt as much as Ive wanted, saw 2 does the other day, but something had spooked them and as they came out of the thicket near me they were running at full speed....so as of yet I havnt killed a deer this year, I have about a week to go....we'll see what happens
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