I really don't hunt for the challenge although I can remember the time here in eastern WV when it was quite challenging to even see a deer. I've seen more deer in a morning hunt now than I used to see all season 25 years ago and I still get excited. I think it's just the whole hunting experience that keeps me going back into the woods and also I've acquired a taste for venison over the years that causes me to bag 3 or 4 every season.....[8D]

I think when people hunt in high deer density area,, it starts off as a challenge to just be successful,, but after years of success,, yes it does become a little easier,, but as hunters i think we all raise our standards little by little or choose more challenging methods of hunting our chosen game,, whether by going to a more primitive weapon, or a diffferent tactic to connect with the game.. Some people raise the bar on what they are willing to hang a tag on, and decide to harvest more does instead of small bucks,, or match wits with a specific animal that they have chosen to take, and spend countless hours trying to learn that one particular deer, then the harvest is very sweet.

Where I hunt in Texas, in a normal year it is no challange to see whitetails every time you go out. Most are at shootable ranges. You could say it is not "hunting", but "game shooting", as the Brits say. Some folks take does with head shots, to keep the challenge (pretty common apparently, been talked to death on this board and others!).
Me? I do different things to keep it from being cut and dried. I shoot with flintlocks, handgun caliber rifles, and handguns. I watch from ground blinds, to bushes to ghiliesuits. I've played games to see how close I could stalk. There are lots of things to do that will make things more of a challenge. My next step is to take a whitetail with my 20 bore flint fowler, hopefully this year.

When I started hunting 30 years ago, the herd was smaller, and it was mostly buck. Things have changed since then. Perhaps the most significant is that we can now use a rifle. Also, 30 years of experience has helped No matter what, I think it's still a challenge, when it comes down to it, you still have to execute, and some people do that better than others. Not to brag, but I've had as much success with shotgun as with rifle, like I say, experience/execution. I like my odds every year.

There are two parts to hunting, the tribal part : My friends and family come together for a week or so every year to enjoy the great outdoors. Nothing beats that, period, it's our heretage. Part two is the hunt, secondary, but we all do have that testoserone in us. Must....get....bigger....buck. It's only natural.

I found myself getting so angry at the hunting practices of my party that it was really getting in the way of what was important.

The solution, I took up bow hunting. I get all the time I want to spend hunting the way I want to hunt, yet get the whole hunting experience with my friends and family. Not to mention that bow hunting presents a much greater challenge.

The best of both worlds.

Forgot this,

At least for gun hunting, I've really gotten into still hunting. Awesome stuff, I lucked into a 9 pt. 2 seasons ago at 15 yards doing this, he came to me and was 5'th deer I could have taken that afternoon.

The Trashcanman

I know on my hunts the thrill for me is just being out there. I normally see deer on 2 out of 3 hunts. I have hunted 4 seasons in AR and this is either a pitiful statement or just plain unlucky. I have never, not once seen(go out normally 5 times per season) a legal antlered deer. So my meat has been doe only when season permits. I keep praying to see a legal buck but heaven only knows I'll probably crap my pants and scare the thing any how. I just love to be out there.

I hunt in Southern Indiana where there are upwards of 45 deer per square mile , and believe me when I say that having that many doesn't make it any easier . I don't get one every year , so it's just as challenging .

As long as your having fun and have the passion for it still then hunting is still good for you

I only hunt places I think I will see huge deer in. This puts me in spots with herds of deer every time out. Some spots I could gun hunt and I would have a wall full of 150's and up. I choose to bow hunt for the challenge. The challenge I'm talking about is a little different then most. Anyone who bow hunts can shoot a deer when it's alone or with 1 or 2 others but try that with 12 deer feeding below you. There are 24 eyes, ears and noses trying to sense movements. They are good but you need to be better.

It was in the movie The Professional. The first weapon you learn is the riffle. The more you learn the closer you can get to the client. The last one is the knife. One day I may try the knife.

Good luck

I hunt for the meat. I enjoy the whole experience, but have so many other things to do that "the easier the better".

zeke