1) Take a couple practice shots every couple of days or so, and especially after traveling to hunt. Never know when you're going to knock something off kilter 2a) KISS 2b) don't shoot Rage Hypos 3) trust your gut 4) get my butt out of bed and into my stand a half hour earlier (say that every year tho)
I learned not to put all my cards on one piece of land.. Have back up land if the one you think will be great turns into crap. Also chain and lock tree stands even on private lands you would never think about people stealing.
I cable locked my LW sit and climb to a tree on private land and still had it stolen!!! Anyway, I learned (I go through this every year) that there's no future in letting lesser legal bucks walk on the Public Land that I hunt. Every time I let smaller bucks walk, I never end up even seeing the "bigger" bucks that I'm holding out for. I let this 8pt go hoping I'd see a better one since it was the Rut. Now I wish I took him.
4. Price 80# Limbs 5. Switch to FMJs 6. Exhale b4 the Shot 7. Slow down & Keep Glassing 8. Get more Merino 9. Don't lose your Sitka glove 10. No more PorknBeans for dinner 11. Check spare on the Truck 12. Lighted Nocks are worth the Cost,......
I'll get back to you in 3 weeks after the season ends. I learned that I'm 100% mentally ready for when that big buck comes crashing thru the brush at 15 yards chasing a hot doe.
I found a few really good spots this year. Found them late during rifle season. Excited to see what will happen next year before the orange army comes out. I learned that Moutan lions like to hang out above my camp at night in one of my favorite spots. I learned ( mostly from watching videos here ) that mechanical broadheads suck for penetration but leave a huge hole. (I'd rather get a pass through)
-Need to find a lot more public spots to hunt. -Cold weather clothing is a must for November into late season. -Need to take habitat improvement more seriously -Late season plot is very important. -I carry way too many things with me when Im hunting. -You can never have enough pre prepped stand locations. -Scents are a waste of money.
1: don't put too much pressure on myself! 2: be prepared when opportunity presents itself! 3: have FUN and enjoy my time in the outdoors!
1. You can not ever practice to much. 2. Slick tricks work very well. 3. Outserts tend to break arrows 4. Hunting is more fun every year!
The 3 things I learned this year: 1. What if feels like to hit but not find the deer. (Still in search of first kill with a bow) 2. Why hunting on the ground is so tough (Summit Goliath is bought for next year already) 3. That no matter how much you learn, there's still so much more to learn. I can't believe I waited til my mid 30s to start bow hunting. What the heck was I waiting for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This season I learned ... 1. The "Lone Wolf advantage" is not a myth 2. Deer love Monster Raxx 3. I love killing deer I can't think of any more, but there is a lot.
1-Continue to always hunt the highest percentage stand not always the most comfortable or reliable. 2-Trust scouting and analysis of sign/pics/tracks/etc more as to do #1 3-Continue to never let hunting overtake family or God as a priority.
I learned that my property doesn't have much activity after the rut. I also learned how frustrated I get passing deer that I would have normally shot just so I could get a mature kill on camera (which I ended up empty handed). I think next year I will make sure to keep it more fun and less of a job, I can't complain though - I did it to myself...
After only seeing four deer all season I learned I need to scout new spots and do my best to try to find at least one private land spot..
After a shot wait 20 to 30 minutes, then get down look at your arrow then gauge where you hit'em at. Then go back to camp grab a bite to eat maybe watch tv for a little while. IF THE DEER IS DEAD IT ISNT GOING ANYWHERE DONT RUSH IT. Liver shot a deer this year and waited 2 or 3 hours came back found her laying less than 30 yards away
