Actually for the first time in my hunting career i have no regrets of this past season. I was 3 for 3 and killed my first buck with a bow, in my mind nothing could be better about my hunting season, except maybe adding the sheds of some of the bucks we filmed this summer
Not changing my residency when I moved to Illinois. If I would have changed my residency I would have had another buck tag in my pocket for the rut and some late season buck hunting. I bought an extra doe tag, but couldn't justify hunting does in the cold weather. As a result I was tagged out before November even got here. Cost me the opportunity to hunt with my good friend, Mike Willand. Other than I have no regrets for 2010. I shot a big doe opening weekend in Illinois and shot a nice buck Halloween weekend on Justin's lease and spent irreplaceable hours in the tree with JZ and Todd all fall and winter. I wouldn't change a thing.
I don't have any real regrets from this season. I shot one buck and 4 does, and the buck was the biggest I have ever taken. I took a doe with my bow, another with my muzzleloader, one with my rifle, and one with my handgun. By far my most successful season. If I had to choose one thing I regretted, it would be not hunting my new land until mid October. I should have been hunting there since day 1.
My only regret was not getting a shot at the coyote that got within range. He was a biggun that needed to die. Tim
I regret not hunting more. I only hunted opening day last year. I mean I had a nice consolation prize, but I should have got out more. I just can't get motivated to hunt much as busy as I am without a buck tag in my pocket.
I have no regrets. My 2010 was a season of friendships, fun, and frustrations. I really got to see more of the "real" world (the cultural exchange in elk camp this year was phenomenal). I learned a lot through the process-essentially adding more dots to my collection (hunting is a game of connect the dots). I will place those learning experiences into my bag of tricks and grow, with that much more confidence. It is, afterall, "hunting". I look forward to doing much of the same in 2011...
When I was hunting over standing corn one day, I had a coyote low crawl within 20 yards. I decided to stand up to get a better shot and some branches moved. He slowly glanced over at me, then slowly backed away. Had I stayed seated, I would've had a perfect shot. I don't think I will ever forget that encounter.
Nothing!! I went and ate dinner with my parents, and then went home. I didn't figure I would see anything so I didn't go, and boy was I wrong!!!
Going to HI the last week of brown bear season and in the middle of archery goat season... I was pissed getting on the plane but honestly, it wasn't so bad once I got that warm sand between my toes and had that first yellowfin tuna on the line! No complaints from me on 2010, I'd do it all over again.
Not shooting the only deer that I had an encounter with on public land. Had her between 15 and 25 yards for 10 minutes and just decided not to shoot. I immediately regretted it once she got out of bow range. So now next year I can only hope to take my first public land deer.
I missed a great buck this year but at least it was a clean miss and he had no idea what happened. Was unable to recover 2 does because of poor judgement, I learned from those encounters.
1) Not killing that buck on John's property. (cause they're gonna die of old age otherwise.. heh heh) 2) Making a less than ideal hit on a buck with a really bad attitude.
Passing on a shooter 8-point at 15 yards, second week of Oct. Was holding out for a Bullwinkle, but never saw another buck inside 60 yards for the rest of the year. Learned a ton,though, about a new property. Worth every minute.
