Sticky: First annual discouraged bowhunters thread!

I thought I had a great game plan today...Saw 0....yep, 0.

 

Everyone chill! :D

The BEST it YET to come!

 

If bowhunting were that easy, every fool would be out there. It's not easy its hard, and frustrating, exhausting at times, and yet draws us all out there. It's a wonderful time to be in the woods, the deer are usually in their natural unpressured state, lots of other animals to annoy and distract you, and no orange army to contend with. You are in a battle of will power, and nothing will help, not "lucky socks" or any other superstitious crap, praying, nothing except to keep trying and not give up. Drag yourself out of bed and get out there! Don't be afraid to take a day off and recharge your batteries. Remember that the rut is coming! Thank god for the rut! Now get back out there! If the does are around, the bucks will be too. If there is good buck sign, a buck will be by.

Above all else, a horrible season can turn into a great season in 5 minutes. Maybe you don't get anything this year, but can look back and say I never gave up. Maybe this year you get the 12 point? Keep practicing during the season to stay sharp. I'm right there with you not having a good year, but the good hunting is here now I think.

 

I take back this statement. My buck tonight was killed directly over a standing corn field, so I guess I'm not discouraged anymore.:D

 

Great first post! welcome to the forum.

 

Another good sit today. See a little whining can help sometimes. After my deer sighting marathon yesterday, I was totally refocussed. I took everyones advice here. I sat in a stand at a different piece of property just because I felt like it. No other reason really. And I decided to whack a doe to get on the board and get the deer hunting gods in my corner and feel that excitement again. I usually save my doe tags until late season, but I needed to put something down. Now I'm really recharged and ready to tackle my main land this afternoon and find Mr. big.

 

I hear ya. This year was tough. I almost threw my bow off a cliff while we were deer hunting. Literally, I swung it and just didn't let go, thank God. That would have been dumb, but I understand your frustration. This year we destroyed two trucks, a camper and relations with family members during elk season. And didn't get an elk. What kind of crap is that? I understand that not every year is going to be an epic season but discouragement gets harder and harder to fight when it keeps showing up. I guess that's why we do it though. We have to have bad years and expensive mechanic bills before we realize how great even the small trophies are. I hope your luck turns around for you in the next couple weeks. My season is over for now except for birds which doesn't have quite the thrill of big game. However, we are going to try bow hunting ducks and geese with arrows called flu-flus (www.tradgang.com/flu-flu/) which ought to bring on a whole new level of frustration!

 

I had a couple frustrating years the past 2 seasons, changed my outlook a bit for this year & have enjoyed it thoroughly.

In 4.5 more hours I walk out of work and get ready for 4 days spent in the woods. All the trees I have picked out to sit in are good ones, all I can do is spend the time in them and leave the rest to the deer. Toss in a little hope that I don't run into too many other hunters, but that too is out of my hands, I think my stand locations will keep that to a minimum, but there are no certainties.

 

Hey Gents, could be worse! I am in Philippines til dec 16, wont get to hunt at all this year, new bow is at the shop waiting to be picked up and shot. Im living the hunt dream via your stories. So point of my sob story is at least you are in the trees trying!!!! good luck and keep the stories coming. I have a real itchy release finger!!!