I know the feeling! The week leading up to this trip was chaos. Although, the thing I’ve always disliked about fishing is now becoming the thing I dislike about hunting. And that’s the nothing. Nothing to show for the effort. Wife and coworkers think it’s a waste to spend weeks preparing for a small chance. 3days out here, through rain and storm. Cameras have gone dead not even a squirrel. I’ve bumped 3 doe. Haven’t seen a buck. it’s like turkey season all over again. forgive my complaining. As I’m writing this, people from the clubs I’m in are posting their success from the weekend and I have still not drawn my bow on a damn thing. For the second year. While the defeat always tears me up. I do always find peace in this solitude. It’s recovery on its own.
Agi I am reading this as this is your second or third year of bow hunting? 1st- we have all gone through the times of tag soup and bad years. That’s going to always happen no matter how many years you’ve been at it. 2nd- your not successful just because you get to shoot something. Your successful because you keep going back for more and not giving up. It will happen. Enjoy those times in your stand because that’s what hunting is really about. The deer steaks are just a bonus. 3rd- cameras don’t tell everything so don’t let them squash your season. Are they set up right? Sun can keep the camera from taking pics. Location of the camera could be bad. Scent may have changed their travel. Keep pushing man and relax.
I bow hunted for 6 years before I filled a tag. I learned A LOT in those 6 years and have been able to harvest deer after. But like was stated, the success is the experience and the journey. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
This is my second licensed year hunting period. Again, please forgive my complaining. I find peace and rejuvenation being out in the woods. I also took advantage of my time still hunting and scouting to check in on some guzzlers for a USDA forestry project I’ve been working on. Shortly after writing that post I had 2 coyotes come up within 5 feet. We scared each other. That was exciting also.
Doesn’t sound like your complaining to me but more like your just eager to get the prize. Rooting for you man.
Just keep your head up and keep adjusting to what the sign or Intel is telling you. Enjoy the time afield. We are all rooting for you!
Agi - you won't find a more sympathetic ear anywhere else than here. So feel free to vent! Stick with it and you'll be able to look at the past as paying your dues. -fsh
Ok, I really wish I saw this one before I left the mountain. Now I think I need some camera help. I get notifications around the same time each day and then play the most cruel game of spot the difference. (One time a log disappeared and then reappeared the next day). I think I'm picking up the heat signature off a rock, or the tree I've strapped it to is moving in the wind. Brush is facing NNW at a guzzler about 50yrds away & Poison is facing NE. Both have fresh tracks and beans passing by and intersecting near or in front of them.
Which camera model are you using? Knowing the range detection would help. Are you getting a bunch of pics of this bush I circled in blue blowing in the wind. Is this a cell cam? If so does your instructions call for a class 10 sd card? Possibility of light reflection from the rock hinders the motion detector? Is there a good trail crossing through in front of the camera? Just throwing out some thoughts. With this pic:
@camo75 that bush does seem to move a lot in the many pictures I've received. However, during the storm on Sunday I didn't get many pictures, I've received a TON today and wind is only 9mph. These are Trail-tek cellular cameras. Has an 80 foot IR range. It came with the required SD cards. The trail is just beyond the log which is less than 40 feet from the camera. There is an intersecting trail starting at the bottom left that leads to the fallen tree.
Weather in WI flipped for the better for me this weekend. Saturday is going to be a great day! Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
IDK Beaver, I think I’m sitting this one out. Too piss warm yet. Can’t wait to climb in a tree, but trying to be more selective this year. Think I’m going to wait at least another week. Good luck to you though if you get out!
I sharpened my knife yesterday. Would be a shame if I didn’t get to use it. Good luck to the WI folks if you are out this weekend.
I can tell that it is getting tough out here based on the time between checking this app. Gonna sit until 10 and then run to the bow shop. My rest won’t “lock-up” anymore. Figured I could make due this morning but need to get it checked and/or purchase a new rest.
Blank this morning. Rest is replaced and I am ready for tonight! Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
I scouted the Navy Base yesterday, looking for a "magic oak". Chestnut oaks are the first oaks to drop in MD, but while their acorns are not particularly palatable, deer will seek them out until the red oak or white oaks start to drop. I found one chestnut dropping - which is good considering I looked under >100 others. (Last year, almost all of the chestnut oaks were dropping). But I saw only buck poop under this chestnut oak. I'm scouting the earn-a-buck portion of the Base, and need to take a doe first. I may sit there anyway, but probably will not get out until Weds for my first sit. There's a lot on my plate now, and I do want to get over to my friend's farm where I got a pic of that "elk". Fortunately, I'm the only bowhunter allowed there, so I can take my time... Good luck all! -fsh
