All part of the game it sucks ... I've been passing bucks on a property I got when I first started In hunting in 2010 and have killed about 5 does on it. This year I have seen more decent bucks then ever and have like 3 shooters on cam. Wether that's a Coincident or my evolution as a hunter idk.
This is my second season bowhunting and I can say for certain that this season has been MUCH better than last season. Last year I liver-shot a doe, which got eaten by coyotes after I backed out to let her die. I came to full draw on a nice 8 pointer, only to get busted by him when he heard my arm scrape against my tether while drawing. He stood there and looked at me for about 5 minutes and never presented a shot, so I had to let down my draw and he ran away. In a desperate attempt to put some meat in the freezer, I brought out the rifle and shot the first deer I saw, which regrettably was a year and a half old 5 pointer. I hated to do it but I'm a meat hunter before trophy hunter. This season, however, I shot a nice big doe on opening day and another in mid october, both were perfect shots and had no problem with the recoveries. I also accomplished my goal of harvesting my first buck with a bow. November 9th i shot a nice basket 8 pointer, which was also a great shot and an easy recovery, except for the drag. His rack didn't do his body justice, he was the first deer I've ever shot that I was overwhelmed by the weight. Tomorrow morning will be my last sit of the season. If I dont fill my last buck tag, that'll be fine with me. All in all, I'd say I've had one heck of a season and a freezer full of meat.
I've had such a hard time finding mature bucks this year. I've seen more 3.5 year olds this year than ever before, but that's just not what I want to shoot. I killed a doe early on, but completely blew a shot the other day on my #1 target buck. I hit him high in the shoulder and got absolutely no penetration. I looked for a couple days, but to no avail. I had minimal blood to follow, so I'm hoping that the hit wasn't fatal. I really don't think that it was. Either way, I'm sick over it. I could care less if I kill another deer this year, I would just like to get a visual on that buck to know that he's still alive.
I'm pretty pleased with my season so far, a few minor bumps along the way. I killed two does early in the season, then wounded a 177" buck. But I got a chance at redemption and made it count, I got a 25 yard shot at the same buck and made it count. Now, it's time for some doe patrol, so the rest of the season I hope I don't even see a buck
Tough season this year. I've had shot opportunities nearly every time out but nothing of any size. Passed on does and little bucks many times. Rifle season has been on for two weeks during which I don't hunt. Rifle hunters I know are seeing few and small deer as well. Once I get back out there I may have to be a little less picky on what I will settle for. One farmer has taken off 3000 acres of corn and only seen 6 deer. Very tough going this year.
Tough year so far. I hunt in three states and two of them were hit by EHD and wiped out most of the deer in those areas. The other one has provided me one opportunity on a doe but no bucks bigger than spikes. It sure makes me appreciate the years I take deer. :D
Started out getting a clean miss on a lone doe. Had her come in from my right, nosing around, she kept coming and once broadside, I gave her a meh and shot right over her back. She bolted and turned around and started giving me heck and I knew I got a clean miss on her. Checked within a half hour and found no blood or hair. I harvested a doe in October. She was with 2 youngins. I saw them first and thought the youngins were yotes. They disappeared into the brush and I sat and waited for them to identify. Saw the older doe about 20 yards down hill to my right as I was sitting in my stand. She had her vitals right between 2 trees about a ft apart. I sent an arrow through her heart. It was a 50 yrd recovery. Had a very nice wide 8 come out of the field about 90 yards on a different day. I was sitting in the same stand I took my doe from. He wanted NOTHING to do with my can call. He bolted. Very exciting to see that bruiser flinging dirt with his back legs as he stepped into the open field. I watched 2 doe feed there too. They stayed out of bow range. I rattled in a lil buck the last Thursday of PA Archery and then on Saturday, I rattled in a 5 pt. That 5 pt came in on a mission and would not stop for anything! Later that day, I hit a hole close to home and blew the last 20 minutes of my hunt with hand movement. If I wouldn't have moved, I may have been lucky enough in loading a doe into my truck on the last day. It was fun and I can't wait for late season the day after Christmas!
Mine has been great so far. Killed 5 with my Bow. One small 8 point and 4 Does. Like every year around here...once Rifle season starts the Poachers get heavy with all the road hunting and spotlighting. Seems like they all leave out in November....kinda sad.
You're having a good season from where I'm sitting. I haven't been able to draw back on any deer for the last 10 years. On a 110 acre plot only my friend and I hunt.
Started out in a dead sprint, coulda had three does down in the first week. Only took one, only one grabbbed bow for. Then it all went queit. Theres one stand I have I'm almost guaranteed to see something and it continues to produce shot opportunities if I would decide to take them. Had a lot of good bucks on camera up until opening day that have since all but disappeared. Still have a couple running around but have only seen small ones and a decent 6 pointer chasing. Haven't seen anything that suggest the rut is here or if it is its not effecting much on the activity. Haven't seen as many deer as did last year but I'm not sure I've been out as much either. Still plan on chugging right along through the end of season. Overall I guess it hasn't been bad, maybe not what expected but can't complain too much.
I've killed 4 deer but the rut has sucked. Lil to no good action. Areas of the farm that are typically destroyed with rubs and scrapes have lil to none. The bucks are there but.............????
Extremely slow. I only saw 4 deer the entire Pa archery season (it ended November 16th in most units). I saw some deer last week in NE Ohio but nothing great. I plan to get back over there Friday and hopefully finally get a shot at a deer.
Been a great year. Only problem is, i couldnt use hunting as a get away excuse, and now im bored all the time. The highlight of my week is checking cameras in the weekend.
Ive had a terrible bow season... This is the first year I haven't killed a deer with my bow in quite a while.... albeit I've passed some deer I wouldn't have in the past... I've also buggered a couple of opportunities. I've also had the least amount of time to hunt this year too... which weighs in a lot for me I think. But it's hunting... I hope to atleast put down one deer with my bow in the late season... though I've never shot a deer with my bow in the late season... I'm determined this year. I'm gun hunting for meat right now though.... and still suck.
This year has been great. i got my first deer with a bow.(a spike) and two weeks later a doe. I get to hunt more this year than in years past and have been seeing deer on about 75% of my hunts. Im on a new piece of property with alot better prospects witch atributes to my success.
Haven't seen many deer to shoot at. One doe that stayed behind a tree, and a nice 10 that ducked my strong. Still looking for him in the late season.
