What makes you "Stay The Course" on your hunting goals/dreams?

I never really set any goals, cause if I did, I would probably stick too them, but probably wouldn't enjoy myself quite as much...

However, I do dream and leave myself some wiggle room so I enjoy my time in the woods... If that makes any sense??

Schultzy said it best... Freak Daddy!!!
Just remember not too pressure yourself too much and if you do,
either have another talk with yourself to reconstitute your thought's
or
maybe put a little meat in the freezer to relieve the pressure...

 

All the motivation I will ever need to reach my whitetail goals/stay the course... lies in the mountains I hunt. You gotta go get it, they ( the big bucks) are out there. There are two types of people in this world, people who wait for opportunities to come to them and those that make opportunities happen. Staying the course so to speak comes from intrinsic motivation first and the rest plays out through hardwork, smart game planning and persistence. You get out of hunting what you put into it, we all make mistakes along the way and we either learn from them and make strides or we never learn and stay the same in our skill set. I know I could never reach my goal of killing a big buck or at least getting a shot at a top end buck year in and out if I didnt put forth a significant effort year around.

 

Good post Troy!!

 

Well, I usually do stick to my goals. Last year being an exception, I made a mistake and killed a Buck I usually wouldn't. There were several contributing factors. Factors that I wouldn't normally ignore. I never got to see the buck head on, I shot him from the ground, no blind, at 11 yards. At the time I had no concept of his spread, only that it was a marginal buck and it was later in the season. I made a decision to shoot this buck because the plan had come together perfectly. I also felt some internal and external pressure to put one on the ground as it had been 2 years since I'd connected on an Archery Buck. I learned a little about myself and my self imposed goals. I think I'm ready to stay the course at least for a couple more seasons..

 

I don't know If I have a "course" but I usually don't shoot young bucks, but I have on occasion and did last yr, and i have a wall for of nice mature deer, so Im not in the same realm as the others on here (not really a trophy hunter) ..but every year is different in ways..sometimes holding out for a huge deer can make a man crazy, and sometimes it can make them sane when they kill him....I just try to shoot deer when it feels right Simon. I do want to kill a big buck every year, but it doesn't always happen. killing a deer is satisfying with a bow, but killing a big buck is prefered with a bow, I usually do one or the other or both and that is my goal, kill at least one deer every year with a bow.

 

It seems to me that often once a person gets a taste of what it feels like to shoot a mature buck...you just can't wait for it to happen again and the smaller young bucks just don't seem to cut it anymore. I would rather shoot a mature buck for my wall ever 3-5 years than shoot a youngster every season. It just depends on what you want...there is no wrong or right answer to any of this. It's about what makes you happy.

 

Simple: I love deer hunting!

 

the only goals i set are: 1)go out and have fun. 2)be safe 3)at least see a deer and get my adrenaline pumping.
i dont care if i shoot the monster buck that everyone talks about(it would be nice tho lol)
im happy to be in the woods

 

Im not a guy to make excuses, the truth is im not a good enough deer hunter at this point in my life and career to be able to kill mature bucks. Im 100% self taught and learning as i go. I have PLENTY of motivation, thats not the problem. I just have not reached that point yet, but i do get closer every season :d

 

Siman, how old are you? Just curious if you dont mind me askin?

 

You are almost there, Man. It won't be long now, you're doing what it takes. Never let them big bucks know that you are there.

 

I am 18 shed, and i started bowhunting in the fall of my 16th year.

 

I keep my goals pretty basic. I realized a long time ago that I wasn't very good at bowhunting, but I love it. I manage a few chances every season and make the most of it. Goals are to take my son out with me a couple times, teach someone new to the sport the ropes to get them hooked, and put some venison in the freezer. I hope it will be a buck every season, but it is usually a doe and I consider myself lucky to shoot that. It's all perspective.

 

A refreshing Outlook...Keep having fun and enjoy your time afield!

 

Siman, you should feel great about your progress. At your age I was looking to kill anything that walked. 17 seasons later and my benchmark seems to be 2.5 year old 6 pointers and above. It has taken me this long to even stay the course on those type of deer. Best of luck to you!

 

Thanks,

You too GregH :d

 

Siman as long as your enjoying the way U want to hunt keep it up, your young and like Greg said, your on the way. I didnt know squat about big bucks at 18, U have a lot more resources than I did at your age, back when i was learning guys kept their big buck hunting ways to themselves..... its a patient life long journey, u will never stop learning if u stay humble. Good luck i think for your age and mind set its only a matter of time.

 

Seeing a big mature thick necked pig of a buck come into your stand is an excitement like no other for me..............I go into my stands and see on average 1-2 2.5 year olds a sit..... After a while you kind of get used to them and the out-of-control excitement is gone. But when you only get a chance maybe one or two times a season at a mature buck, when it comes in, my nerves go haywire and im at an all time high.... there is nothing like killing a mature buck after putting in much effort to get him......................in no way am i saying that shooting immature bucks is bad, i am blessed to be able to hunt an area where deer get old and i see many bucks every year

 

Siman, when your truely ready to hunt for big bucks only it won't be hard to "stay the course" When I first decided to pass younger bucks the first few were hard to pass after that is was easy. I also reached a point where it wasn't real important to kill something. I enjoy watching the young ones walk by. Also remember that you should hunt the way you want to. You CAN change your mind and shoot something other then your original goal. Keep it fun and the big ones will come when they come.