Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Izzy on December 22, 2011, 09:00:00 PM

Title: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Izzy on December 22, 2011, 09:00:00 PM: So,,, what did you do or fail to do that got to you this season? I know we are all superlative woodsmen and women without peer, (wink, wink) but sometimes even the great ones blow a grand opportunity. Hopefully if you did make a mistake that cost you a critter you've learned from it and maybe you'll share it with us so that we may avoid such blunders.

Myself? My biggest mistakes were (1) being careless in that I didnt brush in my treestands to break up my outline. I relied on chance and it bit me more than once this year.

(2) Failing to prepare the night or morning before a hunt and several times I had to scoot back to the truck after realizing that I forgot my safety strap, haul rope, arm guard when wearing a heavy coat or what have you. This is unfortunately the hardest part for me to change, I find that Im always hustling for time, guess thats just life with a busy family and Ive always been kinda been "The Absent Minded Bowhunter".

(3) This was probably my most costly mistake this past season. Forgetting the wind even though I was conscious of less than ideal wind direction. Several times I took a chance and got busted. I have a brand new Summit viper but I hate it and its a little bit scary to me so Id rather hunt from my old reliable ladder stands most of the time and I still dont have enough set up to exploit all winds at my sites.

Well, If you dare, please tell, what do you plan to improve on next year? Maybe it could help some of us green horns out next year.Im sure I could pick out a few more of my blunders if I was brave enough to look but I feel that I can certainly improve on at least two of the three above mentioned shortcomings.

I guess a wise man would call these learning experiences but Ive repeated some several times always expecting a different outcome. :smileystooges:
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: bryan r on December 22, 2011, 09:08:00 PM: Lesson learned tonight with my first traditional harvest, is to wait a minimum of 30 minutes to begin tracking, no matter how good I "think" the shot is...

Plan to have him found and hanging before breakfast tomorrow.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on December 22, 2011, 09:20:00 PM: When on public property, dont think the close spots are as overlooked as they look.

Don't sit a spot more than 3 times with good wind, without seeing something before trying somewhere new.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Red4arm on December 22, 2011, 09:27:00 PM: 1) don't sit where you don't have good cover to hide, no matter how good the sign looks, you will get busted
2) don't "mahh" at a good buck to stop it a 5 yards. It will stop and pin point you EXACTLY where in the tree you are!
3) hunt the rut more and everything else less
4) Watch the wind every hunt and sit accordingly.
5) And the most important. Don't stress over the hunt, slow down and enjoy my time in the woods and time with good friends.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: 30coupe on December 22, 2011, 09:32:00 PM: PICK A SPOT! :readit:
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: JamesKerr on December 22, 2011, 09:37:00 PM: Brush myself in and that no matter how good the shot looked until you find the animal you really don't know where you hit it (our deer are super jumpy).
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: jsweka on December 22, 2011, 09:43:00 PM: Lack of scouting. It's just tough when you travel a lot for your job, have a wife and little kids, and hunt an hour and a half away from home.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: RC on December 22, 2011, 09:59:00 PM: I learned to shoot at the first I know I can make it opportunity.
I had a fine 8 pt step in a scrape in a very thick area in November I had a 12 yard shot but waited for him to step into a little bigger opening. I could make the shot 25 of 25 times but waited . The deer turned and walked away . I stood there holding a fine longbow feeling really stupid...RC
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: KentuckyTJ on December 22, 2011, 10:13:00 PM: My last hunt I saw two sets of antlers coming through the thicket towards me. So without a buck tag I decide to grab the camera and take some photos if they get close enough. So I reached for my camera in my backpack. When I finally got it out and turn around there is a doe staring at me at 20 yards. Busted by the deer I was after. Note to self...don't be lazy even though I am only doe hunting.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Frank V on December 22, 2011, 10:17:00 PM: Well I learned just how accuratly a Whitetail can pin point you when you are using a deer call!
You have no choice if you are hunting alone, but if with a friend one of you can be far enough away that a deer won't pin point both of you.
Frank
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: stykbow67 on December 22, 2011, 10:17:00 PM: What 30coupe said!!!!
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: fireball31 on December 22, 2011, 10:28:00 PM: Best season I've had. I finally forced myself to enjoy the process. there's going to be a lot more of the "process" than there is of the conclusion.

That and Tag soup is delicous as long as you add enough hot sauce.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Matthew Bolton on December 22, 2011, 10:50:00 PM: 1. Not sure of the shot, let the deer lay.
2. Don't take quartering to shots. (I clipped a doe and have been kicking myself since oct. 4)
3. Try and get through target panic when you realize it is happening to you mid-draw. (This caused me to gut shoot one which we found and shoot another doe way forward but it missed the shoulder bone by a half inch or so)
4. Not hunting areas I should have
5. Not scouting areas and just running by the seat of my pants all season.

So yeah...
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: GRINCH on December 22, 2011, 10:53:00 PM: Just me,I lost my hunting area this year been down about that but haven't scouted any public land I can hunt.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Ground Hunter on December 22, 2011, 11:12:00 PM: On public land - stuff happens.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Knotter on December 22, 2011, 11:27:00 PM: My weaknesses -

I lack patience
I listen to brain too much and don't follow my gut enough.

Mistakes-
drawing too quickly
shooting at the whole deer
not doing enough "honey do" chores around the house to liberate more time
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: elkken on December 23, 2011, 01:07:00 AM: As I've gotten older I like to stay in my warm bed/bag on mornings when it is 17* outside .... and you can't kill anything that way !
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Over&Under on December 23, 2011, 01:59:00 AM: I made the same mistake I have made in years past....moving too quickly and not glassing enough. I need to slow down and actually hunt!

Also learned the value of picking a spot....
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Jerry Jeffer on December 23, 2011, 02:29:00 AM: Dropping my bow arm turning a great shot into a low shot and watching the big boy skip off untouched. Izzy, don't worry about time and rushing to be ready. I used to do that, but find when I take my time, I'm always on time no matter what time it is.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Glunt on December 23, 2011, 03:13:00 AM: Until you confirm otherwise, believe that bull is still where he should be even if he stopped bugling. A buddy and I were working in on a bull the last weekend of season. He went quiet and instead of being set-up to allow one guy to drop back and call, we got caught together too close and too open for one of us to drop back. We tried getting him in anyway and he came on a string to about 60 yards. Like they often do when they have cows, he came to where he should be able to see the source of the calling and no farther.

Real nice bull for our area. Hung around for a couple minutes bugling at us and offering every angle a guy could ever want...just out of reach.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: mcgroundstalker on December 23, 2011, 07:01:00 AM: Always be ready on the still hunt! Don't distract yourself looking at a bunny on your left and let the buck on your right see ya first! OMG!

... mike ...
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: on December 23, 2011, 07:30:00 AM: Quote
Originally posted by 30coupe:
PICK A SPOT! :readit:
same here!!!! :banghead:
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Littlejake on December 23, 2011, 07:42:00 AM: Should have went with my gut instead of my head.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: lunchbucket on December 23, 2011, 08:07:00 AM: Never ever forget to watch your back trail.I did but Mr.Antlers didnt.............
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: JO_EZ on December 23, 2011, 08:23:00 AM: I learned that I should hold off on those shots when the deer is looking right at you.

Also, if you reduce that tag soup down to tag gravy and pour it over a roast from your Son's first deer, it doesn't taste bitter at all.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: yukon chuck on December 23, 2011, 08:23:00 AM: 30coupe said it all...
Pick a spot, pick a spot, pick a spot !!!!!!!!!

First time out on a piece of private land, with only about 30 minutes worth of scouting the week before. An hour and a half in, I had a big bodied, old, 6 point come in to within five yards of me on the ground. Looked right at me twice and dismissed me. I allowed him to drift out to about 12 yards. Broadside...never knew I was there... And I made a perfect kill shot on a 6" tree that he had his head behind. He busted out to thirty yards and never came back in. I hate that tree.

In the time it took for him to mosey out to 12 yards, from 5 yards, I had a complete and total melt down. Buck fever after 30+ years Bowhunting. I felt like a twelve year old kid. That's what keeps me coming back, and that's why I love ground pounding.
Merry Christmas,
Chuck
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: ronp on December 23, 2011, 08:25:00 AM: Like you, Izzy, I am always rushed and end up forgetting something. I usually have my bow, arrows and glove, though. One thing I learned, is to get one of those lights that go on your hat brim! I am luck I didn't twist my ankle walking up Ken's mountain in the dark LOL. It was like stepping on bowling balls. I am glad you had me covered!
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: J.Williams on December 23, 2011, 08:36:00 AM: I have to stop fidgeting and moving around so much in the treestand.Had 2 bucks bust me moving around one morning this season.They saw me first.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Izzy on December 23, 2011, 08:47:00 AM: Wow, seems a lot of you fellas are working from my playbook. It's always good to reflect back a learn from the past. I had a good year but a few of my encounters where I should have had a deer still nag me. Next year I won't be hunting half as much as this year cause Ill be looking over Noahs shoulder and trying to coach him into keeping it together and not making my past mistakes. The only problem that I foresee with that is that I'll probably be more excited than if the bow was in my hands.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: LITTLEBIGMAN on December 23, 2011, 09:13:00 AM: just last night i forgot to pick a spot!
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Mike Gerardi on December 23, 2011, 09:26:00 AM: Looking at the whole doe ,shot over her back. And I should of made a stand adjustment 15yds. I knew I should of moved the stand but thought the buck would make the adjustment for me. He did not. Have'nt seen him since our gun season began.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: 30coupe on December 23, 2011, 09:28:00 AM: Quote
Originally posted by Mike Gerardi:
Looking at the whole doe ,shot over her back.
Yup!

See my earlier post. :readit:
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Steertalker on December 23, 2011, 09:51:00 AM: Like Glunt....I too made the mistake of thinking a bull was not at the same location as the last bugle. Furthermore......it never ceases to amaze me how darn quite an elk can be in a thick forest with blow downs and leaf litter everywhere; got caught with my pants down while sitting a water hole this year.
A nice 6 X 6 bull and a large mature cow came within 5 yards of me without me ever hearing them......I should know better.....eeeerrrrrgh!!!!

Brett
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: joe skipp on December 23, 2011, 10:05:00 AM: With my limited time in the woods this year due to family commitments, I made one error that I always told my students and customers never to do...

Always enter the woods with the proper mental attitude and awareness. Too many things racing through my mind one morning, trying to solve a problem when opportunity knocked. A clean miss at 25 yds at an unsuspecting doe.

Nothing between me and her except brown leaves and a couple squirrels. The mental concentration just wasn't there at the time of the shot. I always bear down on the vitals and tell myself.."Your a dead deer"....Don't remember telling myself that.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: HOWITZER on December 23, 2011, 10:34:00 AM: With all the success I've had in the woods this year it feels like I can't make a mistake...But the three previous seasons O-man the mistakes.

I started practicing with all my hunting gear on. Why? Because I missed a five yard shot at a doe because I lost concentration on my spot when my string contacted the brim of my hat, I looked up at the hat as I released the string. I no longer wear brimmed hats.

Second miss...always wear safety harness under at least one article of clothing. I missed a 10yard shot when the string caught my safety harness buckle yanking the bow out of my hands and tossing it to the ground 20feet below.

Third mistake if you decide not to shoot...DONT SHOOT...Had a decent buck moving through heavy brush at 15-18yards and decided in my head not to stop him and shoot because I didn't want him to jump the string, he stopped in the only opening possible and I rushed the shot over his back. Lesson learned if a buck is in the area assume you’re going to get a shot.

Fourth Miss and final lesson learned...the last week before gun season is way way way important, missed a six pointer at 10 yards while in a homemade ground blind that I only hunted the last day before gun season, checked my trail cam the same day after the shot and the bucks used that area heavily that week, and after gun opened, never got another picture of a deer on that camera. Lesson learned more time in the woods.

After learning so much over the past few seasons the most important thing I learned is confidence. I CAN harvest deer with the recurve, and now, they better look I'm becoming a warrior with venison on my brain.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Bowwild on December 23, 2011, 10:42:00 AM: The 'fat lady' hasn't stepped up to the mike yet here in my area. I can't recall if I learned anything from a mistake this year but I was reminded of a couple of things.

I do have a grudge match going with a doe and her two young'ns. They busted me within 15 yards last time out. I relied too much on trail cam evidence and was going to stand up in 30 more minutes and face the direction I thought they'd come. They were early and I got caught.

I hate it when deer cuss.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Mike Gerardi on December 23, 2011, 10:52:00 AM: Quote
Originally posted by 30coupe:

Quote
Originally posted by Mike Gerardi:
Looking at the whole doe ,shot over her back.
Yup!

See my earlier post. :readit: [/b]
It was a long, lonely walk back to the truck
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: LimBender on December 23, 2011, 10:58:00 AM: Like you Izzy - rushing, forgetting, and not enough time. Guess those are all related eh? :D Been a great year, but taught me that I need to practice, practice, practice. I don't really have the pick a spot or panic problem, it's more like the don't always hit the dang spot problem, especially 20 feet up!
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: misfire on December 23, 2011, 11:15:00 AM: Not enough preseason scouting. I just decided to hunt areas that had deer in past seasons. This made for long days in the stand when the mind wanders.

When Still hunting take the time to really look around before moving. Got busted by a nice Tom this Spring and a Doe this Fall because I didn't do that.

I gotta slow down...
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Charlie Lamb on December 23, 2011, 11:19:00 AM: I was hitting a button on my bibs with my bowstring. I thought my bow was out of tune. It had cost me BIG!!!

To the Trad Gang member who pointed it out in a picture... THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! :wavey: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Mint on December 23, 2011, 11:32:00 AM: Savior every single moment you have with your hunting buddies since when you lose one your would give anything to hunt one more time with them.

Fully brush in your ground blind, even behind you even though the guide tells you they will come out in front of you and you are rushed.

On public land don't save a spot for the rut because somebody else will start hunting it.

What you think isa squirrel just might not be a squirrel so be ready. lol
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: ron w on December 23, 2011, 12:05:00 PM: Remember the only one you can always count on.....is yourself. :readit: Trust your own judgment and instincts. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: 30coupe on December 23, 2011, 12:25:00 PM: Quote
Originally posted by Mike Gerardi:

Quote
Originally posted by 30coupe:

Quote
Originally posted by Mike Gerardi:
Looking at the whole doe ,shot over her back.
Yup!

See my earlier post. :readit: [/b]
It was a long, lonely walk back to the truck [/b]
Mine was too...both times :(
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: GANDGOLF on December 23, 2011, 12:54:00 PM: The subconscience is your brain telling your Gut. Saw a funnel in a brush line . Thought I should back up in there. Didn't. Went where they said they'd been seein the deer. A BATTLESHIP of a doe came in @ 60 yds,stopped, then made a beeline for the funnel. Last chance to hunt. :knothead:
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: ESP on December 23, 2011, 01:03:00 PM: I learned to let my gut tell me when to shoot. Opening day I had a nice ten pointer come into five yards he was on high alert and my brain was screaming to shoot. I did and all he got was a hair cut on his back.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: swampdrummer on December 23, 2011, 01:08:00 PM: Practice as you hunt. I neglected to practice from a tree stand much at all this past summer.What little I did practice from a stand I shot standing up.and from a 12' stand.
I also moved all my stands in the woods from 12' up to 15-16'. Makes a difference.
I missed 4 times this bow season. All of them from stands 15-16' high and every single one of those shots. I was sitting down. :banghead:
Won't happen again!
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Zradix on December 23, 2011, 01:12:00 PM: Don't shoot while they are looking....fast little buggers.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Randy Koleno on December 23, 2011, 01:32:00 PM: Dont forget to put your broadheads back in your quiver after practicing, just say'in
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: on December 23, 2011, 01:41:00 PM: Quote
Originally posted by Charlie Lamb:
I was hitting a button on my bibs with my bowstring. I thought my bow was out of tune. It had cost me BIG!!!

To the Trad Gang member who pointed it out in a picture... THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! :wavey: :thumbsup:
that was me charlie, your welcome.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Arrowest on December 23, 2011, 01:49:00 PM: Between Yukon Chuck and 30coupe's comments, that pretty much sums up my episode with a 160 class whitetail buck on the next to last day of my season. Had turned down shot opportunities at the same 130 class buck 3 times at 15 yards or less in early November just waiting for the big guy.... :saywhat: . I just luv the rut in Alberta and rattlin' antlers. Finally rattled the big guy in for a standing broadside shot at 11 yards and promptly shot just over his back. :knothead: Haven't had buck fever like that in a good number of years...thanks trad archery, luv it.

Very next morning I blew an opportunity on a 170+ 4x4 mule deer at 20 yards because he busted me when I turned for the shot and made a noise on the stand. :banghead: Had only been hunting him for 3 weeks and this was the best shot opp he had given me.

My biggest lesson learned was to keep practice shooting thru the season, I had actually let up in November. Must keep shooting for muscle / mental memory.

I've been bowhunting for over 30 years now and it just doesn't get old, although I must say that being fully commited now to trad bowhunting has really re-energized me over the last 3 years.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Danny Rowan on December 23, 2011, 02:06:00 PM: Put the dang cell phone on silent stupid! Deer do not like that ringing noise.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Charlie Lamb on December 23, 2011, 03:15:00 PM: Thanks Bryant!!! Was about to go crazy tryin to figure what was going on.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: maineac on December 23, 2011, 05:20:00 PM: Some great reminders, almost all of which I need. It is nice to see that I am not alone in my pursuit to slow down, focus on the woods, and being in the moment when I am there.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Thumper Dunker on December 24, 2011, 04:39:00 AM: All that was said. For me stop staring at thier eyes.Pick that spot.Don't over think it.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: GreenGrizz on December 24, 2011, 05:53:00 AM: I'll try to keep this short but the list is really looooong.
Probably my biggest are the wind and my set up location in general.
I'm thinking about putting up some signs for the deer so they know to stay on the designated trails. I'm getting annoyed that these deer think they can just go where they please! Twice I've had them come around behind me, downwind of course. Pretty basic stuff... :banghead:
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Covey on December 24, 2011, 08:22:00 AM: I have learned that you have to drop the string when you have the opportunity. Seems like my shots are always twenty minutes before dark. (I hunt alot in the evenings) Had a doe, twelve yards, quartering away, fifteen minutes of light and didn't take a shot. Haven't had an opportunity sense!
Moral of the story, don't talk yourself out of shot's. Take'em when you get'em!!

Jason
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: YORNOC on December 24, 2011, 08:56:00 AM: I set my harness strapped too low on the tree. I stood then tried to turn on a beautiful 5 point and my strap was too short, not allowing me to turn enough for the shot. If it was 12" higher I'd possibly have taken the shot.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Ragnarok Forge on December 24, 2011, 11:35:00 AM: Trying to sneak an extra 5 yards on river rock. I blew an easy shot on a calm doe by that foolish move. She hung up behind some light brush and didn't move until it was to dark to shoot.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Ragnarok Forge on December 24, 2011, 11:36:00 AM: Trying to sneak an extra 5 yards on river rock. I blew an easy shot on a calm doe by that foolish move. She hung up behind some light brush and didn't move until it was to dark to shoot.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: trad_bowhunter1965 on December 24, 2011, 12:07:00 PM: I have the same problems as most of you, but my biggest problems as I get older I think I need someone to hunt with so 2012 it will back to the solo hunting if they want hunt then come on if they don't stay at home I'll be in the woods.
Blake
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Izzy on August 21, 2013, 03:29:00 PM: TTT With the seasons getting close maybe we could learn a bit here and save a hunt as well. Im ready for some hunting stories to be told.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: thump on August 21, 2013, 03:45:00 PM: If you loose an arrow at a deer while he’s looking at you that arrow won’t find him.>>---->
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Tsalt on August 21, 2013, 04:34:00 PM: My bowhunting sins were many this past season... resulting in zero deer in the freezer.

1. Missing because I failed to pick a spot! I know better, but in the moment this is the toughest thing for me. Not sue why, I just see the whole deer. So I'm trying to work on this in practice more.

2. Being lazy about scent control. I know scent can never be eliminated totally... and I'm not going to spend a bunch of money of "scent proof" clothing. But I know there are common sense steps I can take and I'm already working on it for this season.

3. Staying loose when it's really cold. My worst moment last season came the day after Christmas. It was about 8 degrees with the windchill and I had been sitting for three hours. I had a doe come in to 10 yard. I went to draw back and I literally couldn't pull my bow back to anchor. I let down and tried again... still couldn't get it back. I was frozen stiff! Then I made and even worse decision and tried to shoot without hitting anchor... resulting in a poor shot. Stupid! :banghead:
Fortunately that doe lived despite the wounding as I saw her later on my trail camera. Moral of that story... pull back your bow a couple times every hour in cold weather. And don't take the shot unless you reach full draw!
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: tradarcher816 on August 21, 2013, 04:45:00 PM: What do I do wrong??? .......
Geez where should I start? I think one of my biggest weaknesses is being slow to try a new spot. If I have a little luck in a spot I'm notorious for not changing locations even if all the "luck" is dried out or the wind is wrong. We'll just leave it there for now for lack of space to write.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Shawn Leonard on August 21, 2013, 04:56:00 PM: I failed to get down and stalk a 160" plus monster whitetail on my Ohio lease(which you hunted with me)and waited him out instead. He was following a doe and got within 65 yards and a smaller buck got up and he ran him off. I than watched him(from 200 yards) with that doe for 2.5 hrs. and they never moved more than 50ft. I had a big drainage(you know the one)that I could of climbed down into and most likely got within 30 yards of them and than made my next move. Still kicking myself for that one!! I also passed a 120" buck the first 10 minutes I was there, I had him within 20 yards and closer for over an hour and should of shot him, would of should of could of!! I would maybe have never seen the monster if I had shot him though. Hopefully this year will be different and I will get my Ohio monster finally. The buck I speak of was killed the next day and I saw him on the ground. We had no tape but we all figured no less than 165"s!!! Shawn
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: frassettor on August 21, 2013, 05:30:00 PM: Always my biggest thing I NEED to work on is sitting still while ground hunting in our cedars. I have gotten busted with deer that were CLOSE because I didn't hear them come through and I was switching positions because I was sitting on that one position a long time.
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: BrushWolf on August 21, 2013, 06:11:00 PM: I was set up in a downed pine tree. I had noticed a small hole that I thought should be filled in with brush. I never took the time to fix it. That is were I messed up because that same night I got busted by a wide eight pointer. He looked right at me through that hole. If he would have made it pass the opening he would have been about 12 yard slightly faceing away with a few more steps. Needless to say I fix the opening but never seen him again. :(
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: khardrunner on August 21, 2013, 06:14:00 PM: Shoot at the first good opportunity. It may not come again!
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: on August 21, 2013, 06:36:00 PM: Not letting down and starting over when I got frazzled by a black bear on bear quest! It cost me a good bear.

Bisch
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: VictoryHunter on August 21, 2013, 06:40:00 PM: I missed several deer because I could not pick a spot resulting in a big goose egg for the season! That will all change this year. :archer2:
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: LimBender on August 21, 2013, 09:34:00 PM: Shooting at a doe on super high alert - won't do that again, but probably should have known better. Don't use a new bow that you have not shot much (even if shooting it well in limited practice).

Also some bad luck (and too few shooting lanes) - 2 very nice bucks at about 20 yards that I could not get a shot on. Both were 1 or 2 steps from taking an arrow.

On the bright side, I didn't wound a deer and hopefully learned a thing or two, and got the misses and excuses out of my system.
:campfire:
Title: Re: Weakness, Failures and Mistakes?
Post by: Sam McMichael on August 21, 2013, 09:39:00 PM: Yeah, not picking a spot is my greatest weakness.