Archery Only - Season 2 by the numbers

[YosemiteSam]

I've wrapped up my deer season.  I just got back in last night from a late season coastal hunt and had no shot opportunities.  This is my second season with a traditional bow and my second under an "Archery Only" tag.  Although I'm tempted to pick up a rifle again, I've learned more from my failure with a bow than I ever did by my successes with a rifle.  And it's way more exciting to be so close to the wildlife.

Here's my season by the numbers.
Days hunted: 12 (about the same as last year).
Deer seen: 21
Legal bucks 1
Legal does: 7
Shot opportunities: 0
Closest deer: about 10'
Nights spent camped in the woods: 9

Coolest experience: watching the buck rub a scent line at about 30 yards away & walk off without a clue I was fully ready to draw if he stepped a little closer.

Most frustrating experience: swirling winds giving me away.  Again...  And again... And again...

[Cory Mattson]

Good job - 9 days camping 12 days hunted - Like the stats - guaranteed to learn that way - we keep stats on shots and hits - can be humbling
Hunting is not as convenient out west as it is in the east. I do camp plenty but can get to a tree in 5 minutes from home if I need to.
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[Cyclic-Rivers]

Sounds like you had a great season.  From reading some other Material, you are getting closer to an opportunity.

I bet your country is beautiful but difficult to hunt. Like Cory, its a short drive to my hunting area and only 5-10 minutes to my stands.  I would walk more but this property is so swampy and thick, it wouuld be tough to move around

[YosemiteSam]

Originally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
Sounds like you had a great season.  From reading some other Material, you are getting closer to an opportunity.

I bet your country is beautiful but difficult to hunt. Like Cory, its a short drive to my hunting area and only 5-10 minutes to my stands.  I would walk more but this property is so swampy and thick, it wouuld be tough to move around

Ah, it is beautiful indeed.  Sometimes I think I'm ready to get out of CA.  But I was born in the Sierras and it's been my refuge for as long as I can remember.  Hard to leave with roots getting deeper.

But it sure would be nice to hunt 5 minutes from home...