Season is over...

[Mike Bolin]

The deer season here in Indiana didn't end up quite like I'd hoped it would. I dedicated my season to my friend Richard, who passed away from cancer last May. I have to admit that I didn't hunt as hard as I should/could have. In early November a good friend killed a very nice 10 point while hunting with me. I was thrilled for him as he'd had a couple of rough seasons and he made a perfect shot on a very nice buck.

There were at least two other nice bucks that were using this property and I just knew that come gun season they would be spending even more time there. There is only one family member that hunts this property with a gun and due to his job, he only hunts weekends. Pressure on the neighboring properties usually pushes the deer onto our little 80 acres, and buck sightings increase once the shooting starts all around me.

First weekend of gun season, a nice 9 pointer was killed on the land directly to the east by the landowners' son. It was his first antlered deer, and I was happy for him. A few days later, the landowner to the northwest called me and said that a timber cruiser had found a nice 8-point dead near his storage building and that it hadn't been dead too long. Now I'm not a forensic specialist, but it appeared to be a small caliber wound. We are guessing it was shot from the road in the clover field next to the landowner's storage building. Nice buck that was 22" wide and all the meat wasted.

That just about did it for me as far as my desire to hunt. I did have several opportunities at some young bucks, and I did shoot under a doe. Big old girl that was carrying her right front leg. Shot just under her chest at bit more than 25 yards.

So as far as putting meat in the freezer, the season was a failure...but I did get plenty of time to sort my thoughts and try to make sense of all the bad things and ask God to help me to prioritize the good things. Thought a lot about past hunts with my friend and the times we shared in the outdoors. My mind is still not at peace, but I am working toward it.

[GCook]

Road hunters . . . .
Well I had one deer took off my place in Missouri by a road hunter but at least he gutted it and took the whole animal.
Don't let it drag you too far down bud. 
Prayerfully next season will work out better.

[Wudstix]

This too shall pass and the light shines on.
 

[Gen273]

Thanks for sharing the details of your season with us. It sounds like a good year, even without a kill.

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Hi Mike, too bad your buck season didn't work out as planned (hey, mine didn't either). Good for you working on moving forward. If you want to talk or go shoot or something give me a call. Always happy to walk in the woods!

R

[KAZ]

Mike,
Thank you for posting what clearly isn’t easy to post or go through when we dream up the “perfect post”. I connect with posts like this because our challenges are not without hope, they fall in full view of our Creator and sustainer of life! May God bring comfort & joy to continue to see His Goodness in it all❤️🤗🙏🌈

I pray for Peace, and envision a walk with Ryan… If not natural, then Super Natural

[Dave Lay]

Dang Mike, I’m sorry to hear that . I know you got your old bow back and were pretty pumped about the season. It says a lot about you dedicating your season to your buddy but as you know there’s a lot more to a successful season than killing a big racked buck. You carried your friend with you each time you went out, I’m sure he enjoyed it. You’ve had past issues with knees and such and know we can get past rough times, hopefully you can get in a pig hunt or something .
   I have missed hunting since Nov 18 th with a pelvic fracture and current pelvic infection. Luckily I can still shoot my bow but kinda worrying my season may be over. I got lucky on a few does early but was working on a couple nice bucks and getting closer when things went south . But it’s ok, I’ll start scouting as soon as I can get back in the woods, shoot my bow and roll on…. Hang in there buddy

[Sam McMichael]

Unfortunately, some seasons go just as you have described, but that is just part of the bowhunter's life. However, it is still a great disappointment. It does give you reason to look forward to next season when, hopefully, things will go better. It was a bust for me as well. After my back surgery in the fall, I just wasn't quite ready to go, so I didn't hunt. Still, it sounds like you have some nice deer, so keep shooting and scouting. Hopefully, next year will be better. Good luck.

[Wudstix]

Mike;
I would love to be back stomping the Wabash Valley.  Here in Texas it is pay to play, or own land.  No string time for me this year, either.
 

[varmint101]

Well not a loss. No meat gained, but experience and memories just the same. I was there last year! Mike if you’re able I find stump shooting from here til turkey is a great release and a lot of fun. Especially since small game lasts a little bit longer. Fantastic time to take note of the previous seasons trails and sign this time of year also. Hope you can find your peace!