Enjoying the hunt more than filling a tag

[4 point]

David I feel exactly the same. I don't like to shoot does with fawns and my friends don't understand that. Don't really care what they do but that's how I feel and nothings going to change it. I totally agree that your thoughts on hunt is a personal thing. Where we hunt has a lot to do with it as well.

[Easykeeper]

I understand what you are saying.  We only get one buck tag in Minnesota so shoot one and the excitement of the rut is going to be missed this year.

That said I'm not sure I would have passed.  A lot would depend on how much I got to hunt in the next few weeks.  Considering that my schedule has only let me get out one evening this fall and I don't know if I will get out again, I can pretty much guarantee one of those guys would have had an arrow sent his way.

Bottom line is it's your tag and your choice.  I completely agree that the hunt is a lot more important than the kill.  Good luck during the rut...    

[steadman]

That must be why I elk hunt     but I don't pass up shots. Hope November brings you an even bigger buck in front of you!!

[K.S.TRAPPER]

We are a lot a like Travis and I feel the same way. A dandy buck to you and I is a lot different then what most guys see on here. I consider my time in the woods as quality therapy time and look forward to it every year then I reach a point were I'm ready to drop the string it's kinda hard to describe.

Good luck this year buddy and enjoy your season    :D        

Tracy

[4 point]

Thanks Ryan and Tracy, good luck to you guys too. Hope I get another shot but if not I'm fine with it. I shot a really nice Antelope about 2 miles from home early in September so I have some meat in the freezer already. Went to Colorado and had a great week hunting elk with cousin, saw elk every day but things just wouldn't come together. Had a face to face encounter with a cow moose and saw some beautiful country. I've had a great fall already.

[kennym]

Travis,

You may be crazy, but you got company, bud!

Stay with em and keep on enjoyin it!

[SteveB]

When I go to the woods during hunting season with my bow, my intent is to kill something that meets my standards if given the chance. If I was out to just watch nature, I'd have a camera and not a bow. JMO

[buckeye_hunter]

I learned something the other day. I learned that the hunt can't really be separated from the adventure. If that happens, then it is just killing and there is no real joy.

Do I expect to kill what I am after? Yes.

Would I miss the excitement of the adventure and the natural surroundings? Yes.

Therefore, I must have both and that is why I love taking to the hills in SE Ohio. This is where hunting can be more of an adventure/challenge and less of just killing. In these instances I learn something about myself.

It wakes up the young boy in me that needs adventure and also satisfies the man in me providing for my family.

It makes perfect sense to not want the adventure to end. It is good to wait for what feels like the perfect moment to end the quest.

Just my take on it,
Charlie