What have you learned from this hunting season?

[SuperK]

Now that deer season is over :  :(  : , what have you learned/experienced that you will do differently next year?  Are you going to make a change in equipment (bow, broadhead,etc.), method of hunting,(ground vs tree ) or what?  I always try to reflect back and learn from my messups.  One of my problems was not practicing enough during hunting season.  My form (or lack of it) cost me a nice buck.  After my mmmmiss, I took my old 3-d deer target and placed it in the woods where I park my truck to go hunting.  Just a few minutes each day shooting in a realist setting at a 3-d deer target before going hunting was a big help.  What about you?  What are you going to do different?

[adkmountainken]

i have learned that you actually have to shoot if ya want to make meat!      

[kctreeman]

I learned that hunting in the cold, snow or rain was easier @ 30 than it is at 51.  Not sure if I'm getting softer or smarter.

[Squirrel Bait]

Ken don't feel bad. I'm guilty of that one myself.

[Jeff Strubberg]

I learned that there is absolutely no substitute for scouting.

[Jager]

Dont rush your shots.

[Earl E. Nov...mber]

Do more off season sight prep. After frost use camo with a lot of light background, (Predator ASAT etc) A heck of a lot about general deer movement on my property I was totally unaware of. (Good snow cover helps)

[WESTBROOK]

The older I get, the better I used to be.

Eric

[deadpool]

I learned that to never to make a long shot a snap shot!

[longbowben]

Pick a Spot

[Bear Heart]

I learned that Blacktail deer read the WA hunting regulations to find out exactly when legal shooting hours ended.  I also learned that if you use a wounded rabbit call you better be ready for what ever answers when you are still stalking.

[Curveman]

Definitely practice wearing ALL the clothes and gloves etc. that you will be wearing when that deer presents itself-missed a nice one this year as a result I believe of not doing just that!  

[pine nut]

I learned that I have to get up earlier than I thought because it always takes longer to put on my boots than I remembered and it's a longer time to reach the woods.  I enjoyed the hunting but felt the deer were way trained before I got there at all.  Good place to hunt but really needed a tree stand, but decided to ground hunt, but, but butt! If I had less butt a tree stand might be possible.  Had fun anyway, and at least I saw a good one!
pinenut

[Problem Child]

Stay out of the middle of logging roads....stay on the sides where the cover is.  

[troutms]

I learned that some people will break the law just to kill a deer. I actually already knew this, just had it happen on the property that I hunt. Has brought about alot of static between me and another guy.

[Izzy]

I learned that Snuffers are the broadhead that I will always rely on.Oh and that 2 Alleve tablets before a 10 hour treestand sit make it go alot easier.

[draco]

Trail cameras are the greatest scouting tool and fun gadget that you can use.

[Gun]

I need to get out more and building a House sure screws up your season. Ditto about using trail cameras.

[elkbow]

i learned it was my bones popping and cracking that was making the noise,not my tree stand.

[Jim Jackson]

What little I have been able to get out ths season, has taught me scouting is the key to making it happen.  No sense in sitting a place that isn't likely to pan out.  Also to be patient, but at the same time sometimes you have to just plain get squinty eyed and make the shot that is presented work.

Gun...Ditto on building a house.  The place will be nice once its finished, and I am 98% done.  Unfortunately, so is the season..