I was very fortunate to have an excellent hunting season so far, and it's not finished yet. Today, I saw and replied to this thread on Pow-Wow: "Topic: So, what have you learned from this hunting season?" I believe this is a really good topic this time of year.
I once read from a fellow who was successful in business that he learned his lessons from what he did right, and forgot what he did wrong. Most people, myself included, like to focus on what we did wrong and tell ourselves not to do that again. That's okay. But, when you do something right, perhaps that should be codified.
Anyway, too much philosophy. Hoping someone can get some value from my hunts this year, here's what I wrote:
Excellent thread. Very successful season this year for me. These are some of my lessons.
1) Don't smell up your hunting area by over-exposing to too many visits. My first visit to my (new) honey-hole was Wednesday, Oct. 30. My second visit, three days later, Saturday, November 2, netted an 8 point. My third visit, 7 days following, November 9 netted a doe. My third visit, 7 more days, November 16 and I had opportunities with no tags.
Why stop, right? It's done for the season. Burned out. That's okay.
In addition, this stand was close in, not requiring me to walk past good deer habitat to get to my stand.
2) Back cover is more important that front cover. Huge tree behind, leaves all gone in front, and no problem. Buck was 18 yards unaware. Doe was 7 yards unaware. I say the stand is only 12 off the ground. A friend says 10 feet. Whatever.
3) Hunt funnels. This stand is on the corner of a field with woods on both sides. They come through the woods rather than the field and turn the corner. They come at various angles through the woods. So, this is a pinch point.
4) Treestand is on the inside of the radius. The deer trails all curve around the treestand. The deer, coming from multiple angles, almost never are facing directly at the treestand in their travels. They loop around. I have been spotted in treestands where the deer trail comes directly toward that stand at reasonable distances, say 30 yards and less.
5) Wait for your shot. Wait for your shot. Wait for your shot. Even after I drew on the doe, I did something I never do. I held my draw for several seconds for one reason alone: to see if the doe saw my movement, was alerted, and would react. Satisfied that she was relaxed, I picked a spot, and released. My now passed friend, Rusty Boos, upon learning I was going bear hunting jumped up and down almost screaming at me, saying "wait for your shot." After having too many failures on deer, I decided to internalize his admonishment, "wait for your shot."
Topic: Good luck NY bowhunters (Read 7999 times)
