So, what have you learned from this hunting season??

[jsweka]

I learned that all those bucks you see on a trail cam before the season know when the opening day is and burrow underground never to be seen again.

[SlowBowKing]

This was my first season bowhunting in 15 years, and my first ever with trad equipment. So needless to say, I learned a lot!

I learned that some people will never “get it” if you choose to use a weapon that limits your ability and challenges you, rather than using every updated gadget that can make you more lethal.

I learned that it’s still rewarding hunting without my dad there, but that it will never ever be quite the same.

I learned that shooting at a living, breathing, moving animal with a recurve bow is way different than shooting at a 3-d target of the same animal in your backyard.

I learned that during the rut, you hunt whenever you can.

I learned that my wife likes deer meat. 

[Trenton G.]

I learned that does in the U.P. are stupid since they don't get hunted. I could kill one with a rock and save myself the trouble of dulling a broadhead.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I learned if you have a set up where it's designed to get them close, it can be a boring sit, but you have to be ready the whole time cause when things happen, they happen real quick.

I learned cover is important on cagey deer

I learned I have become soft. Won't shoot a doe with little fawns.

[Zwickey-Fever]

I learned if you have a set up where it's designed to get them close, it can be a boring sit, but you have to be ready the whole time cause when things happen, they happen real quick.

I learned cover is important on cagey deer

I learned I have become soft. Won't shoot a doe with little fawns.

x's 2 on shooting a doe with fawns. I must have become soft as well and besides that, I truly enjoy watching them.

[Zwickey-Fever]

I learned that all those bucks you see on a trail cam before the season know when the opening day is and burrow underground never to be seen again.

That seems to be the same out here in Iowa!! LOL. But I used to have the same problems when I used to hunt Union County, Pa. myself. It seemed like "POOF" and the disappear like a fart in a wind storm!! LOL

[stikbowshooter]

I learned that I really miss traditional archery!  Hunted this year with a wheelie bow and afterwards it hit me. I need to get back to where my mind “was” from a trad stand point.

[Wudstix]

I learned that patience is a virtue and that if I don't get into the woods this year for deer, I'll live and the Lord with hopefully bless me with many more years to hunt.

[8upss]

I just learned that I’m not alone. I can relate to most of the posts in this thread.

Mostly, I learned that I am officially a traditional bow hunter, choosing to carry it even during gun season.


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[supernaut]

The biggest thing I've learned so far this season:

When a big buck you've been after is making his way along the ridge line you are sitting and that ridge line is loaded with oak and hickory trees and when that buck is on a deer trail heading for a 15 yard pass right in front of you if he continues on his path.....IF EVERY SQUIRREL IN THE OAK AND HICKORY TREES decides to drop nuts all at once that buck will immediately stop at 50 yards, stand there for 5 minutes looking for the cause of all the noise and then head the other way. 

[gregg dudley]

I learned that it’s still rewarding hunting without my dad there, but that it will never ever be quite the same.

That is a tough lesson to learn.  Last year was my first hunting without my dad. 

This year, I managed to purchase a small tract of land and I have learned that it is a different feeling hunting deer on your own property. 

[Wild Bill MCP 808]

Becoming very clear over the last three years of hunting public land the deer populations are way down. Getting harder and harder to find deer, sign, anything. There is a need to find some private ground that hold deer for next year. Our wildlife agencies are failing us deer management plans need to be re-visited.

[Zwickey-Fever]

Becoming very clear over the last three years of hunting public land the deer populations are way down. Getting harder and harder to find deer, sign, anything. There is a need to find some private ground that hold deer for next year. Our wildlife agencies are failing us deer management plans need to be re-visited.

  Sorry to hear that Wild Bill. I used to hunt Pa and the numbers was always up but that was years ago. Believe it or not, the deer population is down here in southern Iowa due to EHD hitting my area harder than normal because of the wet spring we had.

[TooManyHobbies]

I've learned that hunting on the ground is more fun and not necessarily any harder than in a tree.

That my longbow isn't as tuned as I thought it was, luckily a bad shot hit a good spot.

Relearned today that a "gimme" is never a sure thing. Five yards from a tree is too close. He will have a sore shoulder, but will live.

A simple thing as a couple birds landing on your bow, shoulder or hat makes getting out of bed worth the trip.

[dnovo]

I learned to not get complacent on scouting. It’s 2 years now since my double knee replacement and the last couple years I haven’t been going to some areas on my property. I found some good sign in areas I knew a out but didn’t feel like going to the extra effort with sore knees. Now this year I did it. Found a couple great stand sites and got my best buck.

[Red Beastmaster]

I learned my "sure thing" stand location is really 80yds to the NE of where I thought it should be.

[Zwickey-Fever]

All these are truly valid, one more thing I have sure learned is that long rang scouting with binos or telescope beats anything a trail camera can tell me.

[black velvet]

I learned I can call deer with sounds from my mouth. And a winch sure helps to get your deer out of the woods.

[Dave Lay]

I agree with the above comment on trail cameras and mature deer. I get to many pics of deer looking at the camera , knowing they heard or saw something. So after my 2nd year using them I’m going back following my gut and reading sign, it seemed I killed more and bigger deer without cameras.
   I also learned the wind has swirled more this year than I can recently remember
Also that hunting popular easily accessed public land is not the best idea.
   No new lesson but a reminder, that sticking with one proven hunting bow and arrow /broadhead combination is a very good thing.

[Bob Foster]

I learned that I am not as good as I thought I was. Seriously considering going to a compound bow.