What’s your yearly harvest rate?

[Rileykinsel]

Just curious how successful the average trad hunter is. I’ve been out probably over a total of 30 times this year and only managed 2 does so far (and one took me a day and a half to find the coyotes had beaten me to her).  Missed a couple more. I had my only shot at a big buck this past week but didn’t end up taking a shot. I had a nice wide 8 point come by me at 15 yards, almost a perfect shot. I drew on him but he had his head up and no doubt was watching me from his peripheral vision so I let down and let him pass. He gave me another good slightly quartering away shot at 35 and I drew again but let down again as I didn’t feel comfortable with that distance after injuring a doe earlier in the season. I’ve been bummed out since lol. The doe I harvested successfully was at about 12 yards. I also hunt mostly from the ground and have had quite a few opportunities on other does and some smaller bucks that I’d have gladly took if I would have been able to draw without being noticed.

[Mint]

For the past few years basically hunting weekends and a couple of days off I usually get two deer. Last year it was two does. This year I shot an 8pt so far and hoping to get another deer or two before the season ends.

[buckeyebowhunter]

Sounds like an outstanding season to me. Ive hunted almost as much as you so far and have taken two shots. I usually manage to kill at least one deer and occasionally two each year with my bow. I average around 50 sits a season. Sounds like you just need to work on timing your draw better, or perhaps find a way to distract the deer such as using a mock scrape or natural scrape, I find it harder to get shots off at does as they're usually always watching.

[mnbwhtr]

This year it's zero, not hunting due shoulder operation. Most years it depends on how many states I hunt but usually An antelope and 3 deer although a couple years I've taken 6. Gave some away to family and friends.

[BAK]

I pass up way more shots than I take.  I don't consider myself a trophy hunter, however I seldom will ever shoot a doe or any deer that isn't a couple of years old.  I usually get one a year, but not always with my restrictions. 

[SS Snuffer]

About 30 sits too. Most year I get two shots a year at 15 yards. This year I got 3, 1st one fingers slipped letting down, 2nd big buck smelling my lighted nock from the 1st miss , buck fever after 59 years of experience. 3rd was the charm, much smaller buck. That's about average. Hang in there..

[Orion]

Where I hunt, you only get one buck and no doe tag per year. I usually hold out for mature bucks, and until recently was averaging one every other year.  But the deer population has been way down in the area I hunt the past few years, and I haven't killed a deer in 4 years.  Suppose I could have killed something.  I did pass on smaller bucks. 

[Mint]

On Long Island we have way to many does and I can get a replacement tag every time I harvest a doe. I usually take a doe early but didn't have any shots, now that the rut is on I've been letting them pass plus the does have been small all with much smaller yearlings. I've seen a few mature does but no shots. My goal is to keep taking as many does as i can since i lot of friends want the meat and I enjoy it myself. If we don't take enough does they bring in sharpshooters in February and they will kill bucks along with does in some areas.

[H1tman7]

For me it depends: I shoot deer every year. Wether or not I'll shoot a buck depends on what my management goals are for the property.  This year - no plans to shoot a buck - with the exception of mature deer with inferior racks.  Infact I probably wont shoot another trophy deer until a mature 200" + buck is on the farm. We have a surplus of does - so I'll begin to work on them once I'm wrapped up helping the kids and friends / family tag out their bucks.  We have 20+ does that need to be taken off this year across the farm.

[Roger Norris]

I made my 27th sit this past Saturday, I have only killed one so far this year.

I will end up with 3-4

[Stringwacker]

I'm a two doe a year kind of guy with about every three or four years..... a nice buck thrown in for the third deer.

[rastaman]

I usually kill a couple of does a year. Last year I killed 3 does but no bucks. This year so far I have a doe and a buck and our season lasts until the 2nd weekend of January.

[JR Chambers]

I usually kill 5-7. I am retired now and have hunted 5 1/2 days a week since the last Sat in Sept. Bowhunting takes a lot of time. I am just learning my new farm.

[Stumpkiller]

I'm running 25% of deer/year.  That is: one deer harvested with a traditional bow every 4 years.   

This is over a 44 year span.  I have had years I didn't bowhunt at all for various reasons.  I hunted this past season six weeks pretty regular and had zero shots offerred.  Saw plenty of deer . . . 80 to 100 yards out.  Trail camera had some bruisers passing through at 3:00 to 4:00AM.

My mind has to be "right" to be out there looking for blood, and I wait for "sure" shots (if there is such a thing).  If it is not I just go for walks in the woods.  This has changed A LOT as I have gotten older.  I'll admit here that bow hunting makes rifle hunting seem soooo much easier.  48 deer in 44 years so I do still eat on the "dry" bow years.