What did you learn this year?

[lpcjon2]

I learned to be committed to trad,I had spooked the same three deer twice and I had thought about bringing out the wheels so as to take them at the 40yrd mark.But stuck to my feelings and stayed with trad and the next time out this Wednesday I will take one with my longbow for sure.
 And I learned that I can shoot 4" groups with my Hill @ 35yrds through a lot of practice.
  And that my kids can make me a better archer by repeating every thing I taught them when I make simple mistakes when we shoot.  

[flightmedic]

i learned that time with kids is all that matters EVER!!

that if it seams like a bad idea it will be.

be kind to everyone.

get the family involved in the outdoors.

enjoy the kids they grow quick.

[MountainTool21]

I learned that a proper preshot routine can lead to proper shot execution. Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way while Mule Deer hunting Alberta last October. Wow, to have those 7 opportunities back:) LOL

[Covey]

I learned that hunting on the ground is alot more fun than hanging in a tree!
I learned that every year I usually make the same mistakes! and that time spent with my 11 year old son is what it's all about!!! Jason

[frank bullitt]

I learned along time ago, I'm always learning! And hope to, till I leave this world!

But I have also learned that sharing what I have learned, is just a important! Pass it on.

[joe ashton]

One thing I learned is that if you hunt in a pouring rain and get your feathers wet and your string and beaver hide string silencers socked you are likely to shot low at the moment of trueth.  ( or thats my excuse for missing a 10 yard shot and I'm sticking too it.)

Joe

[MnFn]

I can relate to John3. I was holding out for one very nice buck. Probably 20" spread 5X5. I passed up a really decent 4X4 at 12 yards in the process.

Also, the first time using a particular stand will probably offer the best chance at success from that stand. At least that is how it usually works for me.

[ThePushArchery]

1. When hunting on the ground, and you hear something that is out of your field of view, but coming from a direction that you know you can't shoot in... Don't Look. You have no shot there anyhow... Just let them come into your shooting lane / field of view... (Blew two 'gimme' opportunities that way)

2. Like Roger R suggests, wait till first light to work toward your set-up. Will do wonders on catching game moving early, and not blowing them into the next county tromping in the dark.

3. Hunt your way to the set-up. Had a great Stalk this season that way.

4. Last but not least... Don't Miss! Too many of those this season than I want to admit.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I learned that I shoot better with a golf glove than a shooting glove.

[Legolas]

I have learned that traditonal hunting is not learning how to TAKE life but...


learning how to LIVE life.

Paul

[bartcanoe]

(1) There are some things in life that aren't really that important.
(2) Shooting trad isn't like riding a bicycle.  After years of being away, I'm relearning everything.
(3) I really love traditional bowhunting.  I didn't know how much I missed it all those years.

[imhntn]

That I need to practice every day to shoot well, even if it is shooting a few judos at a water bottle in the driveway lights at night.

[rascal]

I learned that I can still have a great hunt even when I over sleep in the morning as long as I dont let my attitude get in the way.

I learned that perseverance while tracking can pay big dividends and even when you dont have a red carpet or even a single drop of blood you can still find a downed deer by sticking to the task.  (2 days tracking 2 actual drops of blood and 1 puddle of blood can lead you to a down deer as long as I listen to my wife)

I learned that spending time camping on the property and hunting with my wife during the rut was some of the best time I could have spent this year.

[rraming]

I learned not to face away from the direction deer are coming so they pass you for that perfect quartering away shot.
I learned to use lubricant on a tree stand in 0 degree weather.

[Mojostick]

Another learning while hunting "natural-on the ground" moment.

When you get "on stand/stool/chair", don't hit your grunt call until you are 100% in "ready mode".

Early this past November, I got to my spot at 3:30 in the afternoon. I had a bad cold and was hacking into my elbow sleeve and kicking leaves from my foot area to make sure things were quiet when I was "ready". Basically making a racket for a minute. My wind was great, so I popped a Hall's because I knew I couldn't last 5 minutes without coughing.

I got mostly ready, sat down, got my mask and tab on, nocked an arrow and was slowly picking up single leaves from my foot area and moving some cover branches around. Now it's 3:35. I figured since I've already made way too much noise for the next 20 minutes, I'll hit my buck growl grunt call. So I hit the growl 3-4 times and I resume slowly picking up dry leaves by my feet. Literally 45 seconds to a minute later, the nicest buck I've ever seen in Michigan came trotting in from over the hill, looking for the buck that made that grunt! A nice 16" wide 8pt.

Unfortunately, what he saw was me, totally out of position, bent over picking up single leaves. I was busted, bigtime! There was no doubt when he spotted me. But he slammed on the brakes and turned broadside at 27 paces for just a second before he was going to bolt. Knowing this was the only shot, I drew and shot under his chest.

It all happened in a 15-20 second span.  

Obviously, he was just over the hill and out of sight when I grunted.

Had I been 100% set and in "ready mode", I suspect he'd have come down the trail an additional 10-15 yards and I'd have been 100% ready for him at 15 yards and he'd have had no idea I was there.

Instead, I wasn't 100% ready and got caught with my figurative pants around my ankles.

A mistake I won't make again.

Had I killed it, it'd have been literally a 5 minute mid-afternoon hunt.

A side lesson I hope everyone knows, during the chase period of the rut, 10am, noon and 3pm are as good as any other times of the day. Often the best times.

[Day Dreamer]

For me: Get real comfortable with equipment and gear prior to hunt'n season.

[celticknot]

Don't let depression get in the way of hunting. Get out even if your tired.
Hunting to me is more important than just about everything. So do more of it.
Go to church more during hunting season.
Don't let your buddies with cross bows hunt your spots.
Get warm clothes sorted out before the season starts.
Scouting matters.
Be ready in july not get ready in sep/oct.

This has been the worst hunting season I have had. I have only been out a few times. But over the next 3 weeks I am going to make up for it. Good luck to yall.

[Mark U]

I reaffirmed what I always knew.  Teaching your kids to hunt the right way is the most rewarding endeavor you will ever go on.

My two boys ended up with something like eight deer between them.

 

 

My daughter wants a longbow.  She is pretty dedicated to hunting, is good with a rifle, and learns from her brothers.

I learned that they know more than I "usually" give them credit for.

[twitchstick]

I learned that I should have never left traditional equipment.
I learned understanding spine better,tunning is better.
I learned I need to always keep form in all shoots(He really wasn't that big!ouch!).
I learned bear taste great.
I learned bow build-alongs can lead to bad habits

[Jerry Wald]

What I learned....hmm - could be a long list.

My dad had a saying "if you get up and don't learn anything new EVERYDAY it wasn't worth getting up" so......

Learned starting with priorities:

Health - without it nothing else matters.....

then

1 - Family comes first...ALWAYS

i) have a date night with your wife atleast once a week. Doesn't have to be extravagant.

We have a movie night every Saturday night..Just me and her and a blanket and the couch....sometimes she pics the movie and sometimes I do.

We get a special treat for the night...

ii) Have sunday dinners with your kids especially as they get older.

2 - Friends NEXT

i)see them often - PHONE THEM....ppl text too much and email..just a phone call can do wonders

ii)have dinners with them -

TRY THIS...THIS IS SO COOL

Go to their place and make them breakfast or supper (that was WAY COOL). I went to a friends last sunday and made them breakfast in bed...omelets - toast - coffee - bacon - (our monavie juice)....I pre-arranged it with his wife (just so she didn't freak out when I showed up banging frying pans etc). I bought all the fix'ins

Of all the things I have done for friends this was pretty special for me and they LOVED IT.

3  - Residual income is a must and can recession proof your income.

i) started this last spring and retired my wife in 9 months...very special for me.

4 - LIVE LIFE  - like you know your DYING.

5 - Give generously.

i) we have been giving to the kids in the favelas of brazil...it helps them so much...great feeling.

ii) give tips to ppl that don't usually get them. Gas jockeys...that lady/girl/man/boy at the till in the grocery store

iii) open a door for somebody and SMILE ALOT.

6 - Hunting

i) don't hurt your bow arm. I hurt mine about 3 weeks ago..still can't pull her...be ready for spring bear though.

ii) I will prepare better for my grizz hunt this year...had the crap scared out of me last spring, but I know what I am up against this year.

7 - Teach your kids a good work ethic and the value of being on time and what a promise is.

As a teacher in a tech school we get kids all the time that don't know the meaning of work and are taking trades programs. They show up late and I lock the door. They can't figure it out. I have a rule-if your late twice you get locked out after that..see ya at coffee time. I have to get them ready for reality (not reality TV - reality work). They are learning slowwwwly.

8 - LOVE YOURSELF - can't love anyone if you don't love youself.

9 - YOUR WORD AND A HANDSHAKE IS STILL GOOD AS A PROMISE.

10 - Listen to music. this is real important atleast to me

11 - Don't be afraid of making mistakes (that's crazy...that's how we learn.

Learn to love LEARNING.

Fact:

It's funny but teachers are the hardest to teach because they think that by learning somthing new they might make a mistake (I just call it an opportunity to learn).

This is a fact. I read it some place. They are so afraid to make a mistake that they won't put themselves into NEW learning situations.

I could go on and many of the things that have been spoke about before my post are great.

Have a great life - smile lots (it's infectious) - work smart - hunt smart/hard - love hard and remember.....on your death bed the ppl around you will be the ones that you have loved and had an influence on and they won't be remembering the weekends you worked (unless it was the only thing you did).

TRAD GANG IS A NICE PLACE TO BE.....

Love Jer bear....      may our paths cross someday...