Am I getting too old or...

[huronhunter]

I never take more than I can use.

[Sam McMichael]

It has been a while since I killed a deer, even though I have had many chances to do so. It used to be all important but for a number of years, I have just enjoyed being in the stand. I still take my bow, because I just might change my mind at any second. If you still enjoy taking deer after you have killed enough for your needs, you may want to consider donating some to the feed the hungry programs if you have some in your area that will accept the venison.

As long as your bow is traditional, the only reason I can imagine for it being banned is if the bowyer has done something that has had him banned from Trad Gang.

[foxbo]

The older I get the harder it is for me to kill anything, even a squirrel. I killed one buck with my bow this season and one the other day with my flintlock. Could have killed a half dozen, just don't want to. Spending time in the woods is the best part of hunting.

[centaur]

I have spent a good bit of time chasing deer this year, and I capture a lot more deer on my camera than with the bow. Being in the woods is the priority, but if a big buck shows up and presents a shot, I will take it. Otherwise, I am content to enjoy the show. Here are a few that I have had the pleasure of watching this season..
 
 
I have rattled this buck to within 40 yards or so twice this season. He won't get any closer. Smart deer.
 
This one almost got an arrow last week. Had him at 25 yards, but wouldn't get closer. I would have been happy to take him.
 
So, venison or not this year, I have had a good season. You don't have to kill something to enjoy tradtional archery.

[elkken]

I am 67, shot my first trad deer in 1970, and the excitement of the hunt still burns inside me, but it is now the excitement to be in the woods, the excitement to be with good friends, the excitement to see critters in the wild ... but I really won't mind if I never shoot another animal with my bow.

[Tim Finley]

I'm 63 and I've shot a buck and an elk this year and I still have a deer tag left and I'm hunting every chance I get and I will fill my tag . I used to shoot 7 or 8 deer a year and an antelope and maybe a bear . I wished I would have shot more back then when we could have almost unlimited antlerless tags ( around 2010 ) most of them starved in the winter and now our numbers are way down, no more xtra tags...Tim

[tomsm44]

I know you can't advertise for a brand that isn't a sponsor, but I've never heard that you can't even talk about certain brands.  I have one from a small time bowyer that I've mentioned many times without any issues.  I've even tried to get him to sign up as a sponsor due to the interest people showed in mine.  But I respect your not wanting to ruffle feathers.  I had a post deleted once because I overlooked one of the rules.  It was something I never dreamed would be against the rules, but after a mod explained, it made perfect sense.  I make a point to know the rules and stick strictly to them now just to be safe.

[Jim Wright]

As I won't be 70 for another 2 weeks yet, it's hard for me to put myself in you older guy's place. Seriously though, to me hunting is much more recreation than sport and you ought to do what pleases you. I have discovered as I've gotten older that the desire to hunt has diminished considerably. I am however planning to hunt a WMA that is Mississippi River Breaks an hour north of me in Dec./Jan. when it is cooler and more comfortable and the rut occurs then as well. We'll see.

[non-typical]

I hunt for the freezer be it longbow or gun. When I get what I need I move on to other pursuits that I enjoy such as habitat improvement and such. I look at all the deer heads on the wall that I was so proud of in my youth and wonder why I wasted money having those dust catchers mounted anyway.

[bowhuntrmaniac]

Thanks guys, I know now I'm not alone in feeling no need to tag another deer this year. Our gun season ended today so I still have time to sit in a stand if I want. (Archery season opens again tomorrow) Have to get ready for our Ozarks Squirrel hunt (United bowhunters of MO) a week from Sat.!

[Gray Buffalo]

For me it's the process. Taking a deer is just icing on the cake. Camping, cooking and just being there is the blessing. Besides I'm not near as mad at the deer as when I was young.

I went a few years where I simply could not shoot deer, luckily my sweet wife did not have that mind set, nor did I have a problem with smaller game.  I had plans this year to try to hold off for a big one that I was watching, but as competition for space increased, my desire to be a free bird increased and the high tactics of zoning in on a single deer that moved to a different locality did not seem as important.  I found putting some adventure and stealth back into my methods rewarding with a sense of freedom, so I shot a deer on the sneak, because it felt right and I feel like a hunter once again doing it the hard way.

[Tajue17]

Originally posted by Jerry Jeffer:
I never heard of a certain brand bow not allowed to be mentioned here if it is trad.    
Nothing wrong with just taking what you need.

I haven't either,,,, personally I wouldn't mention Brandon Stahl but that's just me though    

[Cyclic-Rivers]

When I get the number of deer I need for a  year, my desire drops off altogether.  Then I start sleeping in and going to the woods to "stumpshoot" or squirrel hunt,  love being out there.

I seldom get the 2 deer I need for a  year so usually the season ends with me wishing I had more time.

[centaur]

I got up this morning in anticipation of going out, but with below zero windchill, I am giving the deer the morning off. The older I get, the less I enjoy being out in frigid temperatures. Years ago, I went out in cold weather as a type of a challenge to my toughness, I guess. At 68, I no longer need to prove how tough (or stupid) I am. And as Gray Buffalo said, I'm not nearly as mad at deer now as i was back in the day.

[Sirius Black]

I feel the same way Greg. With bow hunting, I have more opportunity and freedom to go when I want to, than I do with gun season.