markyj987 Posted November 24, 2004 Report Share Posted November 24, 2004 My season is going terribly.... I haven't even SEEN a deer yet. Lots of turkeys which were missing during turkey season...LOL...but NO deer. It'd be one thing if I saw deer but they were out of range...I could deal with that, but not even seeing them!?!?!?! Half a day Sunday and all day Monday and Tuesday. And this goes back to last season where I didn't even see one deer. I can't figure it out...I'm putting the time in, I'm completely scent free. The population is supposed to be at an all-time high, and there seem to be LESS hunters in the area I hunt this year. And there ARE deer that come through--sluggunner took two last year and one on Sunday morning. It did hit the point yesterday when I just wasn't having fun. Tired, sore, hungry, but not cold at least...LOL. It's so hard to keep motivated. How do you all deal with the frustration? Maybe I just need advice about attracting deer at the end of the rut, which we're in right now. I have no idea. Though I'm an inexperienced hunter, my hunting buddy is a deer hunting guru. He can't think of anything I'm doing wrong. The worst thing is my attitude...it really started to suck yesterday. I had and still do have high expectations for the season, but as the days tick off the calendar sometimes it feels like I'll never see a deer. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntingInMaine Posted November 24, 2004 Report Share Posted November 24, 2004 Re: Need motivation! I hunted for almost three years before I got my first deer this year. I would see an average of 4-5 deer a year, but nothing I could get a shot at. That meant that there were MANY days when I would see nothing but squirrels...lol What I would do is appreciate what I did have during that time (beautiful scenery, no one asking me to do anything, peace and quiet, ect.). I had fun just being out there, seeing deer was just a bonus! Relax and don't worry about how many days are left in the season....enjoy the time you have out there and be glad you aren't at work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missed160 Posted November 24, 2004 Report Share Posted November 24, 2004 Re: Need motivation! The way I see it is there are basically 2 rules for seeing & shooting deer.. 1 Location, 2 Wind. If you aren't seeing deer you are in the wrong spot. How big is your hunting spot? Do you have more then one option for stand sites? IF you are hunting the correct spot, the spot the deer want/need to go through, then are you hunting it under the right wind conditions? I don't agree with your statement that you are 100% scent free. I believe that it is IMPOSSIBLE to be scent free. You can do a lot of things to help cut down your odor, but if a deer get down wind of you, I believe he will know you're there. I am having a season a lot like you. I passed up some shot early, but lately I have been seeing NOTHING. Yesterday I looked at a different part of the farm, and there it is. More sign in one corner of the farm then anywhere. I knew the deer had to be around somehwere, it's just a matter of finding them. Good luck, Have fun.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markyj987 Posted November 24, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2004 Re: Need motivation! [ QUOTE ] If you aren't seeing deer you are in the wrong spot. How big is your hunting spot? Do you have more then one option for stand sites? IF you are hunting the correct spot, the spot the deer want/need to go through, then are you hunting it under the right wind conditions [/ QUOTE ] I hunt at my friend's (sluggunner's) eight acre plot. The location of the primary stand (tower blind) is a prime one...he takes 1-2 deer from it every year. There are other options, but they're not the deer "haven" that this particular spot is [ QUOTE ] IF you are hunting the correct spot, the spot the deer want/need to go through, then are you hunting it under the right wind conditions? I don't agree with your statement that you are 100% scent free. I believe that it is IMPOSSIBLE to be scent free. [/ QUOTE ] You're right. There is no 100% scent free, but I've done everything possible to eliminate scent. The wind comes in from the north about 98% of the time, and that's the way the tower blind faces, so that's not a problem. Maybe it's just bad luck, I don't know. sluggunner took a doe from that spot today. I know I SHOULD have hunted today...and knew it when I got up, but with how negative my attitude has been (just being brutally honest) from the mental exhaustion, I thought it best to not be in the woods today. I'm going out all day tomorrow...so hopefully the deer will come my way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimT Posted November 25, 2004 Report Share Posted November 25, 2004 Re: Need motivation! My worst gun season ever is going to end saturday. I have had fun being out even though I am deerless. I have mz after that, and should be able to hunt seven of the twelve days. Have not seen a deer in three weeks. I just love to be out there. It does bother me that I have not seen any, and passed one four deer with bow/gun, but ya know what? Deer hunting is my #1 hobby/passion. I would not quit for the world. I always tell myself today is the day, even if I have some doubts it is. Keep at it....You will score sooner than later!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffy Posted November 25, 2004 Report Share Posted November 25, 2004 Re: Need motivation! What time of day has sluggunner bagged his deer? take into account the weather also when he bagged them. Maybe there is a pattern. Anytime afield is both rewarding and enjoyable for me. I tend to take more time to notice the little things around me, both sights and sounds. Be diligent and you'll see them, but most of all, relax and enjoy your time out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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