Do You?

[Tominator]

do you derive more satisfaction out of a kill, or can you derive satisfaction out of knowing you probably could have killed?

the reason i ask (and i thought about posting this in the deer hunting room, but i think it pertains to all hunting), last night i was on the phone with my wife and looking at my field (like i always do during gun season). sure enough, there was a deer out there. so i hung up and got the binocs. turns out, there were at least 2 deer out there. one was a spike the other a doe.

so i went out, loaded the gun and went-a-stalkin'

i got out there and glassed them for about an hour. i could have belly crawled about 100 yards and set up for a 50 yard shot, but i didn't. i just sat there glassing. 5:11 p.m. came and went. i turned around and walked back in the house, totally content. honestly.

now, is that because i'm getting older? or is it because after my cancer scares i appreciate more in life. or is it because i really didn't want to belly crawl 100 yards through mud just for a shot on a doe? is it because after i missed a 140 class buck and 2 other does during archery and got pretty upset about it that i just decided to step away from it all for a bit?

i don't know. probably a combination of that and other things to be honest.

i guess my point is that, anymore, if i don't get caught up in the kill, i can derive a whole lot of satisfaction out of knowing that i probably could have killed. and i know i derive satisfaction out of knowing i was right. by that i mean, i knew those deer were going to be there, they always are, and plenty of times i just get a feeling that "this is a good spot for a bunny/bird/deer/duck, etc. and plenty of times i'm right. and that's a big part of hunting to me.

so

where does your satisfaction derive from?

[HuntingInMaine]

Re: Do You?

I hunted for three years before I got my first deer. Was I thrilled beyond belief when I finally got to tag a deer? Of course! But I had just as much fun the three years before. I love the sound deer make as they are running through the dead leaves and it's even better when you get a glimpse of one. I enjoy being in the woods and everything that comes with it! I think my fiance took my "deerless" years harder than I did! LOL I think you have the right idea, enjoy the moment and know that there is no rush as there are many more to come!

[Jeramie]

Re: Do You?

Different places at different times. This year has been DRY for me. I usually have a chance or more with my bow and this year it was only one. I had to pass up a buck because it was a bad angle. ML season I missed a deer, my fault. It was starting to look grim. When I hammered my doe with a rifle it was closure, if you will.

Thats what it amounts to, closure. You work hard and put in hours of thought, planning, and heart but to no avail. When you finally connect its closure.

Passing a deer feels really, really good. I think its a maturity thing. Dont get me wrong, im still happy as can be when something goes down but if it doesn't it doesn't bother me nearly as much as it use to. Last year I passed up a couple of bucks (with my rifle) that I wouldn't think twice about this year. When you have that option its amazing......but again, that comes down to timing and how the season has progressed. I have a line that I need to cross every year. If I cross that line I can hunt the rest of the year with pride.

I dont kill just to have killed so if Im passing up a deer its because ive already justified the heart ive poured afield. To hold a deer's life in my hands and let it walk offers me no power.

As hunters we all learn and grow from year to year, that never stops. If I can pass on the deer it feels good because Ive already accomplished far more then I could have hoped.

[DSGB]

Re: Do You?

[ QUOTE ]

When you have that option its amazing......but again, that comes down to timing and how the season has progressed.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's how I feel. If there's meat in the freezer, I can pass on deer all day and feel good just seeing them. However, if it's been a tough year, passing on any deer (except fawns) is hard to swallow, especially when it's a good buck and it's all you've seen.

[ QUOTE ]

i could have belly crawled about 100 yards and set up for a 50 yard shot, but i didn't.

[/ QUOTE ]

Mmmm hmmm. Yeah, sure you could. LOL

[huntinsonovagun]

Re: Do You?

You are not alone.

I notice bowhunters, in particular, are out there more for the experience, not the kill. Sure, there needs to be a kill occasionally to keep the interest, but some of my most successful hunt are deerless.

[buckee]

Re: Do You?

The killing of the animal you decide on, is the finish, of all your scouting, all your plotting and dreaming, all your schemes on how to get close to those deer, etc. Although it's very satisfying, when you put one on the ground, it's everything leading up to that moment that it's really all about.

That's why poachers, aren't hunters. They have no idea what they are missing or even have a clue what hunting is really all about. That's why anti-hunters have no clue as to what this sport is really all about. They just view us as trigger-pullers/killers...nothing more and nothing less.

I find just as much satisfaction passing on a deer that I know I could have shot, as I do on nailing the one I wanted.

When I pass on a deer, I think to myself ..."this same animal, that I could have shot today, will give me many other great moments and hunts next year or the year after"....hopefully.

That anticipation is what makes it satisfying.

With that said, I can also say that without the satisfaction of nailing a deer you decide on every once in a while, that anticipation leading up to it, could start going stale after a long haul

[jerdanmagic]

Re: Do You?

I definately get satisfaction of coming to full draw on small bucks and just thinksing, "Dude, I could smoke you right now, and you don't even know it." That is worth it to me. To mad You can't mount memories.... wait I think I've got an Idea.... nevermind.

[JimT]

Re: Do You?

Could have...for sure. I have passed on some deer this year. May end up with nothing. Thats the way it is I guess.

[OJR]

Re: Do You?

I passed on a couple of does this year and had a doe tag right in my pocket. Watched them along with their fawns and it was just great. I could have easily shot them.

When I saw the buck that I shot, there wasn't any hesitation at all. Gun came up and "bang"! He went about 20 yards.

Was this better than the does? No, they were both great!

My thing is to be able to be out in the outdoors and looking, watching and waiting for the unexpected to happen. That is the greatest part of being out with nature!

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

Re: Do You?

I haven't shot anything except does and cull bucks for the past 3 years. But I do have some really nice ones on video. Last year I videoed about 40 different bucks up to a 140 class 11 point. This year so far, I've got about 25 or 30 different bucks on film with 2 different 130 class 10 points. BUT, I still carry my old trusty 7 mag just in case a big one decides to walk out.

[texastrophies]

Re: Do You?

I get just as much excitement out of video taping nice bucks and then showing to the guys at work. They just can't imagine passing on some of the bucks I have videoed over the past few years. If one comes along that really tickles my fancy, then I will shoot it with something besides the camera (at first anyways), and if it doesn't come along, that is ok too, there is always next year.

[VermontHunter]

Re: Do You?

Ya know I could just sit there and watch deer for hours. So I think for me it's the excitement of seeing them and obsevering them that out weighs killing them, by all means tagging a deer if the oppurtunity arises still makes me tinggle.

[Washi]

Re: Do You?

I get a pretty good feeling from "could have", but actually killing the deer is just a little better. The reason is that I have had times when I thought, "This is too easy." and something happens to mess things up. I know that "could have" is not 100%.

[007hunter]

Re: Do You?

I don't even need the satisfaction of knowing I could have killed. I just love to be in the woods. Take tommorrow morning for example, I'm heading out to spend time with my dad. I already got a buck and a doe in archery so now I'm gone just to spend some time with him. I really don't care if I get anything seeing deer is nice though. Thats the best I can explain it....

[horst]

Re: Do You?

I just posted in the deer hunting room about what was in al likelyhood my last bowhunt for the year.I stalked to within 40 yrds of a real nice 8 pointer this morning.I didnt get the shot, I knew season was done for me, but I had a huge grin on my face the whole way back out.

The first few years I bowhunted it was all about getting a deer, anymore its just the experiences I have.I think thats why Ive switched to more of a ground hunting approach in the last few years, It almost never works out like you plan but its more up close and personal, I could sit in a stand all day and shoot deer anytime but Id be missing out on a lotta neat experiences.

[Nut]

Re: Do You?

My satisfaction comes with having figured it out and sometimes from having gotten it wrong.

[Guest deldeer]

Re: Do You?

my satisfaction comes from the feeling of knowing that i beat one at it's own game & on it's own turf. and i don't have to kill it to be successful, just knowing that i let it walk is sometimes enough for me. i think that comes with age, because years ago i would shoot them on sight.

[Guest huntinsanobsession]

Re: Do You?

hey i hunted my fist season this year and din't get a sht but i am perfectly appy with my first year causei learned alot

[VTbowman]

Re: Do You?

I must admit I get very uptight about not getting my deer in bow season.

I do not expect to because I know its "hunting" not "shooting", but I feel very upset if the season comes and goes and I have no veni.

The feeling I have when I get to harvest an animal is hard to explain. Like letting out a deep breath and relaxation flows out.

So getting my archery deer early in the season is always a good thing. I can relax from there on out...

But if I do not get my deer during archery I get all grumpy over it. Like I had done so much for it and got nothing in return. Almost in a selfish sort of way...

Then, if I do not get my deer in rifle, I am down right upset and frustrated.

I can not put my finger on exactly why.

I am sure its not the "need" to kill, or a lack or proving my manhood each year, or if the veni is short in supply.

Although.....

Maybe its a bit of all of those and the fact that I work so hard and plan so long for the little time I get.

If it does not come together its very disappointing to me.

So I guess YES is my answer. LOL

Oh BTW its definately NOT about getting a rack. A doe is more then enough for me. Getting the grand slam, or all 3 deer legal to harvest per year in VT is that much better.

Just being honest here right....

[Swamphunter]

Re: Do You?

I get the most excited just before and during the shot. I derive my most pleasure out of being in the woods.

[whitetailkiller]

Re: Do You?

for a while i didn't think i was gonna kill any deer!!!!!!!!lol and it never stopped me from heading for the woods...i get satisfaction out of being in the woods at one with mother nature.. yeah killing a deer makes the adventure more enjoyable but i could and have done with out a kill!!!!!!! my heart races when i see deer(they could be 100 yards away and i am holding a bow),,,, i just love it!!!!!!!!

[puffy]

Re: Do You?

I just enjoy getting out into the woods. Wether with a hunting buddy, family, or by myself I love to just be able to see , hear, smell and walk about or sit and truly appreciate the outdoors. Making a kill is secondary and not the most important thing to me. Sure I'd like to take down a nice animal while I'm out, don't get me wrong, but I think the experience of just being out is satisfying enough.

[Nut]

Re: Do You?

I thought of this post yesterday as I was leaving where I hunted til 8:30 am. I saw a doe go right by where I had been set up. It would have been a 10 foot shot.

I was satisfied that I chose my son's wrestling tournemet over hunting any more that day. I really made the correct choice that day.

Oh his team ended up in second place for the tournement.

[AdvantageTimberLou]

Re: Do You?

Its just being out there and experiencing nature, not so much the kill but being out there with the animals. We take that for granted sometimes when people from the city have never gotten to experience it. I like preparing for the hunt and just being out there, if I get a kill opportunity thats just an added bonus.

Lou

[Rhino]

Re: Do You?

[ QUOTE ]

do you derive more satisfaction out of a kill, or can you derive satisfaction out of knowing you probably could have killed?

..............................

so where does your satisfaction derive from?

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't really think about it that way anymore. I guess I used to get satisfaction out of knowing I could have killed a deer when I was younger but I really don't think about that unless someone ask me. I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to spend a lot of time in the woods and hunt in areas where deer population numbers are fairly high, I pass up a lot of deer at home and on out of state trips but I don't really think about the "I could have had you" thought anymore. I honestly don't recall when I quit thinking about that either. It's been a long time I guess. Heck I just enjoy watching them going about doing what they do. I get a lot of satisfication out of that. If it's not one I want to kill I kick back and enjoy the show. Doesn't mater to me if I could have killed them or not as far as that part of the satisfaction of the hunt goes. Sometimes it's hard to keep from laughing at some of the things I've seen deer do to one another, other animals and what other animals do to them too. I'll admit I sure derived a lot of satisfaction out of the buck I killed in Kansas but that was different. You don't see those too often. It was like the feeling I had when my son killed his 1st deer.

Overall my satisfaction is derived from being out there and taking in the whole experience of being out there. Seeing deer is definately a plus that adds to the satisfaction of the hunt but it doesn't matter if they come into range or not but I sure enjoy watching them up real close. More chance they will hang around longer to entertain me too.