I've wrapped up my deer season. I just got back in last night from a late season coastal hunt and had no shot opportunities. This is my second season with a traditional bow and my second under an "Archery Only" tag. Although I'm tempted to pick up a rifle again, I've learned more from my failure with a bow than I ever did by my successes with a rifle. And it's way more exciting to be so close to the wildlife.
Here's my season by the numbers.
Days hunted: 12 (about the same as last year).
Deer seen: 21
Legal bucks 1
Legal does: 7
Shot opportunities: 0
Closest deer: about 10'
Nights spent camped in the woods: 9
Coolest experience: watching the buck rub a scent line at about 30 yards away & walk off without a clue I was fully ready to draw if he stepped a little closer.
Most frustrating experience: swirling winds giving me away. Again... And again... And again...
Good job - 9 days camping 12 days hunted - Like the stats - guaranteed to learn that way - we keep stats on shots and hits - can be humbling
Hunting is not as convenient out west as it is in the east. I do camp plenty but can get to a tree in 5 minutes from home if I need to.
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Sounds like you had a great season. From reading some other Material, you are getting closer to an opportunity.
I bet your country is beautiful but difficult to hunt. Like Cory, its a short drive to my hunting area and only 5-10 minutes to my stands. I would walk more but this property is so swampy and thick, it wouuld be tough to move around
QuoteOriginally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
Sounds like you had a great season. From reading some other Material, you are getting closer to an opportunity.
I bet your country is beautiful but difficult to hunt. Like Cory, its a short drive to my hunting area and only 5-10 minutes to my stands. I would walk more but this property is so swampy and thick, it wouuld be tough to move around
Ah, it is beautiful indeed. Sometimes I think I'm ready to get out of CA. But I was born in the Sierras and it's been my refuge for as long as I can remember. Hard to leave with roots getting deeper.
But it sure would be nice to hunt 5 minutes from home...