Quick question

buckshooter

Old Mossy Horns
It’s a very individual thing I know , but , what do you consider a “successful” hunt.

Just being able to get out & go

Seeing deer , but deciding not to harvest

Harvesting a deer ( any deer )

Harvesting a buck


My self it’s simply enough to go and sit , sure I want to see deer , and hopefully get the opportunity at a harvest

But that harvest doesn’t make my hunt successful.
 

JJWise

Twelve Pointer
Depends for me. If it’s comfortable weather, the mosquitos aren’t out, and I’m able to go and relax to clear my mind, I’d call that a successful day.

If it’s not one of those days however, I’d consider seeing deer -whether I decide to shoot one or not- as a successful day.

For ducks I want to see at least 1 or 2 groups commit to the decoys, if we miss them all then I’ll be okay and I’d still call it a good day.
 

Firedog

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
Honest answer, it depend on the mood I am in. Somedays going is enough just to get away. Other days I am after something more specific and success = achieving that goal.

In general I guess seeing deer is almost always a success of some sort, at least I am in the game when I am seeing them.
 

DBCooper

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
I have a saying that I've used for many years.....and it applies to EVERY time I go afield. In every hunt, I can always recall something and say.....

"and..................that made it worth the price of admission".

It could be an owl/coyote/falcon sighting.
It could be a funky looking squirrel.
It could be seeing a house cat way out in the woods.
It could be watching a deer work a scrape.
It could be seeing two young bucks fighting.
It could be the woods becoming COMPLETELY silent.
It could be seeing a fawn nursing.
It could be passing on a buck that I wouldn't have passed on in years past.
It could be catching a glimpse of a deer in my binos...even from afar.
Etc.

Or, it could be as simple as .....getting to the tree I'm going to climb that morning. Slowly getting dressed at the base....then carefully getting to height.....then getting my climber secured and my bow hoisted up......then getting my arrow nocked and sitting down to take ALL THAT in....just before the woods come alive.

But, EVERY TIME I go afield, something happens that makes it worth the price of admission. Never fails.
 

Aaron H

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
I feel much like DB Cooper on this. I take a camera with me on every hunt. Watching for any sort of wildlife gives me something to do if the deer aren't moving. I've even sort of changed gears and left my rifle hanging while taking pictures of the deer. We can make a hunt whatever we want but I choose to get pleasure from getting out there.
 

georgeeebuck

Twelve Pointer
For me it's all about the action . When deer hunting it"s rut action , chasing , following . fighting Etc. When turkey hunting it gobbling , having one respond to my calling , having one come looking for me Etc. When elk hunting hearing a burgle , having one respond to my call , getting close enough to feel his grunt in my chest . Don't get me wrong I enjoy pulling the trigger or letting an arrow go and putting some meat in the freezer but to me seeing , hearing and feeling the action is where it's at .
 

agsnchunt

Old Mossy Horns
A successful hunt is bringing home the sought after game.

A successful outing is enjoying nature, camaraderie, rest, relaxation, exertion & excitement of a chase, etc.

The latter is more important to me than the former.

That might be different if I wasn’t dependent on the farmer & the grocer for sustenance.
 

buckshooter

Old Mossy Horns
I feel much like DB Cooper on this. I take a camera with me on every hunt. Watching for any sort of wildlife gives me something to do if the deer aren't moving. I've even sort of changed gears and left my rifle hanging while taking pictures of the deer. We can make a hunt whatever we want but I choose to get pleasure from getting out there.
Great points ! From you and Jeff. The way I see it , safety first , no exceptions.

Anything else is just icing on the cake !

Then if you can’t have fun , stay home
 

JoeR

Eight Pointer
I have a saying that I've used for many years.....and it applies to EVERY time I go afield. In every hunt, I can always recall something and say.....

"and..................that made it worth the price of admission".

It could be an owl/coyote/falcon sighting.
It could be a funky looking squirrel.
It could be seeing a house cat way out in the woods.
It could be watching a deer work a scrape.
It could be seeing two young bucks fighting.
It could be the woods becoming COMPLETELY silent.
It could be seeing a fawn nursing.
It could be passing on a buck that I wouldn't have passed on in years past.
It could be catching a glimpse of a deer in my binos...even from afar.
Etc.

But, EVERY TIME I go afield, something happens that makes it worth the price of admission. Never fails.
I was gonna post this, but DBCooper beat me to it. LOL.
...but this, exactly.
Joe
 

1stgenHunter

Six Pointer
The last couple years I would have considered myself unsuccessful if I didn’t come home with a deer.

Lately though I’ve considered my hunts successful if I come home better than I left out - whether that’s having a cool wildlife encounter, straightening up my attitude, simply enjoying my day, or having God reveal himself to me through his creation in a way I would not have otherwise seen.

I have no illusions that end goal is always coming out with a set of antlers riding on my pack, but success in the woods to me has also become about growth as both an outdoorsman and person in general.
 

QBD2

Old Mossy Horns
Going home with meat. That is my (and the actual) definition of success.

Now that’s not to say I don’t thoroughly enjoy and love all the ancillary benefits, because they are certainly plentiful.

One does not hunt in order to kill, rather one kills in order to have hunted.
 

DBCooper

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
Lately though I’ve considered my hunts successful if I come home better than I left out - whether that’s having a cool wildlife encounter, straightening up my attitude, simply enjoying my day, or having God reveal himself to me through his creation in a way I would not have otherwise seen.
👏
 

woodmoose

Administrator
Staff member
Contributor
Going home with meat. That is my (and the actual) definition of success.

Now that’s not to say I don’t thoroughly enjoy and love all the ancillary benefits, because they are certainly plentiful.

One does not hunt in order to kill, rather one kills in order to have hunted.

Fortunately ol’ José Ortega y Gasset wasn’t a “deer watcher”,,,,
 

aya28ga

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
When I was younger, success was measured by the weight of the game bag at days end. Now in my older years I'm grateful for the arrival each season, and continuing to be in good health to enjoy it.

And as for a full game bag, I've found there's much satisfaction to be had in seeing a deer, knowing you could have pulled the trigger, but didn't.
 

cloningerba

Old Mossy Horns
I love reading all of y’all’s posts on the topic! Thanks for sharing. I firmly believe that the future of hunting/conservation goes hand in hand with this very question….

For me personally, I agree most with @QBD2…

Safety and enjoyment of being in gods creation is my number one concern.

A harvest is icing on the cake….
 

JONOV

Old Mossy Horns
Some of y’all haven’t had your shirt ride up as you slide down bear hugging a poison ivy vine after your tree stand fell in the pre dawn light and it really shows.
 

Cyperry

Ten Pointer
Contributor
If I come back better than I started out or got excited along the way then I am successful. Too many things take too much effort and worry, including hunting, of which I am guilty.
 
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