For me it hasn't been so much wishing I had do-overs, just wondering what in the world I have done that has caused me so much bad luck this year. I am 0-fer so far this year and it's gone something like this. Focused on getting my son his first elk (cow) and bit off way more than he could chew. Ended up breaking trail through almost a foot of snow while gaining elevation. He wasn't ready for it and fell close to 20 times. He was soaked by the time we got to the glassing area and shivering. I made the call to get him out of there. No elk.
Then on my first ever mule deer hunt, 2 days in, I was following a small herd, just trying to see if there was any sign of a buck with them and twisted my knee. I was about 1.5 miles away from the truck, so not too far, but it swelled up and got too sore for a solo hunt. I knew that even if I got something, I wouldn't get it out of there.
And now, I was supposed to be out hunting this weekend for elk (cow) and I am instead, bedridden with one of the worst colds of my life. I am hacking up a lung and can barely do anything without going into a full-on coughing fit. I can't imagine hiking through cold mountain air right now.
I'm going to remain optimistic that I will be able to get out this next week. I still have several weeks to fill my cow elk tag, and we will definitely be aiming at some ducks this year too.