Frustration

[JohnCushman]

After having eaten 2 tags in Wyoming and getting ready to eat my archery antelope tag in Colorado I'm pretty damned frustrated. How do you guys 'keep the faith' and keep positive and keep going when everything seems to be working against you?

 

[WV Hunter]

I don't think there is any escaping that feeling for me. Last year I took a whitetail with my bow on the last day of the hunt with about 15 minutes of day light left so I know it's possible but I am always convinced I am wasting my time. Still though, you just never know what might happen and that's what keeps me in the field.

You can still rifle hunt in Wyoming with your tag, right?

 

[shoots-straight]

You have bad spurts, and then you'll have good ones. Just keep getting after it until you luck changes. Nothing stays the same, not even bad luck.

 

[Devil Diver Down]

I know it is frustrating, particularly in this day with shrinking opportunity to draw and hunt. Particularly when you've put a lot of planning behind a hunt. Time, energy and money, too. But we still do it, when odds are usually against us. You build up a hunt in your mind and the weather, animals, conditions, etc don't cooperate. It's a let down but you have to keep the focus and stay positive despite all the negative.

Because 2 minutes can change your whole hunt. It's why we're all on this site. It's why we hunt "on our own." If we were concerned about tagging out every time, we'd hunt high fences for ridiculous prices less often. We'd never pick up a bow. Or look extra hard at a topo, looking for some secret spot. Or sweat out crappy weather when the forecast is for more of the same. Or eat freeze dried food for days on end for that one moment of glory. Or failure.

As SS said, " Nothing stays the same, not even bad luck." Your moment is coming. But only if you're ready for it.

 

[drahthaar]

I know it is frustrating, particularly in this day with shrinking opportunity to draw and hunt. Particularly when you've put a lot of planning behind a hunt. Time, energy and money, too. But we still do it, when odds are usually against us. You build up a hunt in your mind and the weather, animals, conditions, etc don't cooperate. It's a let down but you have to keep the focus and stay positive despite all the negative.

Because 2 minutes can change your whole hunt. It's why we're all on this site. It's why we hunt "on our own." If we were concerned about tagging out every time, we'd hunt high fences for ridiculous prices less often. We'd never pick up a bow. Or look extra hard at a topo, looking for some secret spot. Or sweat out crappy weather when the forecast is for more of the same. Or eat freeze dried food for days on end for that one moment of glory. Or failure.

As SS said, " Nothing stays the same, not even bad luck." Your moment is coming. But only if you're ready for it.

I think this is a great post. Never give up, my five year old has a movie he likes, "Meet the Robinsons", just like they reiterate in the movie, KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

It will happen, and when it does, you will sit there and say, well that was easy. Especially bowhunting, turmoil and trauma, and one woulda shoulda coulda after another. Then you get into that one situation where everything just glides into place.

 

[JohnCushman]

Thanks guys

 

[idnative1948]

We can't all get a hit every time we are up to bat. Every now and then you are able to put one over the fence and that keeps you interested in the game. Same analogy as in golf. You can go out one day and hack your way through a round and the next time you end up with a birdie and hole-in-one. It is what keeps you going back for more abuse. Go figure.....

 

[Sytes]

I ask myself the same question - with golf... I still continue to take the beating... over and over.. and over... haha!

Like others say - your time will come or that last few minutes of daylight and presto! We call it hunting not shooting.

I tell myself, Crappy hunts sure make the great hunts stand out for the value vested!

 

[highmountian]

Try and try again! Keep at it and any huntn is better than that four letter word....... work!! the more you are out there the better your odds.

 

[Baerman]

I used to feel that way on bad years or streaks too until I finally came to realize it's not about tagging an animal, it's about the hunt and experience while I'm out there. So now I enjoy my surroundings and the experiences and if I tag an animal it makes the trip all that more sweet. Since taking this approach I seem to enjoy the hunts that much more too.

It might help that I am spending more days in the field generating more opportunities and increasing my success rates too.

Good luck the rest of the season! Persistance pays!

 

[Gerald Martin]

Highmountain, you beat me to it! Sure beats working!

Sometimes I have to make sure I'm having fun and don't get so driven it makes it feel like work. That might mean taking some time to shoot varmints or go fishing or sleep in and putter around camp for a morning. Don't let it burn you out, your time is coming.

 

[CJ...$]

After having eaten 2 tags in Wyoming and getting ready to eat my archery antelope tag in Colorado I'm pretty damned frustrated. How do you guys 'keep the faith' and keep positive and keep going when everything seems to be working against you?

Thats stinks...But at least you had "tags"... I had to settle for a leftover Turkey tag... Just can't seem to draw in AZ these days.. and I/m loaded with Bonus pts....

Its all about your priorities... conditions ..and obligations..etc,etc... stuff just happens

 

[174in]

It happens John even in my home state of WI I have seaasons I dont fill my buck tag with lots of hours logged in.I know Its is nice to be succecfull on a hunt that is far from home after you have been thinking about the hunt all year.Its sounds like you got to meet some good friends on your hunt in WY.Also remember your tag will still be good for the rifle season out there if you have time to make it 7 hours your chances for redemtion may be good being you already have an idea of the area.Best of luck to you from here on out.

 

[Moosie]

IdBugler has taught (Still teaching) me about that. First time I went out with him I realized I would pull the trigger on the first thing I saw. Now.... I wait till it's he 2nd

I flew to Canada once on a bear hunt, I think it was my first out of State/country hunt that I didn't come home with anything. Got some great pictures though.

It's good to have tags in the pocket amigo, not to many sympathetic people for you on that I'm sure. Think of the Bullets and animal cleaning time you've saved

 

[mconway951]

Some times it is rough I have had years that were great took lots of great animals and other years I have been almost totally skunked
Just remember the worst day of hunting is better than the best day at work

 

[Brentster7189]

Some times it is rough I have had years that were great took lots of great animals and other years I have been almost totally skunked
Just remember the worst day of hunting is better than the best day at work

True that! Think of all those poor souls that don't hunt, fish, or even experience the outdoors. We are doing it all, and it seems to me that in doing so we definetly experience a more enriching life.