Hunt the tag, be happy you're hunting

[mevertsen]

Forget about the following..

Money invested in, license fees, points, and all the time researching areas. If that gives you heartburn, you probably shouldn't be applying for deer in other states.

Trophy quality. I would venture to guess less than 1 percent of bucks overall, have the POTENTIAL to break 180, let alone actually live to the 6 year old or so mark to be able to hit that number. Plenty of studies have show over the years, for all game animals, some just dont have what it takes genetically to make a certain antler or horn size.

Quit acting like there are secrets out there. There ain't none. Its 2025. Onx, Google earth, these forums and others, game agency websites. Its all known.

Its a damn deer tag. Thats it. Its an opportunity to hunt. Get over yourselves.

Actually realize this year is one less year going forward you may not be able to hunt.

I've been sick a lot my entire adult life. I just recently received my third kidney transplant and there's no guarantee how long it will last.

Take the tag, dont turn it back in because you can't find a certain size critter.

Hunt hard, enjoy the time outdoors however it is you do.

Take the best animal you can find. Or don't, and be happy about it because you got to hunt.

Forget about the money, time, score all the other bullshit.

Just hunt. Remember why you hunt in the first place.

If all the other noise matters more than the fact.you're hunting, hang up your stuff and take up pickle ball.

End rant.

Good luck out there

Stay safe and enjoy the times you have outdoors.

 

[Akcabin]

Yeppers, that hunting cake can taste really good without the frosting. Folks that have the opportunities to hunt as much as possible are blessed to be able to get out.

 

[belshawelk]

Perfect summary.

Why I hunt cows every year and not a bull even though I can get tags every year. I want to fill my freezer. Why I take guests on my property so they can experience an elk hunt even if it is a cow. Sure we joke about the size of a cow ( ears to small, etc.)

Why last year I wrote about my public land bull called God's Bull. It was the experience and pure enjoyment of even being able to be there. Same with my deer hunt a few years ago.

Quit bitching and thank God for your health, wealth and luck. Even though they differ for everyone.

 

[rjthehunter]

I'm happy every year I get to hunt. Whether I pull a trigger, release an arrow, or just go wonder around the mountains or woods. Just grateful I have the health and finances to do what I love all the time!

 

[duckhunt]

I've gone to wyoming on antelope doe and whitetail doe tags. Some of the guys I work with think I'm absolutely crazy. When they ask why I would do that I tell them that I will be hunting out west and you will not, just think about the adventure I will have while you are sitting at home.

 

[WVmike]

Last year was my first hunting elk in Colorado and yea we didn't see a legal bull to shoot, we did see some of the most beautiful country I've ever seen in my life. Also learned a lot of things about what to do vs not to do. Sure nobody wants to spend money and come home empty handed but I also had the opportunity to explore new places, new hunting and new opportunities. As my kids get a little older, teaching them things about life through hunting and having experiences with them is more important to me than getting my name in the record books. Personal opinion.

 

[El Jason]

Love it!

 

[Caseknife]

Very well said @mevertsen. Seems that the majority of hunters in this day and age are only in it for the "likes". They have to have the latest and greatest gear to even go into the field. Can't hunt unless they have a premier tag even though they have never their killed the target animal before. Have a younger friend that looks to me for info and ideas, but usually only a week before the app deadline or after he has drawn a tag, that wonders why I would go out of state to hunt cow elk. He has never killed an elk even in our home state. Guys that think their '06 with a 3x9 scope isn't good enough for their first western hunt because the internet says so, hogwash, go hunt.

Pretty much just shake my head with all the "advice" spewed on the hunting forums and try to keep my tongue in check.

 

[hank4elk]

And thank your lucky stars.
70 and going again. Not far, but going.

 

[longbow51]

Well said.

 

[mevertsen]

Pretty much just shake my head with all the "advice" spewed on the hunting forums and try to keep my tongue in check.

My head shook past its point of being able to keep its tounge in check any longer this morning.

Haha,

 

[npaden]

Forget about the following..

Money invested in, license fees, points, and all the time researching areas. If that gives you heartburn, you probably shouldn't be applying for deer in other states.

Trophy quality. I would venture to guess less than 1 percent of bucks overall, have the POTENTIAL to break 180, let alone actually live to the 6 year old or so mark to be able to hit that number. Plenty of studies have show over the years, for all game animals, some just dont have what it takes genetically to make a certain antler or horn size.

Quit acting like there are secrets out there. There ain't none. Its 2025. Onx, Google earth, these forums and others, game agency websites. Its all known.

Its a damn deer tag. Thats it. Its an opportunity to hunt. Get over yourselves.

Actually realize this year is one less year going forward you may not be able to hunt.

I've been sick a lot my entire adult life. I just recently received my third kidney transplant and there's no guarantee how long it will last.

Take the tag, dont turn it back in because you can't find a certain size critter.

Hunt hard, enjoy the time outdoors however it is you do.

Take the best animal you can find. Or don't, and be happy about it because you got to hunt.

Forget about the money, time, score all the other bullshit.

Just hunt. Remember why you hunt in the first place.

If all the other noise matters more than the fact.you're hunting, hang up your stuff and take up pickle ball.

End rant.

Good luck out there

Stay safe and enjoy the times you have outdoors.

Could you please keep this kind of thinking to yourself! If everyone thought this way I sure wouldn't have a Colorado Bighorn Sheep tag this year!

Someone drew it with 3 + 3 and turned it back in.

Please everyone, don't listen to him, go ahead and turn the tag back in!

 

[RealMuddyboots]

@mevertsen
Nailed it! As time marched on, as medical issues piled up, just getting into the woods was cathartic removing all those worries and background noise. Enjoying every moment instead of creating more angst for a certain animal. I was told by my surgeon I wasn't going to be able to hunt last year from major back fusion. I was back in woods late October bow hunting. No more tree stands of course. That first morning waiting for daybreak was the most excitement that I ever had!!! Where I hunt there are bald eagles and to hear them chuckling at daybreak was so uplifting I can't even describe the effect it had on me. Saw deer and that was so uplifting to my spirits!

Killed a "nice" 8 pt on firearm opening morning. Not a "trophy", not going to stretch the measuring tape but it was probably the most satisfying hunt I have had in many years.

I went on to kill 2 more does with a rifle I just built that just brought even bigger smile.

At 3/4 Century, I have nice 150"-170" bucks on the wall but this past season was by far the more satisfying and provided the mental boost I needed to put a foot in front of another.

 

[44hunter45]

Forget about the following..

Money invested in, license fees, points, and all the time researching areas. If that gives you heartburn, you probably shouldn't be applying for deer in other states.

Trophy quality. I would venture to guess less than 1 percent of bucks overall, have the POTENTIAL to break 180, let alone actually live to the 6 year old or so mark to be able to hit that number. Plenty of studies have show over the years, for all game animals, some just dont have what it takes genetically to make a certain antler or horn size.

Quit acting like there are secrets out there. There ain't none. Its 2025. Onx, Google earth, these forums and others, game agency websites. Its all known.

Its a damn deer tag. Thats it. Its an opportunity to hunt. Get over yourselves.

Actually realize this year is one less year going forward you may not be able to hunt.

I've been sick a lot my entire adult life. I just recently received my third kidney transplant and there's no guarantee how long it will last.

Take the tag, dont turn it back in because you can't find a certain size critter.

Hunt hard, enjoy the time outdoors however it is you do.

Take the best animal you can find. Or don't, and be happy about it because you got to hunt.

Forget about the money, time, score all the other bullshit.

Just hunt. Remember why you hunt in the first place.

If all the other noise matters more than the fact.you're hunting, hang up your stuff and take up pickle ball.

End rant.

Good luck out there

Stay safe and enjoy the times you have outdoors.

Well said

 

[glass eye]

More and more I bird hunt rather than big game. I still apply for great tags but if don't draw I have an out of state hunt for birds lined up. I still get the big adventure but at a smaller cost and no draws.

 

[noharleyyet]

"New poster here, not looking for anyone's honey hole but..."

 

[SC Living Outdoors]

I think each person should hunt their tag however they want. Some people want to hold out for a 190" buck and some want to shoot the first buck they see. Some people want to stay in a nice comfortable camp every night and eat a big meal. Some people want to hike to the top of the mountain, sleep under a tarp and eat trail mix. I don't think there's anything wrong with either as long as people are getting out there and enjoying themselves. Fulfillment comes in all different shapes and sizes. I'm just glad there are still a lot of people like me that love the outdoors.

 

[EastTNHunter]

More and more I bird hunt rather than big game. I still apply for great tags but if don't draw I have an out of state hunt for birds lined up. I still get the big adventure but at a smaller cost and no draws.

View attachment 376862View attachment 376863View attachment 376864

That old Browning has seen a thing or two

 

[mevertsen]

More and more I bird hunt rather than big game. I still apply for great tags but if don't draw I have an out of state hunt for birds lined up. I still get the big adventure but at a smaller cost and no draws.

View attachment 376862View attachment 376863View attachment 376864

I understand the thought.

Last year my daughter and I drove 200 miles one way to camp and fish for one little fish. Caught the fish and it was worth the trip in so many ways.

We have to do at least two more similar distance trips for 3 more fish. But its getting us into some really cool places.

 

[MaddH]

I understand the thought.

Last year my daughter and I drove 200 miles one way to camp and fish for one little fish. Caught the fish and it was worth the trip in so many ways.

We have to do at least two more similar distance trips for 3 more fish. But its getting us into some really cool places.

Redband trout ?