Trials and Tribulations of bow hunting...

[mossy725]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to share my seasons experiences and hear yours as well. After a long bow season, mine has finally come to an end.

I saw a lot of deer during the last month. Actually, my buck to doe ratio was 15-8. Kind of odd, really.

Regardless, I passed on a lot of small bucks early in the season. I saw a lot of great activity, and saw a lot of shooters, but none came within range.

I think next year I will have a different opinion about passing on smaller bucks. I must say I'm disappointed with not getting a deer with my bow, but I'm also lucky to be in the woods and to experience everything I saw this year.

Anyone else out there pass on deer earlier in the season, and then not end up filling your tags? Hopefully late season will produce something.

Best of luck to you all during gun season.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

same for me----dozens of little ones under the stand but the shooters wouldn't come in. No regretts...the equalizer comes out this weekend ...let those big boys hang up on me at 60-100 yards now...lol. I am very confused about the season as well. I have not seen a mature doe in the woods in 2 weeks...fawns without does...you...but nothing big enough to shoot.

[mossy725]

Same here. I couldn't believe the amount of bucks I saw, compared to the few does I saw.

Was very bizarre.

[WNYBuckHunter]

I passed on alot of small bucks this year, missed a little 8 and couldnt get it done on a big one. I have had next to no does in range, but have seen plenty of them. Hopefully they just keep on standing 150 yards out there in the field to feed. Come Saturday, it will be game over if they do.  The 260 is warmed up and ready!

[SteveMcD]

In my area, I am not seeing a lot of deer. Season has been very slow I've logged in about 65 hours, so far. I had a basket racked 6 point pass by me, but no shot opportunity, not a big deer horn wise, but a big body, I would have shot him if the chance presented itself, also had a spike come by, and although I still have my tags, I still would not shoot him. He is too small even body wise. Well.. we still have to 12/21 to get it done. I don't put my bows away when the pumpkin army shows up, I just move to other (bow only) spots.

[mossy725]

"Pumpkin army" - that's hilarious!

[sweet old bill]

same for me. Let the young one go to grew another year...

[Cabin Fever]

This has been my worst season ever as far as sightings. I went out 28x and only saw 1 mature doe! She was out of range and was being chased by the buck that I shot. The other deer that I saw were fawns and bucks.