General Hunting Discussion
Is killing a deer the biggest priority?
Do what you want and what is legal,shoot what makes you happy,don't worry what any one else thinks.I started hunting in 1969 and have seen what you are talking about.Nowadays it seams that people think a hunter is more successful if a hunter shoots a big buck out of a truck window,then a guy that hunts days, deep in the woods and shoots a spike with a long bow.
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Is killing a deer the biggest priority? Yes! thats why I hunt to put food in the freezer,,,we dont need to explain why as long as we do it legally and in a safe way I say go for it ,,Yes sitting in the stands for hours, or many days waiting for the moment to arrive is a big part of it ,,,lets face it we hunt for many reasons,but its a passion for most of us, 
What a year.Like many others I only hunted public land this year. Bought a doe tag so if the moment came I'd have some meat for the freezer. On day two I set up in a clearing surrounded by thick stuff. I hung up a doe pee wick and tucked my folding chair in a hiding spot. Warm, beautiful day; I'm starting to nod off but some movement caught my eye. A deer is coming in soundlessly, at a reptilian slow pace. It's a doe facing my way, looking toward my scent wick, wondering where the deer was she smelled. I'm so close I can't move yet, still, she snaps her head my way for a while. All she has to do, is step out from behind the tree screening the shot. Doesn't happen. Parts were showing but no vital areas. Too thick, she slinks away. My buddy said that might be the only shot I get this year..."yuck, yuck". I didn't feel better. Next morning he accidentally pushes a buck and doe trotting my way. Three shots later I'm dragging out those deer. First time in 5 years I had a shot. Still... It's that super stealthy doe that I remember most.
I would have to agree with most of the recent posts and say no. Of course the higher goal is to harvest a deer and the thought of taking a nice buck keeps me motivated to keep at it during the season, the hunting aspect of it is higher than the killing. I'm lucky to get out 1 or 2 times a week during bow season, so being in my stand in the woods by myself is a chance for me to relax, unwind from all the commotion, and wipe the slate clean. Plus it gives me an opportunity to experience the outdoors in a way that only a few of us can. A lot of times just by having a deer pass by unaware of your presence in the woods is a successful hunt in my book, and more often than not my highlights have been having an owl perch in the tree next to you, watching a raccoon fish for crayfish from the bank, or coming across fresh bobcat tracks. Every time I step into the woods I learn a little bit more about the hunt itself- how the wind moves through different areas, identifying new or overlooked deer sign, where the deer move during different weather patterns, and how to move silently through the woods. Shooting a deer is the bonus on top of the whole experience.
No. It used to be but not anymore. What I have found is that I have the most fun when there is a big one around. I enjoy hunting for that one animal and passing the rest. Last year I shot a samller buck than I would normally have. It was a case of mistaken identity. I jsut didn't feel right about it after I recovered the animal. This year I hunted a decent buck during the rut and never got him. I surprised myself that I had fun not shooting a buck. We all change our outlooks and expectations. They are also dependant on what ground and animals we have access to. Different strokes for different blokes. I will say that once you have shot a really big one, you WILL change your mentality. Mrt.
While I'm not going to lie. I do like the thrill of seeing a nice buck coming out of a tag alder swamp. Putting him in my scope and squeezing the trigger. I get just as big of a thrill when my son or Dad pull up on one and shoot. I've been fortunate to hunt with some very good people in my lifetime. The previous post have hit home about hunting with my Dad. He's getting up into his seventies now. While he's still tougher than nails (just ask him) He has slowed down and after opening weekend he seems more content to eat breakfast and clean up take a nap or lounge around til its time to hit the stand in the afternoon. He's taught me everything I know about hunting and has instilled in me all of my hunting practices. I've been blessed to have him there with me throughout all of my years in the woods. No maybe my priorities have become less self focused and more about who and whats going on around me. We each hunt for different reasons. One reason not anymore or any less right than the next.
BT,
I'd like to thank you for that post below. I thought of it many times over the past 2 weeks of hunting with our "senior" member of deer camp. This will probably be his last year hunting and reading your post just prior to leaving for camp made me remember to appreciate him just a little more than normal this year.
I would have given up every buck I've killed in the last five years just to hear a single shot from his stand this year....but it wasn't to be.
Everyone should have an 80+ hunter in their group....it helps you appreciate your relative youth and makes you realize how time flies and just how precious each season is.
We have a few senior hunters who started our annual deer camp who are reaching the age where you don't know if they'll be there next year. While they can cuss you a blue streak during a card game and yell at you for seasoning their steak too much (amongst many other things), enjoying their company has become my priority. They can't understand why our boys are playing video games on their iPods, why us "young bucks" text instead of walking to each other's stands to see how things are going, and why I like to hunt with an AR-15 (even though I try to explain to them that a Winchester Model 94 may have been considered an "assault rifle" in the early 1900's). Their presence is precious to me and will be missed when they go to hunt the Great Forest in the sky.
I've come to the realization that sleep is my top priority. I just got a call from my brother, he shot a big 10 pt. This is the 4 year in a row that he's been sleeping only to wake up to a buck in shooting range! I can't understand how he does it he always shoots the biggest deer yet he sleeps most of the day
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