What have you learned from this season you will apply to next year 's season ?

[Whitetail Freak]

Cheif ....glade to see ya have a new hobbie its very addictive i myself have whitetail disorder lol thank you for sharing ur tips you have learned

[ManOfTheFall]

Seeing that I messed up my one and only chance at a shooter this year, I would have to say never under estimate the size of a buck until you can clearly see him. I thought this was a 2 1/2 maybe 3 1/2 year old deer because of his spread. Guessing 14" inside spread. So I didn't even give him a second look until he got in the clear 30 yards behind me. Once I saw how big this deer was I never even had a chance to draw on him and he was 8 yards broadside and I still couldn't draw because I had given up on him too soon. I estimated this buck would have scored between 150"-160".

[Griz]

I learned not to 2nd guess your instincts. I was hunting and area (public land) that an old logging road system was the way you got back in to where I wanted to hunt. All of the other hunters were using these grown up rd/paths to do the same. On the way in the first time it was day light and I scouted to look for a location. At a cross rd/path I saw lots of tracks, a few scrapes, and a rub in the middle of the 4 way that was tore up. The area looked good but it was right on the path, thickets on both sides were to thick to get into with very few trees to choose from, the human traffic was high. So I rules it out and went on. I found a saddle and ridge that I liked about a mile in and hunted it for 5 days. I did notice on my way in an out that the scrapes were being hit on that path but couldn't make myself hang a stand. On day 6 things got slow at the saddle/ridge area and after running it threw my head a 100 times I decided to bring a stand and climbing sticks in the next morning and hang a stand in the only tree at the 4 way that would work. I would hunt it the following morning. When we were getting ready to leave that morning I told my hunting partner I was hunting the (stupid stand ) this morning. He just laughed. So now I'm in the stand thinking how many hunters are going to walk by me today. The number ended up being 7, not one of them saw me. But to my surprise I had two shooters walk by with one of them giving me a shot. If I hunt the same area next year I am going to give that location a good look. Also not one of the other hunters looked at the sign, they walk right by on a mission to get in deeper.

[hortontoter]

Griz, I have found that these logging road intersections can be great places to hunt. Especially if the area around them is thick and brushy. The deer use these as major travel corridors because the surrounding areas are thick. So IMO not a "stupid stand" at all. I think many time we over think things and over look the obvious clues as to where we should hunt.

[Whitetail Freak]

good tips guy's thank you good info keep it coming

[Bushman]

Why this was my first full year hunting Ohio. Was definitly a learning experience.
I learned to put more emphasis on bowhunting in order to see bigger bucks.
Opening day of gun on Egypt Valley public was downright scary!
I also learned to make yourself stay on stand and to not let your mind or hunger drive u from the woods. It got me my 130+ in. second day of gun.
The amish are their own army.
In most cases theres a big difference between deer numbers on public and private land.
Some people really dislike out of staters.
I learned hunting solo isnt half as fun as hunting with others but thats how it is for now.
I learned the deer in Ohio arent smarter than anywhere else... but they present a bigger target lol.

[blackbeard]

Let's see.....where do I start.

1. When you see a nice buck eating honeysuckle in an overgrown field and you have a perfect path and wind to ambush him, AFTER STALKING TOWARD HIM AND SEEING HIM COME AT A RIGHT ANGLE TOWARD YOU, DON'T KNEEL DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSH HOGGED PATH AND GET BUSTED, GET OVER IN THE BRUSH AND BREAK UP YOUR OUTLINE.

2. Even though you know your bow is fine and you can hit where you want on the backyard target, KEEP PRACTICING THROUGHOUT THE SEASON AND ALWAYS REMEMBER TO BREETH, SQUEEZE, AND FOLLOW THROUGH.

3. When fence is built, a gate goes up 50 yards from your stand, and the stand site goes from being one of your best to just ok for a couple years, MOVE THE STAND SOMEWHERE ELSE.

4. Even though you think you know all of the best spots to hunt on all your properties, KEEP SCOUTING EVERY YEAR.

5. When you have a 1yr old boy and 3yr old boy at home, DROP YOUR BUCK STANDARDS.

6. When you have a nice buck chasing a doe under your stand during the rut, TRY A DIFFERENT SOUND OTHER THAN A MOUTH GRUNT TO GET HIM TO STOP.

7. LEARN TO DO A DECENT SNORT WHEEZE WITH YOUR MOUTH.

8. GET UP EARLIER.

That's all I have in me for now, they bring back too many bad memories :)!

[radicalxl]

Even though I didn't hunt this year, these are some things to add that I have learned over the last several years. It is kinda aimed at the older bunch of guys. Maybe they will help you when you get to that point.

1. If your shooting skills seem to be lacking that shine that you used to have, don't always assume that it is an equipment or technique problem. Have your eyesight checked.

2. They ARE where you think their not. Don't waste time and energy covering ground in search of the ONE, your probably walking by him on your way there.

3. Hunting on the ground is just as effective as hunting from a tree, if done properly.

4. Being as physicly fit as possible is a benefit.

5. When the neighbor kids grow up and starting hunting their properties, it changes the patterns on the property you have hunted all your life. Change with it.

6. You ARE smarter than the animal your hunting. So for God's sake, outsmart them!

7. Wait for the perfect shot. Things are alot easier when you put that undeniable heart and double lung shot on them. No hard tracking, and alot less dragging.

[Whitetail Freak]

ty you guys theres are all good tips , radical the post for the older guys was great good into in there thank you all for sharing

[PREDATOR]

One thing I learned this year, was to have fun again. This may sound strange, but too many times we get caught up in the chase to get a large buck. I usually take most of November off and hunt every minute of every day that I can and when I couldn't I was always wandering what I was missing. The hardest thing for me was for the last 10yrs or so I have to take my kids to school. No way around it. I never got in the woods til late morning. I love hunting the morning sits and it absolutely drove me crazy not being able to do it.

This year I didn't worry about it, I didn't drive like a crazy person to get to my stand, and if someone was already in my area, I just moved on. It was one of the best years of hunting I have had in a long time. I felt like a great pressure had been lifted off of my shoulders and I cant wait til next year.