Wrapped it up today. I've taken all that I can take with people and so called hunters. My uncle put it best. Put a deer or salmon between two men and you'll see who they really are. Tired of hunting state land, tired of being broke as hell. I refuse to lease land to hunt. I think this year finally broke my back. I think I'm done deer hunting. Just cant deal with the people anymore. Cant really put a year on it but when did a set of horns become so important. When did the complete degradation of hunting ethics happen. I shot a deer two nights ago, I felt nothing. No self satisfaction, no remorse, no happiness. Yup. I'm done with deer hunting.

Hate to hear that. I went through the same thing years ago and decided that giving up something that has meant so much to me and father for so many years wasn’t the way to go. So I had to change it up a little. I started hunting from the ground, spot and stalk, etc. just needed something different. Hunting state ground is definitely frustrating, and is truly a challenge sometimes. But that’s what we are looking for right? That what why we shoot a stick and string and not a rifle, right? Take a few days off and think about how much fun you used to have, and then decide what made it fun then. Good luck my friend!!

Sorry to hear of your state of being. I don’t get caught up in the antler porn, baiting , or any of what so many people do today. I still have 1 small private property that I can hunt, so I am lucky there. I hunt because I love getting out and watching the woods come to life in the pre- dawn. The kill, if there is 1 is secondary. I have graduated to self made selfbows to enhance the experience even more. What I’m trying to say is I hunt for the love of the hunt,if and when I lose that I will be done to. But that will be the only reason as long as my health allows anyway. Dont let others drive you to quitting.

Just not worth it anymore. Been in the dnr cross hairs all season. Everytime the barn light goes on I get a visit. Constant rumors. Constant harassment. Probably the most honest hunter in the county. Get pushed outa spots by bait hunters and I'm the dumb a... I know this. I'm gonna take a year or two off and pay my house off. Michigan has nothing left to offer. I'm gonna go see if the grass is truly greener on the other side

Sorry to hear that but I have felt similiar frustrations Since I hunt public land as well. It’s tough dealing with other folks . This is the first year I’ve used a trail camera and was suprised at the pics of other hunters I got. I also noted when one guy started walking past my stand regulary my daytime deer activity dropped off to almost nothing.. I finally caught up to him and had a discussion about him using a different route to where he was hunting.. but it really didn’t make a difference , the damage was done. Time to move. When I was younger I could easily access our wilderness areas even though that was tough hiking, it was very rewarding I could spend a week packed in and never see a person .ive had a few surgeries I hope I can heal up from enough to get back to doing that, but that’s a tough day hunt. It’s easy to get frustrated when all the off season is spent formulating a plan only to see it shredded by others and thier lack of ethics. But we were all new at one time. Hopefully your people issues are innocent and can be overcome by using thier presence to your advantage.. good luck I sure hope you can take a little time off and regroup somehow

I remember 10 years ago. I'd go a whole season and not see a person all now season. Now it's like theres no difference between rifle and bow season. Jerks behind every tree. Used to be fun, now it's a constant fight to find a place to hunt. No worries. Michigan continues to clear cut thousands of acres a year. Only gonna get worse. I think I'm gonna take up 3d and indoor.

Sorry to hear this Tim. That's a tough call. But only one that you can make. Maybe put some full time effort into some small game hunting. Instead of giving hunting up completely. What ever you decide wish you all the best.

CWD might force us all to regroup.

Move down south, here is N/W Alabama there is over 100K acres of lightly hunted public land. You have to do your homework to get on the deer or hogs but it is unlikely you will see another hunter. If you get a mile off the roads you will never, ever see another hunter. Most areas are walk-in only.

I wrap it up every year for the last 20 years. got a new Tall Tines on order but I quite for sure this year.

Feeling the same Clay.

My sympathies, hunting public land can be frustrating as he!!

Sometimes we get to the point that we feel like we've taken enough game. But don't stop hunting, rather take a camera. If you didn't get anything from filling the tag, perhaps you may from getting a cool picture and letting them live.

I get frustrated hunting private property with the landowners relatives. Can`t imagine hunting public land. I truly believe lack of access and not seeing enough deer is what is hurting new hunters entering the sport.

Trapperman. Know exactly what you are talking about. You ought to try and deer hunt in Illinois. Deer herd is a joke. Way to many gun seasons and OTC permits for gun and archery. The money the DNR makes off of permits, is unbelievable. That's what runs our deer management, MONEY, and will be the death of deer hunting, in Illinois. The DNR don't realize that one day they will lose out on that money, when the deer population drops so low, that no one will continue to spend money for nothing.

I don't know your part of the country but iv lived in several different parts of the country & have always been able to secure a few private places to hunt without paying anything ....that said the first thing that came to my mind about your op. is the contradiction between beying broke as hell and NOT filling your freezer with venison !!! I hunt for food not sport or trophy's it's not something I do it's who I am I'm a hunter & fisherman & it absolutely consumes me & I'm good at it and proud of the fact that I stay out of the grocery store perhaps you just need a different perspective

Sorry to hear this Trapperman , but do understand your frustrations . I live in NE Massachusetts and as a kid hunted all over the place but urban sprawl and the changing of traditions and peoples view of hunting has relegated most regular guys to public land and the competition it creates . While I've had some luck on nearby public lands i'm lucky enough to be able to hunt NH w/ plenty of open land and for the most part a citizenry that accepts tradition .

If hunting deer has become tiresome, move on to another activity.

If it has stopped being enjoyable find something else that makes you happy. Life is really short...too short to do something that makes you miserable.

Why does the DNR have you "in the cross hairs"? What is the reason they keep checking on you?

^^^ had the same thought but didn't comment. they just don't keep in eye on folks for no reason

Just the opposite where I hunt. People are getting too lazy to hunt

2X what Skeets said???

I don't know quite how to take these threads because there is only one side to them. We are lucky here in Pa. Lots of quality public land and the only time you see other hunters...at least out in mid and north sections, is during rifle season. I can find plenty of land for myself in bow season with relatively few folks around. I do 75% of my hunting on public land.

I doubt that it's the lack of seeing game that turns away hunters. I grew up in the 50's near the Carlisle area and deer sightings were few and far between. But back then, the kids didn't have all the gadgets that parents buy for them now to keep them home and looking at a tiny screen. Kids get I phones when they are eight or nine years old...and parents rarely look up from theirs. Every year another gadget comes along and are highly sought-after by those same folks. No...it's not lack of game sighting, it's too many handheld games done and activity done vicariously.

If hunting is no good for you, you’re no good for Hunting...

I’d try small game or Big Woods. Or take a break.

Does seem odd that the DNR would be keeping a watch on your place for no reason, though... if it were me, I’d sure as hell want to know what their concerns are and you can bet your butt I’d be sure to eliminate those concerns straight off.

Life is too short to spend it doing anything that you don’t enjoy, and WAAAAAY too short to waste any if it looking over your shoulder for ANY reason.

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here