Since starting traditional archery 4 decades ago I ago I have been a very efficient hunter. 5 to six deer a year has been the norm. As this season winds down I have yet to score. I have not conceded defeat but my prospects are bleak. Time to rewind the clock

Hey they will be a year older next year.

Relax and regroup for next year

It's not you, the deer just didn't get the message.

Still time for squirrels, bunnies and pigs, but I am in the same boat as you this year with regards to deer...

Maybe a defective licence or tag? Consult the DNR

Five or six deer a year? If you lived in Pa., you would be in jail. :))) Sounds like you are do a down year and have had more than your share of good years. I think you should be very grateful.

HOF baseball players were only successful 30% of the time at the plate. Maybe you were just due for a shutout.

Always grateful George, I do live in hunt in states with liberal bag limits. And I have always had a good place to hunt no mater how far I have to drive. Currently 10 hours.

Good to see I did as well as some real hunters this year!

2020 was a very bad year

I’ve never had more than a half jar of mojo, two to four deer a year, maybe a pig here and there. But this year was worse than a curve ball. For the first time since 1962, I didn’t hunt. Sometimes life throws you a knuckleball and you just get outa the way. Ain’t through by any means, goin hog hunting soon and some squirrel hunting too.

Mojo can be regained Onehair. I’m getting mine back.

I got to shoot/practice more this year than any to date (due to being at home), however it did not translate into a reduction of freezer space. But that is okay, and I am realizing that in my 50’s, I may have become more of an archer who hunts, rather than a hunter who uses a bow, if that makes sense.

Keep it up, you can not get one sitting on the couch !!!!!!!!! I missed one from an arrow deflection two days ago !!

I have recently had a year like that. As we age, it does get harder. I went 25 years straight taking at least one archery buck each year, often two. Then the very next year scored two bucks with only two deer in bow range! Relax, I like your chances next year.

That's why it's called hunting the way I look at it.

I recall reading a post somewhere where the guy struck out three years in a row! This would be 4 years if he came home deerless again.

I can't imagine!

Ive been blessed with 2 or 3 deer each year ( only shoot what we need), but have had a couple years where i really had to get after it to fill one tag. It is hunting and part of the fun comes from not knowing how the season will unfold. Ive got one buck on the wall that i took during the last few minutes of the last day--- he reminds me that it can happen.

Hope your luck changes and you have a high note to end the season with.

I think every one in every sport goes through a slump. Hang in there

Hell, I'd be more upset about the 10 hour drive! LOL

Always next year..

Heck, I’d be happy to have 10 hours of hunting in a promising area....

i'll bet 2021 finds you tightening up that loose mojo :)

If I lived in a 1 deer State Id be a golfer.Spoiled and hunt 5 minutes away.

Absolutely, I couldn't do it.

It was already said--It's called hunting. Don't sweat it. Do not allow yourself to get the attitude that you must kill. Take a step back, and re-group for next year. The sun will set & rise no matter whether tags are filled, or not. Put this season behind you, and get ready for next year.

I went several years without a kill. Then suddenly came the morning I killed 2 bucks before 10am. Very difficult (for me) to be a regular deer killer.

I'm perfectly fine shooting one or two deer a year. I would be hard pressed to eat more than that so wouldn't want to take more than I eat anyway.

Lol, never had any mojo...... still don’t after 50 years of bow hunting !!

I will never give up or will I ever surrender and it isn't ever over.

Sounds like a pride thing to me. Now how do I know this. Hundreds of animals and birds arrowed later.

Years just flow together like a river until it goes over the falls.

Sounds like you don't want to go over the falls your holding onto the last branch on the bank.

Open your fingers and let her go it will be much freeing on you if you do.

When you can dictate a hunt set up or a shot to be commanded then you have control over your emotions.

I haven't set for a shot in 3 seasons but I never left the hunt. So what do you think your missing?

Sounds to me like its the kill? Once again how do I know this? Well buddy I have the experience that no one can take from me but God and he has. But in my mind the hunt and pursuit goes on it never died just me physically.

And I wouldn't say I lost any Mojo yet anyways.

One other thing. Anyone who is settled in themselves and can't or wont recognize their limitations then they have to learn that and come to terms with it.

I know what your are talking about with the Mojo and I don't see as I ever lost it and maybe I was given the shares of many too and been blessed that much in these areas with monster animals, fish and birds. I don't know but I sure am thankful and if I never take another. God has given me enough.

In the beginning it was hard and then it went to certain animals or I wouldn't shoot and after that there's not much left but things that just don't mean anything anymore, they are just things that flow together.

Try to work on being settled and satisfied with what you have accomplished to date and see what happens next season.

Everyone knows all the deer in Mississippi have been killed by the nearly four month, no tag, gun seasons. You can't kill what ain't there.

You're doing better than 99% of the hunters out there. An off year may be humbling and time to reflect on good fortune in the past, and if you score 5 deer x 40 yrs, you're 197 archery deer ahead of me. Don't feel too bad. :)

Five or six deer a year? If you lived in Pa., you would be in jail. :)))

George this is not true. What if he has doe tags in his pocket or special tags?

In NJ in some areas there's unlimited doe tags and now Pa. might consider as well in special regs.

That tells me the hunters wont or aren't shooting enough does.

If an animal isn't there then you move to where they are there!

Cat is correct. PA is a ONE buck a season state but multiple doe tags can be purchased depending on the WMU (Wildlife Management Unit). I can go to courthouse and buy as many doe tags as I want for my WMU.

I personally will only try to kill what my family will eat in a year and I usually end the season with an unused tag because I like to get out and hunt as much as I can and not just type about it on the internet.

To the OP, Regroup, reflect on seasons and successes of the past and get ready for next season. Hope springs eternal in the woods.

Cat, I know you live in an area such as you describe, but most of us in the state do not. Read the rules and regulations about the entire state, you can't just fill your pocket with tags except a few places. Most of us don't have September starts and four week late seasons. It appears that those of us out here must be the ones taking all the deer and can't get those tags that you are able to grab by the handful...better step-up your game there killer. Stay well Glenn. LOL.

I guess I'm just lucky enough to live and hunt in a WMU with a September start and extra time in the late season. It hasn't always been this way and maybe it won't stay this way. It doesn't matter, I'll still hunt every day I legally can. I just like to hunt.

was it the deer that draws you to the wood , are the woods itself. I just enjoy being out and watch nature. i can be deer hunting but see nothing but turkey running around me and it makes it a great day.

Don't listen to 4Nolz! GOLF is NEVER the answer to anything...Waste of a perfectly good walk and more frustrating than moose hunting in 80 degree weather!!! Don't succomb to that level of reprieve. You're much better going 100 years without a deer than ever going golfing. Trust me..

It's ok to have high expectations. It's ok to work hard to meet your goals. It's not ok to accept defeat unless you have been defeated. I'm not through by any means.

I’m at the stage when I’m just trying to help my son connect with a rifle. His success is my success. Just SITTING in the field with a bow and half a reasonable chance at shooting one is a good day for me. Maybe we’ll get after some pigs this spring if baseball season doesn’t get in the way too much.

Tent camping and a campfire with a couple friends is a hunting trip, and tall tales. and good stories.

shot my last deer with a compound in 06' have yet to connect with a trad, with a rifle I average one every other year bucks only 3 pt rule here in NYS. In 40 + years only took one doe but I still go out and hunt last year only saw one deer ( a doe) while hunting, you don't know how good you have it Onehair.

Hehehe south farm...about the golf. I got a couple gift cards for lessons for Christmas.,,I played two rounds this year, so far self taught. I did ok. Golf does not frustrate me. Missing animals with my bow does. Gltta practice both more... But, I would still rather bow hunt.

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