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Post by kooch on Nov 29, 2019 9:38:39 GMT -6
I haven't been hunting all my life. I fished. When I moved to MN, I figured I'd better figure out something to do with my Falls. So, I grabbed a slug gun and started bumbling around public land. I even shot a deer or two. I lusted for more. Eventually, I lucked out and a friend invited me to hunt his place with his family up near Baudette. They were and are still great people, gracious and generous. We built me a stand on the edge of a power line and I shivered there a few years, along with my daughter and son. I shot a deer or two. After a couple years, I wanted my own place where I didn't have to ask permission to do whatever I wanted. I also decided I needed a place to sleep, rather than driving 30 or 40 minutes to town for a motel. So I bought what I could afford, and put a modest shack on it. I still had blood lust.
You guys know, I bought the place a few (only three really) years ago and I've been doing what I can to make it easier to hunt. We actually killed two decent (for the area) bucks this year. Seeing my wife and friend kill them was just as good (better in the case of my wife) as killing one myself. I'm happy with that. Years ago, heck maybe even just a couple, I'd have been jealous. Now, I'm just glad.
My Son killed his first deer last year, and that made me happier yet, happier than any buck or bull elk I've killed.
So this year, I haven't shot a deer. In years before, I'd be out every chance I could get with my muzzle loader, prowling every WMA I could find. The lust was strong. This year, with my own small property, the feelings are different. Sure, I'm looking forward to going up for another hunt or two. But, I think the reasons have changed. I don't NEED to kill a deer like I used to. We've already shot two, and that seems like more than enough. Life is tough for them up there. Maybe I should ease up on the throttle a bit.
Now, I got pictures of new bucks, bigger than ever in my plot after dark. My initial instinct was, "Sweet, I bet they will be out there in daylight after a week or two of rest and I'll kill one with my muzzle loader." Then I got to thinking, "why"? Now, I wonder if I'd actually shoot one of those big bucks during the MZ season even if I could. Maybe I'll just go up and enjoy the fresh air.
Perhaps I'm growing up finally. It turns out, planting turnips might be nearly as much fun as killing deer.
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Post by daydreamer on Nov 29, 2019 9:55:10 GMT -6
Interesting thoughts here Kooch and some of the same that I’m thinking. I have a tag left and am done hunting for the year. Feeling grateful for my year of shooting my first bull elk, (my dad shooting a cow the same opening night), my daughter shooting her first deer, and my dad shooting his largest ever whitetail with his bow at age 69 on a farm that I received permission to hunt and pushed to get him permission as well. I encouraged him to hunt his deer as I wanted to see him shoot it! There is another 10 pointer running around but I’m satisfied with my season. If you would have asked me at the start of the season if I’d be happy with the results I’d have said a big he’ll yeah. So I’ve been feeling very grateful this thanksgiving weekend! Good sentiments!
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Post by smsmith on Nov 29, 2019 10:04:01 GMT -6
I haven't been hunting all my life. I fished. When I moved to MN, I figured I'd better figure out something to do with my Falls. So, I grabbed a slug gun and started bumbling around public land. I even shot a deer or two. I lusted for more. Eventually, I lucked out and a friend invited me to hunt his place with his family up near Baudette. They were and are still great people, gracious and generous. We built me a stand on the edge of a power line and I shivered there a few years, along with my daughter and son. I shot a deer or two. After a couple years, I wanted my own place where I didn't have to ask permission to do whatever I wanted. I also decided I needed a place to sleep, rather than driving 30 or 40 minutes to town for a motel. So I bought what I could afford, and put a modest shack on it. I still had blood lust. You guys know, I bought the place a few (only three really) years ago and I've been doing what I can to make it easier to hunt. We actually killed two decent (for the area) bucks this year. Seeing my wife and friend kill them was just as good (better in the case of my wife) as killing one myself. I'm happy with that. Years ago, heck maybe even just a couple, I'd have been jealous. Now, I'm just glad. My Son killed his first deer last year, and that made me happier yet, happier than any buck or bull elk I've killed. So this year, I haven't shot a deer. In years before, I'd be out every chance I could get with my muzzle loader, prowling every WMA I could find. The lust was strong. This year, with my own small property, the feelings are different. Sure, I'm looking forward to going up for another hunt or two. But, I think the reasons have changed. I don't NEED to kill a deer like I used to. We've already shot two, and that seems like more than enough. Life is tough for them up there. Maybe I should ease up on the throttle a bit. Now, I got pictures of new bucks, bigger than ever in my plot after dark. My initial instinct was, "Sweet, I bet they will be out there in daylight after a week or two of rest and I'll kill one with my muzzle loader." Then I got to thinking, "why"? Now, I wonder if I'd actually shoot one of those big bucks during the MZ season even if I could. Maybe I'll just go up and enjoy the fresh air. Perhaps I'm growing up finally. It turns out, planting turnips might be nearly as much fun as killing deer.For me, the habitat work has become more fun than killing deer.
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Post by kooch on Nov 29, 2019 10:09:31 GMT -6
For me, the habitat work has become more fun than killing deer.
Funny, after she killed her buck but before we took care of the post-kill chores, Mrs Kooch said, "You really killed this deer you know. All the hard work you did this Summer is why it was here." I appreciated that a lot. Later that day she asked me straight up, "What's more fun, the Summer work or the hunting?" She gets it too. She knew the answer already. If I had to trade one for the other right now, I might just pick up a camera instead of a rifle. I'm lame.
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Post by smsmith on Nov 29, 2019 10:13:14 GMT -6
Not lame at all. I'd be okay with never killing another deer. I will continue to hunt for shoulder mount bucks...but that's it. I'll never kill another doe or small buck.
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Post by kooch on Nov 29, 2019 10:19:12 GMT -6
Not lame at all. I'd be okay with never killing another deer. I will continue to hunt for shoulder mount bucks...but that's it. I'll never kill another doe or small buck. I wonder if I'll ever get to that point? I'm not that interested in deer mounts hanging in my house, TBH. Hell, during the last weekend up with my friend, I took a .30-30 to a stand that offers 230 yard shots. I knew full well I'd have to skip almost half the opportunities I had just carrying that rifle to the stands I chose. But, you bet your ass it was loaded. We still like eating the backstraps. My FIL enjoys making sausage. So I don't see us not wanting at least one deer a year any time soon.
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Post by biglakebass on Nov 29, 2019 10:20:02 GMT -6
Not lame at all. I'd be okay with never killing another deer. I will continue to hunt for shoulder mount bucks...but that's it. I'll never kill another doe or small buck. 1000% my exact sentiment. I would rather my son or Dad get a nice buck. I dont even need a nice buck to be honest. Let them get it.
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Post by biglakebass on Nov 29, 2019 10:21:44 GMT -6
Not lame at all. I'd be okay with never killing another deer. I will continue to hunt for shoulder mount bucks...but that's it. I'll never kill another doe or small buck. I wonder if I'll ever get to that point? I'm not that interested in deer mounts hanging in my house, TBH. Hell, during the last weekend up with my friend, I took a .30-30 to a stand that offers 230 yard shots. I knew full well I'd have to skip almost half the opportunities I had just carrying that rifle to the stands I chose. But, you bet your ass it was loaded. We still like eating the backstraps. My FIL enjoys making sausage. So I don't see us not wanting at least one deer a year any time soon. We have no deer this year, and I am happy about that. I get tired of trying to make venison and use it up, but the wife and daughter just wrinkle their noses when venison comes into the conversation. So no deer for me this year is a good thing. I will enjoy a nice Tbone.
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Post by batman on Nov 29, 2019 10:21:50 GMT -6
I still enjoy the shit out of killing stuff. I love dropping the string and pulling the trigger. I like big bucks and I can not lie. Its the reason I bailed on the limited opps MN has for big game and manufactured the experience I wanted. Too much work for the reward I sought.
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Post by MoBuckChaser on Nov 29, 2019 10:31:42 GMT -6
For me, its been all about me with hunting and habitat work. I never really started hunting a lot until we started buying land in Missouri. All of the other land we purchased and did habitat work on for the last 35 years was for resale. Missouri has been fun, But I just realized I have to let the Cuda have her time now and I need to follow her around now as she has for me. I waited way to long to realize it, and that's why we are going to sell off some more land over the next couple years to reduce time needed there. Planting food plots are fun, planting trees are fun, putting up stands in great locations are fun, mock scrapes are fun, hunting with the guys are fun, hunting with my daughter is fun, shooting a buck 6 days earlier and not finding it then killing it with a gun was too much stress, LOL, but its Cuda time now, Arizona will never be the same when we get there. She did say she will go with me on some desert SW hunting if I go, so that is a plus! She just got rear ended by a kid not paying attention not 5 minutes ago, no one was hurt, but makes it more needed we get going on doing her shit together.
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Post by kooch on Nov 29, 2019 10:43:36 GMT -6
Living in Minnesota is "her shit" in my case. So, I've got that going for me.
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Post by smsmith on Nov 29, 2019 11:02:02 GMT -6
Living in Minnesota is "her shit" in my case. So, I've got that going for me. Same here. 10 years ago if you asked me where I might live other than WI, MN wouldn't have made the list. I fear once my wife holds her first grandchild, we won't be going anywhere too far from that kid.
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Post by Bwoods11 on Nov 29, 2019 11:07:59 GMT -6
Yep it used to be a serious pursuit of quality bucks. I mean don’t get me wrong I try hard, but I don’t worry about filling that buck tag anymore. My theory is if we don’t get them they will be bigger next year. I enjoy seeing my boys get deer. Habitat work is a blast, and I enjoy spending time with friends. Trail cam pics, shed hunting... it’s all fun.
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Post by Sandbur on Nov 29, 2019 13:55:50 GMT -6
I have my buck and doe tag left. We will see if I fill one or the other. We have venison to eat but could put one more in the freezer.
I mostly enjoy my time in the woods, and this is the first year I have had all of the days of every season free from work.
We don’t need another head mount.
Still, if a certain buck steps out I will shoot him.
I feel for you guys where the wives turn up there noses at venison. My suggestion would be to shoot a young deer. Handle it properly and don’t expect it to taste like beef.
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Post by Freeborn on Nov 29, 2019 14:52:47 GMT -6
I haven't been hunting all my life. I fished. When I moved to MN, I figured I'd better figure out something to do with my Falls. So, I grabbed a slug gun and started bumbling around public land. I even shot a deer or two. I lusted for more. Eventually, I lucked out and a friend invited me to hunt his place with his family up near Baudette. They were and are still great people, gracious and generous. We built me a stand on the edge of a power line and I shivered there a few years, along with my daughter and son. I shot a deer or two. After a couple years, I wanted my own place where I didn't have to ask permission to do whatever I wanted. I also decided I needed a place to sleep, rather than driving 30 or 40 minutes to town for a motel. So I bought what I could afford, and put a modest shack on it. I still had blood lust. You guys know, I bought the place a few (only three really) years ago and I've been doing what I can to make it easier to hunt. We actually killed two decent (for the area) bucks this year. Seeing my wife and friend kill them was just as good (better in the case of my wife) as killing one myself. I'm happy with that. Years ago, heck maybe even just a couple, I'd have been jealous. Now, I'm just glad. My Son killed his first deer last year, and that made me happier yet, happier than any buck or bull elk I've killed. So this year, I haven't shot a deer. In years before, I'd be out every chance I could get with my muzzle loader, prowling every WMA I could find. The lust was strong. This year, with my own small property, the feelings are different. Sure, I'm looking forward to going up for another hunt or two. But, I think the reasons have changed. I don't NEED to kill a deer like I used to. We've already shot two, and that seems like more than enough. Life is tough for them up there. Maybe I should ease up on the throttle a bit. Now, I got pictures of new bucks, bigger than ever in my plot after dark. My initial instinct was, "Sweet, I bet they will be out there in daylight after a week or two of rest and I'll kill one with my muzzle loader." Then I got to thinking, "why"? Now, I wonder if I'd actually shoot one of those big bucks during the MZ season even if I could. Maybe I'll just go up and enjoy the fresh air. Perhaps I'm growing up finally. It turns out, planting turnips might be nearly as much fun as killing deer. Would you go hunting if you pulled your trail cam picks and their was a once in a lifetime buck (160+)? Hunting or fishing opportunities can change motivations if the opportunities are great.
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