Forty Years Gatherings: lessons learned over forty seasons of deer hunting

[Armored farmer]

1. We do this for our enjoyment. It isn't war. Be safe. Be glad you aren't at work. If you're not having fun...you're doing it wrong.
2. Practice with your weapon while wearing all your gear. No surprises. Be accurate. You owe it to the game and yourself.
3. obey the rules. For everyone's sake.
4. Enjoy the entire experience., not just the kill. It's all part of it.
5. Time means nothing to a deer.
6. You won't kill a deer from your recliner. Get out there.
7. Always have your weapon at hand.
8. You can buy all the accessories you want but they won't help if you're not in the woods. Stay as long as possible.
9. Decide what you're going to shoot. Don't pass on one that you will regret. Don't let someone else idea of a trophy or a number score get in the way of a happy successful hunt.. it's your tag.
10. Pack out your trash.
11. Less is more. Binos. Weapon. Ammo. Permit. Knife.
12. Better shooting equals less tracking.
13. Better scouting equals better hunting.
14. Respect the old ways.
15. Don't take it for granted.



Feel free to add your own findings and notes.

 

[pdsmith505]

16. Better shooting means easier cleaning.

I hunt deer in a club that runs dogs, which leads to quick shots on running animals and a fairly high rate of less than optimal shot placement.

17. One in the hand is worth way more than two in the bush.

 

[BigBore44]

18. Find someone to “Pass it on” to.
19. Always leave it better than you found it.
20. Take pictures or video when possible.
21. Be happy for others when they achieve “success” in the field.
22. Make sure someone always knows where you are and when you’ll be back in the event you need saving.

 

[Ks5shooter]

23. Respect the landowner and his property(even if it is state land).
24. If its private ground,stop and talk to the owner most like the company and conversation.
25. Offer to lend a hand ,most will decline but respectful none the less.
26. Offer some of your harvest to landowner.

 

[SoonerMedic]

27. BE HUMBLE!
28. Thank your harvest and be respectful to them.
29. Be ethical. Not just in the field but in all facets of life.
30. Don't be selfish. If you're hunting somebody else's property, don't keep your findings and sightings secret. Share what you've found with others hunting that property and they will likely reciprocate.

 

[wankerjake]

31. Best way to have a sweet spot dry up is telling other people about it. Keep your secrets secret.

32. Don’t bash a method of hunting that you haven’t participated in yourself. It’s easier to be ignorant than educated.

33. Buy once, cry once. If it’s something important, you’ll never kick yourself for having quality gear.

 

[lastofthebreed]

34. Treat each sunrise as a gift. Imagine how the world would celebrate if we only had a sunrise once every ten years.

 

[Armored farmer]

35. Give hunters that you see in your areas "the benefit of the doubt". If you had met the same guy and started talking hunting over a couple of cold beers you might have become friends.

After 40 seasons, the people I have hunted with are about the best memories. Especially the ones that are no longer with us.

 

[pdsmith505]

36. Chasing women in the evenings seldom turns out well.

 

[Ru4real]

37. Hunt where the deer are. Keep looking till you find them. Don't settle because "this is my spot" with no deer around.

 

[huntsman]

Hunt with your 30 somthing son so when you kill a deer you don't have to gut or drag

 

[entropy]

Don't pass on one that you will regret.

Unless it's an unsafe shot.

The rule I'd add is: 38. You can't eat antlers, and does taste better anyway.

 

[Bristol Mt.Man]

I would like to add just one. Cut up your own deer. It will make you a better shot, a better hunter and a better person. Added bonus, you will get all of the meat from YOUR deer!

 

[Danoobie]

39.The better the scope, the happier you'll be with it, a few years down the road.

 

[Armored farmer]

I'l ask this question at the dead end of this thread to anyone who cares to answer,
So on my fortieth opening day of gun season.....what gun should I carry?
The same 1100 I took forty years ago
My favorite deer gun Hawken. 54
Crossbow
.45colt revolver
Original percussion. 45 caplock.
Scoped slug gun

 

[Danoobie]

I'd go with the old favorite, the Hawken.

 

[SoonerMedic]

I'l ask this question at the dead end of this thread to anyone who cares to answer,
So on my fortieth opening day of gun season.....what gun should I carry?
The same 1100 I took forty years ago
My favorite deer gun Hawken. 54
Crossbow
.45colt revolver
Original percussion. 45 caplock.
Scoped slug gun

What will feel the most rewarding??

 

[Armored farmer]

What will feel the most rewarding??

In 2015 I took a buck with my great, great, great grandfather's rifle....on the same property that he bought in 1852.
I now have his sons(my 2x great grandfather) rifle shooting again. It has a brand new rifling in the old barrel, and it' a shooter.

I also forgot to list my flintlock. I have never taken a deer with a flinter.
I'm leaning towards the flinter.

 

[Captcurt]

In 2015 I took a buck with my great, great, great grandfather's rifle....on the same property that he bought in 1852.View attachment 767815 View attachment 767817
I now have his sons(my 2x great grandfather) rifle shooting again. It has a brand new rifling in the old barrel, and it' a shooter.

I also forgot to list my flintlock. I have never taken a deer with a flinter.
I'm leaning towards the flinter.

Definitely go with the Flinter.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I'll cast a vote for the flintlock as well.
Though the fact that you have muzzle loaders from your family's past, and that you are able to shoot them, is beyond cool...

 

[Armored farmer]

I'll cast a vote for the flintlock as well.
Though the fact that you have muzzle loaders from your family's past, and that you are able to shoot them, is beyond cool...

one of my greatest achievement was restoring that rifle taking a buck with it.
Not the biggest buck in the woods, but I m satisfied.

 

[SoonerMedic]

one of my greatest achievement was restoring that rifle taking a buck with it.
Not the biggest buck in the woods, but I m satisfied.

If that flintlock would bring you the most sense of accomplishment, then that's the one that would take my vote!

 

[caribou]

40 years gone by hunting, I do know what you mean.

I became a full time hunter by 22 and made a good living doing so. Ive had my ups and downs, but I've stuck it out .

Congrats, for making it to today.......so many who I have hunted with are dead and gone.....and someone above noted number 34, that each day is a gift, and thats very true.

Happy Veterans day!

 

[tomturkey]

November 15th will mark my 60th opening of deer season I have experienced, starting in 1957. I still look forward to it every year even after that many openers. I have actually enjoyed hunting for 62 years. Though I do not hunt that much any more I will support it until my ashes a spread at a place I started duck hunting when I was still in high school.

 

[Picher]

I'l ask this question at the dead end of this thread to anyone who cares to answer,
So on my fortieth opening day of gun season.....what gun should I carry?
The same 1100 I took forty years ago
My favorite deer gun Hawken. 54
Crossbow
.45colt revolver
Original percussion. 45 caplock.
Scoped slug gun

So, you've been hunting for 40 years and that's all the deer-hunting weapons you have? What about buying yourself a new scoped, bolt-action hunting rifle like a Ruger American in a modern cartridge, like a .308, 270 Win, or other great deer cartridge? Seems like you've earned it.