Well, it'll be a week from tomorrow before I can go hunting again. I sure would like to be in the woods rather than pounding a keyboard. But as I'm not, I thought I might inquire of you guys, what in your mind constitutes a successful hunt?
Is it hunting familiar territory with your buds and killing the species of game you were after, or hunting new territory for exotic species?
If you don't like the people you end up hunting with, nor your surroundings, and you see very little game but get a trophy, is that a successful hunt?
Or if you went on a hunt, had a wonderful time, were awed by the beauty of the natural world surrounding you, ate great food, made new friends, but ended up getting skunked, would you still consider that to be a successful hunt?
Your thoughts please.
GWB

Like my dad used to say about women - they're all good, some are just better than others.

I really enjoy all hunting. If I can go to a destination I really love (the big forest or the Hill Country), and I kill something tasty (I'm a terrible trophy hunter), then I'm really happy.

if i have a good time, regardless of species or success, then i call it a successful hunt.

One of the first nights I ever took to the woods with stick and string. It was early September and it was warm. The leaves were still green and I was about 12 feet off the ground in a tree stand built from scrap lumber around the farm. I got to watch a pair of grouse dust on the ground in front of me, and then watched them take flight as a Fisher ambled up the trail. Several deer were off in the corn field in front of me and two of the younger bucks were in a vicious horn fight. I heard a branch break behind me, and was treated to a giant white tail buck coming through the box elders right toward my stand. I'll never forget the size and color of his horns. They were a creamy golden yellow and his body was befitting such a magnificent rack. He was on a mission to investigate the sounds of the younger bucks fighting ahead in the field, but was kind enough to stop, directly under my tree stand. His rib cage was touching the tree I was in when I drew the old Jennings Shooting Star back and let the arrow fly. I had never practiced shooting my bow at a dead straight down angle, let alone at such a close distance. And when I shot, the buck bolted ahead about 75 yards, paused to look around, and then promptly broke up the first by whipping the daylights out of both younger males. I had missed cleanly and by a mile but it was an awesomely successful hunt.

Joe

quote:

what in your mind constitutes a successful hunt?

The memories!