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2nd worst season in recent memory

Funny how much a season can change from year to year and from location to location.

We didn't have any very high scoring deer this year on my farms, but we still had one of our best years ever in terms of what was killed, and BY FAR the best year ever in terms of observations. Literally several hunts where folks saw 13-15 unique bucks in a single hunt.
 
Hunted in Kentucky again this year and deer sightings were down with no acorns, but managed to kill a big 8 point and one huge slick head. We killed some nice bucks in five days of hunting.

With no place to hunt in TN, my hunting ends with KY rifle season. I could kill deer off my back deck any day of the week, but that's just not hunting to me. But if I needed the meat... 🤣

I've slowed down, but the desire to go still burns pretty hot when it's time to go to Kentucky...
 
Towards the end of the season my "desire" was building back up, but also the reality of needing to be able to make it to work was also at the forefront of being most important. This is when a couple extra weeks in January would have been helpful, for me anyway.
 
Last year was by far my worst year in 25 years probably. It's the first year in close to 30 that I didn't kill a deer and first in probably 25 years that I didn't kill at least one buck that would be considered decent at the time. Granted, I could have killed some deer but chose not to. The best buck I saw all year was about a 90 to 100" 2.5 yo 8pt and didn't' see a doe when I was going to shoot a doe. I also think I got busted more times than I had in the last 5 years combined. It seemed that every decision I made should have been the opposite.

Even though I was getting over two hip surgeries, I was off work through November and was still able to decently get around. It's like the surgeries took away my 6th sense decision making. Heck, I killed two bucks in 2022 including one really good one when I could barely walk.

This season was totally opposite than last. I killed what I would consider three good deer and was tagged out by opening day of rifle. I killed two of them on two of the first three sits I made all year. That to go along with the kids both having a great year will make the season go down as one of the best ever. It's not my best season for just me but is considering the kid's success.

So hang in there and hope you have the drive to hunt next year. I will be honest that I don't feel it as much as I used to and have basically quit bow hunting but can still feel the fire when November rolls around.
 
TN Larry said:
Last year was by far my worst year in 25 years probably. It's the first year in close to 30 that I didn't kill a deer and first in probably 25 years that I didn't kill at least one buck that would be considered decent at the time. Granted, I could have killed some deer but chose not to. The best buck I saw all year was about a 90 to 100" 2.5 yo 8pt and didn't' see a doe when I was going to shoot a doe. I also think I got busted more times than I had in the last 5 years combined. It seemed that every decision I made should have been the opposite.

Even though I was getting over two hip surgeries, I was off work through November and was still able to decently get around. It's like the surgeries took away my 6th sense decision making. Heck, I killed two bucks in 2022 including one really good one when I could barely walk.

This season was totally opposite than last. I killed what I would consider three good deer and was tagged out by opening day of rifle. I killed two of them on two of the first three sits I made all year. That to go along with the kids both having a great year will make the season go down as one of the best ever. It's not my best season for just me but is considering the kid's success.

So hang in there and hope you have the drive to hunt next year. I will be honest that I don't feel it as much as I used to and have basically quit bow hunting but can still feel the fire when November rolls around.
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I had a similar experience in my 2013 season, had my opportunities but flubbed them up, my fault each time. Ended up not killing anything, breaking a streak of killing a deer each season for about 10 years, which was unbelievable for my property, considering the years and terrible hunting in the years prior to that streak. Then, FF to the next year and I killed, at the time, my 2nd biggest buck to date, a beautiful 10 pt , that had 6" eye guards. I sure hope I can get that fire and the energy to get back out there next season for sure.
 
MUP said:
2013 being the worst, with ample opportunities to take a couple of good bucks, but circumstances (me) screwed it up both times. Since then it's been good, then 2021-2022 I didn't kill a deer, but saw a good amount, and got several good bucks on camera, cell phone pics and video that is. Killed a good buck last season, saw a giant that I passed on at 15 yards or so, just bc his main beam tip was broken off, and I regretted that decision almost immediately after looking at the video I took. FF to this year. Got to go opening day of ML, then I was pretty much sick from that point on, only making it out a couple more times in rifle season, then, even tho I had to force myself to go, I went yesterday evening. In the few times I went, including yesterday afternoon, I only saw 1 little yearling doe. Count your blessings and be thankful of your time being able to get out and enjoy the woods bc it can slip away fast. Here's hoping I'll be in better shape for next season. I'm glad I got to go last evening tho just for the views. 👍🏼

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Gosh MUP, very sorry to hear that. Hopefully 2025 is better for you in every regard, not just deer hunting
 
cecil30-30 said:
I killed one deer but this was the least amount I hunted in a very very long time. I just didn't have the drive. I had plenty of time off too. Might have been the lack of bucks on camera. In all summer I didn't get 1 shooter on camera over the mineral block I keep out. Tons of does, no mature bucks. Kept me bummed all summer. I'm going to work on property/food plot improvement this year and hope to draw more deer to my property. If I have another season or 2 like this past one I can see myself giving up altogether.
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Stay strong. don't give up. remember this journey is more than the animal.
 

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