Why I can't shoot big bucks
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Re: Why I can't shoot big bucks
The thing I think messes with our minds on this topic is how we rationalize things. We pretty much look at everything with impatience and a focus on time. So if you can bench 200lbs it's unrealistic to think you can bench 400 tomorrow. But take time out of it and if you believe you will be able to do something the mind will find a way for it to happen.
Or I am going to shoot a big buck. Well if its constrained to "in this small patch of woods" where one doesnt exist at this moment in time, well it probably wont happen. But remove the self imposed constraint and it will probably happen.
But we tend to put self imposed constraints like time on things which makes us doubt, which prevents it from happening. And we justify it by thinking it wasnt realistic, which was only so because of the constraints we put in place
Or I am going to shoot a big buck. Well if its constrained to "in this small patch of woods" where one doesnt exist at this moment in time, well it probably wont happen. But remove the self imposed constraint and it will probably happen.
But we tend to put self imposed constraints like time on things which makes us doubt, which prevents it from happening. And we justify it by thinking it wasnt realistic, which was only so because of the constraints we put in place
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Re: Why I can't shoot big bucks
The debate about action is probably mostly due to perspectives of what's really one and the same. I see attitude as action and action as attitude...so they should be lock step with each other.
The challenge is of course, if you want to improve then what do you tackle first, the attitude or the positive action. That might depend on your personality I think. Me personally, if I recognize the need to do something, I know I have to buckle down and just give it a go...that is what builds confidence over time. I personally can't build confidence without action.
The challenge is of course, if you want to improve then what do you tackle first, the attitude or the positive action. That might depend on your personality I think. Me personally, if I recognize the need to do something, I know I have to buckle down and just give it a go...that is what builds confidence over time. I personally can't build confidence without action.
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Re: Why I can't shoot big bucks
JoeRE wrote:The debate about action is probably mostly due to perspectives of what's really one and the same. I see attitude as action and action as attitude...so they should be lock step with each other.
The challenge is of course, if you want to improve then what do you tackle first, the attitude or the positive action. That might depend on your personality I think. Me personally, if I recognize the need to do something, I know I have to buckle down and just give it a go...that is what builds confidence over time. I personally can't build confidence without action.
agree. And I will say most people do not have a problem thinking (at least not initially) but many fail to take even that first step. I see it in fitness all the time. Lots of people draw up plans, make menus, but a workout program and develop lofty goals - and then never hit the gym. And even of they do, if the results don't come quickly and easily most abandon the process way to early. Visualization is important and I don't think anyone is knocking that..... but if it never comes to specific goals and steps then I question if you BELIEVE what you try to think. I learned a long time ago it is not THOUGHTS that facilitate change - it is BELIEF. Your actions will then VALIDATE what you actually BELIEVE.
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Re: Why I can't shoot big bucks
I think realistic expectations play a big role in continuing to believe in yourself amidst short term failures. For instance in my area I would not set a goal to kill a 200" buck. Why, because only one has been killed in that county all time. Now I do want to harvest the biggest oldest buck in that bottom and whether that is a 135 or a 185 doesn't really matter.
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Re: Why I can't shoot big bucks
So Dave (just because this is most recent), in your example, I would say that person does not truly believe, but thinks/dreams about better fitness. To me there is a HUGE difference between thinking/dreaming and BELIEVING.
- think: have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something.
- dream: a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep.
- believe: accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of.
I (nor the others in the belief camp) never said BELIEVE over ACTION ...both are required. However, if we don't believe (see something happening before it does and claim it as truth), our efforts are in vain IMO. But that belief drives discipline (This is what I think guys are referring to as action).
And while we're on a philosophical discussion, I think motivation is total crap. You can be motivated for a moment in time (like after watching Farm Bedding), but it takes DISCIPLINE (Getting up early Saturday and putting boots on the ground) to achieve long term and repetitive success. So for me it's BELIEF and DISCIPLINE.
Why discipline? Because that's the drive to do what needs to be done even when you don't feel like it (again, I think this is what most guys are calling 'action'). Case in point? Every night after dinner, I do the dishes to help out. I never jump up and say "all right ...I get to do the dishes". I say "It needs to be done so I'll do it". I don't enjoy it, but I'm disciplined to do it. Clearly a small example and nothing compared to the discipline (action) required to kill a mature buck.
Another example of believing (just for fun) ...Jim Valvano.
- As a coach, he believed from the beginning, he would "cut the nets" - verbalized it to his teams, his family, and his peers
- Coached at John's Hopkins, Bucknell, and Iona before arriving at NC State
- One practice every year at four schools over a 12 year period where all his teams did was "cut the net" in practice - so they could visualize their goals becoming a reality
- In 1983, over unbelievable odds (beating Jordan twice, Ralph Sampson twice, and Drexlers Phi Slama Jama) - NC State was NOT the best team, but they 'cut the nets'
- Again, another example that work, change, do-overs, more work, scrapping game plans, new game plans etc are all required (discipline) ...and it comes after belief
And in another example, if your goal is truly to kill a 200" deer, and they are not where you live, you will move to where they are ...just like Andre! People who believe don't wait on something to come and happen to them ...they go and get it!
You see ...true Belief leads to Discipline ...and Discipline leads to ACTION! The two are NOT independent, but each one is dependent on the other for success. This I believe with all my heart!
- think: have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something.
- dream: a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep.
- believe: accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of.
I (nor the others in the belief camp) never said BELIEVE over ACTION ...both are required. However, if we don't believe (see something happening before it does and claim it as truth), our efforts are in vain IMO. But that belief drives discipline (This is what I think guys are referring to as action).
And while we're on a philosophical discussion, I think motivation is total crap. You can be motivated for a moment in time (like after watching Farm Bedding), but it takes DISCIPLINE (Getting up early Saturday and putting boots on the ground) to achieve long term and repetitive success. So for me it's BELIEF and DISCIPLINE.
Why discipline? Because that's the drive to do what needs to be done even when you don't feel like it (again, I think this is what most guys are calling 'action'). Case in point? Every night after dinner, I do the dishes to help out. I never jump up and say "all right ...I get to do the dishes". I say "It needs to be done so I'll do it". I don't enjoy it, but I'm disciplined to do it. Clearly a small example and nothing compared to the discipline (action) required to kill a mature buck.
Another example of believing (just for fun) ...Jim Valvano.
- As a coach, he believed from the beginning, he would "cut the nets" - verbalized it to his teams, his family, and his peers
- Coached at John's Hopkins, Bucknell, and Iona before arriving at NC State
- One practice every year at four schools over a 12 year period where all his teams did was "cut the net" in practice - so they could visualize their goals becoming a reality
- In 1983, over unbelievable odds (beating Jordan twice, Ralph Sampson twice, and Drexlers Phi Slama Jama) - NC State was NOT the best team, but they 'cut the nets'
- Again, another example that work, change, do-overs, more work, scrapping game plans, new game plans etc are all required (discipline) ...and it comes after belief
And in another example, if your goal is truly to kill a 200" deer, and they are not where you live, you will move to where they are ...just like Andre! People who believe don't wait on something to come and happen to them ...they go and get it!
You see ...true Belief leads to Discipline ...and Discipline leads to ACTION! The two are NOT independent, but each one is dependent on the other for success. This I believe with all my heart!
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Re: Why I can't shoot big bucks
Dpierce72 wrote:So Dave (just because this is most recent), in your example, I would say that person does not truly believe, but thinks/dreams about better fitness. To me there is a HUGE difference between thinking/dreaming and BELIEVING.
- think: have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something.
- dream: a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep.
- believe: accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of.
I (nor the others in the belief camp) never said BELIEVE over ACTION ...both are required. However, if we don't believe (see something happening before it does and claim it as truth), our efforts are in vain IMO. But that belief drives discipline (This is what I think guys are referring to as action).
And while we're on a philosophical discussion, I think motivation is total crap. You can be motivated for a moment in time (like after watching Farm Bedding), but it takes DISCIPLINE (Getting up early Saturday and putting boots on the ground) to achieve long term and repetitive success. So for me it's BELIEF and DISCIPLINE.
Why discipline? Because that's the drive to do what needs to be done even when you don't feel like it (again, I think this is what most guys are calling 'action'). Case in point? Every night after dinner, I do the dishes to help out. I never jump up and say "all right ...I get to do the dishes". I say "It needs to be done so I'll do it". I don't enjoy it, but I'm disciplined to do it. Clearly a small example and nothing compared to the discipline (action) required to kill a mature buck.
Another example of believing (just for fun) ...Jim Valvano.
- As a coach, he believed from the beginning, he would "cut the nets" - verbalized it to his teams, his family, and his peers
- Coached at John's Hopkins, Bucknell, and Iona before arriving at NC State
- One practice every year at four schools over a 12 year period where all his teams did was "cut the net" in practice - so they could visualize their goals becoming a reality
- In 1983, over unbelievable odds (beating Jordan twice, Ralph Sampson twice, and Drexlers Phi Slama Jama) - NC State was NOT the best team, but they 'cut the nets'
- Again, another example that work, change, do-overs, more work, scrapping game plans, new game plans etc are all required (discipline) ...and it comes after belief
And in another example, if your goal is truly to kill a 200" deer, and they are not where you live, you will move to where they are ...just like Andre! People who believe don't wait on something to come and happen to them ...they go and get it!
You see ...true Belief leads to Discipline ...and Discipline leads to ACTION! The two are NOT independent, but each one is dependent on the other for success. This I believe with all my heart!
Like JoeRE stated the two seldom exist separately. I just think the initial way this was framed was not accurate and led people to believe that if they think it then it will happen. It is far more complex then that. You can sit 24 hours a day while hunting in Florida or TX hill Country and think, dream, believe all you want to shooting the next WR there - but if actions are not leading you to other hunting grounds you ARE WASTING YOUR TIME and I don't care how earnestly you think, believe or dream - it's not going to happen. There must be legitimate steps taken to validate your dreaming, thinking, believing otherwise it is what is often referred to as Wishful thinking.
I think we are all kind of in agreement?
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Re: Why I can't shoot big bucks
DaveT1963 wrote:Dpierce72 wrote:So Dave (just because this is most recent), in your example, I would say that person does not truly believe, but thinks/dreams about better fitness. To me there is a HUGE difference between thinking/dreaming and BELIEVING.
- think: have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something.
- dream: a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep.
- believe: accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of.
I (nor the others in the belief camp) never said BELIEVE over ACTION ...both are required. However, if we don't believe (see something happening before it does and claim it as truth), our efforts are in vain IMO. But that belief drives discipline (This is what I think guys are referring to as action).
And while we're on a philosophical discussion, I think motivation is total crap. You can be motivated for a moment in time (like after watching Farm Bedding), but it takes DISCIPLINE (Getting up early Saturday and putting boots on the ground) to achieve long term and repetitive success. So for me it's BELIEF and DISCIPLINE.
Why discipline? Because that's the drive to do what needs to be done even when you don't feel like it (again, I think this is what most guys are calling 'action'). Case in point? Every night after dinner, I do the dishes to help out. I never jump up and say "all right ...I get to do the dishes". I say "It needs to be done so I'll do it". I don't enjoy it, but I'm disciplined to do it. Clearly a small example and nothing compared to the discipline (action) required to kill a mature buck.
Another example of believing (just for fun) ...Jim Valvano.
- As a coach, he believed from the beginning, he would "cut the nets" - verbalized it to his teams, his family, and his peers
- Coached at John's Hopkins, Bucknell, and Iona before arriving at NC State
- One practice every year at four schools over a 12 year period where all his teams did was "cut the net" in practice - so they could visualize their goals becoming a reality
- In 1983, over unbelievable odds (beating Jordan twice, Ralph Sampson twice, and Drexlers Phi Slama Jama) - NC State was NOT the best team, but they 'cut the nets'
- Again, another example that work, change, do-overs, more work, scrapping game plans, new game plans etc are all required (discipline) ...and it comes after belief
And in another example, if your goal is truly to kill a 200" deer, and they are not where you live, you will move to where they are ...just like Andre! People who believe don't wait on something to come and happen to them ...they go and get it!
You see ...true Belief leads to Discipline ...and Discipline leads to ACTION! The two are NOT independent, but each one is dependent on the other for success. This I believe with all my heart!
Like JoeRE stated the two seldom exist separately. I just think the initial way this was framed was not accurate and led people to believe that if they think it then it will happen. It is far more complex then that. You can sit 24 hours a day while hunting in Florida or TX hill Country and think, dream, believe all you want to shooting the next WR there - but if actions are not leading you to other hunting grounds you ARE WASTING YOUR TIME and I don't care how earnestly you think, believe or dream - it's not going to happen. There must be legitimate steps taken to validate your dreaming, thinking, believing otherwise it is what is often referred to as Wishful thinking.
I think we are all kind of in agreement?
Couldn't agree more ...and I think we're all mostly in agreement as well.
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Re: Why I can't shoot big bucks
Dpierce72 wrote:So Dave (just because this is most recent), in your example, I would say that person does not truly believe, but thinks/dreams about better fitness. To me there is a HUGE difference between thinking/dreaming and BELIEVING.
- think: have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something.
- dream: a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep.
- believe: accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of.
I (nor the others in the belief camp) never said BELIEVE over ACTION ...both are required. However, if we don't believe (see something happening before it does and claim it as truth), our efforts are in vain IMO. But that belief drives discipline (This is what I think guys are referring to as action).
And while we're on a philosophical discussion, I think motivation is total crap. You can be motivated for a moment in time (like after watching Farm Bedding), but it takes DISCIPLINE (Getting up early Saturday and putting boots on the ground) to achieve long term and repetitive success. So for me it's BELIEF and DISCIPLINE.
Why discipline? Because that's the drive to do what needs to be done even when you don't feel like it (again, I think this is what most guys are calling 'action'). Case in point? Every night after dinner, I do the dishes to help out. I never jump up and say "all right ...I get to do the dishes". I say "It needs to be done so I'll do it". I don't enjoy it, but I'm disciplined to do it. Clearly a small example and nothing compared to the discipline (action) required to kill a mature buck.
Another example of believing (just for fun) ...Jim Valvano.
- As a coach, he believed from the beginning, he would "cut the nets" - verbalized it to his teams, his family, and his peers
- Coached at John's Hopkins, Bucknell, and Iona before arriving at NC State
- One practice every year at four schools over a 12 year period where all his teams did was "cut the net" in practice - so they could visualize their goals becoming a reality
- In 1983, over unbelievable odds (beating Jordan twice, Ralph Sampson twice, and Drexlers Phi Slama Jama) - NC State was NOT the best team, but they 'cut the nets'
- Again, another example that work, change, do-overs, more work, scrapping game plans, new game plans etc are all required (discipline) ...and it comes after belief
And in another example, if your goal is truly to kill a 200" deer, and they are not where you live, you will move to where they are ...just like Andre! People who believe don't wait on something to come and happen to them ...they go and get it!
You see ...true Belief leads to Discipline ...and Discipline leads to ACTION! The two are NOT independent, but each one is dependent on the other for success. This I believe with all my heart!
Exactly...great post.
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Re: Why I can't shoot big bucks
DaveT1963 wrote:Dpierce72 wrote:So Dave (just because this is most recent), in your example, I would say that person does not truly believe, but thinks/dreams about better fitness. To me there is a HUGE difference between thinking/dreaming and BELIEVING.
- think: have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something.
- dream: a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep.
- believe: accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of.
I (nor the others in the belief camp) never said BELIEVE over ACTION ...both are required. However, if we don't believe (see something happening before it does and claim it as truth), our efforts are in vain IMO. But that belief drives discipline (This is what I think guys are referring to as action).
And while we're on a philosophical discussion, I think motivation is total crap. You can be motivated for a moment in time (like after watching Farm Bedding), but it takes DISCIPLINE (Getting up early Saturday and putting boots on the ground) to achieve long term and repetitive success. So for me it's BELIEF and DISCIPLINE.
Why discipline? Because that's the drive to do what needs to be done even when you don't feel like it (again, I think this is what most guys are calling 'action'). Case in point? Every night after dinner, I do the dishes to help out. I never jump up and say "all right ...I get to do the dishes". I say "It needs to be done so I'll do it". I don't enjoy it, but I'm disciplined to do it. Clearly a small example and nothing compared to the discipline (action) required to kill a mature buck.
Another example of believing (just for fun) ...Jim Valvano.
- As a coach, he believed from the beginning, he would "cut the nets" - verbalized it to his teams, his family, and his peers
- Coached at John's Hopkins, Bucknell, and Iona before arriving at NC State
- One practice every year at four schools over a 12 year period where all his teams did was "cut the net" in practice - so they could visualize their goals becoming a reality
- In 1983, over unbelievable odds (beating Jordan twice, Ralph Sampson twice, and Drexlers Phi Slama Jama) - NC State was NOT the best team, but they 'cut the nets'
- Again, another example that work, change, do-overs, more work, scrapping game plans, new game plans etc are all required (discipline) ...and it comes after belief
And in another example, if your goal is truly to kill a 200" deer, and they are not where you live, you will move to where they are ...just like Andre! People who believe don't wait on something to come and happen to them ...they go and get it!
You see ...true Belief leads to Discipline ...and Discipline leads to ACTION! The two are NOT independent, but each one is dependent on the other for success. This I believe with all my heart!
Like JoeRE stated the two seldom exist separately. I just think the initial way this was framed was not accurate and led people to believe that if they think it then it will happen. It is far more complex then that. You can sit 24 hours a day while hunting in Florida or TX hill Country and think, dream, believe all you want to shooting the next WR there - but if actions are not leading you to other hunting grounds you ARE WASTING YOUR TIME and I don't care how earnestly you think, believe or dream - it's not going to happen. There must be legitimate steps taken to validate your dreaming, thinking, believing otherwise it is what is often referred to as Wishful thinking.
I think we are all kind of in agreement?
Yea to me thinking and believing are different. Thinking about things is typically just a distraction. It's the mind just spinning its wheels . A belief in something will result in the actions you are referring to. Because your right just thinking about something wont lead it to happening. True belief will because it will drive action naturally.
But I agree we are all saying a similar thing
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Re: Why I can't shoot big bucks
magicman54494 wrote:moog5050 wrote:street28ss wrote:moog5050 wrote:magicman54494 wrote:moog5050 wrote:No doubt that confidence is important and that applies to every goal we set. But so too is realism. Using an example from my former passion of powerlifting, If my best squat in training is 800, going to a meet and opening at 900 is not realistic no matter how confident I am. I might have all the confidence that one could have that I will kill the next world record, but it is very unlikely if I only hunt the small properties I have here in NY. With that said, confidence that I can kill a nice mature buck here in NY is both important and realistic. Otherwise, if I want to kill the world record, I better start looking for opportunities and do what it takes that will make that goal realistic. Not downplaying the importance of not limiting oneself. Just pointing out that goals should be realistic or things can turn sour.
I know what you are saying. I think a big part of it is our self imposed limits. In your head, you are not ready to squat 900. I think your mind has to squat 900 before your body will.
there is an interesting method to test your beliefs by testing arm strength. You will have more arm strength when you make a statement that you believe is true. Your arm will be weaker when you make a false statement.
This proves that there is a connection between belief (faith) and physical.
there was s time when running a 4 minute mile was thought to be impossible. as soon as one guy did it many others soon followed. once people believed it was possible, it happened.
is there a limit to this? I dont know but knowing what I do know, it would be foolish to believe there is a limit.
I agree Magic. I always told people that I trained with that if you step up to the bar and don't believe you will make the lift 100% then you wont make it. I found it to be very true in many years of powerlifting. No doubt about that. But no matter how confident my wife is (she was a great powerlifter in the 123 class squatting 350lbs), she ain't going to unrack, let alone squat 800. I realize I am using an extreme example. I guess my point is that some limits are not really self imposed but simply a reality. That said, if one wants to kill a mature buck bad enough, they can do so and I guess that's the point of this thread.
In my opinion, it's not about actually being able to squat 800, it's believing you can.
It may take me a couple lifetimes, but I believe that I will some day be able to deadlift 700 (that's well above my PR)
But why limit yourself to 700? Why not 2000? By the way, there is no other lift in powerlifting that requires absolute confidence more than the deadlift. Any doubt and you might as walk away.
great questions! again, i believe it is based on what we believe is possible.
for arguement sake, what is the max you believe you can lift? what about that weight plus one ounce? how about plus 2 ounces? what if you looked at weight in a different way? what if thought could effect gravity? weight is just gravity on a mass. we are programmed to believe things and accept them as fact. what about Jesus telling his disciples that they could move a mountain with only faith?
My point being that just because we havent done it yet doesnt mean it cant be done. I do believe that we are not able to exceed our self imposed limits.
Sorry. Just getting back to this. I will agree whole heartedly that it is unlikely we will exceed our self imposed limitations. But also find it unlikely that we will achieve unrealistic expectations. 5-10lbs at a time in powerlifting were reasonable expectations. Meet them enough over a long period of time and your numbers soared and as did your own reasonable expectations. I have only been hunting for 6 seasons. My first goal was to kill a deer with a bow. Got 3 first season. Next goal was to kill a 3 yr old buck with a bow. Was successful in doing that in seasons 2 and 4. Next goal was to kill one with a recurve. Got it done in season 4. Then I wanted to kill a PY with a recurve and was fortunate to do it in season 5. Setting the incremental realistic goals made them easier to achieve and move forward. That is my only point. But again, I agree if you don't believe you can achieve a goal, the likelihood is that you wont. If I didn't think I could get it done with a recurve, it would not have happened. But if I had set a goal to kill a booner with a recurve in year one, it probably would be a much less satisfying hunting career so far.
I kinda like the step by step approach rather than trying to achieve an unreasonably high goal from the onset. As other have said, maybe its just a matter of being realistic in time frames vs the end goals themselves.
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Re: Why I can't shoot big bucks
Confidence kills big bucks
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Re: Why I can't shoot big bucks
I didn't see this thread before, I started a somewhat similar thread about shooting "decent" bucks. Anyway I skimmed through most of this one. I love these preseason threads that get into the mental aspect of hunting. The X's and O's get boring and are too specific to terrain locales. I went through a gear phase but it is starting to bore me too. I love to b.s. about hunting and these are good topics.
I see confidence like magicman's and Adrae's, and wow, that is something I can work on. I trust my scouting, but come hunting season I just don't have that day-to-day confidence I am going to go slay a buck. I think part of that is putting most of my cards on the rut, having that short timeframe of my week off. Even within that week you may only get a couple days of really good weather. I may hunt 20 or 30 days most years, but really it's a small handful of those days I feel really confident. I need to extend that confidence and feel I have a chance each and every time out. That is my goal for the next few years.
Excuses...I don't know, I waver on this one. Time and commitment are big. I get the life choices thing. I've made my choices, and I can't dedicate 60 days in the stand each year and travel out of state due to those choices. That's on me. So I'm just doing the best I can with the time and resources I have, but deep down knowing what I could knock down if I had more time and could commit fully to hunting, it's knowing there is that gap there. Not sure it's an excuse, just a realization that I could do better. It's like going 1 for 4 in baseball, great, that's not a bad day, but that second at bat that 2-0 fastball right down the middle I popped up, dang, barrel that up next time dude! In baseball, great, go fix it next game. In hunting, it's so friggin long between seasons. Eternally long! Opportunities for redemption are tortuously far apart.
I see confidence like magicman's and Adrae's, and wow, that is something I can work on. I trust my scouting, but come hunting season I just don't have that day-to-day confidence I am going to go slay a buck. I think part of that is putting most of my cards on the rut, having that short timeframe of my week off. Even within that week you may only get a couple days of really good weather. I may hunt 20 or 30 days most years, but really it's a small handful of those days I feel really confident. I need to extend that confidence and feel I have a chance each and every time out. That is my goal for the next few years.
Excuses...I don't know, I waver on this one. Time and commitment are big. I get the life choices thing. I've made my choices, and I can't dedicate 60 days in the stand each year and travel out of state due to those choices. That's on me. So I'm just doing the best I can with the time and resources I have, but deep down knowing what I could knock down if I had more time and could commit fully to hunting, it's knowing there is that gap there. Not sure it's an excuse, just a realization that I could do better. It's like going 1 for 4 in baseball, great, that's not a bad day, but that second at bat that 2-0 fastball right down the middle I popped up, dang, barrel that up next time dude! In baseball, great, go fix it next game. In hunting, it's so friggin long between seasons. Eternally long! Opportunities for redemption are tortuously far apart.
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Re: Why I can't shoot big bucks
I have kept all of the buck's antlers I ever shot; either cut-off, skull mount or taxidermy head mount. I use these as a reminder of previous successful hunts and as motivation for hunts to come, knowing it has been done it before and it can be done again. I have not shot any true monster bucks yet but over 22 years of bowhunting the racks are progressively getting larger.
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"The thrill of the kill is in the chase"
"The thrill of the kill is in the chase"
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