Lol there definitely are....almost every single one of my hunts are extremely dramatic haha!
Work was pretty busy today, but I replayed a lot of my hunts in my head.
No doubt scouting year round is the number one best thing you can do. So far since Jan 1 I've logged about 85-90 hrs on foot...less than normal for me, but it's been a crazy busy year so far. Scout the other hunters and the sign they leave behind. Most really good spots/core areas produce year in and year out. Just because you killed a 140" in there one year doesn't mean there isn't going to be a 160" there this year. The dominant buck in the area will move in and take the best spot(s). Also, just because it might only be a 125 doesn't mean he isn't dominant. Maybe he's an old warrior past his prime. Maybe that's the caliber of deer in that area. You always need to comsider that. Maybe the pressure in that area prevents most bucks from ever really getting mature. If it's mature bucks you're after, you need to scout and hunt mature bucks. You can't just scout and hunt deer. A mature whitetail buck, especially on public, is a totally different animal. Yeah, you'll get lucky here and there if you're hunting "deer" in the right time of the year, but you won't be consistent. Find that big buck sign and figure out what those bucks in your area prefer to call their bedroom. Then find every spot like that in your area.
You need to make mistakes. A lot of them. And you can't mope around and feel sorry for yourself over it, you need to learn from it. Making mistakes in the field is a huge tool that I believe a lot of hunters fail to fully use to their advantage. Don't get gunshy, get smart.
If you're going to hunt from the ground, you need to become the cover. Mossy oak obsession doesn't not blend into canary grass and brush....ive seen hunters from far off trying to pull this one off and they look like a black bear from a distance. On the other side of the spectrum, don't disturb the area too much. I personally don't stick branches in the ground but I know some of you do and that's fine, but I think if you plan on coming back to that spot again that season, that disturbance is enough to make the deer in that area reroute. That's the doorway leading out of their bedroom. Say your bedroom is connected to your bathroom and you have your towel hanging up in the same spot every day and then one day it's laying on your toilet. You're going to notice it immediately...and be freaked out a little. Dan has talked a lot about this. I truly believe the mature animals in that area will notice it...maybe not that night, but maybe the next morning or night. Don't get me wrong tho, I'll break a few branches to clear up a shooting lane or 2, but I try to minimize it as much as possible. I don't use a blind (like just a screen in front of me) or anything just because I like to be as light and quiet as possible and to me that defeats the purpose of being mobile, but to each there own
When it comes to the bow, there's some things I do that help. I almost always bring small tree hook (the $0.79 ones) to hand my bow right at the base of a tree. I've also used the clamp-on type stand that target shooters use. They attach to the bottom limb...they don't work in all terrain tho. I also do not keep my quiver on...too much crap to try moving in thick cover at the moment of truth. I do, however, always have at least 1 other arrow out of the quiver and either leaning up against something or laying on the ground for a quick follow up shot. This saved my hunt once after a complete miss. PRACTICE SHOOTING FROM ON YOUR KNEES OR BACK OR CHAIR. Practice laying on your belly in the prime position and then slowly rise up to draw you bow. Also add in a 50 yd belly crawl into that before riding up and drawing back. You aren't going to be standing...well, most of the time you're not Lol. Practice how it will actually be like when you're hunting.
Use terrain to your advantage. If you see them crossing a certain ditch every day, figure out a way to get right in that thing and set up downwind of the trail. Hide behind slowdowns, trees, dogwood, in standing corn, cattails, old farm equipment, etc. I'll always find something to hide in/behind instead of "making" cover.
I screw up so many times a year that it's not even funny. Even if it's little stuff. Try to make the best out of it and learn from it. All the above stuff is what I tell myself. I'm not telling you to do it that way at all, but just hope it helps someone else. The way I type probably make me seem like I have no personality and am arrogant, but that couldn't be further from the truth. I just don't like typing on my phone, but I love talking about deer lol. I'm pretty quiet and humble about my hunting and I also have not will not measure my bucks antlers or enter them in a book....because I don't freaking care! I usually don't talk about my bucks or show pictures unless someone asks...i hate feeling like I'm bragging. I'm happy with them and that's all that matters. I couldn't care less if I get a "boy he could've used one more year" or "dang you've gotta get that officially scored and put in the books!"...worry about yourself, not me lol. Some people around here around my area say there's foul play with all of my bucks. I just sit back and take it in...haters gonna hate lol. It doesn't bother me anymore. I always offer to take them to the gut piles but no-one will take me up on that lol. I know how.much worl i put into every season and my close friends do as well. I have no shame in any of my kills. Other guys in the area call me an expert, and that pisses me off waaay more than being called a violator! I am NOT and will NEVER BE an expert. I absolutely hate that. An expert means you have nothing left to learn..and that means you will never get beat. I lobe getting my handed to me by a big buck!!! Good for him! Who the heck am I that thinks I can come in here and kill the biggest buck in the marsh?! Arrogance and Confidence are 2 different things. Arrogance is having your nose up in the air, overlooking everything. Confidence is having your nose to the ground, looking for all the clues you can....with your brows tilted in a fashion of a hungry, hunting wolf...because you know you're onto something good. Be confident, but never let that confidence turn into arrogance.
How bad do you want it?! All the work before the hunt will answer that.