Wow, this could be the first time in many, many years that I go deerless. I didn't get to hunt much in October cause I was sick for a couple weeks. I did pass a few smaller bucks in early bow season though. On my annual hunt to Shawnee NF in Pope county (the week of 1st shotgun season) I passed up alot of small bucks. Finally, a nice 8-pointer showed on Friday evening of the 1st shotgun season. Well, I shot at him at 50 yards and failed to see a small tree limb between him and I...long story short...I killed the tree limb instead of the buck!

Second season I didn't get to go because of the ice storm. I couldn't leave my pregnant wife w/o power and water.

Muzzleloader season was a bust...I missed a chip shot at a mature doe (I don't know how...no excuses on this one!)

Last weekend, I got out and scouted a local farm, found some promising sign and hung a treestand and put up/brushed-in my pop-up blind. Apparently when brushing the blind in or hanging the tree stand I inadvertently got into some poision ivy because I have it all over me! Dang it man!

Anyway, I'm gonna push to the end though. Maybe my luck is yet to come. Deer or no deer it has been fun.

Anyone else out there had a tough season?!

Joe H.

I have had a good season this year, let several doe's walk along with a few young bucks and have meat in the freezer.
To me thats a good season.
Missed several chances to spend time in a tree because of sick family but that cant be helped.

I was just saying the other day I thought this year was lousy weather for bow season.
For the most part it was either warm or raining for several days in a row other then during the shotgun seasons.


Like you brought up still have a little time for something good to happen.

Pretty good for me too. It was tough though weather wise. I got 2 in the freezer, and plan to try to fill my other ML tag in the late antlerless season. I'd like to take the bow out a few more times as well. I hunted pretty hard from the middle of Oct. til just last week, and the wife has had about enough of me being gone. I'm back on day shifts, and actually have to work 5 days a week now, so that cuts down my time as well.

I'm glad I don't get poison in the winter, it needs to have leaves to bug me. Keep at it, there are plenty left.

Hope everybody is back in good health. MERRY CHRISTMAS.