What to do when you're struggling

[@nickborgman8105]

I use to tag out almost every year or close to it. Usually atleast one nice buck every year. Then was diagnosed with leukaemia. Did chemotherapy for 39 months straight, 3-5 times a week. During that time my family sold the 400 acres I hunted. Finally went into remission started feeling well enough to hunt again about 3 years ago. Found a small piece of property I got permission to hunt. Several deer on it but I just struggle every year. I've gotten one doe with my bow in the 3 years. Just always seems something goes wrong. Felt like at times I'm not suppose to hunt or something but I'm still going and pushing. Hopefully my luck changes soon. If not atleast I'm still out there in the woods where I love to be.

[@jamesgarner8188]

Sometimes it feels like something is fighting you doesn't it?

[@PBAdventures146]

Wow!! What a story!! Man, I hope you find some big bucks. You've earned it! Best of health to you!!!

[@Outrunninaround.]

PTSD works the same. Once something along your timeline disrupts you, your cognitive abilities get knocked off center.

[@nickborgman8105]

@@jamesgarner8188 YEP

[@nickborgman8105]

@@PBAdventures146 thanks. I can find them on my trail camera. But for some reason just can't finish the deal on any of them like I use to be able too.

[@Craig-777]

Here in S. Missouri its been warm and super slow! Went up to N. Missouri from Nov. 2nd - Nov. 13th and passed a couple two year olds and multiple does and seen some giants on the second day, hints the reason i passed the said two yr ols, but never could get the right wind or another hunter stumbling upon me, for whatever reason i didnt get it done. Now im back home in S. Missouri hill country and just waiting on a good cold front and hopefully get on one. Keep your head up and stay safe, blessed, and determined😂❤✝️🫡

[@travisethridge4062]

Last year got 3 bucks... seen em everywhere i sat. This year bad shot on great buck couldn't track it... been rough but I hold my head up. I tell my kids in sports shrug it off but never forget... I gotta be that example. Thanks Josh

[@paulbernitt4280]

For me, it's all about real-time scouting and finding/hunting the sign. Sitting in a spot without any evidence of fresh deer sign and seeing no deer is frustrating. 1st sits on fresh deer sign is where it's at whether I see deer or not. Follow the evidence rather than "the good spots" especially now when deer are more scared than at any other time of the season. I also keep in mind that "the shot" on a nice buck develops in minutes or seconds so as time passes I keep this perspective to help me stay in it to win it. My goal is to learn, adapt and grow while I hunt. As long as I do that, I can keep the "beat-down" feeling at bay. I also just take breaks. Most of all, I keep in perspective that not seeing deer does not qualify as having a bad day. There are people out there with real challenges.

[@HuntingFactor]

Missed the live show but. Good advice Josh. I’ve been struggling this year also. I just kept moving from area to area and finally got a doe last Friday 👍🏼 I never gave up ! Keep pushing!

[@kylenowicki123]

It’s been a crazy year for me. I got to harvest my first Wisconsin bow buck the first day of a 3 day trip. I live and hunt mainly in northern Illinois and it’s been a struggle getting on deer on public and dealing with the pressure. Then just a couple days ago I got to harvest my biggest buck at 10 yards. Dropped in his tracks!

[@bobjonet8326]

Really needed to see this at this point, thanks Josh!

[@pathfinder5804]

So we are into our last couple days of our rifle season up here in ME and I also hunt NH. Now I bow hunt a ton gun hunt a bunch and muzzleloader hunt too. This season NH bow opened on Sept 15 and that was my first hunt. So as of Nov 28 I’ve had 45 setups and that doesn’t include a few days of still hunting and scouting. At this point I’ve seen a total of 4 deer while in the woods. NEVER since I was around 12-13yrs old have I seen this few deer. I’m 50 now and generally seeing and getting shot opportunities on deer is not a problem!!!! I’m usually letting bucks go and passing on does unless it’s right situation to shoot one. Mentally I’m burned out and frustration level is at peek!!!! I’ve had to fight off the feeling of wanting to quit and wait til next season. However I have to remind myself that if killing is only reason I’m in woods that I’m in woods for wrong reason to begin with. I’m enjoying now the time just being outside and being in nature. I just keep putting myself in good spots and if it happens it’s ment to be if it doesn’t then I’m learning about new spots as I’ve started to really put some miles on now looking for some hot sign. Tough mental game though for sure!!!!

[@Steadyeddie8734]

I can agree. I’m here in Indiana as well and this year has been tough it feels like

[@Steadyeddie8734]

I will add I almost exclusively bow hunt and every year is tough for that in Indiana….so not saying much

[@jasonharris5276]

Man I feel ya on the well prep. 200 watt clear decorative light bulb does a great job for me. Live in the woods in arkansas so not quite as cold her usually but the past few years we have had some neg Temps. Had the season of a lifetime this year. 3 does and a 147" stud piebald all from public. Stay with it buddy it's tough especially after dog season blows everything up around here. Killed my buck the day before gun season definitely was a gift from God!

[@joshmcdonald4526]

Sometimes, it helps me more mentally than anything else sometimes.

[@ronmacdougall9612]

This year has been really strange, only seeing 1 1/2 year old or younger bucks.

[@CharlesSmith-mf2qe]

Aug 15 to Jan 1 in SC. Can be a grind. Took Thanksgiving week off. You’re right about the mental game. God bless.

[@mike-xh3yh]

This is a great video, very true words spoken. I try to hunt no more than 3 days in a row or I start to get extremely impatient and the process not very enjoyable.

[@davidburley4196]

Best advice I've heard online yet!

[@davidgraff1106]

Thanks, Josh. This is the discussion I was needing to hear. I hunt southern michigan public, and I have only seen one mature buck in about 25 sits that I narrowly missed with a ricochet off a little branch. I feel you for sure.

[@stevedenoyer5956]

Northern lower been very slow, grand Traverse County.

[@benhall1483]

Great topic this week. I've had a tough season hunting public in south central indiana by my standards. Not a lot of daytime sightings, even on camera, despite the area having pretty good populations and definitely relatively light pressure for public land. With that, it's self inflicted pressure for sure. I've passed on small bucks and does. I've stayed home to play with my young kids instead of hunting a few days. Trying to stay positive, and feeling pretty good after scouting over the weekend and finding some good, fresh sign and getting some good bucks on camera after moving a camera a whopping 75 yards from the crossing I had it on previously. Good luck and God bless as you push down the homestretch!

[@dennisoosterbaan6872]

Low deer numbers in Northern Michigan for last few years. Someone suggested that with Covid 19 eliminating jobs/income, unemployed locals were shooting deer to survive. This practice may continue for some. Could this have negatively impacted deer numbers in Michigan and elsewhere?

[@HuntingFactor]

Lower deer numbers over all in Michigan. With EHD and the DNR handing out doe permits like candy makes it tuff.

[@dennisoosterbaan6872]

@@HuntingFactor Insurance companies are possibly influencing the DNR's decision making regarding deer license limits. Less Deer = Less Vehicle/Deer Accidents = Less Claims Payouts.

[@stevedenoyer5956]

Grand Traverse County been very slow, rifle season way off. Very few shots anywhere around me which is really rare. We are seeing very few and only small bucks. I usually tag a decent buck through the bow/ rifle/ muzzle season. So far not and no good prospects either. Kill is off over 100k last I looked

[@mikesmith7124]

Wolves

[@dennisoosterbaan6872]

@ Wolves in the UP, but not in the Manistee National Forest where I hunt. We do have a few Mt. Lions around which were allegedly planted by the DNR to help control the deer population too.

[@chadreid146]

Man I with you I have hunted so hard in South Carolina on public land and have walked and hunted done all I know to do and I can’t seem to find deer and see deer not sure what really to do

[@JimBowSlice]

I've been going through it the past few years, lost my two best spots. But I regained permission on a piece that typically has other hunters and alot of pressure. This year I was the only one to hunt it. I had good knowledge of the farm but the pressure kept me out of there most years. So I stage hunted it and killed a beautiful 8 pt. Second sit. Then let it rest until gun season. I went out the first two days of gun season and filled my second Tag on a monster 8 after I missed him opening day at 35 yards with a gun. I saw the big 8 out 3 out of the 4 times I sat. It was like he was meant to be mine. I've had alot of rough seasons and finally had one just go all the way my way.

[@dennisbettencourt1213]

Tracking deer in the mountains of NH will make you struggle physically. Add the mental game of not connecting on a buck and it’s a full body experience. Good luck out there. Persistence Pays, Never Give Up!

[@jamesgarner8188]

I started this year with back trouble. I was medicated for pain to the point I feel like I lost Jan they March. Lost my dad in May. I have wanted to kill a nice buck and dedicate it to his memory but I have been completely unsuccessful. I saw some great bucks during archery season but had no shot. Made some bad decisions on stand placement and lived to regret it. I got a doe in October. Thank the Lord for it. I had wanted to kill two or three for the freezer. I'm not even seeing little bucks like in previous years. Sat in the stand the other day and cried thinking about Dad. It's been tough. Central NC it's been a dry season with spars acorns this year. the deer are moving differently than normal. My wife is getting sick of my lack of housework. The struggle is real.

[@garretthenderson79]

People tend to put too much pressure on themselves to harvest big bucks. It’s hunting, it’s never guaranteed. Don’t sweat the small stuff, enjoy your time afield!!!

[@adamschronk3620]

I was on a 4 year hot streak till this season of taking my target buck or one bigger. I’ve been burning the candle at both ends this year, and riding the struggle bus. I just left the tree stand as I watch this. Funny, I was just thinking, I’m taking a few days off to glass scout and regroup. In a nutshell, I feel you Man!

[@elizabeth_williams]

Most states will give you a carcass tag for roadkill deer. I've hit 28 deer 4 in cars the rest with semi trucks but ive also driven close to 4 million miles

[@Bear304inc1]

I passed on more deer last year than I’ve seen all of this year! I seen one young buck all year so far. Of course the public land I hunt on has become very popular this year…..

[@joshtrauger3088]

yup i hang out with my kid. maybe take him out with me, maybe just go mini golfing. just something that makes you appreciate life outside of hunting.

[@sethmatherne7012]

Hugely struggling. I still haven't seen the first deer and I'm not even "trophy" hunting. I'm just trying to fill the freezer.

[@Elonzo-k2y]

I pick one up out of my front yard every other year😮Just need to get them before the eagle 🦅 takes them about 10mins after light to find them😊

[@youngin881]

When things are slow: #1. Bring more snacks #2. Buy some more expensive hunting duds and maybe start wearing a flat brimmed hat. You might not kill anything but you’ll feel “cooler” in the woods. #3. Get out of your routine. Try something different #4. Hunt some new dirt. (Let your favorite spots decompress a little). # 5. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Don’t let hunting become more of a chore.

[@stevedenoyer5956]

Brother experiencing the same thing in MI, I had all kinds of deer on camera, nice bucks, plenty of doe. About the 2 nd week of October at least 1/2 or more disappeared. Never came back weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. Now I hunt my own private ground and put very little pressure. But so odd!

[@zekeoutdoors]

My buddy hot a velvet buck with the dump truck in front of me, he called the sheriff and he came and gave a tag.

[@austinseymour1769]

Real tough season here. Seen probably around 20 1 1/2 old bucks, finally get a buck to target and gets hit by a car while I was set up for him. Can’t win

[@blakenaquin-o3j]

So many good topics here. I haven’t killed a deer in years. Only pigs. If I killed a spike I would take 20 pictures and smoke a cigar lol. My son is 12 and hates hunting. He’d rather throw the football in the yard. So I go a few Saturday mornings a month while the house sleeps. Sunday is our God and family day. I scheduled off a week during rut to treat myself to some good hunting. I chalk the other trips up to information gathering. It seems like deer move like fish so when I hunt one morning a week it feels like I’m guessing. Still have lots of fun just being there. It’s a blessing and a gift.

[@AlexJohnson7789]

Worst season ever! I gave up last Sunday and just shot a spike I've passed 6 times all season to get something in the freezer, and he's the only buck I've seen in the stand all season. Lots of trail cam picks, but nothing in the stand. This is my first year with a saddle, and honestly, I don't get all the hype about saddles. They suck. So many more components and parts, and I didn't lose any pack weight over my climber. My entire climber setup comes in at 19lbs. My saddle setup: 22lbs.

[@youngin881]

Thanks for sharing. I too, don’t see all the hype with saddles.

[@bobamerican755]

Glad you said hunting is hard, I can never figure out how hard is too hard though. I have bow hunted exclusively public in western NY for the last 7 years and have only got 1 doe. I scout all off season, run a handful of cams and see big bucks on cam, play the wind, know the areas they live and just can’t get lucky. Hunting is supposed to be hard but kinda feels like NY public is harder than it should be. Seems like when other guys say “it’s hard” they still get for every season and decent bucks every other year.

[@andrewkelly6909]

NY is hard. I live in central NY. I'm lucky to get 1 or 2 good encounters. I only had a couple nice 6pts. Come by this yr.

[@michiganman4398]

It’s been slow for me. There just wasn’t a lot around this year. I passed on a small 9 point only to watch it walk into the neighbors and get shot. I shot a six point I was after. It dropped in its tracks only to get up and get away a few minutes later. I think I hit next to the spine and temporarily paralyzed it. Tough lesson to just put a second shot in it no matter what for good measure. All you can do is keep at it and the opportunities will come. I’ve had years where I tagged out opening weekend and years where I’ve got nothing. It’s at the point where I don’t let it bother me anymore and just keep the faith. If you got something every time you went out it wouldn’t be fun either.

[@cl-7016]

I went a couple seasons with no sightings, with fawns on the menu, so passing little bucks waiting for a big one is not struggling to me in Ontario. Buck this year opening day of gun.

[@this1duDe]

It seems like you had a ton of luck hunting with Dan before. Maybe you should go back to Wisconsin and hunt with the Cereal Killer!

[@beforetheecho]

I havent killed a buck with dan? I have killed 2 bucks on WI but 1 was with my buddy zank and the other I was on a piece by myself... dan did help me recover that one.

[@ShooterMcNut]

I threw in the towel three days into the Michigan firearm season, the number of shady hunters skyrockets when the orange army invades.

[@joshmcdonald4526]

Worst deer season I may have ever had so far. Have only seen 8 since the beginning of October. And they where either too far or not legal. You can say I'm struggling I guess.😅😅

[@elizabeth_williams]

Thats my year like everyone is asking if im ok cause I haven't gotten a doe on the ground this year im seeing deer but something gets buggered and i can't close

[@surffishermanandcrossbowki9457]

LOL didn't you get a buck? That is not a struggle man! My best friend has gone 6 seasons with no deer down! Hit three over that time....

[@beforetheecho]

I got 2 bucks actually but nothing in Indiana

[@ArthurBaum-c5e]

7 days in the big wood no ag never saw a deer 😂 got home in farm country Va. deer in yard. Deer hunt or deer shoot is the question. I prefer to hunt with recurve in big woods. Wife can blow one out of the field for the freezer!

[@markburrell2778]

When are you going to have Jacky Bushman on the show ? 🤣😂🤣🤣💩 Or some of the other canned hunt movie stars.