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Post by willy7948 on Sept 15, 2020 16:11:18 GMT -5
Hey guys! I thought we could all share some of our mistakes we make at any point in our hunting process. It should be good for some laughs, but also could be a valuable resource for others to hear about our mistakes, so that we can learn from each other.
I’ll start lol
Went to put on my warm weather socks that I washed and had in my clothing tote ready to go, and I realized there was a big Ol hole in the bottom of one lol
Fail lol
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Post by teenhunter00 on Sept 15, 2020 16:36:08 GMT -5
My biggest mistake was that I used to wear multiple layers of wool socks in the winter and mid-fall, but my feet would still end up freezing cold no matter what. I didn't realize until much later that it was because my feet were too warm and they were sweating. Due to the moisture, my feet would start to freeze and had a hard time warming themselves up. So now I wear a low cut moisture wicking running sock with one pair of thin wool during the early season and at max 2 regular wool socks in the winter. I leave just enough space for me to wiggle and bend my toes so I can keep blood flowing. That being said I still hunted even when I thought my feet were gonna fall off haha I'm just too stubborn and optimistic to call it quits on a hunt. I'm done after the sunsets. That's my 2nd thing always be the 1st out and last in you can learn a lot about pressure when you observe not only the deer's patterns but the patterns of other hunters as well.
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Post by beermaker on Sept 15, 2020 17:07:08 GMT -5
My biggest mistake was that I used to wear multiple layers of wool socks in the winter and mid-fall, but my feet would still end up freezing cold no matter what. I didn't realize until much later that it was because my feet were too warm and they were sweating. Due to the moisture, my feet would start to freeze and had a hard time warming themselves up. So now I wear a low cut moisture wicking running sock with one pair of thin wool during the early season and at max 2 regular wool socks in the winter. I leave just enough space for me to wiggle and bend my toes so I can keep blood flowing. That being said I still hunted even when I thought my feet were gonna fall off haha I'm just too stubborn and optimistic to call it quits on a hunt. I'm done after the sunsets. That's my 2nd thing always be the 1st out and last in you can learn a lot about pressure when you observe not only the deer's patterns but the patterns of other hunters as well. Yes! I used to wear so many layers of thick socks that I not only facilitated sweat, but also nearly cut off circulation. I now wear very thin knee-high socks and have rechargeable heated insoles. I don’t turn on the heat prior to feeling cold.
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Post by beermaker on Sept 15, 2020 17:17:31 GMT -5
To add to the posts above, improperly dressing has overwhelmingly been my biggest mistake. For more years than I care to admit, I would leave the house dressed for a blizzard and proceed to be immersed in frozen sweat not long after.
I now leave the house and walk to the stand drastically underdressed for the given temperature. By the time I get my butt up the tree, gear in place, and gadgets coordinated I’m back to a comfortable operating temperature. I then add layers as needed. If I’m not properly prepared after that, drinking beer in the garage and planning the next outing suddenly becomes a better option.
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Post by scrub-buster on Sept 15, 2020 19:37:04 GMT -5
A few days ago I put together 3 new ladder stands. On 2 of them I put the tree gripper part on backwards so it faced the seat. Stupid mistake that cost us time to fix today when i noticed them.
Several years ago I had been chasing a wide 8 point for several seasons. He would show up on camera a couple times during the rut. After a few close calls over 3 seasons I finally got a shot. My crossbow limb hit a tree limb as I shot. I have no idea where the bolt went but I know it didn't touch the deer. That was the last time I ever saw him.
I was hanging a ladder stand on a hillside and it fell out of the tree when I climbed up to strap it to the tree. I rode the ladder stand to the ground kicking off right before it hit the ground. I slid down the hill as I landed. Luckily I wasn't hurt.
I pulled a stomach muscle going up a tree with a ladder stand. It was all I could do to get back down. Short fat guys aren't built for ladder stands.
Me and my dad helped a neighbor recover a deer in early October. My dad put a tarp in the bed of his UTV and we loaded up the deer. When we got done it was dark and he folded up the tarp. It stayed in his garage until opening daylong gun season when I shot a deer. He unfolded that tarp and it was full of rotten blood. It is by far the worst thing I've ever smelled and I work at a sewer plant. I couldn't stop dry heaving.
Is that enough or should I keep going?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2020 20:13:40 GMT -5
I once hunted off the property. I was at a new place and the owner said the back woods. He didn't say only 2/3 back. I was about 10 ft past the back end.
I used to go full out. Put on all the sales media scents, do the cameras, and hunt and hunt. I've learned to keep it simple and be as close to scent free. Only hunt a spot one or two times per week to two weeks. Now I leave section of woods for 2 years. The stand that I took the 168 buck I have not hunted since that day. This year I will again a couple times.
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Post by bullseye69 on Sept 15, 2020 21:44:00 GMT -5
You ned to get a pair of boot blankets. They are the best ever for sitting in a stand. You can wear your sneakers out to your stand ,if you want to, and your feet will be perfectly comfy. They squish down pretty good so the can fit in your back pack or use the straps to carry them. Plus the bottoms are soft so the are quite in the stand. I won't sit in a stand in cold weather with out them.
Stalking deer thru the woods with a crossbow. Had 2 doe coming down the fence line so got behind 4' dia cotton wood. But was to close to it. So when I raised the crossbow up the limb hit the trunk and off they went. If I had my compound bow I would have been fine.
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Post by deadeer on Sept 16, 2020 0:06:11 GMT -5
Boot blankets work good. Mine are at least 15yo now and still like brand new! Jeez, wonder why? Only used them like 2 times. I never seem to remember I have them! Could have saved some money too. After opening morning of gun last year, I was at the store buying new boots cause I froze to death. Lol.
I will be digging them out when I go to reorganize soon for the upcoming season. Thanks for the reminder!
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Post by deadeer on Sept 16, 2020 0:17:31 GMT -5
I rotate a lot of different guns during the deer season. I use certain guns for certain places. Once I put a kill on it, I switch out. Sometimes plans changes on what stand I will hunt or even what property. Two very memorable hunts were...
One I brought an iron sighted slug gun as it was drizzling and I was gonna sit in the woods. But the neighbor was hunting right on the edge, so I had to hunt my field stand where you could watch a 60 acre rolling field. I figured, yeah good luck. I'll be danged if a buck didnt come trotting by at about 50yds, and I killed him!
Then just a couple years ago, I was dying to use my 270win that I got shooting good to 400yds. I took it where I could get a little over a hundred yard shot, but killed my buck at about 35yds. Lol. Go figure.
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Post by bill9068 on Sept 16, 2020 7:13:40 GMT -5
I once drove an hour to hunt with my muzzleloader, got into my climber and setup go to cap my muzzleloader and left my caps at home. Got down, drove home then drove back climbed my tree again and sat maybe 10 minutes and out walks a 10 point, well I capped his butt that morning.
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Post by oldhoyt on Sept 16, 2020 7:38:37 GMT -5
I've missed deer about every way it can be done.
I've forgotten my boots, bullets, arrows, knives and various item of clothing.
I've gotten turned around in the dark trying to find my stand.
I shot a spike thinking it was a doe, and I looked that deer over before the shot. Luckily had a tag for it.
And once I got to my parking spot and then realized I didn't buy my license. Was able to go to a store a few minutes away but got in late that morning.
This is by no means the full list, but these are what come to mind most.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2020 7:45:37 GMT -5
I once drove an hour to hunt with my muzzleloader, got into my climber and setup go to cap my muzzleloader and left my caps at home. Got down, drove home then drove back climbed my tree again and sat maybe 10 minutes and out walks a 10 point, well I capped his butt that morning. You just reminded me. I did similar, but I forget the gun. Had the ammo, but no gun. Took an eight pointer in the evening.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2020 8:00:54 GMT -5
We used to play games with each other. One time we put aluminum paper around a stand about 50 yards out. It was all over the place. We once took a stuffed buffalo and tied antlers on it. We went out and placed it in a thick bush to mess with him. They once TP my stand. The dew made it a mess. Once used fox scent all over around a stand. The best was one guy went up on the roof and stuffed the chimney and smoked all of us out. Each one of these happened on opening gun Saturday. You never knew what to expect going to your stand. I know not to be the 1st one crashing Friday nights. We each had our turn over the years. Best part it made some great stories. Last dozen years it's been quiet. Not so sure this year.
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Post by esshup on Sept 16, 2020 8:51:07 GMT -5
Buddy and I were hunting together, public ground about 30 miles from the house in Wi. Last morning, going to hunt to 9, leave pack and hit the road. Got to the parking lot, realized I left the gun leaning against the garage. Decided to nap in the car, he went to my ground blind, not 20 min after shooting light he texts me - can you help me drag a big doe out? Turns out to be a small racked, big bodied 6 point..... I didn't even get my nap in!
Hunting at the Indiana Dunes. Supposed to drizzle. Was in the stand and the heavens opened. I was so wet that even the paper money in my wallet was wet. Got out of there, drove home jumped in the shower to warm up. Got dressed, drove to Dicks (before all the crap they pulled) bought a complete set of Gore-Tex bibs and heavy coat, swore never to hunt in the weather without that waterproofing. Still use them today, 20+ years later. Camo on the coat is fading reddish color like you see on some blinds that are left out a lot. Tells you how many hours I spend outside in the cold hunting.
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Post by omegahunter on Sept 16, 2020 9:15:33 GMT -5
I always go with my Dad to check gun zero. If it is the muzzleloader, I take his back home with me to clean up and load for muzzleloader season.
A couple years back I could have sworn that I measured out 4 loads (1 for the rifle and 3 reloads). I gave him the gun and the 3 reloads and we hunted the season without him ever getting a shot at a deer. When I went to empty his muzzleloader and clean it up for storage, it was still empty and clean from after the zero checking session!
Now we both check our ramrod witness marks before leaving the truck.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2020 9:24:29 GMT -5
I always go with my Dad to check gun zero. If it is the muzzleloader, I take his back home with me to clean up and load for muzzleloader season. A couple years back I could have sworn that I measured out 4 loads (1 for the rifle and 3 reloads). I gave him the gun and the 3 reloads and we hunted the season without him ever getting a shot at a deer. When I went to empty his muzzleloader and clean it up for storage, it was still empty and clean from after the zero checking session! Now we both check our ramrod witness marks before leaving the truck. You two were in a different dimension at the time. Glad you made it back. LOL Amazing story.
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Post by bullseye69 on Sept 16, 2020 10:14:41 GMT -5
I always go with my Dad to check gun zero. If it is the muzzleloader, I take his back home with me to clean up and load for muzzleloader season. A couple years back I could have sworn that I measured out 4 loads (1 for the rifle and 3 reloads). I gave him the gun and the 3 reloads and we hunted the season without him ever getting a shot at a deer. When I went to empty his muzzleloader and clean it up for storage, it was still empty and clean from after the zero checking session! Now we both check our ramrod witness marks before leaving the truck. You would have thought the largest buck he had ever seen would have came out in range with a empty ML.
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Post by firstwd on Sept 16, 2020 10:19:32 GMT -5
I'll go ahead and say it, I've never made a mistake.
I have, however, been blessed with an unusually obtuse amount of opportunities for educational enrichment.
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Post by bullseye69 on Sept 16, 2020 11:52:44 GMT -5
A few years ago when the turkey population was good at my parents place. My son and I were sitting in the big blind waiting for deer or turkeys to come by. It was fall turkey with bow only and muzzleloader deer season. Reason we were in the blind is it was lightly raining. Aboot 9am 30+ turkeys came thru the woods ,over the river and were milling around in the soybean field about 75 yards out. I got the window slid open and the compound bow ready to go.
Aboot 15 min later they worked their way towards us. So I picked out the best looking one and when he was in range and stopped I gave him the good news. Well he ran towards the bean field and took off flying. Flew up over the tops of the 70 foot tall sycamore trees towards the other side of the river. So gave him aboot 10 minutes and we ventured out to go look for him. We spent 3 hours looking but to no avail. Wet and tired we went home.
Next day went out deer hunting in a stand across the river. Stand is 50 yard from the river and a nice path along it the everything travels on. Aboot 20 min after sunrise 2 does come from the west along the river. Got muzzleloader ready and when they came into the clearing, 50 yards, I proceeded to give the big doe the good news. What i and the deer heard was a pop! You know that irritating cork gun pop that the kids play with at the fair or sometimes at the cabelas stores? Yes thats what it sounded like. I heard the bullet land on a log down below about 5 feet out. The deer stared at me as I didn't move hoping they would just keep walking.....NOT, they turned and ran.
Well heres why it just went pop. Remember that turkey search and the light rain? Ya, I walked around for 3 hours looking for that turkey with my muzzleloader slung over my shoulder with no rain cap on the end. 😡
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Post by omegahunter on Sept 16, 2020 12:01:02 GMT -5
A few years ago when the turkey population was good at my parents place. My son and I were sitting in the big blind waiting for deer or turkeys to come by. It was fall turkey with bow only and muzzleloader deer season. Reason we were in the blind is it was lightly raining. Aboot 9am 30+ turkeys came thru the woods ,over the river and were milling around in the soybean field about 75 yards out. I got the window slid open and the compound bow ready to go. Aboot 15 min later they worked their way towards us. So I picked out the best looking one and when he was in range and stopped I gave him the good news. Well he ran towards the bean field and took off flying. Flew up over the tops of the 70 foot tall sycamore trees towards the other side of the river. So gave him aboot 10 minutes and we ventured out to go look for him. We spent 3 hours looking but to no avail. Wet and tired we went home. Next day went out deer hunting in a stand across the river. Stand is 50 yard from the river and a nice path along it the everything travels on. Aboot 20 min after sunrise 2 does come from the west along the river. Got muzzleloader ready and when they came into the clearing, 50 yards, I proceeded to give the big doe the good news. What i and the deer heard was a pop! You know that irritating cork gun pop that the kids play with at the fair or sometimes at the cabelas stores? Yes thats what it sounded like. I heard the bullet land on a log down below about 5 feet out. The deer stared at me as I didn't move hoping they would just keep walking.....NOT, they turned and ran. Well heres why it just went pop. Remember that turkey search and the light rain? Ya, I walked around for 3 hours looking for that turkey with my muzzleloader slung over my shoulder with no rain cap on the end. 😡 I've always put electrical tape over the muzzle if rain or snow is expected. Was thinking about checking out finger cots this year to cover the muzzle and brake on the smokeless rigs.
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