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Post by boonechaser on Dec 7, 2023 7:31:23 GMT -5
M4Madness I think most of us older hunters have gone through what you are experiencing. (EVOLUTION of a hunter.) Applies to many things in life as we get older really. Do you, I stepped away from hunting for 4-5 years in my late 30's early 40's. Went through a ugly divorce and honestly was just a lost soul. When I started back hunting the fire was there once again. Hunting can turn into a job sometimes, if you let it, DO YOU, set goals for yourself, hunt when you want to, with weapon you want to. Forget all the noise, just enjoy the outdoors. Some of my best hunt's these days are just watching the sun rise, and woods waking up, the birds, squirrls, whatever I may see. The killing has become secondary. I sense the passion in your post, Do you, just don't let hunting turn into a job, would be my best advice.
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Post by mattfinney on Dec 7, 2023 7:36:43 GMT -5
I started deer hunting in 1995 at the age of 27, so this is my 29th season. I used to hunt practically every day of season -- after work and weekends. I averaged four deer a year for the first 20 seasons. It's all I thought about. I'd count down the days on a calendar at work like a kid would leading up until Christmas. You know what? I grew tired of the whole thing. Call it "burnout" if you like. Hunting went from being fun to being a chore. I've killed a lot more good bucks than I deserve (close to 20 shoulder mounts in my home), and felt pressured to keep that up. I had permission to hunt around 2000 acres of private ground surrounding my home. Times change, people change. Deer hunting has become so trophy oriented that it no longer resembles what got my excited about hunting in the first place. Kids are being raised to believe there's shame in shooting average deer. Parents justify it by saying, "We're teaching our kids to be selective and let the herd mature", while in reality all they are doing is serving their own egos and taking the fun out of hunting. Obviously not all parents do this, but it's definitely more prevalent than when I was introduced into hunting. I gave up Facebook 5 or 6 years ago, and I don't regret it. Friends still send me screenshots of deer hunting pages, and it's the same old crap -- everyone talking down to each other -- the usual separation of hunting groups. Today, I could care less if I even kill a deer. I used to be a hardcore bow hunter, and went the last five years without hunting archery season. Heck, two of those years I didn't even bother shooting a single deer. I haven't killed a deer this year (even though I've had dozens of opportunities), and I could care less. I may shoot a doe for a friend in muzzleloader season, but if the deer were for me, I probably wouldn't even bother. I'm trying hard to regain the excitement of deer hunting. I really am. I even did something this year that I vowed I'd never do -- I bought a crossbow. I took my first November vacation from work just to hunt the rut. I've never taken off work to hunt. Still, with each passing day, I feel less and less like sitting in a stand. Make firearms season 5 days and put it the week of Christmas if you want. I won't lose any sleep over it. Ah, I feel much better getting this off my chest. Lol! Great post. From my posts someone might get the impression that I would be the type of guy to shame other hunters for shooting lesser bucks, let me tell you, nothing could be further from the truth. I miss the days when a 130 buck was considered a "big one" instead of a "needed another year". Even David Blanton mentioned that the first Realtree "Whitetails in the Wild" (predecessor to monster bucks) video featured bucks that averaged 130, and people were blown away by all the "big" bucks at the time. Nowadays, it seems like if your buck isn't 200 inches, people will tend to point out the weaknesses instead of just offering a congratulations. He's a "little weak on mass", or "not much spread", or "short tines". It's crazy. I would even go as far as to say that the whole "he needed another year" phenomenon is the worst thing to ever happen to deer hunting. Imagine telling a youth hunter that his buck needed another year.
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Post by greghopper on Dec 7, 2023 7:41:35 GMT -5
M4Madness I think most of us older hunters have gone through what you are experiencing. (EVOLUTION of a hunter.) Applies to many things in life as we get older really. Do you, I stepped away from hunting for 4-5 years in my late 30's early 40's. Went through a ugly divorce and honestly was just a lost soul. When I started back hunting the fire was there once again. Hunting can turn into a job sometimes, if you let it, DO YOU, set goals for yourself, hunt when you want to, with weapon you want to. Forget all the noise, just enjoy the outdoors. Some of my best hunt's these days are just watching the sun rise, and woods waking up, the birds, squirrls, whatever I may see. The killing has become secondary. I sense the passion in your post, Do you, just don't let hunting turn into a job, would be my best advice. Solid advice.... Just viewing cameras almost satisfies my itch some days.
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Post by Mack Apiary Bees on Dec 7, 2023 8:31:12 GMT -5
Lets get Indiana closer to Ohio regulations.
Resident & Nonresident Youth 1-Year Hunting License $10.00 Resident & Nonresident Youth 1-Year Apprentice License $10.00 Resident Youth 3-Year Hunting License $27.04 Resident Youth 5-Year Hunting License $45.07 Resident Youth 10-Year Hunting License $90.14 Resident Youth Lifetime Hunting License $430.56
Adult LICENSES Resident 1-Year Hunting License $19.00 Resident 1-Year Apprentice License $19.00 Resident 3-Year Hunting License $54.08 Resident 5-Year Hunting License $90.14 Resident 10-Year Hunting License $180.27 Resident Lifetime Hunting License $449.28 Nonresident 1-Year Hunting License $180.96 Nonresident (Tourist) 3-Day Hunting License $40.56 Nonresident 3-day license not valid for deer, turkey, or furbearers Nonresident 1-Year Apprentice Hunting License $180.96
SeniorLICENSESRESIDENTSONLY Resident Senior 1-Year Hunting License $10.00 Resident Senior 1-Year Apprentice License $10.00 Resident Senior 3-Year Hunting License $27.04 Resident Senior 5-Year Hunting License $45.07 Resident Senior Lifetime Hunting License $84.24 Resident Free Senior Hunting License Free
Adult Permit: Resident $31.20 Adult Permit: Nonresident $76.96 Youth Permit: Resident & Nonresident $16.00 Senior Permit: Resident Only $12.00 Free Senior Permit: Resident Only FREE
I'm a senior so one $84.24 cover rest of life hunting that Isn't mine. Any deer $31.20 with one buck rule. Good for all seasons from Sept.30th to Feb 4th.
Even out of state is low cost $180.96 + $76.96(per deer)
Big saving for youth in or out of State Resident & Nonresident Youth 1-Year Hunting License $10.00 Youth Permit: Resident & Nonresident $16.00
So $26 for 1st deer and $16 after that.
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Post by jjas on Dec 7, 2023 8:32:30 GMT -5
I started deer hunting in 1995 at the age of 27, so this is my 29th season. I used to hunt practically every day of season -- after work and weekends. I averaged four deer a year for the first 20 seasons. It's all I thought about. I'd count down the days on a calendar at work like a kid would leading up until Christmas. You know what? I grew tired of the whole thing. Call it "burnout" if you like. Hunting went from being fun to being a chore. I've killed a lot more good bucks than I deserve (close to 20 shoulder mounts in my home), and felt pressured to keep that up. I had permission to hunt around 2000 acres of private ground surrounding my home. Times change, people change. Deer hunting has become so trophy oriented that it no longer resembles what got my excited about hunting in the first place. Kids are being raised to believe there's shame in shooting average deer. Parents justify it by saying, "We're teaching our kids to be selective and let the herd mature", while in reality all they are doing is serving their own egos and taking the fun out of hunting. Obviously not all parents do this, but it's definitely more prevalent than when I was introduced into hunting. I gave up Facebook 5 or 6 years ago, and I don't regret it. Friends still send me screenshots of deer hunting pages, and it's the same old crap -- everyone talking down to each other -- the usual separation of hunting groups. Today, I could care less if I even kill a deer. I used to be a hardcore bow hunter, and went the last five years without hunting archery season. Heck, two of those years I didn't even bother shooting a single deer. I haven't killed a deer this year (even though I've had dozens of opportunities), and I could care less. I may shoot a doe for a friend in muzzleloader season, but if the deer were for me, I probably wouldn't even bother. I'm trying hard to regain the excitement of deer hunting. I really am. I even did something this year that I vowed I'd never do -- I bought a crossbow. I took my first November vacation from work just to hunt the rut. I've never taken off work to hunt. Still, with each passing day, I feel less and less like sitting in a stand. Make firearms season 5 days and put it the week of Christmas if you want. I won't lose any sleep over it. Ah, I feel much better getting this off my chest. Lol! I think many people have turned deer hunting into a job. Maybe it's time to simplify? Put the cameras away. Don't worry about what's on your property and trying to kill that BIG BUCK. Maybe go on a late season hunt, when the woods are still and quiet, and just watch the deer. And if you decide to take a deer, great. If you don't want to. Don't. Just enjoy the woods.
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Post by BigJLocke on Dec 7, 2023 9:56:19 GMT -5
I started deer hunting in 1995 at the age of 27, so this is my 29th season. I used to hunt practically every day of season -- after work and weekends. I averaged four deer a year for the first 20 seasons. It's all I thought about. I'd count down the days on a calendar at work like a kid would leading up until Christmas. You know what? I grew tired of the whole thing. Call it "burnout" if you like. Hunting went from being fun to being a chore. I've killed a lot more good bucks than I deserve (close to 20 shoulder mounts in my home), and felt pressured to keep that up. I had permission to hunt around 2000 acres of private ground surrounding my home. Times change, people change. Deer hunting has become so trophy oriented that it no longer resembles what got my excited about hunting in the first place. Kids are being raised to believe there's shame in shooting average deer. Parents justify it by saying, "We're teaching our kids to be selective and let the herd mature", while in reality all they are doing is serving their own egos and taking the fun out of hunting. Obviously not all parents do this, but it's definitely more prevalent than when I was introduced into hunting. I gave up Facebook 5 or 6 years ago, and I don't regret it. Friends still send me screenshots of deer hunting pages, and it's the same old crap -- everyone talking down to each other -- the usual separation of hunting groups. Today, I could care less if I even kill a deer. I used to be a hardcore bow hunter, and went the last five years without hunting archery season. Heck, two of those years I didn't even bother shooting a single deer. I haven't killed a deer this year (even though I've had dozens of opportunities), and I could care less. I may shoot a doe for a friend in muzzleloader season, but if the deer were for me, I probably wouldn't even bother. I'm trying hard to regain the excitement of deer hunting. I really am. I even did something this year that I vowed I'd never do -- I bought a crossbow. I took my first November vacation from work just to hunt the rut. I've never taken off work to hunt. Still, with each passing day, I feel less and less like sitting in a stand. Make firearms season 5 days and put it the week of Christmas if you want. I won't lose any sleep over it. Ah, I feel much better getting this off my chest. Lol! Great post. From my posts someone might get the impression that I would be the type of guy to shame other hunters for shooting lesser bucks, let me tell you, nothing could be further from the truth. I miss the days when a 130 buck was considered a "big one" instead of a "needed another year". Even David Blanton mentioned that the first Realtree "Whitetails in the Wild" (predecessor to monster bucks) video featured bucks that averaged 130, and people were blown away by all the "big" bucks at the time. Nowadays, it seems like if your buck isn't 200 inches, people will tend to point out the weaknesses instead of just offering a congratulations. He's a "little weak on mass", or "not much spread", or "short tines". It's crazy. I would even go as far as to say that the whole "he needed another year" phenomenon is the worst thing to ever happen to deer hunting. Imagine telling a youth hunter that his buck needed another year. You contradict yourself a lot don’t you? You want us to be a big buck state but you don’t want to pass on small bucks? I’ve gotten in trouble on here before for calling folks out, but it seems like you can’t decide what you want….
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Post by Woody Williams on Dec 7, 2023 11:05:38 GMT -5
I retired in August 1995... I thought "Oh boy! I can hunt every day from now on!"
I tried to do just that. I hunted dang near every day. One early December sitting in my stand with a howling wind, 20 degree temps and frozen rain hitting me in the face I came to the realization that I had made hunting into work. I climbed down and went home. Since then I only hunt when I really want to. I sit out the rainy days, the extreme cold days and days I would just as soon stay home. I don't know how many deer I've killed, but I do know one thing - I don't NEED to kill another one. I might have hunted 10 sits in each of last season and this season and that's OK..
I really do believe that IF my grown grandson had not taken up deer hunting I would have probably quit by now. All my old hunting buddies have passed on and it is nowhere near the same. Many a times it is just me hunting my area. I've got friends I can call if I need help tracking and getting one out, and I appreciate that. The comradery and fellowship of fellow hunters is a VERY important part of the hunt. I miss that immensely...BUT I do live through that with this site. It's not face to face but it's still fellowship. I thank all of you for being such a great part of this site.
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Post by Mack Apiary Bees on Dec 7, 2023 11:12:02 GMT -5
I retired in August 1995... I thought "Oh boy! I can hunt every day from now on!" I tried to do just that. I hunted dang near every day. One early December sitting in my stand with a howling wind, 20 degree temps and frozen rain hitting me in the face I came to the realization that I had made hunting into work. I climbed down and went home. Since then I only hunt when I really want to. I sit out the rainy days, the extreme cold days and days I would just as soon stay home. I don't know how many deer I've killed, but I do know one thing - I don't NEED to kill another one. I might have hunted 10 sits in each of last season and this season and that's OK.. I really do believe that IF my grown grandson had not taken up deer hunting I would have probably quit by now. All my old hunting buddies have passed on and it is nowhere near the same. Many a times it is just me hunting my area. I've got friends I can call if I need help tracking and getting one out, and I appreciate that. The comradery and fellowship of fellow hunters is a VERY important part of the hunt. I miss that immensely...BUT I do live through that with this site. It's not face to face but it's still fellowship. I thank all of you for being such a great part of this site. I with you 100%. My best part of hunting is Saturday evening open gun weekend. We all get together after dark for a nice dinner and stories. I missed it this year and that was a bummer. 2nd time since 1983 that I missed. Soon I'll have every day to hunt, but that won't happen!
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Post by M4Madness on Dec 7, 2023 11:46:16 GMT -5
I retired in August 1995... I thought "Oh boy! I can hunt every day from now on!" I tried to do just that. I hunted dang near every day. One early December sitting in my stand with a howling wind, 20 degree temps and frozen rain hitting me in the face I came to the realization that I had made hunting into work. I climbed down and went home. Since then I only hunt when I really want to. I sit out the rainy days, the extreme cold days and days I would just as soon stay home. I don't know how many deer I've killed, but I do know one thing - I don't NEED to kill another one. I might have hunted 10 sits in each of last season and this season and that's OK.. I really do believe that IF my grown grandson had not taken up deer hunting I would have probably quit by now. All my old hunting buddies have passed on and it is nowhere near the same. Many a times it is just me hunting my area. I've got friends I can call if I need help tracking and getting one out, and I appreciate that. The comradery and fellowship of fellow hunters is a VERY important part of the hunt. I miss that immensely...BUT I do live through that with this site. It's not face to face but it's still fellowship. I thank all of you for being such a great part of this site. Well said, Woody. You retired the year I began hunting. Lol! Like you, I miss the early days of my hunting career when friends would come over to the house the eve before the firearms opener and we'd eat snacks and watch hunting VHS tapes like the "Monster Buck" series. We'd dream about big bucks, but were happy to put a slug in the first deer we saw the next morning. We'd all climb down and give up our hunts to help recover a deer -- we all had those Motorola radios with a few miles range. We'd eat lunch at a local restaurant and hang out around truck beds at the check station. Lots of changes since then. Nowadays, I hunt alone. No one to spur me to get out of bed when I just feel blah. My wife is the only one involved in my deer recoveries. I check them in online, then drive them to the processor.
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Post by jtkelly on Dec 7, 2023 12:06:09 GMT -5
Guns are legal at them times……same as gun and muzzleloader seasons! So they count as firearms kills right? The powder burns crack is just an irrelevant strawman.
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Post by tradarcher17 on Dec 7, 2023 12:11:31 GMT -5
Man the good ol radio check days. Precise times given out to check in and you knew if they missed the radio check they had deer on them.
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Post by greghopper on Dec 7, 2023 12:22:00 GMT -5
Guns are legal at them times……same as gun and muzzleloader seasons! So they count as firearms kills right? The powder burns crack is just an irrelevant strawman. For those counting firearms kills yes they want them called all the same…. There differently not archery kills!
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Post by duff on Dec 7, 2023 12:42:41 GMT -5
I retired in August 1995... I thought "Oh boy! I can hunt every day from now on!" I tried to do just that. I hunted dang near every day. One early December sitting in my stand with a howling wind, 20 degree temps and frozen rain hitting me in the face I came to the realization that I had made hunting into work. I climbed down and went home. Since then I only hunt when I really want to. I sit out the rainy days, the extreme cold days and days I would just as soon stay home. I don't know how many deer I've killed, but I do know one thing - I don't NEED to kill another one. I might have hunted 10 sits in each of last season and this season and that's OK.. I really do believe that IF my grown grandson had not taken up deer hunting I would have probably quit by now. All my old hunting buddies have passed on and it is nowhere near the same. Many a times it is just me hunting my area. I've got friends I can call if I need help tracking and getting one out, and I appreciate that. The comradery and fellowship of fellow hunters is a VERY important part of the hunt. I miss that immensely...BUT I do live through that with this site. It's not face to face but it's still fellowship. I thank all of you for being such a great part of this site. Well said, Woody. You retired the year I began hunting. Lol! Like you, I miss the early days of my hunting career when friends would come over to the house the eve before the firearms opener and we'd eat snacks and watch hunting VHS tapes like the "Monster Buck" series. We'd dream about big bucks, but were happy to put a slug in the first deer we saw the next morning. We'd all climb down and give up our hunts to help recover a deer -- we all had those Motorola radios with a few miles range. We'd eat lunch at a local restaurant and hang out around truck beds at the check station. Lots of changes since then. Nowadays, I hunt alone. No one to spur me to get out of bed when I just feel blah. My wife is the only one involved in my deer recoveries. I check them in online, then drive them to the processor. Well if you just need someone to make fun of you...I'm your guy.
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Post by hornzilla on Dec 8, 2023 10:05:28 GMT -5
I think Old Lady time changes us all. And our out look on why we hunt. I really experienced this in August. Had a bad scare with almost loosing my Dad in February. He recovered. And he has always loved squirrel hunting. He asked me to take him a few times. And I gladly did. Hunting squirrels with a rifle this year after several years off was eye opening. It took me bad to my childhood. Hunting tree rats with Dad. No worries of anything. Just enjoying the outdoors.
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Post by mattfinney on Dec 8, 2023 10:24:14 GMT -5
Great post. From my posts someone might get the impression that I would be the type of guy to shame other hunters for shooting lesser bucks, let me tell you, nothing could be further from the truth. I miss the days when a 130 buck was considered a "big one" instead of a "needed another year". Even David Blanton mentioned that the first Realtree "Whitetails in the Wild" (predecessor to monster bucks) video featured bucks that averaged 130, and people were blown away by all the "big" bucks at the time. Nowadays, it seems like if your buck isn't 200 inches, people will tend to point out the weaknesses instead of just offering a congratulations. He's a "little weak on mass", or "not much spread", or "short tines". It's crazy. I would even go as far as to say that the whole "he needed another year" phenomenon is the worst thing to ever happen to deer hunting. Imagine telling a youth hunter that his buck needed another year. You contradict yourself a lot don’t you? You want us to be a big buck state but you don’t want to pass on small bucks? I’ve gotten in trouble on here before for calling folks out, but it seems like you can’t decide what you want…. I'm all for people shooting whatever deer they want. My issue with regulations has much to do with access. I think a lot of people end up leasing large chunks of land (displacing all the local hunters who used to hunt there) due to poor regulations. They are trying to insulate themselves from the regulations. For example, if a guy can control 2000 acres, it doesn't matter what the DNR does, he can "buy" a quality hunting experience no matter what. However, in states like Iowa, you can get that same quality experience on very small parcels, or even public land. I consider Indiana to be kind of a midgrade state, falling just behind states like IL and OH when it comes to regs. We are leaps and bounds ahead of states like MN though with their early and long firearms season, but way behind IA IMO. My point is that when regs are more conducive to producing a quality experience for everyone, guys feel less need to lease all the land to lock everyone else out. Honestly, I think everyone would prefer to not feel like to need to lease land, but many feel like they have to if they want a quality experience. All this said, I understand that is only my preference, and I have no ill feelings towards those who disagree. Just here to discuss ideas, and see what my fellow hunting hoosiers have to say.
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Post by steiny on Dec 8, 2023 11:39:00 GMT -5
2023 Is my 50th year of deer hunting and confess to being a whitetail antler chasing nut. Hardly missed a day of hunting from about October 20th thru about Dec 4th, still grinding it out at 64 years old and enjoying it immensely. Lucky to have plenty of good places to hunt and some family and friends that like to hunt a lot so usually have some company.
Pursuing antlers is kind of a solo thing anyway so there are times I hunt alone and even make trips out of state hunting alone. It's much more fun having some company along to spend time with before and after hunts, but if nobody goes I go anyway.
Have been fortunate to kill two really nice quality bucks this fall and now with quite a bit of hunting season left stuck with nothing but doe tags. Just can't get very fired up about going out doe hunting on my own. I do have a couple buddies that want to get some meat, so I'll set them up, do a little hunting with them and and see if we can't get them a deer.
We all hunt for different reasons. One thing I've tried to do last several years is get some younger folks involved and show them quality experiences. Seeing them succeed is about as fun as being successful yourself.
I've pretty well given up worrying about or griping about regulations or the way a particular state manages their hunting. Nothing I'm going to say will change it anyway, so play within the rules we are given and go hunt elsewhere if you see greener grass on the horizon.
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