Author Topic: Common mistakes that cost a hunter a successful hunt.  (Read 1528 times)

deerman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 651
  • Gone but not forgotten
Common mistakes that cost a hunter a successful hunt.
« on: January 22, 2014, 12:52:00 PM »

I got to thinking the other day about some common mistakes hunters make that cost them.  Now lets assume that a "successful hunt" means taking an animal.  I know that is not always the measure of a successful hunt but lets say it is for this discussion.

1. Equipment and Practice
    When you do everything else right (or get really lucky) and there is your animal standing broad side in front of you, failure should not be because your gun will not work, is not sighted in, you forgot to bring the right ammo, your scope is fogged up, you can't get the gun on your shoulder because of your big down filled coat...

All these things you have control over and should have got figured out long before you entered the hunting woods.

2. You are not ready to make the shot.

Often the chance you get at an animal only lasts a few seconds.  If you need to load your gun, take off the scope covers, take off your sun-glasses or generally "diddle around" you are likely to miss out on some opportunities.  You hear a lot of stories like "I saw this great buck but I could not get a shot because..."  Often the because was they were not READY to act quickly.

My father-in-law went to a spot I had lined up for him.  Later he told me he had seen the biggest buck he had ever seen but could not get a shot.  The buck stepped out and his gun was leaning up against a tree a few feet away.

3. Two or more hunters are out together and have not made a plan for what to do if they encounter an animal while they are together.

If you want to let the other guy have the first or best chance at a deer you had better get this sorted out with him before you are standing looking at a buck that is ready to bolt.

What other "screw-ups" or lack of preperation have you done or seen that cost getting the game.

walleyes

  • Guest
Re: Common mistakes that cost a hunter a successful hunt.
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2014, 02:00:09 PM »
Pretty well all of the issues you have discussed can be controlled with practice. Practice not only shooting but camping, riding all aspects of hunting.

When I hunt my main concern is not the things you mention,, although I would be a lier if I said over the years I have probably made every one on your list.. No the ones that I concern my self with is the animal,, what move is the animal going to make, what can be done to entice it in to me, how are my movements effecting my chances of seeing game. Because let's face it,, we can be as prepared as we want if we don't see anything it's all for not.

I have found over the years that for the most part the real skills of hunting the intuition parts the parts of thinking like the animal,, they can't be taught. We can teach just about anyone how to shoot, set up a camp, ride a horse but the real hard core stuff it's tough to teach. Yes,, we can show people how to track, read sign, call,, but I am talking about reading your animals, this is an intuition like those when it comes to fishing,, people that put in the effort on the little stuff, that pay attention to the details, that just have the ability to read the game,, these are the people that consistently see game and put game down.

I have met many people over the years that consider themselves hunters and fishermen,, that are crack shots and are wicked campers,, that really,, I wouldn't let the buggers chop wood in my hunting camp..
« Last Edit: January 22, 2014, 07:53:41 PM by walleyes »

BruceW

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 828
Re: Common mistakes that cost a hunter a successful hunt.
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2014, 05:49:33 PM »
Being in proper shape for the hunt and spotting.  If you're tired, your head is down when you're walking, don't care who you are.  You're also noisy.  If you find yourself walking with your head down, sit for awhile.  Enjoy what's going on around you.

If your hunt involves spotting with bino's or a spotting scope, Do it, regularly!  I once got a nice buck because I saw his breath from almost a mile away.

If hunting in more dense brush, for goodness sake don't be in a hurry.  The only animal that walks nonstop is a human.  Listen, look.  If you don't you'll walk past more animals than you'll see, and odds are they buggered off 5 minutes ago 'cause they heard you walking with your head down.

Most important, patience, and don't get frustrated.  If you put in your time you WILL get your chance.

Lastly know what you're comfortable with and stay in that comfort zone.  Son got a nice buck a few years ago.  We hunted that same buck for four days.  He had two previous chances at it.  The first was about a 60 yd shot walking;  son didn't shoot.  I asked why?  Son, "I was shaking too bad and didn't want to take the shot".  On day 3, again from about 60 yds, walking. Son, "the angle just wasn't right".  The kill shot was from just over 100 yds, broadside, bang flop.  I was happy he got his big buck, I was proud that he knew when to pass.


AxeMan

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2083
Re: Common mistakes that cost a hunter a successful hunt.
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2014, 06:18:37 PM »
"Screw Ups"  I made one once.  ;)

I learned to carry an extra bullet.  For years my single bullet was all I ever needed.  It never occurred to me why I would need more.
I had my moose tag and my gun and bullet, slam dunk right.  It worked for me for many many years and I got my moose every time.
Then came that dreaded day when it all went wrong.  My bull moose was there 20 yards in front of me, I leveled the gun, aimed true, and pulled the trigger.
Click!  That darn shell misfired and my moose walked away.  So from that day on, I now carry an extra bullet.   ;D

PS......Almost a true story.
« Last Edit: January 23, 2014, 06:44:18 PM by AxeMan »
I think I see a rip in the social fabric, Brother can you spare some ammo?
Gettin' down on the mountain, gettin' down on the mountain

JIMMY 808

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1090
Re: Common mistakes that cost a hunter a successful hunt.
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2014, 07:41:13 PM »
I have only hunted one thing in my life besides my very first deer and that’s Big Horn sheep. 

The rest has mostly been for pure enjoyment I would rather shoot one grouse off a good point from my dog then swat my limit off the road.
 
  I have seen some epic F ups one real good one that involved a scope cranked to max power when we knew there was a good 170 ish Muley bedded down in some tall grass walked over to flush it out and pard couldn’t find it in scope.  What wrecked his day was my benefit we got to keep hunting.
 
 As I get older I find more enjoyment watching others.  I have wanted to catch a marlin for most of my life last year I had the opportunity rented the boat guide the whole deal set out for the day.  My plan was to catch a 700 pounder even the guide would have got to fight it as he yelled at me driven the boat.  When that reel started to scream wife was first one up we had no idea how big it was didn’t see it for the first 20 min.  With the wife still fighting it the marlin leaped out of the water a good 300m back I asked the guide what he thought it would go his reply was 300 pounds at least, it’s a good one.  2 hours later with the wife about to give up we had it at the back of the boat took pics and I cut the line.  Not for one second do I wish I was the one that caught that fish.             

diamonddave

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 185
Re: Common mistakes that cost a hunter a successful hunt.
« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2014, 09:32:31 AM »
Good story Jimmy, Im in the same boat as you. It's been a dream of mine since I was old enough to dream, to catch a black Marlin. But if my wife was sitting in the chair fighting the fight of her life,  someone would get shot and thrown overbord if they tried to take that rod out of her hands!!

Paul

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1855
  • Game on!
Re: Common mistakes that cost a hunter a successful hunt.
« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2014, 11:03:34 AM »
Being impatient, rattling in a good spot and not waiting long enough, then moving and spooking a big deer.

Over thinking things.

Moving to fast to a "good spot" only to spook animals.

walleyes

  • Guest
Re: Common mistakes that cost a hunter a successful hunt.
« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2014, 12:02:44 PM »
Being impatient, rattling in a good spot and not waiting long enough, then moving and spooking a big deer.

Over thinking things.

Moving to fast to a "good spot" only to spook animals.

I am guilty of this one far to often.

I don't know what it is,, when it comes to calling moose I have all the patients in the world, my morning and evening calls will last hrs in one spot. But yet when it comes to deer I seldom sit in one spot more than 15 - 20 mins..

Dark Wing

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 312
Re: Common mistakes that cost a hunter a successful hunt.
« Reply #8 on: January 25, 2014, 01:08:21 PM »
BruceW brought up a lot of tips I go by. The one thing not mentioned at least i don't think it was is the follow up after the shot. Even if you don't think you hit your animal always check for blood or hair. I've found a big deer or 2 one I know for sure was shot by a hunter and he said" it didn't look like he hit the animal". 3 years later I found  beautiful 5x5 that measure 1" under book after sitting in a cutblock .I have no respect as a hunter for these idiots, even if they stumble upon their animal a few days later because the ravens are all over it and attach a tag.