Defining a Successful Hunt

Handloader · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 12:17 am Post subject: Defining a Successful Hunt

This is a common subject during hunting season at the little gunshop where I labor and I am surprised at the difference definitions hunters offer for a successful hunt. The bottom line is that hunters will define success to their own satisfaction and I am comfortable with that, but, let me present the prevalent viewpoint with which I agree for your comments to start the discussion.

While many hunters express the thought that just getting out, being with buddies or family is enough to define a hunt as "successful" my point of view is that there is a difference between success and enjoyment. In fact, I cannot think of any hunt that hasn't been enjoyable, but, success on a hunt to me means bringing back the game after having followed the rules and ethics in taking the game.

When I return empty handed, even with the best of excuses (and there are many) I feel a void and a certain unfulfillment. Even if I had a great time and enjoyed myself, my reason for hunting is to kill something. If I had an extra day, I would still be in the field looking to fill that tag and would consider myself successful only if I filled it.

How do you define success?

shrpshtrjoe · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 4:17 am Post subject: Re: Defining a Successful Hunt

Handloader wrote:

I cannot think of any hunt that hasn't been enjoyable, but, success on a hunt to me means bringing back the game after having followed the rules and ethics in taking the game.

When I return empty handed, even with the best of excuses (and there are many) I feel a void and a certain unfulfillment. Even if I had a great time and enjoyed myself, my reason for hunting is to kill something. If I had an extra day, I would still be in the field looking to fill that tag and would consider myself successful only if I filled it.

How do you define success?

Howdy I would have to agree with ya handloader i enjoy every second i am in the woods rainin,snowin it doesen't matter but i to feel a void when i don't bring home the bacon. My daughter and I will eat 2 to 5 deer a year depending on how many i get, now after i have 5 i will go out with no intentions of shooting another deer, i go because i enjoy it and to learn more about my quarry. Most years 5 deer is a tough number on limited time to hunt so most of the time i'm trying to fill the freezer. But based on the term succesful i would have to agree with ya, but at the end of the season if i have one deer in the freezer it was a succesful season and all of my seasons have bin enjoyable Very Happy

popgun · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:39 pm Post subject: Re: Defining a Successful Hunt

Success does mean bringing home the game. Enjoyment is just being there doing what we like to do best as HuntingNuts. I differ slightly in that I'm not there to just kill somthing but to enjoy the hunt. It might be because I'm an ole goat now and I have taken alot of game. The thrill is not gone but it's more than just being there to kill a critter. Having a good day afield means more to me now. I get as much enjoyment seeing a hunting buddy take a good deer as getting one myself.

I even had fun taking a 78 point sapling the other day. It gave me a good laugh at myself and showed me that I'm not the perfect GWH all the time. The guys in camp had a good laugh too and wanted to cut my shirt tail. I told them that retired people have enough shirts in the closet with holes in them and that I did not need any more. I left camp before they stopped laughing and saved the shirt.

There is another successfull hunt definition though. Going hunting and coming home to the family safe & sound.

squirrelbait · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 6:47 am Post subject: Re: Defining a Successful Hunt

Well, I'll come down on both sides. If you are pragmantic and your going out to put something in the freeze then coming home empty is not success. On the other hand....and I tend to be here, if your purpose of hunting is ALWAYS dual purpose, bring home the bacon AND enjoyment, then I am ALWAYS successful. We, my son and daughter and I, don't really get out like we would like to but it is always successful. My daughter demonstrates that with the attached paper. We home school. This was one of her assignments last year. Yea, I have it posted outside my cube.

Flint54 · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 7:08 am Post subject: Re: Defining a Successful Hunt

*****AMEN******

Warms my heart more than the fire!!! Smile

You have a Very Special Gift in your Daughter, Remember to give her a Hug and tell her You Love her every day of her life!! Very Happy

515034s10ring · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 3:45 pm Post subject: Re: Defining a Successful Hunt

It's great and even "successful" when you go hunting with kids even before they're able to hunt....but if you think you will ALWAYS be one step ahead of their thinking, especially when they get in school......Think again! Shocked

My daughters keep me on my toes every minute they are awake! Very Happy