Close to giving it up for the year

[macoop]

I'll start by stating that I am blessed to have my own place and 3 awesome blinds to hunt from. I guess my expectations are too high as far as seeing an abundance of "shooter" deer. I've been running a trailcam for months and all I have is does, fawns, and small bucks coming in. They come in regularly and even with the rut going on I still see the same deer. I'm just about to the point where I have all of them named and it's getting old fast. I know there are no other deer coming through because I don't even see them at night when the light is on. I have always seen good bucks come through at night in past years and it would keep you going knowing that there was a good buck coming through and you possibly had a chance when the sun came up.

Mid-December historically has brought some new deer around looking for good groceries and I think I'm going to just stay home and wait it out until mid-December.

It's been a weird year on my place and is starting to frustrate me to the point where I don't even want to go anymore.

Has anyone ever been in this spot before?

[JSAPP]

Personally I enjoy going hunting. Even if I'm not killing anything. I guess I don't see a point in stopping your hunting. But if it's that miserable for you to go and not see a shooter then you're right, you should probably stay home.

[one66stang]

I was there last year at my old lease. I usually hunt about 30-40 days out of a season, I hunted normal last year until mid Nov. Then made one trip in December. I changed leases

[RLB]

That's why it's called huntin.....not killin!!

[Hickory Nut]

Yes, two years ago I had several good bucks on my camera. I took the first one that gave me a decent shot the Sunday morning of opening weekend. I then left that place alone and hunted other properties. Last year I was fired up to see how the deer looked. I never saw anything better than a six point last year. Pretty frustrating. This year I have a couple of decent ones back. Hang in there.

[Niko]

Hang in there it will get better.

[macoop]

Personally I enjoy going hunting. Even if I'm not killing anything. I guess I don't see a point in stopping your hunting. But if it's that miserable for you to go and not see a shooter then you're right, you should probably stay home.

Normally I'm just like you are. I'm happy just taking pictures and getting out of town. I've been hunting 2-3 times a week since the season opened and it's like I just hit a brick wall. Maybe I need therapy or something haha

[Fishndude]

Ok here's my take. I hunt a place with very few deer. I spent the first two years sitting without seeing a single deer. Boring? Heck ya! Did I care? Heck no! I was in my happy place. For the last two seasons, I still haven't killed a thing. Our deer numbers have increased but I still sit without seeing a deer. So, I sit and watch the birds, talk to my daughter and take in the peace and quiet.

I guess my point is, enjoy what you do see and make it about something other than hunting.

[Antlers86]

Hang in there! Nothing will ever take away the enjoyment of hunting in me. The fact of being in Gods creation and watching the woods wake up on cool crisp mornings and sun disappear over the horizon keeps my blood flowing. Its a place I can sit stress free and relax in awww! No telling what you will see and witness in person. Hang in there and Good Luck to you! Ive bowhunted for 10+ years and have yet to kill a deer. Heck I missed a doe last week as she ducked my arrow. It was my first shot ever at a deer. For some reason it pumped me up and I had a great moment from it. Have had countless sits of being skunked and numerous trips seeing the same deer every sit. Keep after it, have patience and the time will come!

[zztex]

I'll volunteer to LIVE in your blinds till you are ready to come back. Your blinds are incredible. Good luck

[Jaycar85]

have u filled all your doe tags?

[Mouse]

I was kind of in the same spot as you. I did something different this year. Last week was the first time I hunted all year. Normally I would hunt every weekend and be burnt out by the rut in mid november. Can't wait to get after them again next weekend. For me it is not the catch or kill any more but just having a cup of coffee and watching the sun come up and what ever makes its way to my blind. Saw two nice bucks last week along with the normal cast of characters.

[TimH]

Take a couple weeks off and get back to it. Are you putting any effort in growing or bringing in more deer?

[flywise]

Head out with the only expectation being enjoying the peace and quiet

[RascalArms]

If I was in your shoes Mark, the first thing I would do is take away the game cams. Stop relying on them because not seeing a shooter for awhile messes with your mind and creates doubt IMO.
You know your property better than anyone and well enough to know deer change their habits regularly...especially during the rut.

Just take a deep breath and enjoy your surroundings and what God has provided.

And YES, you probably do need some therapy...it's evident your BUILDS are so extreme and you don't know what to do without another "project" to keep your mind occupied!