Hunting Motivation- Is Yours Waning Or The Same As Always?

[blackbeltbill]

      For me the only segment of my Hunting that is Waning is the Fall Turkey Hunting. Back when it opened on October 1st in my area- I had 3 Solid Turkey Roost Sites for October 1st and thereafter. Like a different  Bass under the same Lily Pad the next Day- every October 1st the Turkeys were right there as usual- every year. Bang out 2 Big Birds easy. I understand  from talking to friends back years ago that Private is the same. Exact same Fall Roost and an easy opening day Fall Hunt. Now that Fall Turkey opens at the 3rd week of October- the Big Birds have been spooked out of their usual Roost areas. I am spicing things up this Coming Fall with my Dusting Pit. Hope to nail a Fat Hen Turkey or Jake .

  Spring Turkey-- I am a Fanatic as ever. Loosening the reins on Cynthia so,I can have a few more chances at a early May Big Gobbler.

  Pheasant Hunting-- I have not missed a single opening day since 1974 when,I was 14 years old. ABBEY and,I are both Stoked to get out there.

  Deer Hunting-- I have only been out on the Rifle opener a good 30 times since 1974. Hunt the 1 day and that's  it.  I am interested  in the early Anterless  Season though as ,I will actually  see alot of Deer.  So there is some motivation  there.

  So--- Is your Motivation  For Hunting Waning or as Strong as ever?

 

[Mike103]

I’m done with fall turkey hunting. Turkeys are not plentiful where I hunt. Haven’t killed a hen in ten years.

Not a popular position but I get little thrill shooting does. I like to kill bucks. I like horns. There I said it out loud. 
 

If I kill a doe like I did last year I use my Xbow. 

[G-man]

I still enjoy a fall hunt. But other than that i have lost most  of  it for every species. 

I work on habitat now and enjoy getting kids hooked and friends getting their deer.  

I am the drive master for our late season pushes for guys to get meat in the freezer. I do enjoy that but nothing worse than spending hours pushing rosebush and thorn tree thickets to not have guys shoot because theybare waiting for a perfect shot  or a specfic deer... 

Getting to be one of the old guys at camp that watch more than they go out during regular season. I CAN SAY THAT I TRULY ENJOY CAMP! Unfortunately many will never enjoy that with todays hunting and opening days.. . I still go out but  knowing  land and deer here  its never hard to get a deer. A specfic deer maybe. But  ive never been a trophy hunter  i take what  i can get when i decide to shoot. Guys pick on me saying you pass 30 deer then kill 2- 3 in a few seconds...

[Rob-c]

Last year i hunted a good  amount during archery , and only  went out 3 times i think for fire arms . My drive to hunt is definitely lowering, but having said that this year I'm chomping  at the bit to get out . Ive decided this year if its brown its down , i want venison in my freezer . 
 

Edited August 24 by Rob-c

[blackbeltbill]

39 minutes ago, Mike103 said:

I’m done with fall turkey hunting. Turkeys are not plentiful where I hunt. Haven’t killed a hen in ten years.

Not a popular position but I get little thrill shooting does. I like to kill bucks. I like horns. There I said it out loud. 
 

If I kill a doe like I did last year I use my Xbow. 

  I have completely  changed my mind on Fall Hens after watching a good 15 or so fly down in front of me. I killed one that day. There are so many Hens and Young Gobblers in my area that in the Spring,I will take that Jake and the Fall,I will now target Hens or a Jake.

[crappyice]

Lot going on has sidetracked some of my motivations/desire to be in the woods but I know  once I go once, the fire(/hunger(#MakeMeat!) will return!

[BowmanMike]

Motivation is the same for me,strictly a deer hunter here. I am not quite as fanatic about it as I used to be,but definetely excited for the opener. 

Bowhunting is where it is at for me.

[Buckmaster7600]

My hunting drive has plummeted in recent years. I couldn’t care less if I ever kill another deer. I’ve basically done everything I can do and killed deer and turkeys in every way and with every legal weapon. It’s made it tough to chase the high I used to get.  I still enjoy walking through the woods and exploring what’s over the next mountain.

 

 My only hunting goal now is to never kill a deer or turkey on a mountain that I’ve hunted before.
 

 

[mowin]

Fall turkey is too easy. Not hard to shoot any turkey. Young Jenny's or Jake's, hens are as easy as going to the grocery store.  Toms much more difficult. I haven't targeted fall birds in probably 10 yrs. While bow hunting I let them walk on by as I wait for a buck. Spring isn't too difficult either. I usually only hunt 2-3 days because I'm too busy with work.  Last year was the first yr in probably 20 yrs, I didn't get a Tom. 

Not difficult to take a deer either in my area. The biggest bucks in the are, yes, they are difficult to kill.  I'll sit all archery passing up does and smaller bucks, not because I'm trophy hunting, but if I shoot one, I'm less likely to go out hunting. 

I rarely hunt mornings anymore as I just don't want to get up.  I will shoot a few does for the freezer during late ML. 

[riverrat]

My motivation is to get my 15YO step daughter to stay calm enough to make a good shot, hopefully she learned enough last year that it's not an issue. At 57 she's like a granddaughter, fun times! 

 

 

[Rusty]

14 minutes ago, riverrat said:

My motivation is to get my 15YO step daughter to stay calm enough to make a good shot, hopefully she learned enough last year that it's not an issue. At 57 she's like a granddaughter, fun times! 

That’s what it’s all about!    Best of luck this year and enjoy your time together!   

[Bucksnbows]

I’m 58 and still have the drive to hunt and hunt as much as I can. Last year I put more time in deer stands and blinds than any year since I turned 10 and first got my license (NJ). In addition to deer, I hunted turkey, ducks and grouse/woodcock/rabbits as well. And then there’s fishing, but I digress. 
 

When I am no longer motivated to hunt, I will hang it up. But I don’t see that happening soon. I also mentor others, and this is year 2 for a father and his now 15 year old son who will be up Sunday to build a roof over their stand and put up a cell cam and scout with me on the property I manage in Sparta, NJ. It has always been important for me to mentor new hunters and anglers, and I love sharing what little I know with newbies and seeing them have success. 

Edited August 24 by Bucksnbows

[blackbeltbill]

50 minutes ago, mowin said:

Fall turkey is too easy. Not hard to shoot any turkey. Young Jenny's or Jake's, hens are as easy as going to the grocery store.  Toms much more difficult. I haven't targeted fall birds in probably 10 yrs. While bow hunting I let them walk on by as I wait for a buck. Spring isn't too difficult either. I usually only hunt 2-3 days because I'm too busy with work.  Last year was the first yr in probably 20 yrs, I didn't get a Tom. 

Not difficult to take a deer either in my area. The biggest bucks in the are, yes, they are difficult to kill.  I'll sit all archery passing up does and smaller bucks, not because I'm trophy hunting, but if I shoot one, I'm less likely to go out hunting. 

I rarely hunt mornings anymore as I just don't want to get up.  I will shoot a few does for the freezer during late ML. 

It depends on where you hunt Fall Turkey.  I believe, I have Killed 2 Fall Turkeys since the 2015/3 way change to the Fall Turkey Season in Zones 3 + 4. 

   I love walking the Miles in search of Fall Turkeys Though. The Big Birds are Totally Spooked by October 21st on Public  with 3 Weeks of Hunting Pressure  for different species.  

  Having a Ball with my Dusting Pit and keeping it stirred once a week for the past 5 weeks. And the Big Birds are visiting.I have to be on someone's  Trail Camera by now.

  Spring Turkey has been too easy for me. Started taking out my Brother in Law and putting him on Big Birds. Then Jeannine for 4 years and now good Friend Cynthia for 4 Years. I am getting Motivated myself to put up some numbers of Turkeys Killed once again. 

   

[mowin]

25 minutes ago, Bucksnbows said:

I’m 58 and still have the drive to hunt and hunt as much as I can. Last year I put more time in deer stands and blinds than any year since I turned 10 and first got my license (NJ). In addition to deer, I hunted turkey, ducks and grouse/woodcock/rabbits as well. And then there’s fishing, but I digress. 
 

When I am no longer motivated to hunt, I will hang it up. But I don’t see that happening soon. I also mentor others, and this is year 2 for a father and his now 15 year old son who will be up Sunday to build a roof over their stand and put up a cell cam and scout with me on the property I manage in Sparta, NJ. It has always been important for me to mentor new hunters and anglers, and I love sharing what little I know with newbies and seeing them have success. 

I too get more enjoyment helping new hunters, young or old, get into hunting, and ultimately succeed, then I do getting a deer or turkey myself. 

I've made a couple lifelong friends from the old forum by inviting them to hunt. 

[Belo]

3 hours ago, blackbeltbill said:

  I am interested  in the early Anterless  Season though as ,I will actually  see alot of Deer.