Does anyone else have this problem?

[josephmrtn]

Does anyone else ever just completely loose the motivation to hunt? 

I haven't killed a deer since 2020 and haven't killed a buck since 2014. My only goal the last few years has been to kill a buck with my bow, I'm not looking for a giant my personal goal is just at least a 6 point. But I feel like I've reached the point where I have to force myself to be in the woods because it just feels like a waste of time. I haven't even had a shot at a doe the last few years much less a buck.

I've tried everything I can think of at this point on both private land and public land, watched countless hours of videos trying to refine my process and learn what I'm doing wrong. I pay more attention to the wind and topography then I ever have, try to plan my access and exits strategically, ect. and I simply don't see anything. I feel like if I'd at least see deer it would be easier to stay motivated. I almost feel like I know less about deer hunting now than I ever have and don't know what I should do to learn what I'm doing wrong.

[crappyice]

How's your pre/post/off season scouting? I learned so much more from shed hunting post season then any other means of info gathering. 

[broomeguy]

14 minutes ago, josephmrtn said:

Does anyone else ever just completely loose the motivation to hunt? 

I haven't killed a deer since 2020 and haven't killed a buck since 2014. My only goal the last few years has been to kill a buck with my bow, I'm not looking for a giant my personal goal is just at least a 6 point. But I feel like I've reached the point where I have to force myself to be in the woods because it just feels like a waste of time. I haven't even had a shot at a doe the last few years much less a buck.

I've tried everything I can think of at this point on both private land and public land, watched countless hours of videos trying to refine my process and learn what I'm doing wrong. I pay more attention to the wind and topography then I ever have, try to plan my access and exits strategically, ect. and I simply don't see anything. I feel like if I'd at least see deer it would be easier to stay motivated. I almost feel like I know less about deer hunting now than I ever have and don't know what I should do to learn what I'm doing wrong.

Pretty sure there's a pill for that. Might have to go to Mexico to get some. 

[The_Real_TCIII]

Find a new passion I guess, why do something you dont enjoy?

[josephmrtn]

15 minutes ago, crappyice said:

How's your pre/post/off season scouting? I learned so much more from shed hunting post season then any other means of info gathering. 

It hasn't been great the last year or two honestly. Not seeing anything all season has really hurt my motivation to be in the woods in the off Season as well. This is the first year that I'm trying public land so it's an area I've never hunted before as well

[crappyice]

3 minutes ago, The_Real_TCIII said:

Find a new passion I guess, why do something you dont enjoy?

I was going to suggest finding a hunting partner to talk things through, scout with, hunt different spots in same woods and share intel. maybe @turkeyfeathers would motivate him?

[Buckmaster7600]

Find a piece of public big enough, put your nose into the wind and take a walk with a weapon. You didn’t say it but I’m assuming you’re sitting. Go back to the old days and take a gun for a walk, it’s way more fun and enjoyable than sitting and waiting for something to walk by!

[blackbeltbill]

I would move around.  

[sbuff]

When I lose that motivation I'll hang up the guns . 

Even if I see nothing for weeks that drive is always there , you never know what's behind that next tree or right around the corner . Don't give up and get to the woods 

[Swamp_bucks]

9 hours ago, josephmrtn said:

Does anyone else ever just completely loose the motivation to hunt? 

I haven't killed a deer since 2020 and haven't killed a buck since 2014. My only goal the last few years has been to kill a buck with my bow, I'm not looking for a giant my personal goal is just at least a 6 point. But I feel like I've reached the point where I have to force myself to be in the woods because it just feels like a waste of time. I haven't even had a shot at a doe the last few years much less a buck.

I've tried everything I can think of at this point on both private land and public land, watched countless hours of videos trying to refine my process and learn what I'm doing wrong. I pay more attention to the wind and topography then I ever have, try to plan my access and exits strategically, ect. and I simply don't see anything. I feel like if I'd at least see deer it would be easier to stay motivated. I almost feel like I know less about deer hunting now than I ever have and don't know what I should do to learn what I'm doing wrong.

I was starting to get that way in the mid 2010s. Just with work and kids just never had the drive. Wasn’t killing anything and couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong.  Then I had people who never hunted start asking for help, taking youth hunters out, etc and got that drive back.  
 

I changed how I hunted 100%. I used to just put stands in walk to them sit and hope something comes in.  While I have 1 spot like that now, I scout my way in looking for the best sign and setting up on that.  When I get into a rut I do what @Buckmaster7600 said grab my gun or ML and just go for a walk on a new piece.  My favorite part of the hunt is the scouting. 
 

if you need a break just take a couple weeks off reset the mind and go at it again.  Good luck.

[lucky118]

The bad thing about bucks  is that what they were doing last week on state land they arent doing this week on state land. And next week they won't be doing that either lol. You are constantly moving around the land to find them. I just move around alot. Thick thick thick  is what you need to look for. If you can't walk through it the deer are there, maybe. Lol

[Nontypical]

The new season starts when this one ends. The winter months are an excellent time to scout and start planning for next year. I’ve killed more deer on the first sit in a new stand, so be mobile and don’t be afraid to do a hang and hunt when you find good sign. Try to figure out their bedding and food sources. During the season food sources can change quickly, so try to plan ahead instead of being a step behind. 

[The Back 40]

Switch things up. If you are doing a lot of stand hunting try still hunting or just #fromtheground. I know that when I spend a lot of time hanging stands and clearing shooting lanes, I start to dream about monster bucks strolling by on opening day, then get let down when I don't see anything. When that happens, I take a quick scouting walk and if I see fresh sign, I grab a small pack chair and find a decent place to sit on the next hunt. Just the change of scenery can make a big difference. Later in the season I will also cut down on the volume of days I am out in the woods and really watch the weather. If I see a big weather front coming in (like tomorrow) I will go out on the front and back end of the storms.

I have five tree stands on my property that I sit regularly, and I have killed all of my deer from the ground the last 3 years including my biggest buck two years ago. I actually climbed down from a stand and followed some tracks and set up my chair against a tree. 15 minutes later a 9 point walk out 10 yards in front of me.

[cervidchasers]

1. Change of scenery helps and as others said, walk around. Spot n stalk helps in keeping one engaged and enjoying the outdoors.

[nygrandpa]

I've usually found that the best way to see deer is to go out hunting something else.