Mental Hunting Pressure

[Timberstalker]

I am looking to draw an Antelope tag for the fist time in Oregon this year. I have been applying for antelope for 15 years and it looks like this is the year I will draw a tag, and to draw again in Oregon will be likely be 20+ years. I am already feeling pressuse to succeed in my quest for a big buck. I drew a Bighorn Sheep hunt a couple years ago, at times the stress I put on myself to succeed took some of the fun out of hunt. I know antelope can be hunted in other states without a 20 year wait, and is not a once in a lifetime hunt. There is the potential for a big buck if I put the time in and can pass on the smaler ones. After waiting so long I want to make the most of the opportunity, but I have a tendancy to turn my hunting into a job lately. What do you guys do in a situation where you've waited a long time for a certain hunt to keep it fun and not stressfull?

 

[Kevin Root]

I've never pulled a 20+ year wait tag as yet. Congratulations on drawing your tag. I could imagine that being some pressure though on wanting to make the most of that special tag. I don't have all that much sound advice other than using your own last 6 words Timberstalker, "keep it fun and not stressful."

I hope you have an awesome hunt! Enjoy the moment"... you're really lucky to be out there... so enjoy it, leave the outside world behind.

On a side note, I can think of a lot of worse problems to have.

 

[jenbickel]

I can think of a lot worse problems to have too!

I know that feeling.. Not the feeling of drawing a tag like that but the mental hunting pressure of making the best of a hunt. When I draw my limited draw areas for elk or antelope, I always stress. I usually just start preparing as early as possible for the hunt. That seems to help ease my stress a little bit if I feel like I am as prepared as possible. I also keep in mind that even if I don't even end up tagging an animal, it was still a great hunt. I think I learn more when I eat tag soup than I do when I actually fill my tag.

 

[Old Hunter]

Hunting should be fun. If you're not having fun. You're hunting for the wrong reasons.

 

[Timberstalker]

Hunting should be fun. If you're not having fun. You're hunting for the wrong reasons.

Thanks for getting me back on track! I knew this was the crowd I needed to go to. I have been known do get caught up in the wrong thing at times. I need to stop thinking about how long I've waited I guess. I appriciate the replies, I'm looking forward to a FUN hunt!

 

[Muleys 24/7]

I havn't drawn a tag like that yet but here's how I view the hunt....... I'm just happy to be out in some beautiful country with the opportunity to kill a quality animal, some areas have better potential than others, but for me the hunt is not all about the kill, it's about the whole experience. Good luck and ENJOY your experience, kill or no kill!

 

[Fink]

Hunting should be fun. If you're not having fun. You're hunting for the wrong reasons.

Truer words were never spoken.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I waited a long time and saved up a lot of money to take a wilderness, guided elk hunt in a world famous area. It was a hunt of lifetime (AT LEAST FOR ME). Hunting was a bust, but got to experience some awsome, wild country. At first I was a bit disappointed, but it only took me about an hour after I started the drive home that I realized how much fun I had. Like Old Hunter said....FUN!
I've spent literally thousands of hours on the water offshore fishing for Marlin & Tuna. At least 25% of the time you come home empty, but what a day on the water. I've sat hours & hours in a goose blind with my Lab, with nothing flying. But the sunrises ....Oh well you get the idea. The older you get the more enjoyment you have just being able to do these things.

 

[Timberstalker]

I'm still going to look for a good one, I also realize thats not what it's all about. I already have an added focus for the hunt, thanks to you all.

Old Hunter, what you said really hit home, thanks.

 

[Never in Doubt]

Take a minute to just soak in the surroundings. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? There's always unique scenery, birds, animals, wildflowers, plants, interesting rocks, clouds, colors of the sunrise, smells of different trees and bushes. No phones ringing, or vehicles roaring. Take a moment to appreciate those things. Maybe snap a few pictures.

It's tough to top the feeling of being in the back country as the sun rises on a brand new day. Peace, excitement, anticipation, etc. It's special.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Take a minute to just soak in the surroundings. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? There's always unique scenery, birds, animals, wildflowers, plants, interesting rocks, clouds, colors of the sunrise, smells of different trees and bushes. No phones ringing, or vehicles roaring. Take a moment to appreciate those things. Maybe snap a few pictures.

It's tough to top the feeling of being in the back country as the sun rises on a brand new day. Peace, excitement, anticipation, etc. It's special.

Yep....you have it down pat

 

[sheephunter]

I felt the pressure when I had a sheep tag...after a summer full of scouting and feeling confident I think it's important to have a plan B in place, and then a plan C and even D if necessary.

 

[Old Hunter]

I'm still going to look for a good one, I also realize thats not what it's all about. I already have an added focus for the hunt, thanks to you all.

Old Hunter, what you said really hit home, thanks.

Good, i'm glad. Nothing wrong with going for that trophy. As long as you have fun doing it. Success or not.

 

[tttoadman]

We ultimately just love animals and being out there. When the hunt doesn't work out, I just think about that monster buck or bull that is still out pushing his herd around. I get alot of enjoyment from my camera. I am hooking up the go-pro next year!! Also because everybody says I am such a clutz I should be able win Americas funny video just doing what I do.

see attached...............this is really what its all about.

good luck on the hunt!!

 

[Elkhunter96]

I have been there and felt the pressure. For me, it was the 10th day into a Utah LE archery elk hunt. I was having fun, but getting tired of not being able to fill the tag I had waited 10 years to have. I found that if you take a step back, enjoy the scenario and company it helps refocus and recharge the batteries...

 

[Timberstalker]

I like everything you all have mentioned, I can relate to it all.

 

[shedhead]

I have put the pressure on myself a few times, it can ruin the hunt if you let it. First time, I drew a Utah Archery elk tag in '05, after looking at so many 350" class bulls while scouting, I was so focused on breaking 370" that it almost became a marathon, never stopped to enjoy it. After passing a 370 class bull early on and missing a 360" at 30 yards I finally killed a 340 bull at 11 yards, and did it with my dad right by my side. Priceless. I did the same thing in Nevada when I drew my Archery elk tag with 4 points, wanted to make the most of it because the odds of getting a tag again are horrible. Again focused on breaking a score, was actually getting frustrated because all I could find was 290-325 class bulls everyday, I know sounds pathetic, and it was. Finally regrouped after 14 days and just enjoyed being there with my dad and ended up killing my best bull the next day.

Too often we get focused on killing trophies when we get LE tags, that we miss the point of it all. Enjoy the time with family and friends and often the solitude that comes with drawing a good tag and let the cards fall where they may, if you find a giant kill it, if not enjoy the experience for what it is. I regret not doing that more on my hunts. There is a difference between hunting hard and being dedicated, and putting the pressure on yourself to rewrite the record books and make the cover of a magazine.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

All of these post are spot on! I have put so much pressure on myself to kill the biggest animal. I would put bench mark score of what I wanted and made myself miserable! I finally got to the point of giving myself anxiety attacks over it! So why bother anymore. I needed a vacation after my hunts to decompress.

I finally decided to stop going out of state and spending a bunch of money to hunt and stayed in my home state. Had a kid, and got my wife into hunting. Now with a new out look on life it has become my passion again because its now a family affair. I take great pride and have the sense of accomplishment when my wife or daughter takes a animal, even more then myself. The want to make it fun for them takes the pressure off of myself, they don't really care how big the animals are just that they want to have the chance in getting something and that is so much easier to do. Having them with me on my own hunts and having them there to celebrate the ups and downs is very calming for me.

Just like most of these posts you have to make it fun or your hunting for the wrong reasons.

Good luck on your hunt! Hope to see some pics

 

[Timberstalker]

Thanks IKC, Its funny, I was thinking about the hunt as I was logging on. I am really looking forward to it. My 15 year old step daughter may be tagging along too. She loves to hunt, so why not have her with me?? Only about 6 month away, I need to get the 'Ol 25-06 dialed in soon.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Thanks IKC, Its funny, I was thinking about the hunt as I was logging on. I am really looking forward to it. My 15 year old step daughter may be tagging along too. She loves to hunt, so why not have her with me?? Only about 6 month away, I need to get the 'Ol 25-06 dialed in soon.

That would be a blast to have her with you! Good luck again!!