tim
Veteran member
I booked a hunt with Terry Overly of pioneer outfitters in chisana , ak. I showed up and he never did. Never went hunting on the trip I paid for.
Biggest Hunting Mistakes
- Thread starter Hilltop
- Start date
swampokie
Veteran member
Murdy
Active Member
1) When hunting on a military base with restricted areas, a buddy and I were trying to recover a poorly hit doe. Pushed her too hard, and kicked her up not once, but twice, but she was bleeding so heavy we figured she couldn't go too far. Well, she had enough in her to make it into a restricted area, and we never were able to recover her.
2) Buying 2 cheap scopes of the same brand and model -- both failed.
2) Buying 2 cheap scopes of the same brand and model -- both failed.
clacklin009
Active Member
1)I shot a bull 5 minutes after making it to my hunting area on opening morning with my dad waiting back at camp. It was a big bull and I was going to need extra help. My dad was asleep for the next 3 hours with the radio turned off so he would not be disturbed. I was not ready to know how to handle a trophy animal so I ended up packing way too much of the animal off the mountain.
2) Stocking in too fast on elk.
2) Stocking in too fast on elk.
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chasingAZelk
New Member
1) Not bringing enough ammo
2) Not thinking through a situation. I have had the opportunity pass me by twice, a huge 6x6 bull and a 150" class mule deer because I rushed and didn't think it through to create a plan.
2) Not thinking through a situation. I have had the opportunity pass me by twice, a huge 6x6 bull and a 150" class mule deer because I rushed and didn't think it through to create a plan.
CrimsonArrow
Very Active Member
Alabama
Veteran member
On my 2nd mulie hunt I had a great spot lined up. There were about 50 deer using an alfalfa field including 2 definite shooters. It was the 3rd morning of the hunt. I knew where the deer were going to bed, they were going basically the same way every morning right at daybreak. I needed to be up extra early because I needed to access the area differently than before and it was going to be quite a walk. Well I woke up and took a shower, confirmed I had my camera, extra warm clothes etc. I ate a quick bite on the way and was super pumped. I got there and got all my gear on, backpack on and realized my gun was still sitting in the case on my bed in the hotel room. BONEHEAD! Well they turned some calves onto the alfalfa later that day and I never saw those deer again. That one still stings because there was nobody to blame but me. My buddy in Nebraska still gives me crap about it.
I was in high school and my buddy and I found a true 200"+ typical on public ground in an OTC area. We were both young and dumb and didn't know what to do. We waited for him to feed over the ridge and hiked up the ridge and jumped him out of his bed. I shot off-handed as he ran through the trees and missed clean from about 30 yards (no blood in snow).
We waited a week before we went back to see if he would come back to the same area and on the last day of the season, he did. I stayed on a ridge 600 yards away and my buddy tried to sneak around and get close to him. If he started to spook, I was supposed to shoot. If my buddy got closer, he would get the shot. As he was sneaking in, the buck started to act nervous, so I shot. The buck kicked his hind-legs, hunched, and ran over the hill. I went over and looked for a few minutes for blood, but couldn't find any in the shale and decided I missed low and the kick was at the bullet striking near his feet. (I also split my eyelid open with my scope).
Now that I have more experience, I have a sick feeling that the reaction I saw from the deer was a solid hit. I was too naïve and didn't realize it at the time. I feel 100% sure I shot a 200+" buck and didn't even try to recover him. It still makes me sick.
We waited a week before we went back to see if he would come back to the same area and on the last day of the season, he did. I stayed on a ridge 600 yards away and my buddy tried to sneak around and get close to him. If he started to spook, I was supposed to shoot. If my buddy got closer, he would get the shot. As he was sneaking in, the buck started to act nervous, so I shot. The buck kicked his hind-legs, hunched, and ran over the hill. I went over and looked for a few minutes for blood, but couldn't find any in the shale and decided I missed low and the kick was at the bullet striking near his feet. (I also split my eyelid open with my scope).
Now that I have more experience, I have a sick feeling that the reaction I saw from the deer was a solid hit. I was too naïve and didn't realize it at the time. I feel 100% sure I shot a 200+" buck and didn't even try to recover him. It still makes me sick.
Timberstalker
Veteran member
Timberstalker
Veteran member
Honestly, my biggest mistake was not fully understanding the kill zone on a bull elk before archey hunting them. I lost a couple from bad shot placement, thinking I was good. I realize now where I mad the errors.
swampokie
Veteran member
Not being in good enough shape.
Not having the correct clothing to help you perform.
Fail #1 was when I tumbled with my gun because I was so exhausted trying to race up a hill.
Fail #2 was convincing myself that i didnt hit the scope off. I ruined an opportunity at a big herd bull because I was too lazy to take a half a day and get the gun back on.
Another fail that I have to fight is to stay calm after a kill to think straight and make a good plan.
Not having the correct clothing to help you perform.
Fail #1 was when I tumbled with my gun because I was so exhausted trying to race up a hill.
Fail #2 was convincing myself that i didnt hit the scope off. I ruined an opportunity at a big herd bull because I was too lazy to take a half a day and get the gun back on.
Another fail that I have to fight is to stay calm after a kill to think straight and make a good plan.
Nebraska Outlander
Active Member
- Sep 6, 2011
- 160
- 0
Right now I'd have to say just not going. I can't remember how many times I wish I still would have just went hunting instead of waiting the weather out. Now that I have less time to hunt I really wish I had this days back.
1. As a teen I shot at a cow elk in an alfalfa field. I misjudged the range and hit her low in the shoulder and she ran to the edge of the field and laid down in the sage. Not realizing she wasn't mortally hit but knowing I hadn't hit her well I sat and waited until close to dark hoping she'd lay down and die. When I did go up to find her it was getting dark fast, she exploded out of the sage and headed up towards the nearby mountains. By then it was dark and I had to wait and try to find her in the morning. It snowed 18 inches that night. No tracks, no blood, no carcass, nothing....
It's experiences like this and the accompanying sick feeling that lingers (even to this day) that probably make one committed to ethical shots and ensuring we prepare and do all we can to prevent something like this from happening again.
2. Not starting to buy bonus points as early as I should have.
And as far as this thread goes... "Thank you so much for bringing up such a painful subject. While you're at it, why don't you give me a nice paper cut and pour lemon juice on it!"
It's experiences like this and the accompanying sick feeling that lingers (even to this day) that probably make one committed to ethical shots and ensuring we prepare and do all we can to prevent something like this from happening again.
2. Not starting to buy bonus points as early as I should have.
And as far as this thread goes... "Thank you so much for bringing up such a painful subject. While you're at it, why don't you give me a nice paper cut and pour lemon juice on it!"
Max,
I really think that discussing these issues can help people avoid at least some of these mistakes. If you continue to ignore mistakes made in the past, they will continue to happen. When we focus on what has gone wrong in the past, we will likely not make the same mistakes again.
I am in the trip planning stages for my elk hunt next fall. In reading some of the comments, I have already adjusted a few of my lists and plans. While the information may not be new to everyone, these posts acted a great reminder to me. Thanks again to everyone who posted on this subject!
Fink
Veteran member
For me, the biggest mistake is quitting on the hunt early, or not hunting as hard as you know you can. Missing an animal, or making a poor shot, are all just a park of the gig, and sometimes that happens, and is out of your control...
But, if you quit early on a hunt or don't hunt as hard as you could, that will eat at you from the second you get home, and it won't go away until you're back out there next season.
But, if you quit early on a hunt or don't hunt as hard as you could, that will eat at you from the second you get home, and it won't go away until you're back out there next season.
tdcour
Veteran member
For me, it is rushing the shot. Rifle or bow, I need to remember to slow down and rely on my training. I rushed a shot last year and hit him high and never found him after he went on private ground.