What have you learned this season so far?

I learned just this morning, definitively and, hopefully once and for all, that I piddle with all my gear too much.
For example, while sitting in a blind watching whitetails and you notice an extremely nice mule deer (for Texas) sauntering by on a ridge to your left (a ways out), after you see him in the binos, and there are very few openings to thread a bullet through...
Rule #1 is put in ear plugs
and
Rule #2 is put the rifle up and shoot the *^$#! deer.

NOT
Put in ear plugs, then dig range finder out of jam-packed daypack, then range him (209), then turn your variable scope up (which is the opposite direction as your other rifle) , then put rifle up and watch him disappear into cover.

What will you do differently the next time to avoid making the same mistakes? Range ahead of time to selected spots so you can determine the distance to the target without ranging again? I understand it’s a common practice with bow hunters.

1.) Watching my son take his first deer was far more exciting than any deer I've ever taken

2.) I've learned about Rage broadheads and they'll be on end of my arrows from now on

3.) I've learned a few things on longer range shooting and I should have bought my new set-up long ago (6.5 Hell's Canyon + 5-25-50 Burris XTR)

To shoot my deer earlier. I normally hold off to musket days to take a doe, and late December to take a buck. This year I took a nice fat spike the first week and a doe during doe days. Both are already ready for eating and I have so much time to work on my place. This is most enjoyable season I have had in years. Will take my deer early from now on.

Always put my TP in a plastic bag before I put it in my pack. Wet TP when it's go time is not fun.

I generally find I carry too much stuff in my pack.

Hunt as much as you can first two weeks of the season. Worked out this year for me.

I put hearing protection as soon as a buck walks out. You never know.

^^This. Know your distances ahead of time in the shooting lanes or areas where deer will be. 209 yards is not that far and should be an easy poke without needed a range finder.

If you need hearing protection when shooting, have it ready. We use muffs when my son shoots (unsuppressed) . They are sitting on the top of our pack or strapped around a leg while hunting.

I plan to be able to shoot within about 3-5 seconds. I shoot suppressed so it's already quiet. And my rifle is leaned up on the stand right in front of me to grab quickly. I have busted many coyotes on a trot through my area where you only get 3-5 seconds to make a shot. I hunt with a guy who takes 1-2 minutes to make any shot. Drives me nuts when we night hunt for pigs and I'm always the one killing pigs before they run off and he never gets to even shoot. Practice making those quick shots. Set out a milk jug full of water in the off season at the further distances you encounter to practice those shots. Not only precision, but speed with precision. Most hunters do not work on shooting out of a stand, only at a shooting bench.

Get you some baby wipes!! Or Dude Wipes like Gerald Swindle

That it doesn't matter how much you do for your wife, it doesn't matter how many days you give up she is always going to come back and have just one more thing that you need to do so that you cant go hunting.

I'm learning that I have less time to spend hunting than I'd like. Don't get me wrong, I'm embracing my career and being a husband and dad, but I look forward to days when things are a little less chaotic and I have more time to enjoy the things I've worked for.

Yup, prerange. I have about eight points,(few in each corner) on laminated cards tacked up. I set my CDS dial on 200 yards, and most of the time I'm good and can shoot quick.

What I learned? If I set out to hunt hogs, they're hard to pattern and find.

I've learned that, especially this year, it's darn tough planning hunts around the weather!

I just had it ingrained in me forever. No matter how late my wife sleeps or piddles around getting to a blind, a big buck will show up opening weekend for her. Even if no bucks have been on camera, they appear out of nowhere for her like they are sacrifices to the hunting gods. We are on about twelve years of this silliness and she always says “deer hunting is easy.” I do not have the heart to tell her that I work my butt off for her to get those opportunities.

I’ve learned that 3 long out of town trips a year may be one or two too many

Especially when you’ve skunked on all 3

Gonna re-evaluate some of my future trips afield

I have the best time at camp when my daughter accompanies me. I get more enjoyment watching her shoot.

Once settled in the blind, i unload my pack. Water, binos, ranger finder, etc. I set everything within easy reach so it's ready to quickly deploy when needed.

Let's see.

First I learned when the wife wants to get new wood floors put in at the end of the summer, you need to ask what weekend are we doing this. Then know it will take 3 weeks including nights and weekends to do the project for one room. So if you don't get to do this in June, just say we can't afford doing this right now.

I missed all of October bow season.

Second, basketball sucks. My kiddo is on her school's Team and they practice every Saturday morning. So, until she is done with ball, we may not get to hunt together for some time.

Third, if your buddy invites you to his Inlaws to hunt, and he doesn't spend anytime out there, know he is not set up to take care of any deer you shoot. Pack everything you need.

Forth, and most important, work is over rated. When ever you can go. Just go. Don't look up the weather other than to know to bring a coat or not. And if it says its going to be hot, bring a coat. If is going to be sunny, bring the rain gear. Point being, work is over rated. Bring what ever you need to get to go hunt and be comfortable.

Season is not over, so there may still be something to learn.

That this been one of the weirdest years I have ever hunted.

1.Drought
2.Rain
3.Late or drawn out rut
4.Lack of mature bucks
5. Beer tastes funny in the stand

While the season is still going, there are some new tidbits learned or old lessons relearned:
1) Deer near a shooting range are less likely to scatter when someone shoots at them.
2) Buy the best optics that you can afford for the type of hunting that you do.
3) If two adults are feeling frisky and they are in the middle of nowhere, there's a chance others will get a free show especially during hunting season. See #2.
4) Deer are going to do what they want, when they want, where they want, and how they want. They do not care what you think.
5) Helping others can more enjoyable than hunting for yourself.
6) Train to take snap shots (under 5 seconds). Train for distances that you can expect of the type of hunting that you do. Rimfire rifles are a great tool. Use them.
7) Range as soon as you get to your spot. Know your bullet drop.
8) Practice from as many types of shooting positions as you can. Include some level of discomfort to make practice more realistic. Rimfire rifles are a great tool. Use them.

X's 2

The hill country is wetter then it’s been in 30 years. Even in the Brady mountains

Those trailer tires won't make it through one more season.

And just because the spare tire and wheel came with the trailer doesn't mean that the bolt pattern is the same on the spare. Seriously, 20+ years later and I find out on the side of the road 20 miles outside of Junction that the spare I have won't fit.

I learned that my 10 year old son is a great shot off the bench. I also learned that my son will be practicing the following this off season:

1. shooting offhand
2. shooting kneeling
3. shooting over your back left shoulder out of a ladder stand.
4. Getting his rifle up and getting a shot off quickly

This year he didn't get his gun up and ready quickly for a shot on a really big Buck that would have been easy for him if he did. He missed an even bigger buck that was a hard angle shot off his left shoulder. He missed a doe. First, tried offhand and couldn't get steady enough. Went down to one knee, and then missed her.

I carry too much stuff, equipment, necessities, (I.e. crap) that I don't need or use, but I might.

I also learned that I don't really know what a good deer is any more. I look at too many pictures of really great deer from all over and then when a good deer for my area shows, I am comparing to pictures that I have seen, which basically is totally unrealistic.

Yesterday wasn't a total wash. 'Afternoon plan came together like clockwork. I'm usually the only one that hassles with the game cameras, after the first year here and the first couple of weeks of that year. AND, last year I learned that it's not necessarily unethical if you DON'T advertise what you see on said cameras' cards, like you're assigned "recon" or something and must report to "management ", otherwise others get all hot and bothered and start thinking up new "management ideas" about (YOU, not necessarily them) letting things walk.

'Had this guy on camera a couple of times. I didn't hesitate and don't feel guilty one little ol' bit.

Darn nice deer, Creek. Congratulations. I want one like that.

Ha Ha! You mean like: "I really think we should let anything with kicker walk so they can pass along their genetics".

I have learned to place essentials (water,toilette paper,can food) in the stand well ahead of time. I only need a few things in my pack. All of the pens, tie wraps, extra knives, and what have you can either stay in the truck or ATV/UTV or already be in the stand. If you see a buck that "may" be a shooter, determine that through your scope so if he is, "POW"......I have 2 leases, 1 in East Texas and 1 in South west Texas. Neither of my set ups have a realistic shot beyond 200 yards. I do not need a range finder taking up room in my pack. Sighted in at 100 yards is still dead on at 200 in 95% of deer rifles. It was stated above but worth repeating. If you will be happy with a buck you see, take him. Just because others may have taken bigger deer doesn't mean you cant take one you like. Its your decision. This is especially important in East Texas. Most of the bucks you see there on camera will be starting to roam around by the time season starts anyway. My 2 target bucks this year never gave me a chance, but another buck did that I have never seen on camera. Don't over think it, but be ready with a decision. Your opportunity may only last a couple seconds!

I learned that if I get the chance to take the limping one-horned cull buck, just go ahead and do it. Saving it for later cause because I’m lazy isn’t the right approach. He’s still limping somewhere, I suppose.