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What will you change/improve for next year?

Definitely will be knocking off a few does early in the season. I got going with my bow in mid-October. Deer were everywhere, even in the middle of the day. I thought I'd have my freezer full in no time. I didn't really start getting up into trees until November. I got a buck early November, but now I've got 3 tags left and the deer are much harder to come by. Will definitely hold tight on one antlered tag until the end of the season, but will fill my freezer early.
 
Probably cut my 1 stick down even further and switch to Canyon-IV and use it as my rappel / tether rather than tether up the tree with a short C-IV then hook up a separate rappel rope (HTP) for descent. I just don't like to ascend and hunt with the HTP. Too bulky, too stiff.

Scout more pre-season vs armed recon in early season.
 
I always end a season with a laundry list of shoulda woulda coulda's. This year is no exception to that "rule"! The number one take away for me this year is, I have to trust my self enough to not second guess every move I make. I overthink alot, it's becoming an issue. On the occasions where I just flowed my gut and hunted, I had encounters which could have been successful, and did end up taking a decent buck in rifle. So I think that maybe my biggest item to improve on for next year.
Second would definitely be gear. I had a few occasions where my setup wasnt what it should have been. I never did anything unsafe, but I rushed some setups and it cost me. I need to practice more, and take more time to setup because that spot I think I wont need to shoot from will be right were I have to shot from..... it cost me the largest buck I have ever seen.
Third is in conjunction with the last one, dont try to man handle a weak side shot if I could have moved around the tree for a strong side shot..... I cant be afraid to move when I have the opportunity to move.
 
I picked up an axo pack before rifle season I'm going to use for mountain hunting next year, also going to assemble a system to carry just the basics for aggressive hang and hunt setups in the farm country I hunt to give me some versatility.

Plan on making a point to practice shooting from my saddle more, felt like I could've spent more time this past season shooting in a more realistic setting.

From a knowledge stand point I will continue to learn and better understand the whitetail food sources in both areas I hunt.

And fill my doe tags first 2 weeks of October.
 
Not feeling like I HAVE to use a saddle every hunt. I didn't have any private pieces to hunt when I started saddle hunting. I now have 2 small 6 & 10 acre private pieces that hold good deer. I was trying to saddle hunt them and just got frustrated. No need to be mobile on such small pieces. Bought some hang ons for them a week ago and happy I did.

Also am moving towards the super light hang ons. Got a windwalker on the way for $180 and picked up an old Warren and Sweat that weighs 6.5lbs for $15 from the local ads. Hard to justify a 5.5lb mission platform with these little guys. Figured I could always throw my anderson in my pack and have it paired with the hang ons.
 
I am right handed and shoot left eye dominate so for next year I plan on buying a Gearhead bow set up for Left handed. Worst case scenario I can switch it to Right handed if it doesn't work out.
 
Im going to get a one stick/rappel setup. Good to go other than that.


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devildog said:
I am right handed and shoot left eye dominate so for next year I plan on buying a Gearhead bow set up for Left handed. Worst case scenario I can switch it to Right handed if it doesn't work out.
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Switching to your dominant eye is going to be the best thing you could do to improve your archery craft. I did it years ago now and it made such a difference. Go ahead and buy a left hand bow (not a Gearhead) so you won't be tempted to go back to your right. 100 shots in and you'll feel like it's natural.
 
I saw on Sean’s Outdoor Adventures on YouTube his “Ultimate Climbing System”. I think that will be my ideal setup. I’m really comfortable on those types of ladders. Other than that I’m really comfortable in the saddle. I may change my bow hanger and figure out something new to hold my milkweed, but that’s about it.........how long until September gets here?
 
I’m changing a lot. I’m changing from stand/sticks(and a climber)....to a saddle. Also changing to One-stick(with platform) climbing and rappelling. Just ordered canyon c-iv rope, Petzl quick link and a madrock safeguard.
Getting a couple more cell cams. Replacing bowstring/cables next week.
 
Travel in state more to better deer quality wmas this summer to scout and hunt come fall & winter. Get proficient with the EZV sight. Utilize my trail cameras, most of them are not set right now which bothers me. Don't get wrapped up in gear and scout more. Oh also and I don't think I mentioned this but I'm going to scout more.
 
I've moved from Massachusetts to Rhode Island so I definitely have to scout. Also I'm going to one stick and rappelling. I've been using a LWHC seat and love it but being a pig headed person it took me a long while to realize I take a long time to find the right tree walk around too much trying to find it. My last hunt found lots of trees in the right spot but the wrong tree for a climber. I'm done!
 
Not much, had a pretty good year so keep pushing forward with what’s worked this year. I will say one thing that I will remember in the future is twice this year, I climbed a tree and looked and saw a spot not far and thought, man I should get down and move there...well I didn’t because of laziness and not wanting to more noise and I kid you guys not, both time I had 3.5+ year old, good public land bucks walk by them in bow range... next time I’m in that situation, I’m moving and setting up trusting my gut when I think I should move.
 
Kelbrook said:
I saw on Sean’s Outdoor Adventures on YouTube his “Ultimate Climbing System”. I think that will be my ideal setup. I’m really comfortable on those types of ladders. Other than that I’m really comfortable in the saddle. I may change my bow hanger and figure out something new to hold my milkweed, but that’s about it.........how long until September gets here?
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There’s a whole thread on that here, read up & stay safe!!!!!!
 
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