I sit here past mid-season point of general rifle season pondering what constitutes a successful season. To date I have had approximately 8 sittings at my small ranch (70 acres) in SW Young county and seen 2 deer this season, one doe and one nice 130-140" buck that I rattled in and unfortunately missed the shot on. My hunts have been pretty spread out, one day in Oct. (bow season), a day the 2nd week of rifle season, 1.5 days before Thanksgiving (2nd morning missed the buck) and .5 day two weeks ago. Have seen multiple nice bucks on camera night-early mornings but just the two deer during hunting hours. I go at it fairly casually so thinking I'm still up for the season. What say the forum?

Have a new small (150 acres) tract of land near Mason that wife and I purchased this year and though I have only been able to get 8 days hunting in so far, I consider it a success as I love going out with my camera and taking photos just as much as pulling the trigger. To me, it is hard to beat being at the cabin and in nature, especially when it is yours and you can tailor everything how you want it.

If you're enjoying it and having fun, it's a success. Not including MLD, I've killed a spike and three does and only seen 1–2 mature bucks but I've seen a lot of deer and really enjoyed my time in the stand and with my dad.

I've had many a seasons where I didn't see a deer at all, that was a two week season though back in Wisconsin. To me a successful season is having the ability to get out in the woods. Deer or no deer

I hunt a very small 10 acres in Eastland county.and I am out there every weekend. I got a doe openning day of bow season and a doe openning day of gun season. My wife froze up on the biggest buck we have on camera. It's my goal to put down a big bruiser but it's very discouraging sometimes when it sounds like the 4th of July all around you on neighboring properties. But thats small acreage hunting I guess

A successful season has nothing at all to do with if you got a deer or not. It has to do with the times you are sitting in the stand and forget about the deer because you can't take you eyes off of a beautiful sunrise. Or forgetting the problems in the office because of watching the red bird that landed in the tree by your stand.
At least that is how I measure the success of my season. As long as I can get out there, it was successful.

The opportunity to hunt~

It is a success to have the ability to hunt another season even if I don't take a deer.

I like to see deer every hunt or other hunt and have so far luckily. I saw 24 does and 2 this past weekend. One year at another place I saw 12 deer in a whole year which was not too good. I pay less than $2,000 just under 2 hours from home so I don't need to take a buck as we have plenty of doe, dove, turkey, hogs, preds to keep us busy. If I spent more than $2,500 I would expect a buck though or at least an opportunity. I have hunted 17 hunts so far and seen one good buck but plenty of doe. My kids are about to kill me if I don't finally take a doe.

I am with many of the others. It isn't about what I kill or don't kill, or what I see or don't see...it is about the experiences and the opportunity to enjoy another season in the woods with friends and family and to have like minded people to share those experiences with.

Last year I didn't kill anything at the lease. But I counted it a success because of the friendships I forged in my first year on the lease. I've went many years without killing anything, and the only time I counted that as a wasted year, was when I didn't get to hunt at all.

A successful season is one where you get to spend time with friends and family and make new memories. And no one gets injured!!

I'm not gunna try to be philosophical like so many seem to be. A successful season is one that ends safely, and gives me venison in the freezer. I hunt for free at our family place, and I hunt for meat mostly. I won't shoot just any legal buck though. Passed on one that was legal, but didn't get me riled up at thanksgiving. I've got a little venison in the freezer from a small doe, but if I can't take at least one more doe by the end of season, I'll be a little disappointed. Whether I take a nice buck isnt quite as big of a deal.

To me a successful season is having folks out hunting and them having enjoyed the experience.

I feel the same way.

I also have another goal this year, after being able to reclaim a lease that was lost earlier as a result of poor leadership. That is, for the landowner to allow us to lease it again next year.

So thinking about it agin, having no reasons for the landowner not to allow you to return for the next season should be another goal for those who lease their hunting land.

Any season is s successful season.

Successful season would be that lease guns & family have enjoyable time. And, put some venison in the freezer. Nailing a mature buck would be just great. Our members are very fortunate to have a great lease owner and a good number of deer. To date have taken a 10 point and 9 point bucks.

Returning from every trip safely. Memories made with friends and family around the campfire. Great meals. Lots of laughs. Learning something new and teaching the less experienced. Appreciation for just being out there, watching all of God's amazing creations. Successfully harvesting an animal is just icing on the cake.

180" or better would be a nice start.

Being able to hunt the next

The opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and to be with family and friends.
Putting venison and/or other wild game in the freezer is a bonus.
Being able to decorate a wall with antlers is a bonus to the first bonus.

This with a 150" Main Frame Slick 8, winning Lottery Numbers and and another 170" Slick 10

All of the Coons being eliminated with some horrible infectious Virus that only spreads to Goats and Turkeys and Protein hitting 2 dollars a bag

THIS