Shot my first buck opening morning. He was running perpendicular to my stand had to take a frontal shoulder shot at 15 yards on only problem is I had my scope on 9 power so I barely saw the deer but I made it work. He ran 30 yards and piled up. Getting a euro mount done.

Hey all; I need some advice.

I’ve been hunting for about 3 years now, coming from a family of non hunters. My friend group has ignited this passion (borderline obsession) in me and it’s been all consuming.

Growing up on a farm, I am no stranger to death or killing. We shoot gophers and coyotes as pest control. We process livestock. The last two years I’ve been dedicating my seasons to waterfowl and upland hunting. The death has never bothered me and I like to consider myself an ethical and humane hunter.

Last weekend I went for my first deer camp. We seen a lot of action. Other people in the group harvested earlier this year and it didn’t bother me at all, however when it was finally my turn I passed up my shot. A doe walked out (in an area where it’s legal) and I waited for her to give me a shot. She was straight on for about 3 minutes and I wasn’t going to shoot. Then she turned and gave me her vitals. I centred my crosshairs on her lungs, flicked my safety off and put my finger on the trigger.

Now at this point, for the first time ever, my nerve shot. I started considering the weight of the action, viewing the animal as an individual and weighing the morality of what I was doing. I elected to place my rifle on safe as I couldn’t bring myself to shoot, and if I forced myself to shoot I was worried about making an unethical shot and wounding it.

Now, looking back on it, I regret it. I wish I had taken it. 3 years of build up to the moment and I couldn’t do it. I feel like less of a hunter. I feel like all the effort was for naught. I feel like a hypocrite for eating meat.

Im not sure if I didn’t like it because we sat in a blind and it wasn’t truly “fair” by some standards or if it was just nerves. I don’t want to lose the passion for the sport and I want to harvest a deer on my next opportunity - how do you deal with the weight of the killing? Does it get easier? Does anyone have any advice on how to be more effective and deal with this if it happens again?

I’ve been trying really hard to find some land to hunt deer and I for the life of me can’t find anything and hunting clubs around here are asking for around 3,000$ to join it’s really demotivating. I live in Virginia and I know there some nice public land hunting areas I just don’t know if there a good option? Any recommendations would be appreciated

I've seen a beloved youtuber have issues with people letting dogs free with GPS collars, but not within sight or control, and it's caused a number of issues for his farm. Said "hunting dogs" have terrorized and killed his livestock.

I'm wondering how the general hunting community feels about this style of hunting. It's technically legal where he is.

His community says that it rids the area of "bears and rabies."

What say you?

Edit: If you're interested in helping protect his (and others) rights, pm me and I'll send the info. Currently this is absolutely legal for people, and their dogs, to trespass on his land.

Obviously lots of ppl have used 360 Hunting blind. Wondering if anyone has any comparison to 8 point hunting blinds out of PA?

Looks very similar, if similar cost what would someone choose and why? I would likely be able to get 8 point for about 25% cheaper.

For those who own the FHF bino harness, do you notice the side straps that go under your arms looses very easily as you walk? I pull them tight, and the strap instantly starts to slip and loosens. Has anyone found a solution to this?

https://youtu.be/5YqHPjcWjmM

What do you use in a tree stand to stay warm? I use a base layer and such but today it was 45 degrees and windy and I was frozen. I no longer gun hunt either due to the cold temperatures. I was looking at upgrading from my carhart base layer to minus33 merino wool but $300 is steep for a “maybe keeps me warm”. I found some camo and waterproof camping blankets on Amazon and thought maybe something like that just draped over the stand would help some? My big thing is staying maneuverable. I have a big heavy jacket and bibs but they are very movement constrictive.

Im contemplating doing something different this year. My stand is about 1/3 of a mile from camp but by the time I get there with all my grear on, even if not zipped I am sweaty and I have a feeling my feet are sweaty too.

I thought about either putting a bin at my stand and leaving all my cold weathe gear and pack in there and getting dressed before I climb or carrying all my stuff out in a scent lock bag and getting dressed at the bottom.

Any suggestions? I want to do all day hunts and reduce getting cold. This year I'll have merino wool base layers, heated mid layer, darn tough socks with liners.

Would the Vortex Crossfire II 4-16x50 scope be good for this rifle? I usually use a little more magnification than other people depending on the situation. I also like brighter scopes with a nice large view. I was looking at the Vortex Hog Hunter, but have heard that its view at max magnification isn’t the clearest. I’ve also looked at the Triton StarStrike 3-18x HD Night Vision scope.

Got my first whitetail in years and decided I’d give my good boy the heart as treats, since I’m not a fan. Ended up with more treat packs than I thought I would, so it’s going to be a good holiday season for ALL of the family dogs! Good luck and happy hunting!

Northwest Quebec Canada 470lbs

I’ve yet to hand any creepy or unexplainable encounters while in the woods while hunting but been hearing stories from friends and family members. Just wanna hear about any of your encounters or stories while hunting.

I am (mostly) vegetarian. The only meat I eat is what my husband harvests or I fish for. We are putting up a deer right now and I mentioned that on the next one I want to make some hamburger patties and freeze them so I won’t have to buy veggie burgers anymore. He said we need to mix fat in to make it stick together. Any thoughts ? Sorry if this is the wrong sub.

Sat all morning for deer at a place that holds a bunch of pheseants. Figured i would bring a few steel shot shells with me for the walk back to the car in case i bump any pheasants. Apparently it holds teal too.

Picked up a Pelican Vault V800 and a Magpul Daka Grid. I like the idea of reconfiguring one case for the different hunting seasons.

Hello, i’ve been hunting for a couple years now, (whitetail deer) and was wondering how soon should i use a call after sitting in my stand? Been experimenting last years and have had no luck.