Failure hurt?

[Poser]

I’m a fairly process oriented person. So long as I feel comfortable with my preparation (physical and mental) and my effort consists measures up to my standards, the word “failure” never enters the conversation. I love meat in the freezer as much as the next guy but I’m primarily going out there to be taught some lessons about mental discipline, decision making and to see how far I can push myself while still enjoying the overall process.

 

[Scooter90254]

How could it not hurt. After all the planning and the amount you spend thinking about your hunt it is of course going to hurt a little.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

I'm 2 for 3. I didn't kill one this year. I knew the long list of variables that affect success was going to catch up one day. This was a year like none of the others in my limited experience. And, I'm certain 10 years from now, if I get the blessing to go every year in that time line, There will be some more of these years too. But, I loved it and just planned next years dates this morning. I'm going with my dad that's never been and, a life long hunting buddy that has never been. So, I'm likely to be 2-4 after next season. Gotta get them one first. Boy are they in trouble if they are depending on me.

 

[Azone]

Too many people think that all you need to fill tags is throw money at the most expensive clothing, (refraining from mentioning brand names on clothing, people seem to get a little worked up over that one) a pair of Swarovskis and the latest and greatest .300 super ultra ass kicker magnum and they to will be the next internet hero hunting celebrity. Too many people get caught up with making it a competition instead of living in the moment and hunting. Some people just dont know how to handle rejection and failure, if you're not trying to learn from failing then you truly have failed.
One of the most challenging and best hunts I was ever involved in was my wife's cow elk hunt. It really sucked seeing her not tag one but looking back at it, it was one hell of a time. We can't help but laugh at all the little silly or stupid things that made that hunt so much fun.
Hunts are what you make of them, if your help bent on killing something shell out the cash and go have a rancher set you up on a shot opportunity.

 

[nastynick]

So far this is the best post I have read, not only in Rokslide, but in any forum or magazine. I appreciate the honesty and reality of everyone on this thread.

 

[BradNSW]

I started elk hunting at 55 years old (3 seasons ago). The tags unfilled.

All solo archery hunts two - 6 night backpack hunts with a rest day in between. I've gotten close each year (nice bulls within 30yds) but never a clean shot. Each one was a success In my book: 1) I learned a lot on each hunt. 2) Saw some beautiful country! 3) Had encounters with deer, moose and some big elk. 4) Had my tent pole broken by something and learned riggers tape and a tent stake can fix that. 5) Learning how to get my pack lighter each year. 6) Now I know the drainages I hunt, well enough to find action. 7) Got away from work and info overload and relaxed! So all three "failures" have had some elements of success in my book!

Already planning for next year!

 

[LIWolverine]

I have failed to kill an animal. I have never had a hunt that was a failure.

This is how I see it.


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[TheGrayRider]

My most fun day ever enjoying the outdoors was a complete failure. I was solo archery elk hunting outside West Yellowstone, Montana last year. I hiked about 12 miles and saw mountain goat, elk, mule deer, and a grizzly bear all in one day. Never got close to the elk or deer for a shot. Complete failure if you only count harvesting an animal, but one of the days I will always remember.

 

[MOcluck]

Failure is not an option, it is inevitable. A necessary obstical in the path to accomplishment. Without the sense of failure, the sense of achievement would not exist. - KY
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[njdoxie]

Three things
1. Most of the time only successful hunters post a story, so stories u see are not a representative cross sample of people who hunted elk this year.
2. Across all weapons and seasons, the success rate is around 22%, so way more people fail than succeed, but you don’t hear much about the failures
3. If you desperately want an elk, and don’t get one, well that can sting and said folks minimize the pain by stepping away for a while

 

[Sdieffen]

Elk hunting on public land can be a mental roller coaster. I've been to Colorado 3 times. Finally killed my first bull this year during last day after 20 days of seeing elk running away, or out of range, missing a cow, a bear, etc.etc. The mountain wears the body down, then getting overrun by other hunters can be disillusioning.

The fact that the bull came in to my cow call wouldn't have been possible if I had quit early. Persistence, will power and not losing focus eventually yields results. Even if i don't kill anything i keep increasing my experience level, because the elk and all the situations i find myself in keep "teaching" me new lessons which are all my definition of success.

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