How do you deal with poor harvest rate in the field?

[The Ri Guy]

Similar scenario, my units I hunt are all 3+ hours from my house so scouting with a toddler and busy wife is virtually impossible.

To that end, I haven't killed an elk in nearly 20 years since switching off compound to recurve, but I still go every season and grind it out. Doesn't take away from the experience for me at all, could have killed 3 different bulls last year with a compound between 50-70 yards, simply outside of my effective and ethical recurve range, and bull tags are hard to draw in WA.

I guess I'm a lucky guy (or a terrible husband/father), when I walk out the door for hunting, I'm focused on the achieving the mission and returning home unharmed until I'm out of unit and back on the highway home and have no guilt or reservations about pursuing my passion or what I'm missing at home.

 

[Koda_]

When you have a family its very hard to justify an established pattern of unsuccessful hunts. Even more so if your the only one in the family that actually goes hunting.

 

[wind gypsy]

When you have a family its very hard to justify an established pattern of unsuccessful hunts. Even more so if your the only one in the family that actually goes hunting.

I could see that especially if a guy is always buying new gear to "help be successful". I've got a buddy who's been on 4 or 5 out of state elk hunts and never killed one. I know his wife questions why he's spent so much $ and time on it without success and it eats at him a little.

I haven't experienced extended droughts on my western hunts but have eaten a fair number of tags. We bought deer hunting land near home in 2021 and spent a boat load of money on tractor and implements and habitat improvements. 4 season on it now and still haven't shot a deer on it. I feel plenty of guilt for time away but in no way does having not shot anything on the land play into that. I think the fact that my wife well understands that it's about the journey more than the kill in most instances that has never made me feel any pressure to punch tags so my time away seems more worthy or justified.

Plus, she doesn't want any more animals hanging on the walls anyway

 

[Dos Perros]

I hunted elk this year with a 7 year old bow, and some clothing going on 10 years old. I don't spend a lot on gear, really just replace what breaks or fails. I certainly felt some guilt coming home empty handed this year, mostly because I never even felt like I was 'hunting,' just dudes absolutely everywhere, or no elk where they weren't. I came home grumpy. Felt like I wasted my time. I don't like being like that. Life is too short. I've got a 6 and 10 year old at home. Decided I'm not going to hunt easy-to-draw stuff anymore when I could just take them fishing and have way more fun.

 

[Amos Keeto]

I could see that especially if a guy is always buying new gear to "help be successful". I've got a buddy who's been on 4 or 5 out of state elk hunts and never killed one. I know his wife questions why he's spent so much $ and time on it without success and it eats at him a little.

I haven't experienced extended droughts on my western hunts but have eaten a fair number of tags. We bought deer hunting land near home in 2021 and spent a boat load of money on tractor and implements and habitat improvements. 4 season on it now and still haven't shot a deer on it. I feel plenty of guilt for time away but in no way does having not shot anything on the land play into that. I think the fact that my wife well understands that it's about the journey more than the kill in most instances that has never made me feel any pressure to punch tags so my time away seems more worthy or justified.

Plus, she doesn't want any more animals hanging on the walls anyway

Back in 1975 through 1979, I made an annual pilgrimage to SW Colorado to elk or deer hunt.
Fat boy flatlanders don't do well in mountains OR higher elevations!
But I was younger and able to do fairly well. I killed one small fork horn mule deer.
I got married in 1979, I already had an elk hunt set up for that fall.

After realizing the fiscal impact that hunt had on our marriage, I took her on a mulie hunt in 1980.
It didn't take long for me to realize that if I hunted my beloved east Texas:
1) I would have more time to hunt
2) I would be much more successful
3) it cost a LOT less money
4) hunting could be a half day affair instead of a week
5) fat boy flatlanders are MUCH more comfortable in flat ground and lower elevations! LOL!

Yes! I enjoyed Colorado, but I never missed spending the time and money it cost to go up! Besides, that 896 mile drive was a bear! My deer lease cost the same as a Colorado "Non-Resident Elk" tag!