Is hunting still THAT FUN anymore?

[5MilesBack]

If we hit another major recession, there will a be thousands if not tens of thousands who “just don’t have the time this year” or “can’t take the time off work”.

I hear this often, but even back in 2008 and 2009 which was considered a major recession, it was still more crowded than one would expect given those circumstances. These days I just assume that it will be crowded every year, but hope for the best.

 

[4rcgoat]

It's always fun when you get to experience your kids having success, and being an integral part of it all the way through.

 

[jpmulk]

The landscape of hunting has dramatically changed and will continue to do so. I dont think anyone can argue that. In some ways its good and others very frustrating. It will draw new hunters and push out old ones because they dont like the new way of things. Might be me someday. Ill stay out until im not having fun anymore. For now, its still fun. But it is frustrating seeing the dramatic changes. Day hunting has gotten exceptionally more competitive and difficult. I personally dont enjoy pumpkin patches either. The backcountry still has some solitude though.

 

[diamond10x]

Like anything in life, it's what you make of it. Personally, it's more fun than it ever was and it will only go up from here.

How about the whiners just do everybody a favor and stay home? It would help yourself out relieving stress and irritation as well as alleviate a little pressure on the animals for everyone else.

 

[Randle]

It is more fun then ever before . My son and grandsons are the new elk hunters in my area and I dont have to avoid them
Make it your hunt and enjoy it.
Vine maple is the overcrowding in my area I hate that stuff

 

[S-3 ranch]

The landscape of hunting has dramatically changed and will continue to do so. I dont think anyone can argue that. In some ways its good and others very frustrating. It will draw new hunters and push out old ones because they dont like the new way of things. Might be me someday. Ill stay out until im not having fun anymore. For now, its still fun. But it is frustrating seeing the dramatic changes. Day hunting has gotten exceptionally more competitive and difficult. I personally dont enjoy pumpkin patches either. The backcountry still has some solitude though.

Near town isn’t bad if you don’t like hiking

 

[jpmulk]

Near town isn’t bad if you don’t like hiking View attachment 467543

Thats awesome.

 

[wannajeep]

Having grown up in a rural area of Washington and seeing it change, it makes you grateful for what you can enjoy when you can enjoy it.

 

[FLATHEAD]

As I get older I just dont need to get after em as bad as I used to.
Getting to the point that if I have to keep deer hunting public land I dont
know if I will continue. The State lands I have near me are pathetic;
over-crowded, poorly managed and over regulated.
This year I've been making a 4.5-5 hr drive to hunt NF land where I
grew up. And, although better, just isnt worth the drive and cost of a hotel.
I have been entertaining the thought of buying a piece of land somewhere
but dont know if I can justify dropping 6 figures to shoot a couple deer.
At a cross roads I guess.
'bout to go see if I can catch a bull red.

 

[Punisher762]

I am old enough to fondly remember hunting cental Idaho with my dad on horseback almost 40 years ago. NEVER saw a single soul and it was great. Moved out of the state and shocked from what I hear. Really sad state of affairs now it seems.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Yup! It’s changing but I’ve never been more passionate about it. If it gets to the point that tags are impossible to get, I’ll become a backcountry squirrel hunter. Need that North American slam!

 

[HornPorn]

As I get older I just dont need to get after em as bad as I used to.
Getting to the point that if I have to keep deer hunting public land I dont
know if I will continue. The State lands I have near me are pathetic;
over-crowded, poorly managed and over regulated.
This year I've been making a 4.5-5 hr drive to hunt NF land where I
grew up. And, although better, just isnt worth the drive and cost of a hotel.
I have been entertaining the thought of buying a piece of land somewhere
but dont know if I can justify dropping 6 figures to shoot a couple deer.
At a cross roads I guess.
'bout to go see if I can catch a bull red.

No need to spend 6 figures. You can legally kill 1 deer per day in Alabama

57 +/- Ac. Hunting Land

This 57 +/- acres of recreational timberland is located in the Borden Springs Community of Cleburne County, Al. The tract has a mixture of upland hardwoods and mixed pine timber. The property is in mo

www.landwatch.com

 

[Ucsdryder]

Hunting is funny. While doing it I often think “this sucks” or “why am I here right now” or even “why do I do this?!” 30 days after the season is over the only thing I seem to remember are these moments….

 

[FLATHEAD]

No need to spend 6 figures. You can legally kill 1 deer per day in Alabama

57 +/- Ac. Hunting Land

This 57 +/- acres of recreational timberland is located in the Borden Springs Community of Cleburne County, Al. The tract has a mixture of upland hardwoods and mixed pine timber. The property is in mo

www.landwatch.com

HA!! I actually wanted to look at that property but it was under contract almost as soon
as it came up on the website.
It's not listed as under contract but the realtor will tell you it is.

 

[Trackerbacker]

Nope.

Just because you had the luxury of x, doesn't mean a new guy shouldn't get that option.

The government shouldn't be buying more land. They have poor track record of management as is, let alone, i don't want to give them a reason to tell me what to do and when or raise my taxes.

I welcome every new person to the outdoors. I welcome the government to the direction of walking out my door.

If there's too many people, go deeper, go somewhere else. First come first serve, and you're entitled to nothing.

Seems more selfish than anything...PM me your number, I'll have my 5 year old call you so you can tell her she can't join hunting or the outdoors because it might hurt your feelers.

 

[woods89]

Hunting is funny. While doing it I often think “this sucks” or “why am I here right now” or even “why do I do this?!” 30 days after the season is over the only thing I seem to remember are these moments….

That sounds completely familiar!

 

[Will_m]

Nope.

Just because you had the luxury of x, doesn't mean a new guy shouldn't get that option.

The government shouldn't be buying more land. They have poor track record of management as is, let alone, i don't want to give them a reason to tell me what to do and when or raise my taxes.

I welcome every new person to the outdoors. I welcome the government to the direction of walking out my door.

If there's too many people, go deeper, go somewhere else. First come first serve, and you're entitled to nothing.

Seems more selfish than anything...PM me your number, I'll have my 5 year old call you so you can tell her she can't join hunting or the outdoors because it might hurt your feelers.

So…….are you going to answer the question or use this an opportunity to stand on your soapbox and boast of your selflessness?

 

[Trackerbacker]

So…….are you going to answer the question or use this an opportunity to stand on your soapbox and boast of your selflessness?

Honestly, I probably was "multitasking"..let me check the question

Edit:

Yes. It's still that fun. No, I don't think we should remove/limit people's chance to enjoy the splender.

 

[Yoder]

I hunt in north east PA. A state with the second most hunters in the country. 2.4 million licenses sold in 2021. I hear so many people complain just like you guys about seeing too many hunters. There's no deer. PA is the worst state ever. I've seen deer on about 90% of my hunts this year. I've had encounters with 6 different bucks, three over 3.5 yrs old. My wife, my uncle my cousin and I all killed decent bucks this year on public land. All the time I spent in the woods, I only had one small game hunter walk by during archery season and still seen three bears that night. I also spent many days hiking and scouting new areas. It was my best season to date but also the most time I have ever spent scouting before and during the season. I don't see other hunters ruining it. It adds to the challenge. When I kill something it means that much more.

 

[9.1]

Near town isn’t bad if you don’t like hiking View attachment 467543

Come on, man. We need to keep telling these guys to go deeper, climb cliffs, and cross rivers. Otherwise, everyone's going to figure out that there are patternable deer all over the place.