Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting How do you keep focused?

I hunted 18 days this year in Maine's rifle season. To put it bluntly, northern Maine has been pitiful the last 2 seasons and I don't see it getting any better. Hunted all of weeks 3 and 4 (Monday-Saturday) from dark to dark. Spent my time still hunting as I never found anything that made me want to sit. During week 3, I saw 4 sets of tracks and week 4, 2 does and a spike. This was the first year in the 2000s that I did not kill a buck.

My question, when hunting in areas with extremely low deer densities, how do you stay focused? Along about Wednesday of week 4, my mind was wandering and I was just going through the motions.

If I'm not into it I go do something else.

Never could figure how a "low deer density" equaled tag soup.

Maybe I'm missing something....but I doubt it.

I think of cats - they just sit there, waiting. In reality, I think you did a fine job. That is very frustrating, and of course your mind will wander. All the same, I bet you did not miss much. It is what it is, and sometimes we lose.

Hunted all Monday thru Saturday daylight to dark and only saw 4 sets of tracks! That is some serious low density. I'd take the time to travel elsewhere with a better deer numbers. I know it's nice to hunt in your own "backyard" but if there aren't any deer there its time to move. I know that isn't what you asked, but it would be hard to stay focused in those conditions.

Guess I am missing something. Care to elaborate?

Lonny

While we certainly can't hunt it all, the area that we hunt is the size of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined. Pretty big back yard.

I know how ya feel,,, very few deer here in our Mnts. I saw 3 bucks this year in 9 full days of hunting hard and only 4-5 does,
got a cowhorn spike opening day, passed on a small 8 about day 6, and got the best deer I ever have on day 9 while still hunting in the afternoon.

No way I could stay on a stand and stay focused, I have to stalk/stillhunt, I go to areas with great scenery up high and isolated,,, and even mix in some midday trout fishing while up high and back every now and then. Saw a couple bears, a great horned owl, and to many other critters to mention this year. Take alot of photo's as well.

take one of those hand held video games with you, or text some of your friends, or take a long nap, it will help you stay focused! Of course I look at birds and such with my binocs instead of the video games but thats just me.

Bust into a hell-hole thicket with a few beagles. Long legged hounds will make some music as well. Then spend a couple hrs rounding them up. It will knock the edge off of a boring hunt!!!

Even when the hunting is good I can only stay focused for a week or a little more. If I'm still out hunting after that, then what I'm doing is a lot more like sight-seeing.

That's right. I felt like an armed hiker after a while.

Thanks everyone. Looks like a long drive next season anyway. Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife estimates the deer density at <0.5 deer per square mile down from 2-5 several years ago. Less than 90 deer were tagged in over 3.5 million acres. Less than 150 in the county I live in.

However, I figure I can't kill a buck from my couch.

Do you hunt moose?

Yes by permit only.

2009 Bull (as subpermittee)

Wow! Bullet or arrow?

308 with a 180 grain Partition.

It's a simple equation really.....

If there's no critters where I'm standing, then I go to where they are, and shoot one.

Hint, maybe......

Spoken like someone who has no clue yet thinks he does. Mores the pity.

At the start of the season I try to focus constantly and if I do it long enough, wear out as you mentioned. Eventually you just go with it and relax. In my experience I then start seeing the little things that may make a difference. Relearning to turn it on and off for me is important.

Fortunately I have more deer to look for.

No, I'm just a caustic prick.......

Didn't mean to offend your elite hunting prowess, though I can't feel your pain.

Prayers sent.........

Rare form.......................