Trying to keep up with the Joneses will cheat you from your true mission of being in the woods.
by Zach Bowhay
Like most of us, I’m guilty of scrolling through social media more often than I should. This is especially true during hunting season. It’s easy to do. One minute, you’re checking on your buddies’ success, and before you know it, you’re staring at pictures of huge bucks and massive bulls downed by your “social media friends.” Before long, you start feeling frustrated, thinking, “Why not me?” But I’m here to tell you that falling into that mindset is a mistake.
In reality, as with everything in life, there will always be someone better than you in hunting. Some folks seem to have a knack for regularly bagging those trophy animals that most only dream of. Feeling slightly envious is natural. However, that feeling won’t help you become a better hunter. Instead, tip your camo hat to them and realize there’s likely something to learn. Then, there’s that one guy who gets lucky and nails a 350-plus bull or a record-breaking buck, and you’re left thinking, “Why can’t that happen to me, just once?” But both scenarios —someone’s consistent success or a one-time stroke of luck— are far from the norm for most hunters.
You only need to look at the harvest stats from your state game agency to realize how many hunters end the season with unpunched tags in their pockets every year. That’s a more common reality.
I’m not saying you should adopt a laid-back attitude that leads to empty freezers. I go into every hunt aiming to be successful, and over the years, I’ve had my fair share of memorable hunts. But I’ve also had plenty of tough seasons where I come home with nothing but memories and hard-earned lessons. This September has been one of the toughest I’ve ever had. I’ve been chasing elk, and in talking with my buddy Josh while we hunted last week, I reflected on one key realization: all hunts are not created equal.
Limited Entry Hunts
These days, getting drawn for a limited-entry hunt feels like winning the lottery. It’s becoming rarer and rarer to score one of those coveted permits. Competition for them has never been fiercer. Rightfully so — these hunts often come with the chance for incredible experiences. Let’s be clear: hunting is hunting, and limited-entry hunts don’t guarantee success. They can still be challenging, but there’s no denying that these types of hunts offer something unique. Depending on the state and the specific area, many limited-entry zones support an older age class of animals. This means a greater chance of encountering larger, more mature animals.
Everyone should get to experience a limited entry hunt once in their life.
Sometimes, though, it’s just about the timing. You may be lucky to hunt with a rifle in a prime area where others have only had the chance to bowhunt with over-the-counter tags. Regardless of the specific scenario, these tags usually have higher success rates. They aren’t guaranteed, but they certainly improve your odds. Success rates posted in these areas tend to reflect that.
I’ve been lucky enough to experience both hunts — the ones where the area is well-managed for trophy animals and the ones where timing just gave me an edge. I’ve had some incredible hunts in both types of situations. And while they don’t come around often, every hunter should strive to draw a limited-entry tag at least once in their career. These hunts are worth the wait. The memories you make on them will stay with you for a lifetime.
Private Land Hunting
I don’t have much personal experience with private land hunting, but I have been fortunate enough to hunt on private land a couple of times. Some of the best hunting I’ve ever experienced happened on a large chunk of private land that a friend leases in Eastern Montana.
I’m not suggesting that every tree on private land hides a trophy buck or a monster bull. However, private land hunting can be remarkable, especially when the land is well-managed and not overrun by other hunters. Animals behave differently in these settings. On public land, especially areas with a lot of pressure, animals tend to be much more skittish. But on private land, game animals are often more relaxed. For instance, a vehicle slowly rolling down a two-track road might not send animals bolting for the next county. That bull you’re chasing might not be as call-shy if dozens of hunters hadn’t pressured him before you arrived. Or that whitetail buck you’ve had your eye on might stick to his pattern if he hasn’t been spooked and chased off multiple times.
Private land hunting can provide miles of uninterrupted room to roam.
Private land hunting isn’t “easy“ by any stretch of the imagination, but it is “different“ from public land hunting. The lack of hunting pressure changes how animals behave, which can make all the difference in the world.
OTC/General/Public Land Hunts
On the other hand, some of the most brutal hunts I’ve ever been on have taken place on public land, especially in over-the-counter units. Anyone can buy a tag in these areas, meaning you often compete with many other hunters.
I remember when all it took to find solitude was outworking other hunters. If you put enough distance between yourself and the nearest road, chances were good that you would avoid running into anyone else. Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case. More hunters are motivated, more physically prepared, and more willing to push deeper into the backcountry than ever before. Even if you hike miles from the nearest trailhead, there’s a good chance you’ll still be sharing the mountain with others. Sure, the further you go, the more the competition thins out, but those who make it that far are usually just as serious about hunting as you are, if not more so.
The satisfaction of a successful OTC hunt can be hard to describe.
Success is still possible, even on hard-hunted public lands. It takes hard work, persistence, smart hunting strategies, and sometimes a bit of luck. I have nothing but respect for hunters who consistently find success in these challenging conditions. Having hunted in areas where passing on a 340-class bull was an option, there’s something uniquely satisfying about dragging a 5×5 bull off the mountain in an over-the-counter unit. The sense of accomplishment is much sweeter.
Why It Matters
So, why does any of this matter? In the grand scheme of things, it probably doesn’t. Outside of your close friends and hunting buddies, no one cares if you bag a trophy animal this fall. We all hunt for our reasons, and that’s what truly matters.
Still, getting caught up in the social media game is easy. You see photo after photo of successful hunts, and before long, you start feeling like you must be doing something wrong. If you’re like me, 95 percent of your social media followers are hunters, which means we’re all out there chasing that trophy of a lifetime, hoping to make this season count before it’s over.
But it’s important to remember that we’re all hunting in different situations. We’re at various stages in our hunting careers, hunting in areas with varying levels of game quality and dealing with other challenges. If you put in the effort you deem sufficient, you should be satisfied with your results, knowing you gave it your all. Not all hunts are created equal, and if you spend too much time comparing yourself to what you see online, you risk losing sight of why you’re out there in the first place.
Take the time to disconnect from the noise of daily life and enjoy the woods, the water, and the company of those you share it with. Forget about trying to keep up with the Joneses, and I promise your hunting experiences will be more prosperous, fulfilling, and memorable.
