Any hunts you wouldn’t do again?

[WAB]

Are they ringnecks like we have here in the US?

Mostly English black necks where I have been shooting.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

Late to the story but for me it’s Rhino. While I enjoyed the stalking and getting close all the while having to be weary of a wild pride of lions and 3-4 black rhinos I felt a little sad after it was all done. Beautiful beast and I left with the feeling that I will leave the rest of them for other hunters and just enjoy my one and done.

HH

 

[R.M.C.]

Are there any hunts I wouldn't do again? No I don't think so, even my "worst" hunts were a hell of a lot better than going to work lol.

 

[freefall]

I remember a 3 day pub crawl around Anchorage in 1980 that I'd not repeat.

 

[Rickmt]

My first hunt in SA - small properties, my sable had an ear tag, lots of driving to various concessions , and lots of people in camp. A real put and take operation.
People were nice and I learned a lot !

 

[Red Leg]

I had a not so great guided goose hunt in Saskatchewan a few years back. The guide really didn't do any guiding. He just dropped us off with decoys and disappeared for the day. Weather was awful and a couple of hunters in the party were ... not my kind of people. Two continued to shoot after hours and one guy brought his mean useless Cheasapeake retriever along. I had to leave my dogs in the car. Any dog that has to be taken into the field tied to a thick rope is not to be trusted. That mutt was bipolar. I understand the following year's hunt was even worse.

I have no problem shooting multiples of same species. This last trip to Africa I shot my fourth impala, third gemsbuck, and fifth springbuck. Some of those animals were management culling but most were very good trophies. I also have two blesbuck, two black wildebeest, two warthogs, three kudu, and twoq buffalo skulls on the wall. Last trip I was gunning for a fourth kudu and third buffalo but it didn't work out. No big deal. I could hunt nothing but buffalo and kudu for the rest of my life and be right in heaven. I agree that sable are no challenge. About on par with blesbuck. Waterbuck maybe slightly more challenging. Impala and springbuck can be challenging ... and they are cheap. Best bang for the buck (ram) I think.

I absolutely will agree with you that Blesbuck and fenced sable rank with fenced Fallow Deer and protein enhanced whitetail as some of the Good Lord's more viable Darwin Award candidates. But with sable it is all about where you hunt them. Trying to close with a free range bull in Mozambique or Zambia is a very rewarding challenge.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I remember a 3 day pub crawl around Anchorage in 1980 that I'd not repeat.

Did you get your limit? LOL

 

[freefall]

I was just observing.

 

[Brod]

I went on a few beaver hunts during my college years that I regretted the next day. Limits were usually met.

 

[375Fox]

Are there any hunts I wouldn't do again? No I don't think so, even my "worst" hunts were a hell of a lot better than going to work lol.

I agree, but had I known more what I know now I could have spent my money a lot wiser. It’s been an expensive learning curve at times.

 

[VertigoBE]

Those are all early release birds. I don’t remember the last release date, but I think it is sometime in June.

I grew up on a farm with a lot of wild birds. Driving around we would see dozens wandering about in the fields and lanes. Get out of the vehicle and it’s a different story.

In the six times or so I went red deer hunting in Scotland, I went each time end of october, beginning november. So if those release dates are respected, they would have been on their own for about 3 months?

But point granted on getting out of the vehicle. We would only see them while driving past the fields in search of fish, sika or fallow deer.

 

[WAB]

In the six times or so I went red deer hunting in Scotland, I went each time end of october, beginning november. So if those release dates are respected, they would have been on their own for about 3 months?

But point granted on getting out of the vehicle. We would only see them while driving past the fields in search of fish, sika or fallow deer.

At least 3 months if memory serves.

 

[R.M.C.]

I agree, but had I known more what I know now I could have spent my money a lot wiser. It’s been an expensive learning curve at times.

Fair point! I've spent almost as much on a bear hunt in Alberta than I spent on my first safari!

 

[revturbo9967]

Rev turbo, agree with NO more 5 day Elk hunts and for me - No more 5 day hunts period.....I don’t like to be rushed, I want to “really” Hunt, weather can always ruin 2-3 days, I traveled far and want to enjoy time afield. I only book with Outfitters that offer 6 or 7 full days of hunting - even if I must pay for an extra day or 2 to get it...many outfitters will accommodate except the “burn & turn” that always have every bed, meal, and room allocated. The worst hunts I’ve had are baited black bear in Quebec and took me 4 trips before i realized: Same small bear and 50% odds as in Maine. Also, they rarely ever put one of their “200-300lb bears” on a scale (because they’re 125-150lbs). I now book in US, with outfitters that weigh every bear. Exceptions - Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, BC Vancouver Island - bigger bears and worth the extra travel & $$. That’s been my experience and resulting opinion. Sitting over a bait bucket waiting for a black bear is the easiest hunting I’ve ever done - zero physical effort but must be patient and in the Spring - tolerate billions of flys.

I will still hunt bear in Maine, but only because I'm so close. Hunting bear over bait is incredibly boring. So boring I typically hound hunt now a days. The only upside is if you do want a big bear, you can be picky and have a decent weeks hunt. I have taken a 340 dressed bear out of northern Maine, the big ones are there, you just need to be patient and accept that you may go home empty handed.

 

[revturbo9967]

I will never do a 2X1 hunt again without knowing the other hunter, well. I have had far too many hunts or days ruined by someone not up to the task. If something goes wrong with the hunt due to the hunter, I want it my fault only. At least thats a pill i can swallow.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I will still hunt bear in Maine, but only because I'm so close. Hunting bear over bait is incredibly boring. So boring I typically hound hunt now a days. The only upside is if you do want a big bear, you can be picky and have a decent weeks hunt. I have taken a 340 dressed bear out of northern Maine, the big ones are there, you just need to be patient and accept that you may go home empty handed.

I won't shoot anything over bait ... or water hole. I question the ethics. For bears, I accept that it's about the only way to manage populations effectively. But it's just not for me, especially the sitting on my butt for hours ... or days.

It can get slow sometimes waiting for birds to start flying again, but then I'll usually leave the decoys and walk the dogs to some sloughs or ditches for possible jump shooting. If there was more jump shooting available, my decoys would be in the bin at the Salvation Army Store. For me, hunting is about seek and destroy, not sit in ambush.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

For a wife?

Seriously, no hunt where I have to sleep on the ground, or can’t get a hot shower and a cold G&T at the end of the day.

Safe hunting

 

[Hunt anything]

I won't shoot anything over bait ... or water hole. I question the ethics. For bears, I accept that it's about the only way to manage populations effectively. But it's just not for me, especially the sitting on my butt for hours ... or days.

It can get slow sometimes waiting for birds to start flying again, but then I'll usually leave the decoys and walk the dogs to some sloughs or ditches for possible jump shooting. If there was more jump shooting available, my decoys would be in the bin at the Salvation Army Store. For me, hunting is about seek and destroy, not sit in ambush.

I’m with you on the bait, I’ve shot 2 feral pigs and a bushpig over bait. I will continue to shoot the feral pigs over bait just to get rid of the distrustful beasts. My home state of Alabama legalized bait for whitetail a few years ago but I still won’t hunt them baited. I do buy a bait license just in case I get invited to a place that has bait out but will probably go and watch the deer if they put me in a place close to the bait.

 

[revturbo9967]

I’m with you on the bait, I’ve shot 2 feral pigs and a bushpig over bait. I will continue to shoot the feral pigs over bait just to get rid of the distrustful beasts. My home state of Alabama legalized bait for whitetail a few years ago but I still won’t hunt them baited. I do buy a bait license just in case I get invited to a place that has bait out but will probably go and watch the deer if they put me in a place close to the bait.

Bears in Maine are a little different over bait then other animals. I agree I would never hunt whitetail over bait, but bears, if you don't bait them you will never see one. At least not a mature bear. The amount of bears taken in Maine by chance is low, very low. There is no glassing or areas to spot and stalk. I would group some African cats into the sane category. You will need to bait them, even just to see them.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

For a wife?

Seriously, no hunt where I have to sleep on the ground, or can’t get a hot shower and a cold G&T at the end of the day.

Safe hunting

Ambush is ethical for courting, especially for those hunters who are handicapped with small caliber guns. Worked for me.