Success and Failure.

O

OKRattler

Well-known member
It's kinda funny how I don't think much about the success I have and tend to dwell on where I fall short. I've been calling in predators for a while now and so far this season I've done pretty well as far as my shooting percentage goes. Today I had a coyote coming in and I lost track of it. Before I knew it he was downwind and took off. I've shot piles of coyotes and it's still just as frustrating when I miss an opportunity as it ever has been. I could hit 20 in a row and still beat myself up when I miss the next one or wound it or never get a shot.

But as I think about it I can't help but wonder how many were hit do to my failures. I try my best at everything I do in life. I let my failures eat at me so that I'll do better next time. I'll never be as good as I want to be, not just at this sport but at anything I'm passionate about because I won't allow it. I guess the day I do everything right is the day I'll find something else to do. In the grand scheme of things I suppose my failures keep me going back for more.

I've done my fair share of coyote calling contests and things but my attitude is the same regardless of whether I'm competing against others or just fun huntin. I've never competed against anyone when it comes down to it. My biggest competitor is myself. What's your reasoning behind all of this?
 
Nobody challenges their self to shoot better,pay more attention to detail,set up better? It doesn't matter how many you call in as long as you're out there making noise? If you wound one or miss it doesn't give you a kick in the pants? If you make a mistake it doesn't drive you to be a better predator caller?

Or you just kill every coyote you see and never let one get downwind,they never see you and you never miss?

I want to be like you if I grow up if you're that guy that never misses. That's pretty amazing and actually quite literally unbelievable. Because that person actually doesn't exist in real life and if he does he's a liar.
 
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For me success isn't an all consuming desire, if it were I wouldn't do this.

I enjoy predator hunting, a miss or getting winded is an opportunity to learn not something to beat myself up over. I to have been at this a fair amount of time. The bounty on one fox would buy gas for my car for a week of hunting, bounty was $5., gas was 5gal/$1.. $5. was enough to take a girl on a date, 5gals gas = $1., two movie tickets = $1., two burgers, two fries, two cokes at the local restaurant = $2. and you still had enough for candy and popcorn.

But then I like hunting new country, finding good hunting spots is as much fun as shooting a coyote. This season I'm trying something different, hunting coyotes on a motorcycle, a longtime dream. In the 1960's there was and old guy in Milwaukee WI that hunted fox on a BMW. You'd see him driving down the highway in his leather flight pants and coat in the middle of winter with a fox or two strapped to the back of the bike. I wanted to be him. Now I have the chance.

Night vision would put more coyotes down BUT I would miss seeing everything out there on the way to and from and everything that isn't in the beam of light. No thanks.

I'll keep this fun.

 
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I came home from hunting one day and a friend asked how I did. I said I got nothing. He then said I wasted a whole day. I replied " Absolutely not, I spent the day hunting."
 
Originally Posted By: OKRattlerNobody challenges their self to shoot better,pay more attention to detail,set up better? It doesn't matter how many you call in as long as you're out there making noise? If you wound one or miss it doesn't give you a kick in the pants? If you make a mistake it doesn't drive you to be a better predator caller?

Or you just kill every coyote you see and never let one get downwind,they never see you and you never miss?

I want to be like you if I grow up if you're that guy that never misses. That's pretty amazing and actually quite literally unbelievable. Because that person actually doesn't exist in real life and if he does he's a liar.

I have been a competitor in sports for much of my life. Yes, hunting is a sport. So, yes, I push myself to be my very best. I LOVE it when a predator comes in the way that I set up the stand. I love to watch them coming in. I push myself to shoot as well as I can so that I can make an ethical, clean shot. Yes, the ones that took a hit and got away bother me. You can do EVERYTHING right, from your end, and things can still go wrong. Mr. Murphy seems to show up at the most inopportune times.

Do I miss? Yes. That just means I have to head back to the range. Oh darn. Nothing is as bad as "having" to go to the range.

Like Big Al says, if you find someone who isn't missing, then they aren't shooting much.
 
Shot high power rifle competition for over 1/4 century and not once did I shoot to beat a fellow competitor, my competition was myself. Same with calling predators and the scenery is a lot better than most rifle ranges.
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Regards,
hm
 
Originally Posted By: Smokin Pole I came home from hunting one day and a friend asked how I did. I said I got nothing. He then said I wasted a whole day. I replied " Absolutely not, I spent the day hunting."

EXACTLY! I just enjoy being out there. I went out yesterday and saw the most amazing scenery with the changing weather patterns. This, of course, might have disrupted the coyote patterns with the huge storm, but it was still great.
 
Originally Posted By: OKRattlerIt's kinda funny how I don't think much about the success I have and tend to dwell on where I fall short. I've been calling in predators for a while now and so far this season I've done pretty well as far as my shooting percentage goes. Today I had a coyote coming in and I lost track of it. Before I knew it he was downwind and took off. I've shot piles of coyotes and it's still just as frustrating when I miss an opportunity as it ever has been. I could hit 20 in a row and still beat myself up when I miss the next one or wound it or never get a shot.

But as I think about it I can't help but wonder how many were hit do to my failures. I try my best at everything I do in life. I let my failures eat at me so that I'll do better next time. I'll never be as good as I want to be, not just at this sport but at anything I'm passionate about because I won't allow it. I guess the day I do everything right is the day I'll find something else to do. In the grand scheme of things I suppose my failures keep me going back for more.

I've done my fair share of coyote calling contests and things but my attitude is the same regardless of whether I'm competing against others or just fun huntin. I've never competed against anyone when it comes down to it. My biggest competitor is myself. What's your reasoning behind all of this?

I'm in the same boat, guilty as charged. I want to be the best at what I choose to do. That drives me to keep getting better, and I love the feeling of satisfaction. I am my toughest critic, and when I miss, it stays with me. That's how I get better.

My folks taught me that you learn from winning but learn more from not winning.
 
Originally Posted By: SnowmanMoOriginally Posted By: OKRattlerIt's kinda funny how I don't think much about the success I have and tend to dwell on where I fall short. I've been calling in predators for a while now and so far this season I've done pretty well as far as my shooting percentage goes. Today I had a coyote coming in and I lost track of it. Before I knew it he was downwind and took off. I've shot piles of coyotes and it's still just as frustrating when I miss an opportunity as it ever has been. I could hit 20 in a row and still beat myself up when I miss the next one or wound it or never get a shot.

But as I think about it I can't help but wonder how many were hit do to my failures. I try my best at everything I do in life. I let my failures eat at me so that I'll do better next time. I'll never be as good as I want to be, not just at this sport but at anything I'm passionate about because I won't allow it. I guess the day I do everything right is the day I'll find something else to do. In the grand scheme of things I suppose my failures keep me going back for more.

I've done my fair share of coyote calling contests and things but my attitude is the same regardless of whether I'm competing against others or just fun huntin. I've never competed against anyone when it comes down to it. My biggest competitor is myself. What's your reasoning behind all of this?

I'm in the same boat, guilty as charged. I want to be the best at what I choose to do. That drives me to keep getting better, and I love the feeling of satisfaction. I am my toughest critic, and when I miss, it stays with me. That's how I get better.

My folks taught me that you learn from winning but learn more from not winning.

That's exactly how I am. I think in order to be successful at anything you have to have that attitude. Learning from my mistakes has been beneficial to me. If something isn't working,try something else. I think a person has to in order to put fur on the ground. Coyotes are quick learners so if you mess up once you have to switch things up otherwise your chances of beating that coyote at its own game aren't in your favor.

I've been at this a while now and as soon as I think I have it figured out something happens to prove me wrong. That's what keeps me going back. This definitely isn't a sport for quitters because these animals will humble even the best callers at times. I'm nowhere near the best but I set goals for myself and try to be the best that I can be. I suppose that's all a person can do. If you're going to put forth the effort why not put forth your best effort? I dang sure don't go sit out in the cold for hours at a time for my health. At the end of the day the sound of a bullet hitting meat is what I'm after. If I ain't carrying fur back from a stand, I'm losing.
 
It happens! Ying & Yang sort of thing. No one hits a home run every time or even gets on base. Just enjoy your time with nature while you can.... Just my philosophy. Rudy
 
When I first started Predator Hunting I would keep trying different things to be successful and would get upset if it was a bad day...I finally lowered my my standards as far putting a Coyote down and realized that the time out was what was the most enjoyable and being out with My Hunting Partner was the best part of it and some of the Funny and Commical times we went out and either got lost or had a Coyote run right past him and he never got a shot off because he was so shook up about being so close to what we were suppose to be superior to.

I do strive to be a better Hunter and learn from my mistakes and being out enjoying the sunrise,the wildflowers and watching wildlife do what's natural is really the most enjoyable part or helping out the New Hunters here learn how to improve thier Hunting Skills and to talk about Hunting in general,what Rifles and Gear we use that has worked for Us personally and to enjoy each other Company on here also...helping a New Hunter get a Coyote or other Predator is just as enjoyable to know We were helpful in passing on what we know!
 
Originally Posted By: Smokin Pole I came home from hunting one day and a friend asked how I did. I said I got nothing. He then said I wasted a whole day. I replied " Absolutely not, I spent the day hunting."

I call those kind of days "scouting trips."
 
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