most challenging animal to hunt?

[recurve man 91]

#4094

I was wondering what yall think is the most challenging animal you can hunt? Mine has to be the squirrel, its a small target, constantly moving, and as sharp as a deer.

[T Downing]

#26897

Merriam’s Turkey, hands down. Especially when you don’t use a blind! These mountain birds are absolutely incredible, amazing eyesight and such a small target to hit. They intimidate me. I refuse to hunt them from a blind, here lies the ultimate challenge for me.:shock:
Although, a high country mule deer buck using spot and stalk methods ranks right up there.

[David Petersen]

#26920

Recurve Man — I agree that squirrels a darn tough game, but not because they’re so difficult to “hunt,” but rather darned hard to hit and really hard on arrows to boot.

T — I sure can’t argue about turks, but I have killed them with a trad bow, a few times … and try as I may I’ve not yet killed a pronghorn or in a decade now even had a half-axxxed shot op. But then, as you won’t hunt turks from a manufactured blind, I (like you) won’t hunt pronghorn from a pit blind next to a cow pond on private land. To own his each.

We won’t even go back to the girl-hunting years. Talk about impossible! 😛 But like all true hunting, an honest effort itself is a triumph, no matter how consistently we “fail.” — anon

[rayborbon]

#27015

Each species can present it’s own challenges. A lot of what someone may find difficult can vary from one animal of the same species to another. For example there are lots of deer which are relatively careless around people. They roam in areas which are frequented by people. They would be potentially easier to harvest if they are careless. I could also assure you that there are many other deer which are not accustomed to people which would run at first sight or smell of a person.

I have not hunted far and wide and killed everything on the planet. However I am aware that I could find any animal in a vulnerable position and get the job done. That’s often how I do it. I suppose each animal has it’s strengths and weaknesses and some people might believe that one animal is easier than another but I suggest it is often relative to the person, animal, situation and location. Take bears for instance. A lot of people think you need to sit on a bait to get one. I am not against baiting… But you can hike into the high country in September and if you locate the right habitat you will encounter multiple bears a day.

Squirrels – There are a lot of squirrels which are not hunted out here. They’d make an easy target for sure. Not considering the strength of their hide.

Overall I have found it more challenging to hunt animals which I am not familiar with their behaviors and habitat. Probably a critter which does not live in my home state as an example.

[wildschwein]

#27062

Stalking Whitetails on the ground. Not ambush hunting, but actual spot and stalk. Damn near impossible but loads of fun.

[Ripforce]

#27574

For me Squirrels easy to find very hard to hit, and tough to kill even if you do hit one! Ruffed grouse is second very hard to see in the woods and if you do see one very difficult hit with a trad bow! a lot of fun to hunt both as you get to shoot a lot of arrows at them!

[Don Thomas]

#27773

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: wise old mule deer bucks in open country, by spot and stalk. Don

[Chad Sivertsen]

#27779

The answer will vary with perspectives and personal experience. From the answers posted it is obvious that “method” changes the difficulty factor.

From my experience I would say stalking antelope or Coues deer get my vote.

When I first hunted antelope I was determined to do it spot and stalk. It took 4 years but was an enjoyable challenge in some beautiful prarie country in 3 states.

As for the Coues, somewhere in a wonderfully remote canyon in Arizona there is a buck that I will slip up on and complete that goal in the near future.

When you think you are a good stalker, try stalking a coyote.

[stalkin4elk]

#28282

Spot and stalk antelope is definately a top contender. Their vision is really amazing and they do smell people contrary to what some magazine experts say.

[strait-aero]

#28726

For me it’s white-tails on the ground,after years of hunting from the trees.Spot and stalk is rough,for sure… but being on the ground,at eye level with them is much more exciting for me. 8) Wayne

[rayborbon]

#28745

Ahh yes, the coyote. That’s one fully capable and intelligent critter. I have never stalked one. Although I have not intention to as well. There’s no doubt in my mind that it would be an accomplishment.

[Chiloquin]

#28749

Blacktail bucks of the rain-forest make an idiot out of me every season. They are like a turkey with a nose. I hope ODFW gets a handle on the predators in the state, or our days of chasing these critters are limited!

[WICanner]

#28851

Turkeys aren’t so bad if there are not too many of them together. Then it gets worse exponentially.

One on one, I would say mule deer in the sage or in open country. This would exempt hunting them around any food sources like hay fields and the like. Tough quarry in canyon land I think.

[Frank H V]

#28970

I’m not trying to be a smark alek here, but I’ve been given the slip by all the above mentioned critters. For me the most challangening is the one I’m hunting at the time.:x
Frank

[Voodoo]

#29770

Well, not to be a smart butt or anything,but to me in my 40+ years of hunting, the most difficult animal to hunt is the permission giving landowner, closely followed by the permission granting farmer, they have sure been some elusive creatures around here…

[J-dog]

#29781

Try an eastern NC whitetail on public ground – bait is illegal, no true definined, (ag fields, acorn trees ect…)food source, hounds pushing them day in and out, and some of the thickest country this side of Cambodia.

You can go a season and not lay eyes on one still setting – probably see one being pushed by hounds.

Would enjoy being able to “see” further than 20-25 yards.

Jason

Nothing against hounds either, I quite enjoy listening to them run making a good race. They do make for some pure nocturnal whitetails though that wont think about leaving thick cover during daylight hours. I do hope those guys never lose their right to run em though.

[Frank H V]

#30122

Voodoo wrote: Well, not to be a smart butt or anything,but to me in my 40+ years of hunting, the most difficult animal to hunt is the permission giving landowner, closely followed by the permission granting farmer, they have sure been some elusive creatures around here…

:lol::lol::lol::lol:
Yessir Yessir Yessir, I’ll have to agree here!
Frank

[Treetopflier]

#30183

For me, it’s the illusive perfect woman! To parafraze Bearclaw Kris Lap in “Jeremiah Johnson,” … “I just can’t find no track across a woman’s heart.” Same problem then as now: “But darlin’, it’s HUNTING SEASON!” Why can’t they understand? 😛

[Cottonwood]

#30737

I’ll say for me its the Whitetail, for table fair. Of course after this next 2011 season, I just might change my mind 😉

[strait-aero]

#32124

Jon…you and I hunt them on the ground and I believe that’s the hardest way to go. I’ve fallen three times getting in and out of tree stands and lucky to only have fractured my arm. I just feel better at my age to stay out of my treestands.
Oh yeah,Dave…if you ever want to white-tail hunt in Ohio,I’ll set you up with treestands and the like. Wayne 😉

[bruc]

#32293

Oh yeah,Dave…if you ever want to white-tail hunt in Ohio,I’ll set you up with treestands and the like. Wayne 😉

How come just the famous guys get all the attention:wink:
Bruce
PS: I’m just kidding!

[M. Miller]

#32452

For me out here in the Sierra Nevada’s it’s the Mountain Quail. Spot and stalk I’ve been close but have yet to close the deal. Their eyesight is hard to beat.

[strait-aero]

#34358

Bruc, if you ever make your way down to eastern Ohio during deer season I’ll hook you up too. I’d love to hunt Manitoba whitetail also….:wink:

[bruc]

#34740

Strait-Aero wrote: Bruc, if you ever make your way down to eastern Ohio during deer season I’ll hook you up too. I’d love to hunt Manitoba whitetail also….:wink:

Thanks Wayne that’s a pretty nice offer!!!
I would certainly help if you ever wanted to come to Manitoba.Archery season this year was Aug.30 til Nov.7
We have a very high deer population where I live!
Bruce

[strait-aero]

#35708

:DThanks Bruce….I appreciate the reciprocity. We have some pretty decent bucks here and overall good herd.

[Chris Shelton]

#35894

this is a tough one . . . I always used to say squirrels and rabbits were the toughest to hunt, but I’ve gotten so darn good at gettin them that I don’t think that anymore.

As far as hard to hit, I would say waterfowl, and doves(yes someone is actually stupid enough to try).

As far as hard to hunt, I would say grouse. Although I gettin it, slowly!! But I’m gettin it, lol.

However there is still a lot of critters that I have not encountered . . . so my opinion on the subject matter is limited to my regional experience 😀

[Pabuckhunter]

#39479

Whitetails,They are hard to hunt in every way you can think of and i would not have it any other way!

[rraming]

#40047

from what I have heard – a mountain goat – I ever win the lottery I’m in!

[Larry O. Fischer]

#40116

I agree with Don, Muley buck on the ground.

[Author]

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