Some guys have that "it" factor. I don't have it. Never have. Figure I never will. I have a solid understanding of deer movement (so I think) and have a great grasp on how deer move around my properties. I can hang a camera and get pics of mature bucks virtually any time I want. But hang a stand and get one to walk by; that ain't happening but about once every 3-4 seasons. I've just come to realization that no matter how hard I work or how much seat time I put in, I'm doing good to fill a tag every 3-4 seasons. I started getting serious about my hunting in 2004 when I got my first trail cam. Killed a 6.5 year old 136" 9 in December that year with a shotgun. Ate tags during the '05, '06 and '07 seasons chasing my first OBB. After the devastating loss of a deer I called Deuce in 2008 and passing a 140" 10 on camera in the process of chasing Deuce, I killed another 6.5 year old buck with my bow the day before gun season opened that year. Killed my first P&Y in 2010, then a 6.5 year old 139" 9 point in 2012. I try not to forsake those kills, but I'm still longing to kill something "big". I've not had a chance to kill a 150" deer since 2003 when a stray beagle ran off the same 10 my dad killed in 2004 before that could ever happen. That deer grossed 167" in 2004 and was easily 150+ the year before.
I've logged more than 1,500 hours on stand in the past decade with only one chance at an OBB sized buck. I have zero explanation as to how this can be other than it just isn't meant to be. It is something I've dreamed about since I learned about OBB back when my cousin killed his first in the mid 90s. All I've wanted was to join those ranks and nothing I do or have done has matter in the pursuit of that dream. It is a cruel joke that deer gods keep playing on me. It even broke my spirit for a couple seasons and all but ruined hunting for me.
I'll keep plugging away and maybe one of these days it will happen. Thankfully I've learned to enjoy hunting again. Being in the woods is something I've love my whole life and being out there with a bow in my hand is something I hope to love forever.