In the midst of her hunting season, Melissa Bachman shares why persistence is so essential on hunts. ~ The Editors
Every season starts with the same mix of excitement and uncertainty. I always load my schedule with hunts and buy more tags than I could ever imagine filling—just in case everything falls perfectly into place. Some years it does. I’ll never forget the season I tagged five big bucks in seven days. I came home exhausted, sleep-deprived, and coolers full of meat, but thrilled. Seasons like that are rare, though, and this year has been the reminder.
I kicked things off in Alberta, chasing spot-and-stalk mule deer. I had so many close encounters, it almost felt comical. At one point, a buck was literally feeding on the exact bush I was hiding in, staring straight at me the whole time—no way to draw, no shot, no chance. The past two years, both Ben and I filled our tags on big bucks there, so starting the year with nothing was tough. And then Ben’s bow blew up on a simple practice shot. That was the beginning of our bad luck streak.
Colorado was next. I did take a nice antelope with my bow, but mule deer just didn’t come together. Then I headed to New Brunswick for moose and saw some of the most breathtaking fall colors I’ve ever experienced. We called in a small bull on the final evening, but I passed, and that wrapped up that hunt. Thankfully, we had one of the best camps I’ve ever been part of—it made the tag still in my pocket sting a little less.
Back home in South Dakota and then over in Illinois, we had some of the biggest bucks we’ve ever had on camera… and couldn’t catch up with them. Both of our Illinois giants disappeared. I know a neighbor shot one, and the other I’m pretty sure has been taken, too. Back home in South Dakota, we’re still working hard, but big mature whitetails don’t give you many windows. Everything must line up just right, and this fall it simply hasn’t. I passed plenty of younger bucks, but I’m always after those old, heavy, mature deer—you don’t get many chances at them.
Then came Kansas, where I have great memories of getting a giant last year. I hunted dark to dark every single day, but never laid eyes on a shooter. Usually, we have incredible luck decoying bucks on that hunt and all of November, but this year, the magic just wasn’t there. I’m a firm believer in stacking the odds through time, effort, and consistency. Eventually, something breaks loose. But when nothing goes right for weeks on end, staying mentally locked in is its own battle.
I went nearly six straight weeks without filling a tag. It’s part of the lifestyle, but when hunting is your livelihood, the pressure hits differently. Still, I always try to find the bright side. Tough years remind people I’m human. They also make the wins that much sweeter. Because the truth is: everything can change in a single second.
Being a mom adds another layer. Halloween is one of the best times of the entire season, and we had giant bucks daylighting in Illinois. But I wasn’t missing Halloween with the kids. They only get one childhood—big bucks will always be there. So, I packed up, drove all night, and headed home. No regret for a second. Plus, they were so cute, Bella dressed as the Cat in the Hat, and Jax as a creepy clown. We had a great time, and the next day I was back off to another hunt.
Finally, things turned around in Montana on the Powder River—one of my favorite hunts on earth. I’ve been going there for 18 years, and it’s always action-packed. We’re rattling, moving, glassing—it’s pure fun. Bucks were coming nonstop and choosing which ones to pass was the hardest part. I let a beautiful 4×4 walk and immediately wondered if I’d made a mistake. But seconds later, a big 5×5 came charging straight in behind him. A questionable shooter in this area. Everything fell into place, and at 80 yards, I made a great shot with my Winchester XPR in the 6.8 Western using the 170grain Ballistic Silvertip. Relief doesn’t begin to describe it.
And honestly, having Pork Chop with me felt like having my missing puzzle piece back. She used to travel everywhere with me, and lately she hasn’t. I didn’t realize how much I missed having her by my side. She’s my little good luck charm, and we both thoroughly enjoyed Montana.
As I write this, I’m sitting in a blind in Alberta again, hoping the next chapter turns at any moment. I still have nine hunts left this season, and late season has always been one of my favorites.
So, if you’re at home staring at leftover tags in your pocket, trust me—you’re not alone. It happens to all of us. Keep your head up, soak in the moments, appreciate the people around you, and remember that luck has a funny way of showing up right when you need it most.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
