Who out there has a bucket list of bowhunting. Bows you would like to own, trips or hunts that you have dreamed going on. Me.....I always wanted to hunt goats, those white coated critters just seem to lure me to the high country. But age and health issues will not ever let that happen now. I would be happy just to kill a deer at some point. So...... what do you dream of???
Been after a bear here in Michigan for a quite few years. It took me 8 years to draw a tag this year. My son, cousin and I drew 1st season which is the good season as they can't run dogs the first five days.
Mine is kind of a sentimental story. Used a Bear Kodiak Hunter that my dad gave me in 69 when I got home from the Marines. He closed the archery shop down and saved that bow for me. I used that bow, an arrow that my dad killed a deer or bear with ( he never used the same arrow twice and left me over 100 bloody arrows) and a Black Diamond hunting point that he killed game with. I put my stand in the same tree that dad killed bear out of. I got settled in around 4 pm, looked up to the sky and said, "help me out here pop". I saw bear at 5pm, 6pm and shot one at 7 yards at 7pm. I look back to the sky with a tear in my eye and said, "thanks pop". I just know he was with me. I never got excited, shot sitting down, lung shot and the bear went about 40 yards. It wasn't the biggest of the 3 bear but it was the only one that gave me a shot. We all shot bear, went 3 for 3 the first week.
So I guess that is off my bucket list.
Cool Jon....... :thumbsup:
I do - of hunts.
I will never do most of them. But when I am trying to make one happen I tell my wife, "But honey, it is on my bucket list".
My second trip to Manitoba for bear was definitely a bucket list item!
I got my brother started in traditional archery this year. My bucket list is really only one thing - to retire before my body gives out, and spend a season hunting with him at his home in Wyoming. Whitetails, Muleys, Elk, Moose - cover as many as we could!
I gave up lists years ago. Got too frustrating.
Good story Jon. I'm glad you finally got a bear. Thanks for sharing the story :archer2:
Pat B.......don't give up the list! Maybe just downsize it a bit.
Jon, that was a great story. Thanks for sharing. Truly moving.
My top two have always been Alaskan Moose, and African Kudu. I dont think I'll ever make it happen, but they will stay on top of my list. Bear and elk are my others that I believe may be more realistic for me.
Newfoundland for moose & caribou, and Africa for Kudu and Oryx. And, obviously to hunt as long as I can.
Scratching one off my list this January in Texas on a PBS hog/javelina hunt. Can not wait.
I had a bucket list, but I lost the bucket and cannot remember what was on the list. I never got that drawing for mountain sheep or mountain goats, but I did enjoy trekking out that way to just watch them. I made up a bunch of moose arrows, to hunt moose from a canoe, just to watch a lesser than super bull walk by and not shooting. Bucket lists should be written out in pencil rather than pen.
DIY Yukon Moose for me. That big animal just does something for me. I know they are big, slow and dumb, but I want one. Probably wont happen because of funding but it's still on the list.
Mountain goat is on the list too but it's even less attainable.
It sucks that when you have the health you don't have the funds and when you finally do get the funds the body has done gave out.
John
Unfortunately guys like Tom Miranda, Dennis Dunn, Fred Eichler, and others have inspired me so much that my bucket list looks pretty unrealistic as far as hunts I want to do. If I had to choose though, a big Alaskan moose is on my bucket list.
A Goat hunt would be tops for me if I had the bank account deep enough. Reality is I might make it to CO for Mule Deer/Elk long before then..
Bows? Robertson Mystical or Purist in the 64" #47-#55 range would be my holy grail...
Black bear - That's why I'm heading back to Bear Quest in June. I flirted with a big one all week in 2016, but never got a shot.
After that, I'd say caribou and elk, but I better get myself in shape for those.
Casey = zmonster. Haven't seen your name in a couple of years. You out now and back home. good to hear from you.
Dang Jon, if that doesn't top off and fill up a bucket, then nothing will. Thanks for sharing.
Take a Bighorn Sheep with a recurve or longbow... and for a REALLLLY bucket list hunt, I'm holding out hope jaguar populations rebound and I can hunt them some day. Seriously, they are the coolest cat this side of the Bengal tiger!
Bear, bison, ans Javelina
Javi hunt planned in two weeks...the others are yet to come
My list changes quite a bit, but for as long as I can remember the top hunt on that list has never wavered. A brown bear/ grizz with a longbow. At this point I'll either have to sell a kidney and/ or my first born to make it happen, but it's nice to dream...
I started my bucket list pretty young and have been fortunate to do many of the trips. I am thankful for that. When I check something off I quickly replace it with some new adventure because a man just shouldn't be walking around with an empty bucket.
Guiding other Bowhunters is a special opportunity to watch others fulfill their dreams many times per season. At this point in my hunting career, that is what drives me the most and gives the greatest pleasure.
I got most of mine done, but always wanted to do a DIY Alaskan Moose hunt. But, with the cost of tags and finding another to go with will likely never happen. Will admit that more and more thinking of Musk OX and Water Buffalo
Yah have to be able to afford the bucket before you can fill it. Not anymore.
Since I was a kid, reading my Dad's Outdoor Life and Sports Afield magazines, I wanted to hunt a Black Bear. For me, this was the ultimate goal on my bucket list. After unsuccessful hunts in Manitoba and Idaho I succeeded in taking my only Blackie last year in NW Arkansas, of all places. My bucket is now full and don't have any additional goals. A Whitetail on my own property would also be nice.
My bucket list has a hole in it.
My bucket list, Is to live life one day at a time. If a moose or elk ever steps into my Bucket ! I can set back and laugh at it !!
I would never go moose hunting, that's for the guys that really know how to do their stuff. Elk hunting would be okay, if I get the opportunity I would definitely go.
The Animal that has interest me the most, is the elusive Whitetail deer. I've gotten more enjoyment out of hunting deer than any other. Especially on the ground, at their level. But I guess the elk has a Whitetail too !!!
Carl
Been working all season on one. To kill a deer with a bow I made myself. Preferably a nice buck. ;)
Next would be a DIY elk hunt during rut. Dreamt many times of chasing a big bugling bull. Seems to me it would be like combining my normal deer and turkey hunting all into one. Only bigger!! :eek:
Hunts-Moose is number one on the bucket list. Being retired now I have the time, but the fixed income thing makes it a bit tough. I may figure it out and head to Ontario sometime.
Bows-I keep my eyes open for a lefty Widow PSR. I have two PL longbows and like them as well as any bow I've owned so, I figure the PSR would be an easy transition. May pick up a Timberhawk if the righ one pops up for sale.
I have dreams Jon, just gave up lists. :thumbsup:
My bucket list is to provide my family with Meat that I have taken with my trad bow while I'm physically able..It's not happenig I need to move.
I would love to go on a Moose hunt one day.
Yep my list is Tule elk, Roosevelt Elk, Yellowstone Elk, Big Horn Sheep, Moose, Deer Slam. And more bows.
I had a list of: Elk, Deer, Caribou, Grizzly, Moose, Mt. Lion - have full filled all of them.
Now the only remaining is an African hunt and I have that booked for Aug 2018. Feels good to always have something to look forward to.
I want to take a bear with my longbow, in the great North Woods of Maine. I tried this season but was not successful. I have already signed up for another attempt for the 2018 system. At age 71 I've pretty much filled my bucket list.
Maine moose, although my decrepitude demands that I do it with a muzzleloader, can't pull a heavy enough bow for it.
Great Story John,
Yes I agree, good to see you post casey.
As said earlier "my bucket has a hole in it". I love hunting and take opportunities as they come. nothing specific for me and my desires constantly change.
Good Luck Susan. I hope you have already started applying for tags. lol
My bucket list is very simple... Would like to take a deer, from the ground, stalking... Been at this "eye level" game for quite some time and had many close encounters, but no filled tags...
Some people say that I don't want to "kill" a deer... If I did I'd use a tree stand or store bought blind... I say (they) are right! I Want To "Hunt" A Deer! Simple..... :dunno:
Thanks for asking Ron...
Hereditary foot problems take chasing elk off my list, finances take moose various and brown bears off. No desire for blackies. I've taken a mature white tail from the ground a 8 yards. Staying healthy, and doing what I can each day is my goal. Passing away with my (hunting) boots on would be great.
Once upon a time, I had visions of hunting Grizzly/Brown Bear with a bow, but too old now. Same for sheep and goats, though never had as much of a desire to hunt them.
I hunt elk a lot, and get to hunt Black Bear in my own state about every six years (takes that long to draw a permit), and I've hunted Alaska twice, taking a nice bull moose the second time.
Still would like to make it back to Alaska for a Caribou hunt.
I have hunts I'd like to do and places I'd like to hunt in, but I don't have a bucket list anymore. Heck, for the last several years I've been super fortunate to work with BCY and live a string maker's dream! I've been so fortunate I don't feel like I've missed out on anything at all.
My biggest desire is NOT to kick the bucket! I am just now beginning to have a number of those issues generally associated with getting older, and I am not aging gracefully. Shooting the bow is currently uncomfortable to the point that I couldn't bowhunt this year. I am doing some therapy to regain the ability to pull my bow, so I guess the ability to bowhunt at all goes to the top of my list. Once the ability to shoot is restored, taking a sizeable hog is a priority.
I hear you Sam, getting older has slowed me some but I still try to get out as much as I can. Who ever said these would be the golden years was full of it.........lol. I just wish I could see more deer.
My list changes every year. But at present it is: Canadian moose (going in 2018); mule deer; RM Elk; and mountain lion.
I'm in my late 50s and in good shape but I doubt I'll complete my list . . . but I aim to live forever or die trying. . .
Hey Ron . I here ya deer are getting scarce around here to . Nice ones anyway . My bucket is to hunt Montana. For a monster buck . Other states have them but it's Montana for me
Wolf. But I would take a deer.
My bucket is pretty much complete after 53 yrs but the one nemesis is mature bull Elk, not for lack of trying(29 trips) I just can't seem to get it done. A
couple cows but no bulls.
The only thing I can think of on my bucket list is an elephant hunt with a longbow. A clean kill with no firearm back up required.
My hunting bucket list is pretty simple....I have young daughters, coach sports teams, not to mention just regular job and life commitments.....I just want to spend a couple weeks in a row up at my cabin in the fall, when everything is in season, hunting deer, turkey, grouse and squirrels.....two weeks straight, nothing but hunting...maybe throw in some fall trout fishing too....That's all i want.
QuoteOriginally posted by Pat B:
I gave up lists years ago. Got too frustrating.
I'm with Pat on this one. I still dream but have become a realist in the sense that I know it's probably not going to happen for one reason or another.
Therefore my bucket list consists of becoming a more wise whitetail hunter on public land, that's a realistic goal for me.
-Jeremy
J. Holden,..........that is an excellent goal, and it's on my list also. :thumbsup:
Doing some research now to pursue javelin in the future.
Mine's very simple. Elk and Moose.