Trad Gang
Topic Archives => Memorable Hunts => Topic started by: kyle on October 04, 2004, 01:34:00 PM
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Its been two years since I started using Traditional gear exclusivley. I've missed some, stuck one and grazed another. I've had great fun just getting inside their "danger zone" and while I've been temted to change equipment, I have stuck with it.
Earlier this year while setting a new treestand, I scored my first trad kill on a squirrel at about ten yards. Hoping that was a good omen, I've hunted as much as possible and tried to do everything right.
Yesterday, after putting some "family time" in the bank Saturday and Sunday morning by going to my in-laws for my mother in-law's birthday, I hit the woods to move a stand and hunt a good long afternoon session. I bumped some deer off a little hillside while setting up my stand in its new location so I was a little worried that maybe I had messed up. Sticking to my plan and knowing the deer used this area for traveling, I went ahead and got on the stand and waited to see what happened. The usual array of squirrels and chipmunks kept me alert all afternoon and then finally I caught a glimpse of a doe slipping in behind me calmly nibbling on the plentiful supply of acorns. I checked my arrow on my string and got ready to see if she'd present a shot. I normally try to put some meat in the freezer early on and then get picky later in the season (hey you can't eat antlers right?). About that time I realize she's brought along a partner so now there's two deer milling around right BEHIND my stand. Finally, after about fifteen minutes I get a nice quartering away look at the first doe, the second is looking away, I draw, anchor, release and...........MISS!!! DOH :knothead: Right over her back, perfectly in line but right over her back!! "How can you miss a shot like that" I scream in my brain. I normally hunt from the ground so I remind myself of all the things I need to do when shooting from a treestand.
The deer bound off about 40 yards and stop. My Wes Martin Mosshorn is so quiet though, that they don't know what happened. They turn around in that curious way that inexperienced does do and come back to see what happened. I realize that I might have another chance and my quiver is in a terrible spot but I manage to retrieve it and get it by my side and nock another arrow. Not 5 minutes later I get a second chance, this time about 15 yards. Draw, anchor, good form, release.......MISS AGAIN!!!!!!!! AAAAUUUGGGHHHH!!!!! :knothead: :knothead: OH MY GOSH!!! This one was so close to her back I thought I might have creased her. I just knew it was over then, but again, they bound off a short ways and stop, looking back. Now they're spooked, but still wondering what in the world happened. They slip back and I nock another arrow. I'm so rattled and yet pumped at maybe getting a third shot that I'm having to work hard to settle down. This time, not quite 20 yards out, one steps into a shooting lane and I draw, anchor, release and wasn't really surprised to see that arrow MISS too!!!! Three misses!!!!!!! :knothead: :knothead: :knothead: .
At this point I'm seriously considering getting my compound back out. I'm thinking that hey, maybe this traditional thing just isn't for me. I can still shoot but maybe hunting with it just isn't my bag. I'm way, way down. To my shock and surprise, these two little does COME BACK. I'm thanking the good Lord, the Gods of the hunt, and anyone and everybody I can think of to thank for the curiosity of these deer. I'm also thanking Wes Marting for this amazingly quiet bow in my hands.
When I see that I'm probably going to have about a twenty yard shot, I think "what the he**!!" Why not try another? What you gonna do, miss again? All three shots had been in perfect alignment left and right, just too high. This time I am chanting to myself...."lower, Lower, LOWER". I draw, anchor, release and this time I connect!!! Still high, but I spined her and she drops. She tried to get up a few time, but her back end was totally useless, so I slip down so I can get another arrow in her to finish her off. The other deer is still hanging out about 75 yards away wondering why her partner isn't coming with her. I quietly slip over and seal the deal with another arrow. I walk back to my stand, collecting my other three arrows along the way, and begin to collect my things from my stand.
To my absolute shock and amazement, the second doe comes slipping back in. I'm standing in the open, at the foot of my ladder stand and see that this deer might come into bow range. Stnading on the ground where I'm much more comfortable shooting, I slip another arrow on the string and stand as still as possible. "She's not really going to do this is she?" I think. In TN, you can take more than one a day, so I commit to taking another shot if presented with one. This little doe steps into just the opening I was hoping she would and I let my sixth shot of the evening go and see it connect perfectly!! Right behind the shoulder. One of those shots you dream about and I hear the solid thump as it passes through. I watch as she goes about 50 yards and lays down for the last time.
TWO DEER in one afternoon. Two years of trials and tribulations. Highs and Lows. Mistakes and small triumphs. I go from all time low to all time high in about 5 minutes with two fine eating young deer on the ground. I know that I took some chances and I may get slammed by some for those risks, but they worked out and I stand by my decisions. I know I would NEVER have been given that many chances with older, wiser animals, but for whatever reason, I had five chances and was able to capitalize on the last two.
Thanks for sharing my story with me and I"m sorry for the long post, but there's now short way to tell this story. I could have lied and said that I connected with the first shot, but I wanted to let others know to never EVER give up. You never know what might happen.
Keep hunting hard and smart and NEVER give up!!!
Kyle
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Good gracious! Two deer, 6 shots, 4 misses first..that has to be a huntin soap oper, Hoss. Ever watch them videos by Primos? They slow motion each shot and show how much deer will drop. Quiet bow or not...they hear pretty well! :)
You practice much from the stand height? Can really make a difference...
Sounds like someone wanted you to break your string of no kills with trad... You're hooked now! :)
Congratulations!
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Congrats Kyle.
When I was real young and started bowhunting my dad was always encouraging me to shoot the first deer I got a clean chance at to sort of "take the edge off" and develop confidence on live game. Sounds like you got about 4 seasons worth of hard knocks in an afternoon!
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Dang bud,
You were throwin a no hitter there and bang two hits and two deer. Aint it Grand!!
No problem from me. I went 0 for 7 at the start two years ago and finally connected at 4 paces.
Mike
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Doc, From the events of yesterday I don't think I've practiced enough from stand height. This summer with my son being born 3 months early, I haven't had time to do much but shoot from the ground from time to time. I wan't going to hunt but I've put in enough work over the last month that I felt confident enough to go. That and the last set of arrow I built are flying just PERFECT for me. I think some of it was just not concentrating enough one one little tuft or hair or one one particular hair to hit. That one from the ground was perfect tho and I stepped it off at 27 steps. I didn't think she was that far, but the arrow flight and impact point was flawless.
All that time in the hospital with my son and now this just goes to prove to me that you can never EVER give up. Never give up hope and never give up trying.
Kyle
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Thanks Jared and Thanks Wingnut.
I was 0 for 10 before that fourth arrow last night. It's nice to break the dry spell. I have learned something from each miss. I guess some of us are just slower learners than others. :D
Kyle
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Congratulations!!
I didn't hunt at all before picking up a longbow. It's been six years and I finally scored this year too! It's a hoot isn't it!!?
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That was a great story - and with those lows and highs you described, quite a roller coaster ride as well! Congrats to you on your excellent hunt. :thumbsup:
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Awesome Kyle. Now you will be hooked forever....Mac~
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Cool story and a BIG CONGRATS!!!! Just like Hank Jr sang " Ya can climb any old Mountain, once ya make up your mind"............Raven :bigsmyl:
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LOL wow that is one heck of an evening. I'd have been out of the game after the first miss (I only carry one arrow) :thumbsup:
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Thanks for all the congrats.
Ferret I think you're right on the money. I've shot at I don't know how many targets. Blocks, bales, 3-d's, 2-liter bottles, golf balls, you name it, but nothing can imprint that image in your mind about what it should look like the way the real thing does. Maybe that's why it only took one for the second one. That shot on the second one, like I said, was the one of the ones you dream about. That perfect arcing arrow flight that you just know is headed to the right spot. One of those that when it hits the mark you just say "yep, thats where I wanted it to go." That "mystical" flight of the arrow is addictive as all get out to me.
I thinking about all of this, I think I was way to concerned about the "gap" of my arrow point and not concentrating hard enough on the spot I wanted to hit. I still have a hard time letting my brain take control and make the shot happen sometimes. I'm reminded often though that if I think about it too much, I'll miss every time.
I've cleaned up my arrows and am re-sharpening them now for the next go-round.
Kyle
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Good going Kyle. :thumbsup: My only shot this year so far on deer ended in a text book string jump. It was executed perfectly at only around 15 yards. I had to laugh because knowing the doe was very nervous I was only practice drawing on her. The second practice draw ended with a perfect sight picture and me slipping the string in predatory instinct. She reminded me quickly why I was'nt going to try and take her in the first place. She was wired.
I have always practiced bending at the waist with down hill shots. Sometimes it's hard to bend enough when the deer are closer than say 15 yards. Recently I've started bending my forward leg/knee to achieve the same effect. You have to point your toes towards the target a little which is kinda weird at first but it seems to be the ticket. I guess we'll see as the season is still young. Good story, thanks for sharin.
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Thanks for sharing that story, it was a good'un!
Talk about extremes. You sound like a teenage boy trying to unseccesfully get a first um a "date" and then ending up with a pair of hot twins who do "everything" together......LOL.
They aught to be good eating and the memories will far outlast the meat I bet.
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Originally posted by Dave Bulla:
You sound like a teenage boy trying to unseccesfully get a first um a "date" and then ending up with a pair of hot twins who do "everything" together......LOL.
Oh Lordy, that made me laugh (and dream) ha ha
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Dave, I hadn't thought about it like that but I do like the way you think! I guess it is pretty close to that.
Kyle
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Kyle,
Congratulations, sounds like quite an adventure. Got my first one with a selbow last week so I know how you feel.
Don't worry about the misses, my first year using Traditional equipment I missed 5 of them just like you desribe, 2 inches over the top of the back. The fellows gave me a new name, "Five Deer Laughing."
Found I was doing 2 things wrong, I was shooting at the DEER, not at a spot on the deer. Also learned that when shooting from an elevated stand you need to bend your upper body down into the shot. Since then, life has been just grand.
Congrats again & Take Care
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Great story, thanks for taking the time to put it down! I love this armchair hunting
back to homework
B
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LMAO@Dave
Kyle, Congrats. Sounds like a great hunt to me.
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Great story and I am glad it worked out.It just goes to show what my buddies and I talk about."When it is your turn nothing can stop you" :thumbsup:
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Kyle congrads I thought I did good with two deer in a weekend and you do it in five minutes. Great job. Deer are sometimes just so Dumb but most of the time man are they smart. Looking at the new growth on the trees in October all the time. :notworthy:
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Kyle :thumbsup: Now that you've seen it done (twice) your confidence will be really boosted. The shots will begin to feel like your last shot--you'll just know it when it feels right :notworthy:
Joe
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Kyle thats a great story.I was on the edge of my seat.LOL!!! I knew ya would score all along.Congrats on the 2 deer.Now just let me know when ya want me and shell over to dinner.LOL<><
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Kyle,
You and I must be one in the same. You have described my traditional hunting vareer to a T. I have also flirted with going back. I have been trad hunting for 6 years. I can connect on woodchucks, squirrels, rabbits, and pheasants, but I always soon inline but high on deer. Our season open in a week in NY. I will keep you in mind while on stand and do my best to pick that little spot and not focus on the whole deer or the "gap."
Thanks for reminding me.
Glenn
I am coming down to TN between Christmas and New Years for a primitive hunt at Land Between the Lakes. I hop that works out.
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Twins?.....6 shots, 2 deer?.... Sounds like "heart attack" city either way :saywhat: :knothead: :bigsmyl: :bigsmyl: ....Van
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So Kyle, just how big is your quiver??? I carry 3 broadheads and a judo on piggybackers, so would have been done before you were finished with your 'practice set'. :knothead: :thumbsup: Now you know what to work on and how you need to focus to make them count. TL
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Congrats! You will remember that hunt for the rest of your life. I know I remember my first one with a Tradbow like it was today!
Congrats again, now you know first hand that these sticks and strings actually work! Confidence will run at a much higher plateau from now on when you enter the woods. I know mine jumped a few notches!
Fresh backstraps on the BBQ..... YUMMMMM!!!!
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If'n at first you don't suceed sling another arrow! I think I woulda dove on a broadhead after the 2nd miss.Way to hang in there.Oh yeah,bend at the waist!Took me a while to figure that out too.
CB
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Cool story....congrats. I'm still working at #2 adn you get yours the same day, same spot! :thumbsup:
Maybe try more bow cant from the stand, works for me.
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Way to go, Kyle. Nothin better than gettin two at once... :)
Bulla... great post on page 1 ...all of it... cracked me up! :D
frankb