Well ive just got into trad not very long ago and
the season opens in 1week and well to put it frankly my dad dont want me to go hunting with my lb i can only shoot accurately out to 15yards but im still learning..Hes shoots a new bowtech thats screaming at like 325fps while im shooting my savvanah-LB and he dont think i can kill one with my bow so idk if i can hunt with trad this year he dont think i can get withing range of a deer and he says all il do is wound one with me LB he trying to get me to stick with my bowtech but im sick of wheely bows im dying to go all trad!!! Im setting up in a soybean field thats like 60 yards wide by 80 yards long im in the middle of it with 2 trails to the right of me and 1 to the left so hopfully i can catch them coming by me
if dad lets me go with my LB i sure hope so..Its kinda kard when all the guys at the lease are shooting 4-5inch groups at 50-60 yards and i can only get a 6 in group at 15 is there any tips that yall could help me with to get a good close shot i want to hunt trad so bad i just can't explain how bad i want to go all trad im really sorry for taking up all yalls time reading this but i need help :(
Just get out there. Keep practicing and try to get your shot to within 15 yds. Your LB will certainly put the hurtin' on a deer.
Exactly what Leo said. Keep within your known accuracy distance, pick a spot and show everyone just how well a LB does on deer!!
I'm new to this too but as long as you stick to your maximum effective range which is 15 yards then I say go hunting. Rememver its not the killing but the hunt that important. You may not even get to raise your bow at an animal this year but I bet you learn a lot just the same. Last thing you need is to wound an animal so stay below your max effective range. Lots of deer are taken at 15 yards and less. Good hunting, stay safe, cherish every hunt and respect your quary.
Doesn't matter how old you are, your dad is your dad. He will give you grief now, but when you kill something, he will tell the story loudest and longest. Just be sure you stick to your limits and take high percentage shots, GOod luck!
It sounds like you might need to be convincing him that you will stick to your range of 15 yds. If you do it, and you don't get a deer, are you okay with that? If you do it and do get a deer, think how cool that would be!
What Osprey said, every time you step off the trail you learn something new.
give it a try everyone has to start somewhere, if you are comfortable out to 15yards than stick to shots within that range. let your dad know that you at least want to give it a good go and take it from there.
15 yards is a good range to shoot deer, be patent and let them come in, if there to far let them walk. Have you showed your father this site? with all the successful archers here with game taken at the ranges that your shooting good at. Also your dad most likely just wants you to have all the odds stacked in your favor and may be overlooking what you want, dads do this at times it's common practice.
Part of the reason for hunting with a longbow is to take the challenge to the next level. One measure of success is to see how close you can get to a deer before shooting it, not how far away you can be when shooting at one. Lots of people can sneak up to 35 or 50 yards from a deer, but to have a deer walk right by you within a few feet may require more skill on your part and is surely a lot more thrilling. I'm sure you understand that maybe it's hard to convince others to accept your feelings about how you want to hunt. Keep that feeling and continue practicing and enjoy shooting your longbow. But, for now enjoy hunting with your pa and consider doing things his way to make him happy. The day will come soon enough when you will be able to decide for yourself when and how you want to do things differently.
Good advice here regarding your Dad. Ya gotta obey your Dad, that is just how it is while you are 16 and his son.
You sound like you have the maturity to realize your limitations (I am another close-stalker!) and live by them. I am not in your shoes, so I won't presume to guess what your decision will be, but likely there is one that you will think of, that you can live with, that won't damage the trust that you and your father have in one another. That trust is far more important than any hunt.
Killdeer :wavey:
QuoteOriginally posted by Killdeer:
Good advice here regarding your Dad. Ya gotta obey your Dad, that is just how it is while you are 16 and his son.
You sound like you have the maturity to realize your limitations (I am another close-stalker!) and live by them. I am not in your shoes, so I won't presume to guess what your decision will be, but likely there is one that you will think of, that you can live with, that won't damage the trust that you and your father have in one another. That trust is far more important than any hunt.
Killdeer :wavey:
That's some salty advice right there... :thumbsup:
Killdeer, your poise is always impressive.
AAFE, you've got some great advice on here, especially regarding your maximum effective range-- which is extremely important. Something I think you're missing is confidence. You, and you alone, have to feel like you can make a killing shot on game within that range every time you step into the field. I bet there is a good possibility that your father is recognizing your aprehension and frustration with your longbow-- and is therefore recommending you carry a wheelie bow with you this year.
If you're not already, start practicing with a 3D or 2D deer target instead of "dots" and develop that "site-picture". Build your confidence, and don't compare your abilities with a wheelie shooter. After all, your abilities are just that: your abilities.
It's hard being a dad in this situation. As you know I'm lucky that my son, Jason has hunted with me all of his life. It was his decision that moved us from compounds to stickbows. It was hard for me to give up the sure shot kill and learn to shoot the stickbow. I chose to go along with him on the journey. Not just to support his decision but to join him.
If you hunt with the LB, keep your standards high and be ready to come home without a deer but with a lifetime of experience. There is a big difference between 50 yds and 15 yds. You can do it. And the journey will be full of excitement and disappointment.
Good Luck!!
Mike
Hey
I know what you mean about your dad ribbing you about using a LB. My dad is doin the samthing about my recurve and im 30!!
This never goes away my friend but just relax as your skills progress with your LB the old man will warm up to it. Or you could just tell him that you dont want to shoot a bow with training wheels anymore it makes to easy. LOL! No dont do that just joking.
Goodluck.
God Bless
Matt
If you want to kill a deer take a rifle. If you want to learn to hunt take a Long Bow. Make sure you are hitting your ancor every time you shoot your bow. I say practice practice practice because when it is the moment of truth it will have to come automatically.
Yep - you need to honor your father and do what he says. Worst case - you get to go hunting with him but you have to use equipment you've outgrown. That's really not the end of the world.
In the mean time, you can bust your butt in the backyard *ruling* at 15 yards or 16 or whatever you are comfortable with. Who knows - maybe you'll swing him over to the trad side one of these days.
:)
dont let it get under you skin, i tried to go traditinal about 3 years ago but turned away from it form the ribbing i got from other people, i finally got over it but it can be intimidating confidence is so important with shooting animals, but you can do it, some people still seem to think deer are armored tanks, so get that longbow after them deer.
When hunting, most of my shots are 15 yards or less. If you can hit what you are looking at at 15 yards, just wait for the opportunity for a good shot. When you do make the shot maybe you can convince your Dad to come over and give your kinda shooting a chance. You never know! Pat
15 yards is plenty... Stick to your effective range and hunt hard. Do it right when you get a chance.. Those lease guys shooting 50-60 yards.... This is supposed to be a close range sport. 50-60 yards with a modern device, hand held string release, extended sight/stablizer, wiz-bang arrow drop away rest... ect, ect... Might as well use a open sighted 30-30.
Remember this is all about the chase, not the ability to kill out to 60 yards. Are you good enough to get within 15 steps....?
Good advice from all. You do have to respect your dad. If he is just giving his opinion then I would say follow your heart. But if he is say "absolutely not", then you need to obey him. But it is tough shooting trad in a compound world. I haven't had it so bad because I'm an "older" woman and don't get the ribbing that some younger man would. But I have wondered what some were thinking and saying behind my back.
We had a Memorial Day cook out. The kids got out the longbows. My brother-in-law started talking about hunting. He asked me "How many deer have you killed". (I've been trying for a few years now). I told him ONE. He said I should take a gun. I said "Well, if all you want to do is kill a deer, take a rifle." My husband said, "Can you tell we've talked about this before". Topic closed!
My husband has said that he can't believe how close I can get to deer and they not see me. He said I should be proud of that alone.
15 yards... very doable.
I have been shooting trad for not too awfully long. Only about two years now. Can I put an arrow into the vitals at the range at 20-25 yards??? Ofcourse I can. Can I put an arrow into the vitals at 20-25 yards 95% of the time??? No I can't.
That is why I will not take a shot over 15-16 yards. I hunt from the ground, and if I can't go to the range and consistantly shoot at a given distance 95% of the time, then it is out of the question for a live shot.
I get the same grief from friends and family that all have high-tech equip. But from the ground, with trad equipment, believe me, sitting around the fire, none of them can top some of the close up encounters and hunting stories that I have experienced.
"I do not hunt to kill animals, I Kill animals because I hunt" - Roger Rathaar
There seems to be a common theme here among the Trag Gang advisors and that is to retain the trust of your parents and follow your father's wishes. But I would like to suggest that you approach your father about small game hunting. Squirrels and rabbits put meat on the table too. Prove to your father and yourself that you can keep your cool and hit your mark on these small critters and see what opportunities this opens up for you.
Good Luck! :thumbsup:
First thing I would do is get away from the feild.Get in the thicker stuff where all you have are close shots.You will not see as many deer perhaps but will not be tempted by shots outside your range.In the thick stuff you will get a chance at shots that can be done.The only way to get someone to change there minds is with results.Make good kills on a few deer and Pop will come around. :) jmho
I'd like to echo what others have said and add some:
1) 15 yards is a spectacular distance that many longbowmen won't shoot past. If you would like to shoot further, find an ASA 3D range and practice as much as you can (it is usually about $10 for a fun shoot).
2) Instead of hunting solely over a food-plot, take up still hunting and stalking. You will improve your woodsmanship many times over. Additionally, the shots presented will be close if you have access to heavy timber.
3) Small game hunting is a blast! I've had more fun shooting squirrels with my longbow than you could ever believe. In addition, your stalking ability will improve by doing this as well.
Good luck, and treasure WHATEVER time you get to spend with your dad!
If traditional hunting was easy, everybody would be doing it. As mentioned above, our sport is more about the challenge than it is about killing something. If you are 'hunting accurate' to 15 yards, and if you hold to that, a shot will come. Just don't expect to get something every time you go hunting. After all, it is 'hunting', not 'killing'. Good luck and have fun; fun is what hunting with a longbow is about (with a bit of frustration thrown in). :archer:
Distance isn't everything. I sighted my rifle in @ 100 yards but have yet to shoot a deer that is over 20 yards away.
If you are confident/competent at 15 yards then I see no reason not to hunt. Good Luck.
I have 2 sons 12 and 15, they are hunting with compounds but only have 1 pin and can't shoot beyond that. 15 yards is our preferred shot distance and is easily doable if you can get back into the woods a bit as stated above. You can backtrack the trails in the woods a ways, but not all the way to the bedding areas, and find good places in the thick cover.
If your dad lets you go with the LB (or any other gear), make sure you practice with broadheads from an elevated stand with all your gear on. I take a 3D target and move it all around the stand to different locations while my boys shoot at it with broadheads from a stand.
Good Luck!
-Mike
If your father is certain that you won't be able to get as close as 15 yards and says you have to shoot compound then fine(for now). Keep practicing with the LB. When you hunt with the compound this year limit your shots to 15 yards, show your dad you can get that close and have the discipline to limit yourself to 15 yards. Just be sure to remind him that you could have killed (I am assuming/hoping you get one) the deer with your LB. See if he is willing to give you a go when you show him you are serious and self controlled.
Some good advice here Andrew. Good luck!! Hope to read your hunting story post.
I can promise you that when the time comes for your first kill, your dad will feel pride and be overwelmed with jealousy.
I know how YOu feel bro, but the difference is I was able to shoots about 6" groups at 18 yards+, but my dad didnt care, he wanted me to get better, I didnt even go on my first game hunt with him because of that =/
Well thanks to all for your replies its helped alot!!! I realy like that still hunting and stalking idea i went out to the niebores field and stalked within 20 yards of 2 does talk about the most fun ive had in a long time now if i were comfertable out to 20 they would of been deader than anything lol...Ive been practicing
out to 20 yards some shots were vitals and some werent but at 15 dead on!! Can't wait dads still debating but after reading all yalls post i think he might let me!!
Dad is Dad. If, he is telling he'd RATHER you not; he has left it open to discussion. If, he said you CAN NOT...well, he is Dad.
I am both son and dad, and it goes on for life, the older and more proficient you get at life,the more he'll give you the reins.
Good luck with whichever you carry.
It's better to hunt than not...
hey, I limit my shots to 15 or less, sure I might get within the kill zone at 25, but I know that 15 and under is range I am comfortable with, I passed up a 20yard perfect shot at a fork horn last season and had a doe come in at 10yards, I shot but she had a sapling in front of her that I did not see and that blocked my shot, but I still had a good time
Hang in there Andrew your Long Bow Is just fine. It's the hunt that's fun, the kill is the reward. :saywhat:
Keep at it Bud! If you do what vermonster suggested, I'll bet your Dad will come around. Also, you'll have to practice a lot of patience. 15 yards is very doable. Look forward to seeing pics in the future. Good Luck!
You said your Dad dosent want you to hunt with your LB. Whle he shoots wheels, I will not presume he has never shot trad gear. I have 2 sons who also shoot trad gear, ages 16 and 9. I too have to decide if they are skilled enough to make the shot, and what that max range needs to be. I also have to be able to tell them if they are totally not ready to hunt with that gear.
That is the case with my youngest son, the desire is there, but consistent shooting is not.
This will be his first season when he turns 10 in December, so he still has time to practice.
Its a judgement call, erring on the side of the animal to ensure a quick humane killing shot when the time comes.
I had to tell myself when I was not ready, so if I can do that, I can tell my kids as well.
My first year I limited my shots to 10-11 yds. No shots taken, but got inside 20 yds a few times. That is when you will decide if the hunt is more important to you than the kill.
Until then, keep shooting, and practicing. Shoot not just standing 15-20 yds from a target. Put on your hunting clothes.Shoot from a stool, or the ground. SHoot from a treestand if you plan to hunt from them. Shoot from varying randome distances, shot angles and body positions.
My favorite is to randomly toss my quiver full of arrows around the yard, and then walk to each one and shoot it from where it landed at my target. Another is a 2 Liter soda bottle and judo points.
Regardless of which bow you end up with in your hand, enjoy the hunt on your terms, not someone elses. Have fun. Enjoy the woods.