Man! This dude is becoming a reqular up there!!
Way to go JOE :clapper:
Congrats Joe,and yes we all would like to hear the story. :coffee:
That guy's a real killer :thumbsup:
QuoteOriginally posted by Stone Knife:
That guy's a real killer :thumbsup:
ME!! :biglaugh:
I have to get to work right now I'll post up later today. Joe
Yeah Man!!! :thumbsup: :clapper:
Larry
Showing off again? LOL! Congrats man.
What kind of bow Joe that's a beauty?
Hey guys thanks for the comments. This doe will always hold a special place in my memories, she was the one that proved I could do it. She was my first with a stick bow. The story about this hunt is only the final step of a journey that took 17 months. The journey is actually a better story than the hunt. My interest was sparked when I purchased "Bows on the Little Delta" at the Harrisburg Pa show. I also met Gene and Barry when I purchased "Come November" at that same show. My first year shooting and hunting with a recurve was 2007. After beginning that season with a few misses a wound and a ton of other blunders, I went back to my wheels to put some venison in the freezer. Towards the end of the season I went back to my recurve (a Bear Super K). I had kept up my practice through out the season and still wanted badly to try and put it all together. Well a little bit more humility came my way in the form of an main frame 8 point with matching kickers off his G-2's. I watched him feed on acorns at 30yds (a good shot for wheels)for the better part of an hour.
Then during the winter of 08 I really knew I wanted to make this transition to being a stick bow hunter. I loved the community, the history, the mystique, the simplicity. Basically anything that had to do with traditional archery. So I sold my brand new wheel bow to purchase a custom stick. Over that winter I had a lot of time to think and knew many other things needed to change. The gap method I had learned my first year was fine for targeting but did not do well for me in the field. That winter I started to learn and use the Ferguson method. I also knew I had to change my ways of setting up tree stands. I could no longer depend on technology to help me cover more of the woods I had to pick my set ups carefully and tight. Well through out the early part of 08 I read, watched, practiced, and listened to every thing I could find on traditional archery. As the season approached stands were hung and practice continued. I actually won a few 3-D shoots to help boost confidence.
:campfire: :coffee: Dont stop now....
This all finally bring us to Oct. 2 2008. I was hunting in a spot we call the hole. The action started at 6:40am with this doe and two fawns feeding on acorns and working there way towards me. The doe was inside of 15 yds for several minutes before she finally offered a comfortable shot at 12 yds. I zoned in on a spot behind her left leg and let the shaft loose. She headed up a hill where I lost sight of her. I stayed on stand for a few more hours playing the shot over and over in my head, hoping and wondering. Finally after getting down and tracking with the help of a buddy I recovered my first deer with a stick bow. A huge relief washed over me, I knew I could do it!!! She was the first of 5 that year, the year I became a better hunter. A funny thing that stuck with me during the frustrating and trying times was a saying from MOTBB. Ron LaClair said, "shooting a stick bow is fun, shooting a stick bow well takes time." This sight also helped me tremendously with shooting advice and inspiration from the post of other successful folks sharing there stories and pics. The main thing I have taken from my journey is patience and enjoyment. I have learned that things in the woods are better off when not forced but instead given time to play out(shots etc). Enjoyment has come in many ways from everything taken ethically being a trophy to being part of this community. A community that is not run by competition or selfishness but by fun and helping hands. Thanks for reading Joe
Thanks for sharing, Joe. I'm currently after my 1st trad deer. I've put away the wheels for good and will get what I am after. No matter how long it takes.
QuoteI have learned that things in the woods are better off when not forced but instead given time to play out(shots etc).
I couldn't agree more.
Good luck to you Mike. Share some pics when it happens. Joe
Congrats Joe and love that Muzzy hat! Thanks for wearing and supporting! Mark