Its been since last fall that I have hunted with or shot my wheelie bow. I have always shot trad bows along side the wheelie, but I got to where I wasnt enjoying the "modern" day equipment as much as I use too. Last June I got back into trad VERY heavy and with my stickbows its like an addiction, I have to make myself put them down and are lookin forward to the next 3D shoot on the weekend.
Here's my struggle, elk huntin is my passion as far as bowhuntin is concerned. I only get to go out west once a year for about 10 days. Of the elk I've killed with a bow I havent shot one (trad close), but I'm wanting to finally make this transition over to trad for good.
My buddies and I have talked abut this and I just have to face the fact when that 300in bull is at 40yds I may not have the best chance at bringing him home. Deer, hogs and turkey I'm not so much worried about, since my shots are usually under 25yds most of the time.
I'm shootin my stickbow better than ever and my wheelie is up for sale. If I can get rid of it, things will get better!!
Any of you guys still on the fence as I am?
Go ahead a jump off the fence on the trad side sam ! Its about the hunt anyway and success will be that much sweeter, but you already know that !
Ill support you buddy ! :D
Well, it depends on your goals. If the kill is the most important, shoot the wheels. If "How" you make a kill is more important, as in personal satisfaction/fullfillment, go Trad. As you have already taken Elk with wheels, I assume you want to 'up' the challenge.
Do a search for Elk and see what Trad folks are taking with stick bows. I believe you just need a confidence boost and that will do it. The 'Hunt' is the thing.
I switch over about 6 years ago
Made a decision to sell all wheel bow stuff at that time.
I can tell you that its going to be harder and the definition of a "Trophy"
will change.
But IMO its the best move I ever made.
The love I have for Bowhunting is in second place for the low of trad bowhunting.
Ive heard that Elk are easier to get trad bow close to (than whitetail)
But Ive never hunted them so I cant say for sure.
Never been on the fence - and I do have friends who use compounds for elk who hunt all else with stickbows for the reasons you cite. But I also know folks who start shooting out to 50 yards starting July 1 to prep for elk. I also know folks who use sight pins for 40, 50, 60, 70 only when they hunt Caribou along with their instinctive method for the usual 10 to 25 yard shots. So there are all kinds of ways to approach this. Personally I more often end up too close - even with elk - so I just stay stickbow only for better or worse.
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QuoteIts been since last fall that I have hunted with or shot my wheelie bow.
For me it's been since 1984 that I have not hunted with a "wheelie bow". :biglaugh:
But then, I haven't got an elk in that time, either. 'Course, no one in NY has so I'm not alone there. I'm happy to say the whitetail no longer just laugh outright at me.
I was actually much less of a hazard to them with the compound. I could hit a tennis ball at 45 yards but when it came to deer I would only find a way to miss at much longer distances. Wrong pin, noisy draw, arrow fell off rest, deer too close so I was afraid to draw.
I have found that for sure the kill is much sweeter with trad. And no, the kill is not what its all about. But I work SOOO hard at elk hunting when I'm out there, cause to me there's nothin like it!
Might also give me a reason to buy another set of limbs for my Widow that are heavier!!haha I knew I could make this work!!!
All jokes aside, I enjoy trad soo much I look forward to making it a full time commitment.
Shoot what you are comfortable with and enjoy. I shoot traditional because I enjoy it. I love the beauty and simplicity of the equipment. I also take one or two deer with a muzzleloader most seasons. We usually count on eating 2 or 3 deer a year and I'm not able to provide that with traditional equipment at this time.
i know exactly what you are talking about. i finally put my compound down 3 years ago and i havent picked it up since. it is a addiction! that first year i had to watch animals at 30 yards + just walk by. it was hard. but i did it. and i missed alot! i still miss. i missed the same deer 3 times in 3 minutes this year!!but i have taken several deer a now with my long bow and recurve... but not as many back when i was wheelin!. i will only kill about 4-5 a year. i was killing around 10 with a coumpound. thinning does! but ill tell you its much more gratifying to kill 3 deer with a stick bow than 10 with a compound! you can do!
I switched in back to traditional bows in 1989 and never regreated the move.
I had 2 compounds (one old one from from the early 90's and a fairly new one). Both have been sold within the past several months. Those wheelie days are ones I wouldn't trade, but I'm also happy to be rid of them from here on out! I don't have anything against compounds (obviously thats how I got started) but I just enjoy shooting trad so much more.
If you're like me, you'll be thrilled to see that compound on its way out the door. (especially with fresh cash in your hand!)
Welcome! you wont go back.
QuoteOriginally posted by gobblegrunter:
If you're like me, you'll be thrilled to see that compound on its way out the door. (especially with fresh cash in your hand!)
I heard that!! That fresh cash could turn into new limbs or......another stickbow!! :bigsmyl:
I have a BigJim TC on order that was funded (mostly) by the 2 sold compounds...great feeling! :bigsmyl:
Time to go for it and enjoy it
Not too many fence sitters here. Most if us have been in your shoes and luckily have found our way home. Hang out and catch the trad buzz! You'll never be the same....promise!
I live right here in elk country! Haven't gotten one yet, nonetheless a deer. Have never been anything but traditional. Refuse to do it any other way. It'll happen, just like it will for me. But, got to get out there and just do it! :thumbsup:
all i shoot now is my long bows. i just dont really have fun with my compound as much. usually i get back into compounds when 3d season roles around. back wven then i think the longbow will make it to more shoots then my compound will.
idk. im taking my beller long bow out for turkey this season and plan on hunting deer with my hybrid at least a few times in the fall (still taking the compound as well.
at this point i dont want to give up compounds for deer. maybe in a few more year though.
Go ahead...u wont regret it...you will get better and kill everything.The sense of accomplishment in the end will be greater than any of your past success,,,GOOD LUCK>>>
Switched about 5 years ago, and never looked back.
no fence here, switched in 1994 and have never looked back. What a journey!
Can one ever truly learn to ride a bike until the training wheels come off?
I know just how ya'll feel. I'm about to sell the Bowtech and it will be trad for life! Before I picked up the longbow this past year I found myself sitting at the camp more than hunting. Now it's like I have just started. Hunting is more chalenging once again, but in the end the choice is yours. I think as long as you are enjoying hunting, I don't care if you kill them with a rock.
Thanks fellas! I feel my shooting is very good and know I just have to wait on the right shot oppertunity for them big critters. I setup close anyhow for everything, including elk if possible. Elk is the only thing I struggle with the switch really, but how sweeeeet it'll be if I get to stick one with my tradbows!!
The plus side will be carrying a super light weight bow in the mountains and overall it'll make me a better hunter!
I guess this is a common road to cross for a lot of folks. I am at the point where I'm going to forgo all other hunting weapons and stay strictly with a stickbow. I value my hunts much, much more when I have a beautifully crafted bow in my hands. It becomes a very personal quest that we don't want to see end.
I can see how the large expenditure of a out of state hunt can put added pressure, on some folks, to produce results. If I were headed out west where a long shot may present itself, you can bet your last dollar I'll be practicing distance shots in preparing myself in case the opportunity presents itself. I often take 70-100 yard shots while stump shooting. There is no way I would attempt such things on live game, I just love to see the arrow fly and find it's mark. Some of those shots are the sweetest there is.
Enjoy your journey and do whatever you feel is right. Having 100% confidence in your equipment and your ability, 100% of the time, is what it's all about. Except nothing less.
Regards!
Soooo many bows so little time,lets get started...Now
I'll join you on the fence.
I'm on the fence for similar reasons. Its not all about the kill. BUT, my hunting time is limited, my hunting locations are mediocre, and I'm just plain wussy about squandering a chance to bring a deer home to the table.
I'd actaully sell my 2009 compound, but I'd catch hell from my wife. If I could get rid of it, it would force me to hunt the way I really want to deep down inside...
My best "On the fence" regards,
Brian
It's a good thing to have passion. I switch back to trad a couple years ago and will not go back. Even when I did shoot with wheels I didn't fit the mold,no sights,shoot feathers with fingers,added leather to bow ect..
As far as the elk go don't worry it will happen. Most of my elk shoots are closes with trad gear but if I put wheels on I count on my equipment to much and my shoots will be longer. My biggest bull was a close moving shoot as he blasted out of a wallow. If I had never shoot trad I probably not made that shoot. Good luck and stick with it.
I made the commitment this year and hope to be ready for October. I just started shooting trad a month ago. The only thing that would stop me is if I felt I may wound an animal this fall. If Im on every shot at 15 yds then that will be my limit but if Im inconsistent at any yardage 15 or under I'll have to go with the compound. My pride is not worth wounding a deer. But I have been shooting and practicing everyday and am confident that come fall I should be ready to hunt with my longbow. I've set this goal and I intend to do what ever it takes to accomplish it. I am also like you in that I cant quit shooting. I found a love for archery again and I dont intend to look back.
My last elk hunt is one of the reasons i sold my compound.. I missed a 5x5 at 53 yards.. Bowhunting for me is about getting close, so when i got home i sold my compound ..I will head out west again in september this time with stickbow in hand.. I have no regrets about selling the compound and i will never go back...
You're right, I'm gonna stick with my stick bow and just limit my distance. Right now I am very confident at 12 yds. Im sure by fall i should be able to achieve 20.
I finally put the compound down for good last year. Hunted with a recurve all season for the first time. Killed a pig, but missed a small buck. I did kill a deer back in '08 with my recurve.
I'd like to sell my old compound, but there doesn't seem to be much of a market for used ones anymore. Also, its an '03 and is probably considered obsolete now. I like how the trad bows are never considered obsolete. Much more enjoyable shooting the recurve.
QuoteOriginally posted by bowkevin:
You're right, I'm gonna stick with my stick bow and just limit my distance. Right now I am very confident at 12 yds. Im sure by fall i should be able to achieve 20.
bowkevin, I started shooting 3d last summer with my recurve and went from hoping not to miss a target to now shooting high scores. the best practice you will find for hunting IMO,plus you cant beat the trad shooters company at a 3d :D . last hunting season I limited myself to about 20yds. Some shots at local shoots are out to 30yds and thats ok at a non moving target for me. But this year I hope to extend it to 25yds for hunting. Lord willing, he will make that happen.
I started hunting with selfbows 21 years ago. I promass you STEP OFF THE FENCE it WILL make your skills to be a better hunter for sure and not relie on your equipment as much. I have friend that take bulls with there selfbows all the time.
I fell off the fence this past fall. Sold the compound and all the goodies with it except a few arrows. I did keep some great memories from the wheelie thou some deer and a 398 on 3d in a shoot but I just didn't like it anymore.
Sam, I don't know if you've ever seen Jim Burnworth (spelling) on like outdoor channel or whatever .. I think the show is western extreme, but he almost always uses the same strategy. Have a hunting buddy with you calling, but from like 50 yards behind the shooters position. call the elk right past the shooter who has stopped calling by the time the elk is nearly in view. Seems like a perfect strategy for the trad hunter.
Anyway, like Charlie P. said, we don't get to hunt elk out here in NY but I've used a similar setup on turkeys (easier cause u cant get winded) and it works well to get CLOSE.
I also haven't picked up my compound in months, this season i'm going strictly trad. That is unless I can't seal the deal by the last day of deer season in which case the wheelie will be filling the freezer.
Well, I guess I switched 2 yrs ago.I had been playing around with a trad bow to see if I liked it again. Started with one years back and went compound. Hit a nice 8 point with my compound. Tracked him down only to find he needed another. Well, when it came down to it I started shooting the compound instictively, completly forgot about sights.. Three arrows later I finally hit him. Don't think I can go back now. The other problem was during practice with the compound, after awhile I would start letting go of the release. Ouch!! Guess I am more instinc
tive than i thought.JG
Never wanted to pick up a compound and have never shot one. I started with longbow and now shoot both a longbow and recurve. I will tell you though that once a year I see a nice buck on public land i hunt and everytime except once they are on the trail that is 35 yards away. LOL But I would'nt trade they feeling I get when I take game with my traditional equipment.
Awesome inspiration fellas! Guess there were a few more like me than I expected.lol
LittleBen, Thats exactly how I/we hunt elk when I go out west. A caller behind you 75-100yds makes a world of difference on being successful!! it lets you slip in there close if possible and lets that bull come past ya with him not expecting a thing. Gotta keep them occupied while ya put the mojo on him!!haha
Hey Sam once you get close to your next elk and have the stick bow in hand you will be so glad. But you wont get there by sitting on the fence. i got off it in 1985. I still haven't killed an elk , but i have killed moose , caribou, turkeys and lots of deer with a stick. Ain't nothing like having a screaming bull at 20 yards, 15 yards then 10 yards and you are still waiting for a good shot. Your confidence will soar and you become a much better hunter. go for it dude!
Switched a bit over 2.5 years ago. Through trad I've met great people, made wonderful friendships, had fantastic experiences much beyond what I ever expected, and really opened a different world in archery that I love being part of.
I haven't shot my compound in over a year, and even then it was under duress :D . Now my sister's boyfriend loves to shoot it as he's just getting into archery, so I keep it around.
I really can't ever see myself going back to compounds, unless it meant completely leaving archery - even then I'd be kicking and screaming for a stick and string.
Enjoy the journey!
To me it feels so wrong just carrying a compound in the places where elk roam.
I started shooting traditional .... I dunno, 10 years ago? I've went back to compounds for many reasons along the way.
I went back last year for your listed reason - I had a 190" whitetail outside my effective recurve range, well within compound range. Of course I didn't see the 190" again, but I did compound shoot a very respectable 145" 8 point buck at about 12 yards
I sold the compound the next week.
There is a challenge with wheels .... but its nothing compared to shooting a recurve and that's why I hunt, the personal challenge
I could have a much, MUCH bigger wall of animals had I stayed with wheels or rifles ... wouldn't have the same memories though