I have been doing this archery thing for some time now. You would think an old-timer wouldn't have to "re-learn" a known fact. Well not true.
Re-learned fact; You can make great selfbows, you can make beautifully handcrafted footed shafts, you can make tradepoints as sharp as any razor, but if you don't make time to practice you won't make the shot.
This all stems from antelope season. I was running behind in the archery tackle making department. So I didn't make enough time to practice and lost my sight picture. Missed opportunities sent me home humbled and shooting an hour a night.
Well fast forward into elk and deer season with more practice under my belt and renewed confidence. I left work last night and made time to hunt a bowhunting only area near my home. I spent an hour trying to sneak up on some does but got busted in the end. As I was working back towards my truck I see a doe on the opposite side of the creek valley. Another stalk was on. She was on the edge of a large grassy area where the creek bottom grass and chest high mountain mahogany came together. As I got around 60 yards from where I had last seen the deer I was easing around a corner of the opening using the tall mahogany as a hedge and cover. Just as I was seeing her rearend I heard a rock roll above me and to the right. Behind a large shrub with only ears and some hair showing was another doe. I quickly put an arrow on the string and shifted into a shooting position because this doe was between 20-25yds. She was at the max of my personnel distance but I felt I had my sight picture back. So when the doe swapped ends and stepped into the open to look back at the other deer I drew and released. It was one of those shots where you see the arrow at its apex of arc and then it disappeared into the brown of the deer, I felt good about the shot. She ran at mach-one for about 60 yards banked hard right then disappeared into a large clump of mahogany and didn't come out. It took longer to tell then for the dash to happen. Well I found the doe right where she disappeared and couldn't be happier. Filled my doe tag with some mighty tender steaks and by Making time to practice will provide for my family.
Where she fell
(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/JackSkinner/Hunt%202011/Hunting2011090.jpg)
Nice little 2-3 year old doe
(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/JackSkinner/Hunt%202011/Hunting2011097.jpg)
Thankfull for the meat for the family
(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/JackSkinner/Hunt%202011/Hunting2011099.jpg)
one more
(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/JackSkinner/Hunt%202011/Hunting2011100.jpg)
Cool!
Awesome!
Congratulations!! :archer:
Great story :thumbsup: THANKS for sharing
Thanks Guys
Here a couple more photos.
Dont let anyone tell you that a 2blade "dont leave a big hole". Hit her forward of what I wanted but devastating anyway. 1mm lower and I would have tested the strength of my tradepoint against the scapula/leg bone joint. As it was it sliced true and logde in the off chest wall not quite poking out the hide on the off side.
(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/JackSkinner/Hunt%202011/Hunting2011101.jpg)
one of my full length hunting shafts, and what was left lodged in the off chest wall
(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/JackSkinner/Hunt%202011/Hunting2011102.jpg)
Great job Jack.
Very inspiring Mr. Skinner, Congratulations!
Way to go Jack. :clapper:
Very much appreciate you thoughts...well stated. I can relate for sure, and you are right, there is no subsitute for good practice.
Great shot and very nice work on your equipment!
Very nice Jack! Congrats :thumbsup:
Congrats!
Fantastic! :)
Nice story. Congrats on the nice doe and good shot.
James
Congratulations! Very nice write up. Thanks for sharing. :thumbsup:
Very nice, Congrats!
awesome!
nice shooting congrats :thumbsup:
Congrats!!! That was a great shot!!!
Way to go good shot.
Congratulations on a fine looking doe! You also have some good looking equipment!
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Very, very nice! Congrates :thumbsup:
Nice shot!! Congrats on a nice doe!
Nice work. Congratulations! :clapper:
Way to go! Thanks for the story.
Very nice sir! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Great shot thanks for the story and photos Jack.
really cool!
Nice bow, nice doe.
Nicely done!
Nice job Jack, Like GateKeeper said, that bow is really great looking. tell us more about it please. Oh! And the arrow is fantastic as well.
Chuck
Thank you for the kind words everyone.
This doe made my wife very happy she loves venison (I prefer antelope) and the last two seasons have been a deer drought for me.
Equipment; Bow is rawhide backed yew stained with ox blood leather dye. It is my first yew bow in years, my earlier attempt broke and I went to osage. But I really love the way yew shoots.
Arrows are footed poplar. The hardwood was wenge, I used it for footing and insert in the selfnock for strength.
Broadhead is homemade tradepoint 3to1ish left single bevel. These are cut from 10inch saw blade. So far they have worked great on 2 antelope and now a deer.
I also use a solostalker single BH quiver tied to my bow that I make, and back that up with a highnoon hunter quiver.
AWESOME jack congrats my friend.
nice job,great story
Really a nice job of camoflage. You really blend into your background.
Good story and a good reminder for all. Thanks Jack.
Congrats and thanks for sharing the great story. Compliments on your tackle too!!
Impressive stuff. Thanks.