Hello everyone! Just wanted to share my experience of taking my first game with traditional equipment! And I'll go so far as to say it wouldn't have been possible without Tradgang and all of your invaluable contributions of knowledge and experience on this site (and the loads of fun I've had trying many different bows through the classifieds)! I don't say a lot on here, but I read almost daily. So first off... THANKS!
I began hunting with traditional equipment last season and had a great time doing it, but unfortunately didn't score on anything that season... I did miss several attempts at small game and shot just over the back of the first chance at a deer I had. Had a few people tell me I was crazy for using such equipment, but didn't let it faze me. I'd been hunting with a compound for years and had taken several deer and was ready for something else.
This year I was determined yet again to get it done with traditional equipment and had decided on committing solely to a new-to-me longbow (a Northern Mist Whisper that I acquired from another tradganger this July). Just had an instant connection with it and shot it much more consistently than my others. I've been through a Roy Hall hybrid longbow, three Bear recurves, a Deathwish, a Kanati, a HH Cheetah and a Dave Johnson longbow. Loved them all, but this was THE ONE!
Anyway... opening weekend (Oct 5) came and deer sightings were slow for most of the weekend. On the Saturday evening though I had decided to attempt hunting from the ground with a Torges seat I had made just a couple weeks before and sit a place where we had a group of deer on camera that seemed to arrive like clockwork most evenings. Sure enough... at about the time I expected they arrived. As I sat in eager anticipation with light fading a doe made its way to just where I had hoped. I was a WRECK... it was so exciting to have her there at eye-level and I FAILED at maintaining my composure ... and shot (once again) RIGHT over her back. The bow being so quiet though, I almost got another shot, but she spotted me as I lifted the second arrow. Bummer!
Fast forward to this last weekend and I had the whole weekend to hunt... once again, deer movement was slow on Saturday... only saw a few and none within range. Sunday, however, actually turned out to be pretty exciting... I sat a new place using a climbing stand and was not happy with the tree I had chosen once the sun came out, but did end up seeing a few, but none where I needed them to be. I still liked the spot, so was going to sit it Sunday evening as well... on my approach to the tree where I had left my stand, from a deer's vantage point, I realized what a bad spot it was. So I grabbed it off the tree and moved only about 10 yards into the woods and climbed up... seemed much better and turned out to be a GREAT move. I watched a momma doe and little one feeding in an adjacent clearcut for what seemed like hours... they began to feed my direction but eventually took another path. I was feeling like that was going to be it, but just then I saw a group of deer making their way along the clearcut in my direction. They worked their way into the woods in front of me and slowly but surely meandered their way into range. I thankfully had plenty of time to watch them and prepare myself for the shot mentally. The lead doe stepped right out into the open at 17 yards and none of them knew I was there. I released the arrow and watched it sink into the deer! I KNEW it was a hit, but I also knew it looked to be a little further back than I had hoped, but I watched as the deer slowly stepped back into the woods only 20 yards from that spot and fell to the ground! All of the other deer were alert, but went back to feeding. I gave her about 45 minutes and made my way to her absolutely FULL of excitement. I stopped where I shot her and the arrow had passed completely passed through and stuck in the ground on the other side. And as I said, just 20 yards away was my prize. Words can't express my excitement at this accomplishment. I was hooked to traditional equipment already, but this cemented it!
I know everybody around here loves to see a bloody arrow, so here's that:
(http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o553/jtlup/98ac9c87-ea2f-4915-8ace-337c78749576.jpg) (http://s1147.photobucket.com/user/jtlup/media/98ac9c87-ea2f-4915-8ace-337c78749576.jpg.html)
Equipment: 64" Northern Mist Whisper 53# @ 28, I'm drawing about 26, Arrow Dynamics Trad Lite with brass inserts and a 175 grain Woodsman Elite
(http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o553/jtlup/d5b32566-0aee-47ba-a79d-47a96cfc22b3.jpg) (http://s1147.photobucket.com/user/jtlup/media/d5b32566-0aee-47ba-a79d-47a96cfc22b3.jpg.html)
Outstanding! :thumbsup:
Congrats! The first is oh so sweet. Nice looking animal and bow!
congrats on you deer and great shooting
Good job! Be careful, though...it now becomes VERY addictive! :-)
Congrats.... :goldtooth: :biglaugh:
Good for you. The first one is special.
GREAT!
Congrats!
><>>
Glenn
super cool...
Way to go, Jason!
BTW: I"m really enjoying "Whitetail Magic." Wish I was in whitetail country right now!
Great job Brother!
Congratulations! Your first will always be remembered as one of your best ever.
Whoop Whoop!! :clapper:
Congratulations! Your first will always be remembered as one of your best ever.
congrats
Doe--> lights are on but nobody is home..... cool first though, and thank you for showing us the bloody arrow,,,,, we luv it because finding the bloody arrow begins a whole new adventure.
Congrats on your first.
It's a great feeling, Great Job!
Nice. Congrats on your first! And great oics
Congrats, that is awesome!!!
bingo!
Congrats on your first!! People may say your crazy, I heard that to when I first went to the recurve 5-6 years ago. Its about what each person enjoys not about keeping up with the Joneses. Some of those friends who gave me some hell in the beginning are now very quick to point out to others at 3-ds or game dinners, that Joe gets it done with a recurve. I've missed out on a few good bucks but have no regrets I appreciate EVERY deer I get now a little more. Congrats again Joe
Very nice job.....congrats to you!
Congrats!!
:thumbsup: Good going.
Great Job!!! :thumbsup:
The first of many to come, congrats! :clapper:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congrats, that's awesome!
Congratulations on a great first Trad deer.
Congratulations!!!
I still have people tell me I'm crazy to use a traditional bow even after 9 years using one.
Congrats, it is quite an accomplishment.
Congrats. Well done! :thumbsup:
Sweet :clapper:
congrats
Way to go. You did everything right! Beautiful doe!
AWESOME!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!! :clapper:
The "First" is always the greatest trophy!!!!!
:clapper: :shaka:
Congratulations man ! :thumbsup:
congrats man :archer:
Congratulations on a fine looking doe!
Glenn
congrats!!!!
Awesome man!
Great job! :thumbsup:
Congratulations! I heard the same stuff from my other hunting buddies. When you start harvesting deer with a stick and string it tends to shut them up. Good job.
There are so many factors that have to come together in order to successfully harvest a big game animal with a stick bow. Congrats on an awesome job of putting yourself in the right spot, and making a killing shot!
Congratulations my friend!! Welcome to the feeling! Nice doe too!
I never get tired of reading about others killing, even if i'm not killing anything.. ;/
Congrats again!
Awesome!! Congrats.
What part of Arkansas are you from. I live in Chidester. Its in south Arkansas.
Congrats on the deer!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
thanks everybody for the comments...
dannon: I live in little rock, but hunt just south of warren