Well this is my second year as a trad hunter, last year I was lucky to harvest an giant kansas buck as my 1st deer. I was man this is easy other than the lack of range.
I was in for the cold hard reality of hunting with a stick bow. I drew a much anticipated iowa bow tag, I had scouted this public property and it looked great. Long story short lots of people in the timber so I decided to look in overlooked places. I found a giant 160 inch 10 pointer living in a warm season grass field across the road from all the timber. I had him at 8 yards on the ground no shot. Fast foward 3 days I'm back he comes thru the water way and gets 5 yards from me. I'm on the ground in a ghillie suit. He has no idea I am there. He grooms himself, stretches his body, starts eating something that sounded like aluminum cans, this goes on for 5 minutes, he is 5 yards behind a few sapling and about to come unglued.
He finally starts to walk and gets broadside and I drew and shot 6 inches in front of him. Ouch, I have never spent time at eye level with a deer of any kind, but on of this caliber it was unreal, I mean I was looking into this deers eyes.
Fast foward 2 days, I'm in a tree stand, 140 inch 8 with 10 inch brows is at 10 yards. I have shot but if he takes on more step I have the perfect shot. Well it was super windy he was nervous and from his body language he was about to leave. I took the shot and hit the only twig between me and him.
I forgot to mention when I got to my camping place, I locked my keys in my truck and had no cell phone or spare key. Several hours later a guy shows up and I call a tow truck and 4 hours later he unlocks my truck. I leave iowa after 2 weeks heart broken, but can return.
I hit a deer on my way home, messed my truck up bad. I borrow a truck and head back a few days later, to sum it up had two shooters at 20 yards and no shot, missed a doe.
This stick bow hunting is rough stuff, it's so rewarding but at the same time it seems impossible, I'm questioning my sanity.
Rough trip man. Hang in there. Your next one will be extra sweet.
Ahhh Keb, welcome to the club and welcome to my nightmare of a year. I have had uhmmm six, yes six, opportunities at big deer. My criteria: at least 3 1/2 years old. All were over 140. Here's it in a nutshell:
Deer 1: 140 inch 8, ghille suit, off the ground, 20 yards, over his back.
Deer 2: 160 inch 10 PT 20 yards facing me, no shot. Busted by wind.
Deer 3: rattled up a 150 fivebyfive to the base of my tree. No shot. Caught drawing on him by...
Deer 4: snuck in the back door after coming to the same rattling sequence as deer 3. An absolute monster with double drops. I nearly hung myself.
Deer 5: mid 140s 10 PT snort wheezed in to 15 yards. Awkward shot behind me a bit was very doable. Bottom limb hits seat on Lone Wolf. Arrow right under his heart.
Deer 6: today. 140 five by four. 10 am bow is lowered, my foot is on the first step down the tree. He walks in at 10 yards and I am busted.
After typing this I want to puke, but it is bowhunting. It is hunting the hard way and I love it. When you wrap your hands around another monster like last year it will make all the pain go away...At least I hope it does. If not I am going to need to see a shrink, a bartender, or both!
Keep after buddy!
Awesome thread!!!
You know why...?
I'M NOT ALONE......!!!!!!
You know, one day there will be a twelve step for our addiction.
"That's why I say if everybody went to heaven
Hey-ey-ey, I believe I'd miss the call
But you see if it wasn't for bad luck,
Trying to tell you son if it wasn't for bad luck, now now
Oh, oh, I wouldn't have no luck at all"
Ray Charles
Read more: Ray Charles - If It Wasn't For Bad Luck Lyrics | MetroLyrics
I've been beaten twice here at home Keb, it's part of the game.... Good luck!
man! That's is some season.
definately a season i with i had!!! :thumbsup:
Kill one or not..WOW, that's a successful season!
I think You are a heck of a hunter to get that close to good deer on public land over and over again!
I try hard, very hard. I have spent years getting out of the bubble from the main stream locations and tactics.
I have come to this conclusion, every giant deer I have had a crack at or seen was in place that was ridiculous and pretty much void of trees.
QuoteOriginally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
I think You are a heck of a hunter to get that close to good deer on public land over and over again!
X2! I wish I had the chance to have your kind of problems - with the deer - not the truck and keys locked. You can have that.
Good job getting near the big ones!
I'm in the same boat guys. Wheezed in a great 5x5. Had an 8 yard shot and hit him in the shoulder? Not positive but for sure I got little penetration and only one lung. Tracked him for a long ways with a good tracking dog but came up empty handed. I have heard of more bad luck and bad shots this year than any other I can remember. My best buddy has had a string of bad luck that is almost too much to believe. It happens. Keep after them. The lows make the highs even better.
I feel your pain guys, blew a great shot at an awesome 5 by 5, hit him high, never recovered him. would have been my best buck yet. Since then have only seen small bucks and not even one shot at a doe. Also seems like every time I get a chance to hunt it is either raining or we have gale force winds and tornadoes. This just seems like a tough year for everyone for some reason. Hang in there guys like jon said once the bad luck streak ends the highs are so worth it!
I missed a great seven point this morning. 20 yards right over his back. It's tough but it happens. I was feeling the same way this morning but after some kind words from friends I'm feeling much better. Stick with it and get back out there!
Just feel fortunate to see those big guys in the woods. Many guys go a life time with never seeing one. But missing sucks.I missed my best ever this year by hairs also. Just could not beleive it happened.Sounds like I am in good company!!
Three Fridays ago, the start of a week long hunt here in northern wisconsin, I had "the broken nine" at 18 yards broadside. I've hunted this buck for two years never seeing him in person. He's now a big symmetrical ten and one of the largest bodied bucks we've ever seen. I'm at full draw out of a borrowed tent blind and at the last second realize that my arrow will clip the bottom of the tents window. Instead of letting down I shrug myself up to clear the tent, lose focus and send my snuffer an inch over his back.
I verbally abused myself for the next six days.
Hang in there. If you've never missed, you haven't hunted enough!
At least you guys are seeing deer here in south eastern Il I am pretty sure we lost about 70% of our mature deer herd to disease. Not seeing a deer for days and then it is only young immature deer. Pretty sad! :(
Sorry for your misses and close calls. At least you are seeing deer. Best of luck with the rest of the season for you.
Keb, sounds like you are quite the hunter. I'm impressed, keep at it you are clearly doing things right!
To give you some perspective, I didn't see even one deer from stand this year. :( This ain't easy, but it sure is fun!
Wow, if you I put all the little racks I'm having in bow range together I wouldn't have one of these bruisers you fellows are encountering.
Good for you.
If it's any consolation (and I know it isn't) your post made me feel a little (very little) bit better about my season so far.
I can't go into details (too painful), but I would love to have the opportunities that you have had. My opportunities are few and far between, even for small bucks... and I've messed the only two I had up... BIG TIME.
I was seriously thinking of giving up hunting altogether.
Maybe I'll go out this afternoon.
THANKS! (and better luck in the future)
Ahhhhh yes. I too love this thread because I feel normal. Same situations but much smaller bucks.
Wow, all up hill from here Brother. Hang on!
I know it bites when you miss opportunities, and make less than perfect shots...that really sucks, but it is part of hunting. I have always thanked God for every awesome encounter in the deer woods, be it ending with a shot or not...it is still something that non hunters will never get to do, and only hunters can understand...just be thankful for the encounter and the opportunity. you will all be rewarded for your persistence and dedication...after all, traditional hunters are the elite of the elite when it comes to hunters...always have been in my eyes, and after being a part of this forum for a couple of days, you guys are that and so much more, on so many levels! the forest seal team six! keep at it and you will get it done. never give up and you will never fail.
Wow I thought I was by myself after not seeing a little branch and then giving a heavy horned 5x5 a quick hair cut at less than ten yards. But it was one of the coolest hunts I've had. Never seen a deer come in so hard and fast during a rattling sequence. Still getting schooled after all these years.
Finally bagged a doe fawn this morning, better than watching young bucks walking by. Trying to be a trophy hunter but shooting is way too much fun.
I should move, I have not seen a decent buck in three years.
ya that's not the best vacation ever. but, It was good hunting anyway.
I hunt Illinois and last week I missed one of the biggest bucks I have ever seen.
He was within twenty yards doing his thing around a scrape. The best I can tell is I hit a small branch where the arrow just went over his back.
I hunted him for another week solid all day long and never saw him again.
You guys make me feel better for sure, man it's tough business. I ran into a guy from New York or Pa.
He used to be a die hard trad guy, he told me that recurve is gonna break you heart.
So very true
Sounds like you are having an exciting season. Yes it's heartbreaking but also heart racing!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good hunting by the way. It seems you know your stuff