Deer hunting for me and my family is a very focused and goal oriented endeavor. A have a limited amount of time to fill my freezer for meat for the rest of the year, as this is all we eat. Don't get me wrong I enjoy my time in pursuit, learning the animal to the point of being about to predict its path, its mood and ultimately experiencing a change in myself as the days grow colder and days shorter.
But with all the time, effort and money I have spent in persuit of deer and hogs, the squirrels and rabbits plague me. I would likely hang up my broadheads for good in exchange for judo tips and forest full of squirrel and rabbit if hunting was my only goal.
Any other dedicated small game enthusiast out there. Who don't hunt small game as a filler between deer but as a main pursuit?
I'll head for the woods after deer and it can quickly turn into a squirrel hunt. I like shooting arrows and I release a lot of them hunting small game than I do deer.
I do believe that most archers should start w/ small game and work into the bigger stuff. Small game hunting is a great way to relieve some of those jitters one gets when a deer is w/in range.
Although I've hunted deer and elk, for most of my 66 years it's been small game that has been my hunting pleasure. Squirrels, armadillo, rabbits (cotton and jack), porkupine, grouse, partridge, pheasant, etc.
I love a good squirrel hunt, and that's what a lot of my deer hunts turn into. There used to be a lot of rabbits my way, but the disappeared with the coyotes.
Not sure if I . . Prefer. . small game, but I sure like chasing the little critters too. Lots of fun there that few others chase, I believe, mainly cause there is only so many days to the deer season and the seasons overlap.
ChuckC
I much prefer the actual hunt of small game. It's just a darn fun day in the field. I hunt bigger stuff too for the meat, but small game is where my heart lies. In fact, I've built my entire arrow and tuned it to my bow specifically so I can shoot my two favorite small game heads, a Judo point and RFA Talon. Then because I wanted a heavier front for deer/hogs I added a stiffer spine and added a 100gr insert and footing to bring the front up to 250gr total weight while using only 125gr screw in points.
I love squirrel and rabbit hunting, especially when they wind up in a cast iron skillet with gravy and dumplings.
I'll take whatever is available to hunt. I love game, and shooting my long bow.
QuoteOriginally posted by nightowl1:
Deer hunting for me and my family is a very focused and goal oriented endeavor. A have a limited amount of time to fill my freezer for meat for the rest of the year, as this is all we eat. Don't get me wrong I enjoy my time in pursuit, learning the animal to the point of being about to predict its path, its mood and ultimately experiencing a change in myself as the days grow colder and days shorter.
But with all the time, effort and money I have spent in persuit of deer and hogs, the squirrels and rabbits plague me. I would likely hang up my broadheads for good in exchange for judo tips and forest full of squirrel and rabbit if hunting was my only goal.
Any other dedicated small game enthusiast out there. Who don't hunt small game as a filler between deer but as a main pursuit?
I would agree. Rabbit, squirrels and upland game birds have always been a favorite, and nice additions to the table. And with the longer seasons and less pressure, there is a lot more time for enjoyment.
spending long summer afternoons stalking groundhogs is damm hard to beat for nonstop fun...........too bad most of the farms I used to hunt now have houses on them..........
I admit, I'm an opportunist!
Other than sheep I spend the bulk of my time chasing grouse. I enjoy all big game hunting....but really get excited when I bust a bunch of birds up and get the chance to get after them.
They're not really people shy so they don't fly far normally.....the ruffies will go a ways.
I used to hunt hares, my buddy loved eating them, I couldn't stand them. He PCS'd out so I stopped. Sure wish I could find a good recipe. Havent seen any real good hare years now for a few years, they should be coming back.
I get limited hunting time, and small game often fits the bill for me; less investment in scouting, chance to shoot, less work after a kill.
I think squirrel hunting is a little more action packed than deer hunting because of the limit on deer.
I'm a Bow Hunter. It does not matter what the species (Big or Small) is, as long as it is legal, I'm gonna figure a way to hunt it.
Bowhunting to most people meens big game. To me it meens hunting with a bow. I will put squirrels and rabbits right up with anything. I tried to put together a squirrel hunt with the trad guys at Muskegon County Bowmans but no interest. I thought it would be fun like the bunny stomp that the MTB puts together at Elm Hall. I still think it's a good idea
QuoteOriginally posted by Mike Vines:
I'm a Bow Hunter. It does not matter what the species (Big or Small) is, as long as it is legal, I'm gonna figure a way to hunt it.
DITTO!!!!
I started on rabbits when I lived in MO in the 1950's. Now live in Nevada, and love deer, elk and antelope hunting (when drawn), but they are up to 7 hours drive. Rabbit-15 minutes. Lots of action. I stalk them like deer, spot them in sage or along irrigation ditches and go for them. We have fed a bunch of needy folks too.
I love the desert cottontails, too. No horns, and not much meat, but man, I LOVE the drag!
I tried to get into big game hunting with the bow. Gave myself years of trying. Killed a few pigs and deer. Became a better hunter from it but ultimately my bow is used for rabbits, dove, squirrel and frogs now. In fact I'm selling my big game set up to go to just small game and target.
I will probably take some of the same cross country trips chasing those often overlook quarry as most people do for their bigger neighbors. Ultimately its about the adventure and simplicity of life for me anyway. Can't get much simpler than a small game license and a quiver full of judos.
I do! Love to bow hunt and it is mainly Deer and Hog for Big Game, but when the season is out and summer warms up its frogs!
I believe a lot of folks are missing the pure joy of flinging arrows, while deer hunting it is very rare to get more than 3 shots in a season (at least for me).
Small game give the fix a truly addicted bow hunter needs.
I like using a flintlock on small criters I might be the odd man out but it's all fun.
Deer hunting is boring . Can't beat the rush of a coyote charging in on you.
A bit of fresh snow, late season. I decided to make sure that I had plenty of pheasant arrows. On the way to a different place, I came by a large farm grove with a machine shed, no house, a bunch of bunnies running around, a group of cock pheasants at one end and a farmer closing the gate. I asked if I could go after the critters with my longbow and wood arrows. He looked over my stuff and said "kill 'em all". It is more fun than I can describe what it is to be a 12 year old kid again with a bow and a quiver full of rabbit and pheasant arrows.
I've been hunting carp, groundhogs, and other small critters this summer and having a blast!
Deer hunting is boring. There's just not enough deer around here anymore to even make me set an alarm.
I'll take small game hunting over big game anytime.
My deer hunts quickly become squirrel hunting and my squirrel hunting quickly become stump shooting. I just love to rove around the woods, scouting, looking for stand locations, looking for sign thinking what next season will bring. A small haversack, a few blunt tipped arrows a good hunting buddy, a PBJ and a little brew kit and I'm set for a good morning rove. Just love the sounds, the sites, the smells, the cool morning air and being in the woods with bow in hand.
I threaten to hunt just small game every year.
This year may be the year.
Deer hunting to me has always been fun but lately its getting old.
I have came to the realization that the reason I hunt is to spend time in the woods and shoot my bow.
Although I like venison, by the time you buy the license, tag and processing its pretty expensive ground round.
Plus if I miss a deer it tears me up for a while.
If I miss a squirrel I laugh and move on.
Plus If Im lucky I see a deer in range. But I always see squirrels in range.
OK , I may have talked myself into it!