I will be doing a lot of small game hunting as well as deer hunting this year.How about doing a thread about small game this year. Post pics and stories. :thumbsup: :archer2: love to hear them!
so far i have missed 11 shots at doves. I set up on a seep and use decoys. Rolled two over with dirt thrown on them and a few clean misses. Odd, they do not arrows being shot at them, and start to leave as I draw! Next mponth is rabbit and quail. I will also bring my blunts and try for the sage grouse up where my elk tag is. Last year, a couple watched me open the gate every day.
Our season opens up tommorow , will try it first thing in the morning
skwerl opens tomorrow for us here in WI (as does deer). I shot at doves on the wing last year at a sunflower field nearby. There were too many gunners and the doves were skittish. The gunners couldn't believe I was even trying. I scared hell out of a couple and most weren't even still in the field when my arrow got to where they were.
Skwerls are slower. . . got my Shrew hawk nice and sharped up and I built a new handle for it (part two of my two part skwerl gear).
ChuckC
Good luck tomorrow chuck! Doves with a bow? Wow! Those doves are some quick flying birds and can turn on a dime !
Awesome thread idea!
I enjoy chasing squirrels as much as anything. Our small game season don't open here in NC until mid-October. Our archery deer opens tomorrow, but gotta wait another month to take a shot at small game. There's always a Judo or blunt in my quiver.
Yes, I would enjoy seeing and hearing about some small game hunts.
A few rabbits so far. Have not tried for doves yet. We can now go after the Asian dove all year long. Waiting for quail.
Heres one. Not much of a story...this one just stayed to close while i was out stumping.
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg177/Joe-Mart/IMG_7827_zpsb5244580.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/Joe-Mart/media/IMG_7827_zpsb5244580.jpg.html)
Back in June, While out practicing, I kept seeing this woodchuck sticking it's head out of it's hole as I would shoot and retrieve my arrow. Well I made sure to keep getting closer and closer each time I would return to shoot again, and at 4 feet, the ground hog made the mistake of peaking out one to many times, and the Eclipse did it's job. This one will not be digging under the deck anymore.
(http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/miklvines/Tradgang/0625142113-1.jpg) (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/miklvines/media/Tradgang/0625142113-1.jpg.html)
Speaking of dove with a bow here's a great video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV49k7DIJ1I
There is another amazing video you will have to check out it... can't post here but it on the same page as the first... it is absolutely amazing. "NO FLY ZONE"
great video john
Our season starts Oct. 1st and I have a great population of squirrels and rabbits. Can't wait!
I am going to love this thread. It was always a tradition with our family to deer hunt in the morning, small game during mid day, deer hunt in the evening. Small game would add to the adventure if you were scouting, building a blind or just enjoying the wilderness. Also I bring a small game arrow with me when I deer hunt for an opportunity.
Tried going mid day to do some squirrel hunting. I saw one one which was to far away on somebody else's property. I wasn't going to Pursue it.
In in an area that has a ton of squirrels but it's very windy today. Think that has something to do with it?
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/frassettor/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps23994470.jpg) (http://s303.photobucket.com/user/frassettor/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps23994470.jpg.html)
Beautiful scenery!
I have been seeing a ton of grouse this year during my deer and elk season. Finally after the season opened I had a flock of about ten grouse fly down off a ridge to roosted in the tree I was using as a blind. One nearly hit me in the face. I took these two out of the bunch. If I didn't want to dull up all my broad heads I could have shot more. (http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss248/barebow13/163-2.jpg) (http://s580.photobucket.com/user/barebow13/media/163-2.jpg.html)
This is one I had to let go before the season opened. (http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss248/barebow13/027.jpg) (http://s580.photobucket.com/user/barebow13/media/027.jpg.html)
QuoteOriginally posted by twitchstick:
I have been seeing a ton of grouse this year during my deer and elk season. Finally after the season opened I had a flock of about ten grouse fly down off a ridge to roosted in the tree I was using as a blind. One nearly hit me in the face. I took these two out of the bunch. If I didn't want to dull up all my broad heads I could have shot more. (http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss248/barebow13/163-2.jpg) (http://s580.photobucket.com/user/barebow13/media/163-2.jpg.html)
:clapper: great shooting
(http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/fnshtr/ACORNS_zpsaf8c0669.jpg) (http://s429.photobucket.com/user/fnshtr/media/ACORNS_zpsaf8c0669.jpg.html)
Our white oaks hit real good this year. I like to combine squirrel hunting with scouting for deer.
I'll share a few pics from this past week as squirrel season came in last Monday.
(http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/fnshtr/squirrelWoods_zps18fd6886.jpg) (http://s429.photobucket.com/user/fnshtr/media/squirrelWoods_zps18fd6886.jpg.html)
I'm very fortunate in that I can walk 100 yards from my back door and be in the woods. This week I have seen a few dozen squirrels and probably a dozen deer. First trip out I spotted a nice (for this area) 9 or 10 pointer that I now have my proverbial sights on.
I've probably taken a dozen shots at squirrels this week.
(http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/fnshtr/camo_zpsc03690ac.jpg) (http://s429.photobucket.com/user/fnshtr/media/camo_zpsc03690ac.jpg.html)
I've hunted squirrels with blue jeans and a t-shirt, but once I put the fear in them I've got to start dressing differently. I really like the leafy suit. At this location, sitting on a log, I had a doe to pass within 7 yards of me and didn't know I was around until she got downwind.
(http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/fnshtr/TreedSquirrel_zpsc5c06a00.jpg) (http://s429.photobucket.com/user/fnshtr/media/TreedSquirrel_zpsc5c06a00.jpg.html)
I carry a couple of flu-flu arrows for these kinds of opportunities. I love the shots into the trees or on the sides of trees.
(http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/fnshtr/NearMiss_zps043146e3.jpg) (http://s429.photobucket.com/user/fnshtr/media/NearMiss_zps043146e3.jpg.html)
Why do they call these "near-misses"... they are COMPLETE misses!
(http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/fnshtr/spikey_zps73fc5943.jpg) (http://s429.photobucket.com/user/fnshtr/media/spikey_zps73fc5943.jpg.html)
Don't mean to hijack the small game thread, but scouting for deer is part of my reason to be in the woods. I drew "coup" on this little spike yesterday afternoon.
(http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/fnshtr/Hero1_zps5a2cb847.jpg) (http://s429.photobucket.com/user/fnshtr/media/Hero1_zps5a2cb847.jpg.html)
After about 10 misses... I was getting concerned. Then this morning as I was still-hunting along the edge of a flat, this guy shows up at 5 yards. He seemed to notice me, but didn't "high tail" it. He just moved ahead and to my right. At 15 yards he jumped up on a dead branch to survey his surroundings. As my arrow disappeared I heard a "thunk" and knew immediately the arrow had found its mark.
(http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/fnshtr/BluntForceTrauma_zps821d8ac7.jpg) (http://s429.photobucket.com/user/fnshtr/media/BluntForceTrauma_zps821d8ac7.jpg.html)
The hex head blunt really did its job on him. He was dead when I got to him.
awesome job fnshtr !! I went out this am and missed one by mere inches, was on the ground as well with my ghillie on.
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/frassettor/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps77731e00.jpg) (http://s303.photobucket.com/user/frassettor/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps77731e00.jpg.html)
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/frassettor/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps23994470.jpg) (http://s303.photobucket.com/user/frassettor/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps23994470.jpg.html)
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/frassettor/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps61ad71bf.jpg) (http://s303.photobucket.com/user/frassettor/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps61ad71bf.jpg.html)
Frsessator,
What is the name of the blunt that you are using? It looks pretty solid. Is it any good for general roving and not getting buried in the grass?
I think small game hunting really sharpens up your shooting... I can stalk (sometimes) within 30 yrds of rabbits, but they are so small at the distance... can't hit the buggers.. :)
Cheers
Alex
QuoteOriginally posted by alex321:
Frsessator,
What is the name of the blunt that you are using? It looks pretty solid. Is it any good for general roving and not getting buried in the grass?
I think small game hunting really sharpens up your shooting... I can stalk (sometimes) within 30 yrds of rabbits, but they are so small at the distance... can't hit the buggers.. :)
Cheers
Alex
They are called SGT (small game thumper)
Very durable
http://www.rmsgear.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=92&idcategory=30
I believe those are the same as I was calling a hex head blunt. 3 Rivers calls them "The Hammer".
Great small game head.
The Hex Heads and Hammers are different heads altough the Hammers are similar.I've got the 250 gr Small Game Thumpers as well and they are devastating.I shot lengthwise through this snowshoe hare and he never kicked.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a140/jbrandenburg/BearSeason2014014.jpg) (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/jbrandenburg/media/BearSeason2014014.jpg.html)
Nice!!!!
I bought three hammer blunts from 3 Rivers and went out the other night looking for rabbits. I shot a Swamp rabbit from 7 yards and swore I heard his skull crack but he ran off like I didn't even touch him. I gave chase but he lost me in the woods. I'm stumped as to what happened. There's no blood anywhere. I've been trying to figure it out but this is my first year hunting. I use a 55# Samick Sage, drawing 27.5". My arrows are a bit light at 8.3 gps but I was using the 175 grain blunt so I thought that would be enough. Anybody with more experience have a word of advice?
Our cottontails are easy to kill. Are you sure you didn't hit a limb or something else?
I can't imagine it being shot at that range and not being recovered.
:dunno:
It was in the open,so nothing but dirt and grass around it. After the strike, the nock end of the arrow flipped over and landed with the blunt facing back toward me about a foot the other side of where the rabbit was. He had been facing to my right, but turned back to my left and away from me when he ran so I couldn't see the side of the head I struck. I don't believe in killing something you're not going to use, so it has literally been keeping me up at night wondering what happened and whether or not he died in a hole and I wasted an animal. I'm a little scared to shoot at any more of them. I would switch to broadheads but it seems from the videos I've seen that it's a much slower death. :(
Cottontails are easy to kill.If you hit the rabbit,you would know.There would be blood and hair at the very least and more reaction from the rabbit than just it running off.Go get some rest.
I've done a good bit of stump shooting and hit practically everything in the woods. Nothing else makes the sound I heard when I watched that arrow hit his face. Maybe Swamp rabbits aren't as easy to kill as Cottontails? They are easily four times larger.
I've only taken one swamp rabbit with a bow but they probably are tougher than cottontails and that's a pretty large diameter head to get much penetration with. With small game, retrieval is always more likely if the arrow stays in the animal but it just can't be helped that once in a while, you will lose one.
Again, I don't want to be misunderstood here, but really... nothing goes to waste. While we must do everything in our power to take the life quickly and utilize it for our good... we do not live in a perfect world.
Like JimB said... go get some rest.
As for swamp rabbits being more difficult to kill... that could very well be.
Good luck!
I'll just keep trying. If it happens again, I'll switch to BH for these big'uns. Thanks guys!
I use broadheads for rabbits and raccoons. For squirrels I generally use a Red Feather Archery Talon. I killed a squirrel this past weekend with a Judo point(lucky head shot), shortly after I shot one with the same arrow in the body and it got away.
I'm working on the video, I'll post it in the next day or two. (http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn66/tarponnut/Squirrelheadshot.jpg) (http://s301.photobucket.com/user/tarponnut/media/Squirrelheadshot.jpg.html)
QuoteOriginally posted by myjudge2:
I'll just keep trying. If it happens again, I'll switch to BH for these big'uns. Thanks guys!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
(http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/fnshtr/P1050870_zps0ed677f9.jpg) (http://s429.photobucket.com/user/fnshtr/media/P1050870_zps0ed677f9.jpg.html)
BEWARE!!
Yesterday I shot at a squirrel on a dead limb on the ground. I heard a loud SMACK!! and the result is the arrow without a point in the pic above. I believe the limb was a dried up locust limb. Hard as rock.
This evening I busted the other one stumping. It was nearly dark and I picked out what I thought was a rotten stump... turned out to be a burnt stump... again, VERY hard.
I will probably foot them with a section of aluminum arrow, check and make sure there is no damage elsewhere, and if not I'll reuse them.
Good luck and be safe.