So here's my story...I've been bowhunting with a compound for about 16 years. Well last year I got the itch to shoot traditional so last summer I bought a DAS Dalaa and got pretty good with it and sold my compound. Well come bowseason I just didnt feel confident enough to hunt with it and went back and bought a wheelie and hunted last year. This year I've bought a couple more recurves and then tried longbows and fell in love with longbows. I ended up getting a centaur and couldn't ask for anything more out of a bow. I have shot the heck outta of this thing and actually think I shoot it better than my compound. Well I have sold all my wheelie stuff and haven't looked back.

With my job I work 14 days gone (900 miles away) and 7 home. So I got home last thursday and have got to do a little hunting this week even though its tough to find time with our new 7 week old addition to the family. Well my first night in the stand I got setup around 3 that evening and it was a beautiful evening. I had thoughts running through my head all summer wondering if I was going to shoot the first deer I seen with it being my first traditional deer. Well that question got answered that evening. Around 5:15 I catch movement on the trail to my left and see its as small 6pt. I stand and ready myself because if he stays on path he will be at 12 yards I still havent made up my mind if I am going to shoot this deer or not but I will tell you that I feel that I have a little tension on the string. Well he continued on the trail and ended up broadside at 12 yards and I just couldn't make myself let an arrow fly. I answered all my questions that evening if my standards on shooting mature bucks and or does only would stand with the longbow. Well the next couple days were the same story every little buck in the county has walked past me and tempted my every time as I am very anxious for my first trad deer.

Even though I havent taken a deer yet with my longbow these last few days have been a blast and I am hooked for life on traditional bowhunting. I can't imagine the excitement I am going to have when I take my first traditional deer. Thanks to everyone on this sight for all the knowledge

it gets to ya dont it?  i shot compounds for a LONG time, but its been years now since i did that.  and ya think your enjoying it now, wait til ya get that first kill...

Steve, welcome          

Welcome  

i know how u feel it makes me feel more like part of the natural pred equation somehow than back when i shot the other device

I'll say it again, Trad is addictive!

Welcome Steve.  It is a great ride!!

Welcome Steve!! What part of MO you from?

From southeast mo unfortunately......can't talk the wife into moving to northern mo

Hi there-Hap

Dang! We have a shortage of trad bowhunters up here!!  

I usually get up that way once a year hunting conservation areas

I'm north of the MO. river a ways, not too far from Hannibal.  Welcome Steve.  :D

Great site for sure. Good post I am with you 100%. Got my 2nd deer tonight with a longbow and I can't imagine huting with any other weapon.

Congrats and welcome

and good for you for stickin with it on your own terms

I have a buddy who makes his own bows, has for years, even made some for me.  Cant get an elk for his life, wants nothing more..  But he wants a five point or better with his own bow.  Weve had TONS of opportunities with smaller bulls, and hes missed alot of big bulls, cant put it together.  But I'll never fault him for deciding what hes trying to accomplish and stickin with it regardless.

The enjoyment will be there either way!  Good luck and welcome.

Welcome. Letting them walk is like catch and release fishing . You got those bucks you just let them go.