I was able to get my first deer with a traditional bow yesterday. After 2 years of no success, with opportunities, this was pretty sweet. Not the biggest deer but thankful nonetheless.

The day started pretty nice with me seeing a deer just after sunrise. We had a foggy morning, and while the fog was still lifting, I saw a single deer wandering about 10 yards in front of me. Being that it was a single deer I figured it was a button buck. I passed on a potential shot on that one. Shortly after that I had a buck show up about 6 yards behind me. He was reluctant to take another step into an opening and the brush was thick covering his body so no shot there. A short while later I had 3 deer, all bucks, in the field in front of me. They danced around for a couple minutes before moving over to where my son was at. He didn't get a shot either. So, a great morning seeing deer.

I went back in the afternoon not expecting to see anything. The place I was at is definitely more of a morning spot. Being that it is on the ground all shots are close, most within 10 yards, one shot out to 20. So, I was mainly reading on my phone, enjoying the day, taking videos of birds hanging out in front of me. About 20 minutes before dark I heard a familiar crackle behind me and I turned to see some legs through the same brush I mentioned earlier. This time the buck stuck more than his head out and was walking past the opening that I had to shoot in that direction. I debated whether I wanted to shoot him as he was smaller and it was opening day but when he stopped and started eating in that opening I quickly decided that I was going to shoot.

The next thing I knew I was drawing, I hit my anchor and held for a second to refocus on that spot I wanted to hit. I knew then that it was all over. And then, there was my arrow sticking out of his side right where I was looking. He was probably 10 yards away at most when I shot him. He ran for a bit along the edge of some corn and my son tracked him to where he was. I really couldn't be more thankful. First traditional deer, hunting on the ground, very close, very exciting.

Update: Equipment used, Spirit LB, 53@28, wood arrows with 145 gr Magnus Snuffer Broadheads. Total arrow weight at about 585 grains.

 

Nice buck great shot.Congrats you will remember that for a long time I still remember my first from 1976.      

Congrats and thanks for sharing the hunt!

Congrats on a nice buck.          

CONGRATS!

Nice deer and great story!

Congrats!

Congrats!!

Congratulations!  Well done.

AWESOME! WAY TO GO!

David,

You did good! And 2 years is not bad on the learning curve, took me longer    and some are still at it.

Thanks, all!

John - thanks for the kind words. I'm thankful that we have a pretty tight group of trad shooters in our area which has helped us to get better faster. The hunting part we had been doing a while, so that wasn't so much the issue, just getting good enough with the trad gear, and then settling down to focus during a shot. Shooting 3-D a lot has helped as well. That and having a son that is very skilled to challenge you is the rest of the story.

Congrats!!!! That is great!

Way to go!  That's a fine looking buck!  Bryan Holley builds one of the finest longbows out there.  I love my Spirit bow!  Congratulations on a very memorable hunt!    

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin

Awesome

Congrats!! Great read.

Way to go, Congrats!!!!
Tom

QuoteOriginally posted by Bernie B.:
Way to go!  That's a fine looking buck!  Bryan Holley builds one of the finest longbows out there.  I love my Spirit bow!  Congratulations on a very memorable hunt!        

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin

I agree, Bernie. Definitely underrated, especially considering how inexpensive they are.

Thanks.

Congrats!  Looks like you did it in some evening stand green Asbell to boot!  That makes it extra traditional!    

Great Job...
I think you did the right thing taking the shot.  You just never know when you will get another chance and you made yours count!

well done!