First year of trad...Bad!!!

[b.glass]

Good advice from all. You do have to respect your dad. If he is just giving his opinion then I would say follow your heart. But if he is say "absolutely not", then you need to obey him. But it is tough shooting trad in a compound world. I haven't had it so bad because I'm an "older" woman and don't get the ribbing that some younger man would. But I have wondered what some were thinking and saying behind my back.
We had a Memorial Day cook out. The kids got out the longbows. My brother-in-law started talking about hunting. He asked me "How many deer have you killed". (I've been trying for a few years now). I told him ONE. He said I should take a gun. I said "Well, if all you want to do is kill a deer, take a rifle." My husband said, "Can you tell we've talked about this before". Topic closed!
My husband has said that he can't believe how close I can get to deer and they not see me. He said I should be proud of that alone.

[ThePushArchery]

15 yards... very doable.

I have been shooting trad for not too awfully long. Only about two years now. Can I put an arrow into the vitals at the range at 20-25 yards??? Ofcourse I can. Can I put an arrow into the vitals at 20-25 yards 95% of the time??? No I can't.

That is why I will not take a shot over 15-16 yards. I hunt from the ground, and if I can't go to the range and consistantly shoot at a given distance 95% of the time, then it is out of the question for a live shot.

I get the same grief from friends and family that all have high-tech equip. But from the ground, with trad equipment, believe me, sitting around the fire, none of them can top some of the close up encounters and hunting stories that I have experienced.

"I do not hunt to kill animals, I Kill animals because I hunt" - Roger Rathaar

[Gatekeeper]

There seems to be a common theme here among the Trag Gang advisors and that is to retain the trust of your parents and follow your father's wishes. But I would like to suggest that you approach your father about small game hunting. Squirrels and rabbits put meat on the table too. Prove to your father and yourself that you can keep your cool and hit your mark on these small critters and see what opportunities this opens up for you.

Good Luck!  

[James Wrenn]

First thing I would do is get away from the feild.Get in the thicker stuff where all you have are close shots.You will not see as many deer perhaps but will not be tempted by shots outside your range.In the thick stuff you will get a chance at shots that can be done.The only way to get someone to change there minds is with results.Make good kills on a few deer and Pop will come around.  jmho

[Divinecedar]

I'd like to echo what others have said and add some:

1) 15 yards is a spectacular distance that many longbowmen won't shoot past. If you would like to shoot further, find an ASA 3D range and practice as much as you can (it is usually about $10 for a fun shoot).

2) Instead of hunting solely over a food-plot, take up still hunting and stalking. You will improve your woodsmanship many times over. Additionally, the shots presented will be close if you have access to heavy timber.

3) Small game hunting is a blast! I've had more fun shooting squirrels with my longbow than you could ever believe. In addition, your stalking ability will improve by doing this as well.

Good luck, and treasure WHATEVER time you get to spend with your dad!

[centaur]

If traditional hunting was easy, everybody would be doing it. As mentioned above, our sport is more about the challenge than it is about killing something. If you are 'hunting accurate' to 15 yards, and if you hold to that, a shot will come. Just don't expect to get something every time you go hunting. After all, it is 'hunting', not 'killing'. Good luck and have fun; fun is what hunting with a longbow is about (with a bit of frustration thrown in).  

[MI_Bowhunter]

Distance isn't everything.   I sighted my rifle in @ 100 yards but have yet to shoot a deer that is over 20 yards away.

If you are confident/competent at 15 yards then I see no reason not to hunt. Good Luck.

[HalfRack]

I have 2 sons 12 and 15, they are hunting with compounds but only have 1 pin and can't shoot beyond that.  15 yards is our preferred shot distance and is easily doable if you can get back into the woods a bit as stated above.  You can backtrack the trails in the woods a ways, but not all the way to the bedding areas, and find good places in the thick cover.

If your dad lets you go with the LB (or any other gear), make sure you practice with broadheads from an elevated stand with all your gear on. I take a 3D target and move it all around the stand to different locations while my boys shoot at it with broadheads from a stand.

Good Luck!

-Mike

[vermonster13]

If your father is certain that you won't be able to get as close as 15 yards and says you have to shoot compound then fine(for now). Keep practicing with the LB. When you hunt with the compound this year limit your shots to 15 yards, show your dad you can get that close and have the discipline to limit yourself to 15 yards. Just be sure to remind him that you could have killed (I am assuming/hoping you get one) the deer with your LB. See if he is willing to give you a go when you show him you are serious and self controlled.

[TNstickn]

Some good advice here Andrew. Good luck!! Hope to read your hunting story post.

[Onehair]

I can promise you that when the time comes for your first kill, your dad will feel pride and be overwelmed with jealousy.

[deadpool]

I know how YOu feel bro, but the difference is I was able to shoots about 6" groups at 18 yards+, but my dad didnt care, he wanted me to get better, I didnt even go on my first game hunt with him because of that =/

[AAFE]

Well thanks to all for your replies its helped alot!!! I realy like that still hunting and stalking idea i went out to the niebores field and stalked within 20 yards of 2 does talk about the most fun ive had in a long time now if i were comfertable out to 20 they would of been deader than anything lol...Ive been practicing
out to 20 yards some shots were vitals and some werent but at 15 dead on!! Can't wait dads still debating but after reading all yalls post i think he might let me!!

[Billy]

Dad is Dad. If, he is telling he'd RATHER you not; he has left it open to discussion. If, he said you CAN NOT...well, he is Dad.
I am both son and dad, and it goes on for life, the older and more proficient you get at life,the more he'll give you the reins.
Good luck with whichever you carry.
It's better to hunt than not...

[Ian johnson]

hey, I limit my shots to 15 or less, sure I might get within the kill zone at 25, but I know that 15 and under is range I am comfortable with, I passed up a 20yard perfect shot at a fork horn last season and had a doe come in at 10yards, I shot but she had a sapling in front of her that I did not see and that blocked my shot, but I still had a good time

[redant 60/65]

Hang in there Andrew your Long Bow Is just fine. It's the hunt that's fun, the kill is the reward.  

[steadman]

Keep at it Bud! If you do what vermonster suggested, I'll bet your Dad will come around. Also, you'll have to practice a lot of patience. 15 yards is very doable. Look forward to seeing pics in the future. Good Luck!

[Autumnarcher]

You said your Dad dosent want you to hunt with your LB. Whle he shoots wheels, I will not presume he has never shot trad gear. I have 2 sons who also shoot trad gear, ages 16 and 9. I too have to decide if they are skilled enough to make the shot, and what that max range needs to be. I also have to be able to tell them if they are totally not ready to hunt with that gear.
That is the case with my youngest son, the desire is there, but consistent shooting is not.

This will be his first season when he turns 10 in December, so he still has time to practice.
Its a judgement call, erring on the side of the animal to ensure a quick humane killing shot when the time comes.

I had to tell myself when I was not ready, so if I can do that, I can tell my kids as well.

My first year I limited my shots to 10-11 yds. No shots taken, but got inside 20 yds a few times. That is when you will decide if the hunt is more important to you than the kill.

Until then, keep shooting, and practicing. Shoot not just standing 15-20 yds from a target. Put on your hunting clothes.Shoot from a stool, or the ground. SHoot from a treestand if you plan to hunt from them. Shoot from varying randome distances, shot angles and body positions.

My favorite is to randomly toss my quiver full of arrows around the yard, and then walk to each one and shoot it from where it landed at my target. Another is a 2 Liter soda bottle and judo points.

Regardless of which bow you end up with in your hand, enjoy the hunt on your terms, not someone elses. Have fun. Enjoy the woods.