How long for your first

[Brian Krebs]

I went totally into bow deer hunting in 1977, and got my first deer the next year.
I had hunted deer with a bow before that; and for small game; but not with the obsession that I did: after that 1977 season!
I killed my first bear- the second year I hunted for them; also in 1978.
Second year for elk too.
 The guy who guided me into bowhunting for big game; (and who I would most like to hunt with again)     - took 12 years to get his first deer with a bow.

[James Wrenn]

One day.

[KentuckyTJ]

A couple weeks. I am blessed to live in an area of the country that has an abundance of whitetails. On one farm I hunt if you don't see about 10-15 every time you sit in the tree you've had a bad day.

[wingnut]

Took me 3 yrs with a bow.  When I switched to trad, it took about an hour.


Mike

[JoeM]

First year out nothing but screw ups and mishaps.  Second year out I was lucky enough to put down my first on opening day (a doe).  I ended up the season (last year 08) with 5 deer in the freezer and 2 misses.  Joe

[suzie_shooter]

a little 8 pointer and four does my first year

[WINDTALKER]

Still waiting This year will be my 7th season. Plenty of small game, just hasn't worked out with them darn blacktails.

[unregistered]

2 years so far and nuthin but a bunch of squirrels. Missed two animals this past season though. First was a Black Bear at 10 yards on the ground with nothing between us (shaking so bad i completely forgot to pick a spot and sent the arrow 3 feet over his head!), and a 7x8 Muley that I missed at 25 yards, the arrow falling a hands width uder the heart area. Only thought he was a little under 20 yards away. That one still hurts to this day.

[South MS Bowhunter]

10 years before I took a anterless buck, but I shot at least a half dozen arrows the first year, missed every time by mere inches.  I had no one to show me the traditional way of shooting.  I missed all those first shots because I had "vanes" on my arrows instead of feathers and at the shot the arrow would porpoise up and down out to 15 yards before stabilizing. Alot of early mistakes were made and learned from, still loving the traditional way and learning!

[Bear Heart]

Okay, so I am not the only guy out west who is battling with the blacktail.  This fall will be my third season deer and second elk.  This summer will be my third try at hogs.  Just needed to here this is normal again.  I am loving the challenge but get a little frustrated when I tell people how much I love hunting.  The first thing they want to know is what youv'e killed.  When I say nothing they kinda get a look like "are you kidding me, you call yourself a hunter?"

[ishiwannabe]

Still trying. First trad season (07) we had my son five days before the season opened. Hunted a few times and passed on a small buck. Last year, I had two shots, under twenty yards, on the same decent 4 pointer. Whiffed on both....forgot to pick a spot the first time, and aimed low the second expecting a reaction which didnt occur. Walked out of the woods smiling each time.
So far, Im up to three rabbits...and loving every minute of it.

[Wannabe1]

I've hit more stumps than a horse tail in fly season! Does that count?  

[vermonster13]

20 minutes into my first hunt with a borrowed Bear Kodiak TD. Fat doe that was a gift at 8 yards on the ground.

[woodchucker]

I killed a doe in 1976 and a doe in 1977 my first 2 years of bowhunting,both with a 50# Bear Alaskan recurve and Bear cedar arrows with Bear Razorheads.

Must have been "Beginners Luck" because there have been ALOT of dry years between then and now LOL.

[sethdiggs]

I haven't got anything with a bow yet but haven't hunted with trad cause Ive only been into it for about a month. Hopefully Ill get a chance at a deer next hunting season in virginia's month of archery-only hunting.

[straitera]

Less than 2 weeks after buying my 75# Proline Saxon longbow 30 years ago I killed my first javelina. Is that big game?

[kstout]

I hunted 10 years before taking a deer with archery tackle.  Started taking them consistantly after Michigan legalized treestands.  Hunted with a Paul Bunyan fiberglass bow, then went to Bear grizzly.

[madness522]

I'll let ya know when it happens....

[Walt Francis]

My first season hunting with traditional equipment, a 1950's recurve I inherited from my brother inlaw: I killed a rock chuck twenty minutes into the first day of spring bear season then killed a cinnamon colored black bear that evening.  I drew a mountain goat tag and filled it, a 115 whitetail, five whitetail does, and a cow elk.  Let's just say it was one of the last good years for hunting where I live; before the wolves were forced on us.

[GRINCH]

This was my second year,still waiting.