countrydriven - 
Button Buck
 | | 10/26/2007 11:57 AM |
| Today I have mixed feelings about bow hunting. This is my first year bow hunting, I can not recall a time when I was so pumped up to get out in the woods. My hunting buddy and I have spent SEVERAL months scouting and making plans. I had a feeling this first season would be great. We have been in our archery season since the 15th of Sept. We hunt just about every weekend, not the same location, but we are out there. I have not produced anything, there were a few opportunities but nothing came with success. I am loosing that pumped up feeling fast. I am not sure if it is the lack of a kill (my buddy has done his share of damage out there) or something else. As I am thinking about the next trip to the woods, I read the posts on here and try to think of the things I could be doing wrong. With that I thought it was time to hunt for some words from the real hunting pros…..BUCKMASTERS Yes, I know it takes time and I understand this is my first season bow hunting. So what do you all have for me? | | | |
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rackmaster4413 -
Button Buck
| | 10/26/2007 12:15 PM |
| | dude hang in there your chance will come trust me | | | |
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milkacow -
Button Buck
| | 10/26/2007 2:56 PM |
| like you, i have been out since the the middle of september, and have had no success so far... i've been patiently waiting for a shooter buck, like i do every year, with no success. This always makes me not shoot anything since i use doe as live bait... And just like you, i am loosing my pumped-up-ness.
just hang in there with me, our time will come.
ha! just made me realize i've been waiting 3 years to shoot something other than a groundhog or coon with my bow... something is going down tomorrow. | |
--Dustin | |
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BOWHUNTER -
4-Pointer
Missouri
| | 10/26/2007 5:13 PM |
| | hang in there because once you get a shot a deer you will get that pump sensation back. | |
GIT-R-DONE | |
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ks_hunter -
Button Buck
| | 10/26/2007 5:43 PM |
| | hang in there the next trip out could make the difference (maybe bigger then your buddies buck ). He may be the next deer to take that trail for the last time | | | |
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willy -
8-Pointer
Tenn
| | 10/26/2007 7:01 PM |
| | don't give up I havent killed anything at all this year ( or last year for that matter ) and I hunt at least 4 days each week it's just not your time yet it will come and possibly the biggest buck of the season!!!! | |
Hillbilly Willy
Today is the day the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it | |
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tubby -
Record Book
Moundville,Alabama
| | 10/26/2007 7:04 PM |
| | Hang in there,I've been bow hunting for 10 or 11 years and have not killed one yet and I still look forward to going. | |
Tubby
The God of My Rock;He Is My Sheild;And The Horn Of My Salvation 2 Samuuel,Ch 22 | |
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warren -
Button Buck
| | 10/26/2007 9:49 PM |
| | I hunted for frist 3 years without a deer shot. But man when i shot that frist one it was all over for me. I am obsessed with bow hunting now. It seems that when i talk to my buddies all of us had a long wait for that frist kill. but after that its like the deer come to u. Just try to enjoy the time when u are out in the stand. Take it all in and think about things in your life thats what i do. If u relax and not put so much pressure on yourself i bet u would get your kill faster. I know some days its hard to get out there, but force yourself. Thier is nothing like the feeling of your first bow kill i dont care how big the animal is. | | | |
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mcraddock -
6-Pointer
Possum Kingdom, SC
| | 10/29/2007 8:25 PM |
| | Just be glad you're not like me and just lost your big trophy because a bolt didn't go all the way through. My shooter buck is probably still alive, but I doubt that I'll see him again this year. | | | |
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MikeD -
Button Buck
Cincinnati,OH
| | 10/30/2007 8:48 AM |
| I agree with warren,It sounds like your putting to much pressure on yourself.Just go out and relax, try to learn something new every time you go out wheather its finding new trails the deer are using or maybe a faster quieter way to the stand.When I start getting down I find a different spot to hunt.It seems to keep my attension more being in a different surrounding.
Just hang in there and eventually everything will come together for a day you will never forget!!! | | | |
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stillframe -
Button Buck
SC
| | 10/30/2007 9:05 AM |
| | Last year and this year both started Sept. 15 for my area. Last year I went untill Nov.4 before my first kill and had 3 down by Nov. 11. After that nothing. This year is looking the same way. Nov. is right over the horizon and still no shot yet. Keep your hopes high and your weapon at the ready. | | | |
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huntininmissouri -
Button Buck
| | 10/30/2007 2:38 PM |
| | just sit back and enjoy your time in the stand.things can change in a second.i have no kills yet.i had to pass on a NICE heavy 10 point, bad angle. | | | |
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rnwinter -
Spike
Texas
| | 10/30/2007 7:24 PM |
| | Bow hunting is an art. I can't describe it better than that. Getting within 40 yards of a good buck and being able to get off a shot is a serious accomplishment and a different skill than shooting them from one hundred yards with a rifle. You are asking of yourself the demanding skills of scouting, tracking, and observation that places you in the best position possible for a bow hunt. This requires a much larger degree of skill and attention to detail than rifle hunting. But this also makes for a much more satisfiying hunt when you do get your buck or doe...because you know you actually hunted this one and got yourself in position to get it, with your skills, not a scope and rifle. So, be patient, and realize that you are doing a hard job and some skilled hunting. | | | |
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countrydriven -
Button Buck
| | 11/02/2007 9:56 AM |
| Thank you to everyone who replied, the words help. It is nice to hear that other people have waited some time to get their first bow kill. I will be out again this weekend, he plan is to sit in the stand, relax and let the deer come my way.
Good luck to everyone hunting…..
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Dakota Danny -
4-Pointer
| | 11/03/2007 4:17 PM |
| I think all the comments here are good. Rnwinter seems to really hit it from what I would say.
I'd also recommend keeping a journal and using scout cameras if you are fortunate to have room in the budget for one or two. The log will help you. I'd track: moon phase, temperature, time of day, wind direction, and any other pertinent factors. Then track what the deer are doing around you. Keep track of the farm fields in the area you hunt. If the farmer rotates crops, the deer may shift trails and tendencies. By logging this behavior, you can make good estimations for next year's tendencies. This may limit the amount of time and pressure you apply to the area doing your scouting. Don't get me wrong, scouting is good, but too much will push the quality deer away.
Be sure that you're hunting a stand that has the wind advantage. Without seeing your set-up be sure that you're not skylined in the tree. You want some cover up there to conceal your movement. I don't care what the camo pattern is, it won't work if your silhouette is put up against the sky!
Like many on here, I hunted hard for 2 full seasons before I filled my first tag early this year. I've learned quite a bit in these two years, many mistakes aren't repeated. You'll discover the best entry and exits to your stand. You'll also discover the best timing to be there.
Every time that I am in the woods, I'm thankful. I feel sorry for those who choose not to archery hunt. A rifle season goes by so quickly. Enjoy your time.
Being your first year in the woods, if you want to fill a freezer, try to do so BEFORE rifle season and cold winter change the deer dynamics. I've tried to fill a doe tag in January. It's too cold here (negatives), the snow gets crunchy so you're movement in and out is like a bull horn yelling to all deer - here I am, the deer are spooked easily for good reason, and they've regrouped. If you think it's hard to pull back on one deer, try a herd of 10 or 20.
Finally, look at the harvest records in the area. You'll see that in many states archery success is as little as 20-30%. I wouldn't say that 70% of people DON'T know how to do this! It's a very personal sport. If you choose to pursue a large trophy class animal, you also choose to go home empty handed if need be. | | | |
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tomsinnott -
4-Pointer
Newburgh, IN
| | 11/04/2007 8:06 AM |
| | I have been having a bad couple of years with my bow. Saw a lot of great deer but nothing within 70 yds and last night the flood gates opened. I shot two does and probably could have shot 6 more and 3 bucks, but they were all small. I was getting frustrated but still kept going now I am pumped about heading out again. | |
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." Benjamin Franklin | |
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bigrsmith -
Button Buck
| | 11/06/2007 12:26 PM |
| | my first couple years bow hunting had me return with zero kills. Gun season came in and no issues. Don't get to down on yourself over it. Keep a good attitude and it will all work out when the time is right. | | | |
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kitterick -
Button Buck
| | 11/06/2007 6:35 PM |
| | If bowhunting successfully were easy, everyone would do it | |
DRENALIN
SIDEWINDER LX
AXIS ST
G5 STRIKER | |
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countrydriven -
Button Buck
| | 11/07/2007 11:25 AM |
| There has always got to be a smart one out there I see...
Never thought it would be easy - I was wondering what others do when they get down about the lack of success.
Thank you anyways - happy hunting!
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BigSam -
Button Buck
New Jersey
| | 11/07/2007 2:02 PM |
| All it takes is one shoot for you to be hooked bro
Hang in there! | | | |
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