Archery Talk

A polite disagreement!

 

@rtkbowhunter
Great deer along with a great story! Congrats!

 

Just my thoughts....
I don't particularly care for archery in general, but I'm completely crazy about deer hunting. When I shot my first deer with a gun (at 14) I was hooked for life. Later I found out that a person can hunt for 4 months with archery gear.....where do I sign up! Now, 30 years after my first bow season, I love deer hunting as much, if not more, than I did back then. I fell in love with bowhunting so much that I've gun hunted exactly 2 times in the last 25 years. When the day comes (probably not too many years from now) that I can no longer draw a bow due to whatever....you damn straight I'm going to a crossbow. Not because I want to, but because as long as I'm physically able my fat ass is going to be out there doing the only thing that I really have a passion for.
By the way, today sucked...I saw one small buck. But I enjoyed every minute of the day.

 

Didn’t even leave the truck and my “repair” failed. Borrowed a rangefinder though so hopefully I can see well enough with it. I just left the binos.

 

OK…Just my thoughts and opinions on crossbows. This and $5.00 will get you a shitty cup of coffee at Starbucks.

We hear there is basically no difference between a compound and a crossbow. Remember the last time you raised your compound, that was already at full draw, nestled the buttstock into your shoulder, wrapped your fingers around the pistol grip, steadied the forestock on the ladderstand rest, placed the lighted reticle (that already has the range set from the Bluetooth rangefinder) of your 4X power scope in the sweet spot behind the shoulder, flipped off the safety, and squeezed the trigger? Yeah, me neither.

I have zero issue with those that have a physical issue that precludes them from using a compound or stickbow. And with the issues I have with my shoulder, my guess is I'll be using one in several years. But until then, I’ll keep shooting my compound and stick, dropping draw weight as needed, until the day comes when I need to put them down.

Here’s the thing..Archery is SUPPOSED to be more challenging. How close we can get, not how far we can shoot. That’s why the seasons are typically so long. It requires more from the hunter. I hear, “Well I don’t have time to practice.” Back in the 80’s I wanted to race superbikes. Loved to ride. But I quickly realized I didn’t have the dedication to make it happen. I didn’t ask the governing bodies to make it easier or change the rules. I accepted the fact I didn’t have what it takes to pursue superbike racing. That’s how life is. If you are not willing to put the time and effort, don’t ask for restrictions or limitations to be removed, either get better or chose another activity. Don’t wish it was easier. Make yourself better.

Again, I’m just a few years away from laying my bow down and taking up a crossbow. And when I do, it will be because I gave it my all, left everything on the mountain, and age and ailments are starting to win over drive.

Don’t mean to ruffle feathers, and I know most (all) of us on here can have really good discussions, debates without it becoming personal.

I’ll end with this. As long as you are an legal, ethical hunter, you are welcome at my fire. Doesn’t matter about the weapon. Except for selfbow hunters. They ARE snobs. Kidding.

 

I think I found Pablo Escobar’s squirrel this thing is loud as hell.

 

Shot a buck. Not big but I’m about to fall out this damn tree I’m shaking so bad. Didn’t see him fall so

 

Congrats! You have plenty of time, kick back and chill for awhile.

 

Congrats!! As far as shaking....doesn't matter if it's a buck or doe, I get the knees knocking!

 

very well said.
4 years ago I bought a new bow, Mission Ballistic. Told my wife it should be the last bow I every buy. Never have I given buying a crossbow a thought. Until now.
2019 I had hernia surgery and it didn’t heal as hoped. Bowhunting I got a fine 12 pointer that field dressed at 192 pounds. I had trouble moving it, even with snow on the ground. Told my wife I'm getting a 4wheeler. Last month I got my 4wheeler. Went to pick it up and while lowering the gate/ramp on the trailer I screwed up my right elbow. Tried pulling the bow back. I could fire 3 arrows and no more. That was when temps were in the 70s and I had on just a tee shirt. I had 2 weeks vacation coming up for hunting. I still went out and sat in the tree. Never did have a shot at one. I told myself that if I didn't feel comfortable with a shot I wasn't going to take it.
Our gun hunting starts on Saturday. Putting the bow away and getting everything ready for gun.
Doc told me to take it easy with the arm. Kinda hard to do that at work.
Starting to think about a crossbow for next year.
Just don't ever want to give up the feeling I get when sitting in a tree.

 

I don’t like this part of uncertainty. Climbed down to check for arrow and blood. Shot looked good but it was about 35yards so I was worried he ducked down a bit. Arrow shaft is really clean which worries me and there is darker blood on broad head and fletching. He hit the ground when I shot him and seemed disoriented then took off. this is the blood a couple yards from where I shot him.

 

I have no beef with a crossbow.. young guys using them, old guys using them, whatever.. If thats your preferred method then go for it. If i see a 20 year old in better shape than me using a crossbow, odds are I am going to silently judge for a split second then move on with my life.. Personally, I wouldnt use a crossbow during archery season unless if I had a medical reason or beyond a certain age... HOWEVER, no-one asked me to create the rules.. and a group of people far smarter and far more experienced decided the rules and regulations so I trust that they have the best interests in mind.

Its a tiered approach to hunting. With whitetail specifically: Longbow or Recurve, compound bow, crossbow, handgun, shotgun, rifle..

It gets easier as you go down the line.. why anyone has any specific beef with another person's approach and comfort level is beyond me.

 

Any advice? Here is a closeup of some blood and some white hair so maybe not so high? It was a steep angle.

 

If you have time, I'd go eat breakfast or something...kill a couple of hours.

 

Back out and wait for several hours.

 

Completely agree. Let em bed and bleed a bit, don't bump em.

 

Yep like said. Back out, get some food, take a shit.. then go track. Flag that spot if you have flagging with you

 

Worth trying to get a dog? There is a big Facebook group down here.

 

I think that as long as you walk to the side of the blood trail (and not in it) a dog could still find it after your attempt? I think.