First Bow Harvest

[ktm450]

congrats!

 

[Allen]

Very nice adventure, and that's really why we all hunt!

Yeah, the meat and antlers are cool too, but when you sit down and really think about it, it's the adrenaline filled adventure that we all love.

 

[Prairie Doggin']

I one time took 4 shots at a deer running towards me at dusk without looking at the crosshairs - just looking at deer through scope and firing.

Finally realized what I was doing, took a breath, and actually aimed. Wasn't even a huge deer, just got excited and lost track of what I was doing.

 

[wslayer]

Friend said after he took his first deer with a bow, there was zero ambition to ever rifle hunt deer again.

 

[bucksnbears]

Jump shooting whitetails out of cattails was the bomb as a kid, young man.
Don't do it anymore but kinda miss it and have 100s of fond memories with friends/ family.

 

[CatDaddy]

I never said I don’t get excited. But it’s more of a “hell yes, it’s effing hammer time” emotion. A surge of adrenaline/anticipation - getting that shot at what you’ve drilled on. A chance for a possible reward for the countless hours, money, time, tweaking equipment, driving, laying awake wondering what that target buck is up to.

For me it’s been decades of shooting. I was really into archery in 80s. Every day 100s of arrows. I won state indoor championship (barebow) once and second place at state broadhead at buffalo gap (Oneida Eagle with all the bells/whistles). Like Dave said, you learn to get ahold of your damn self or you won’t place. After a while you learn to approach the task like a robot - it’s just you and that one tiny spot on the target and that’s where the arrow needs to end up. Over and over.

Would it be more fun if I fell apart, shaking like a leaf and maybe even shit myself?

Quite honestly, Yes.

I agree on the countless hours, money, time, driving, laying awake, etc. However, I NEVER said I shit myself!

 

[CatDaddy]

I went budget for the first year and got a Bear Archery Adapt 2. Did the trick, not top end on the accessories. Need to shoot some more setups and see if I'm going to upgrade this or go with something else.

Update: Not sure if I'm the idiot, or if Scheel's is, but I realized after the season that the bow I ordered online and the bow they gave me when I picked up in store weren't the same bows. The 2025 model I researched and bought was the Adapt 2 HP (dual cam). The one they gave me was the previous model Adapt 2 Hunting Public (single cam). Hunting Public is not what the HP stands for on this year's model (high performance). I confirmed this was the case online and took my bow to the store to see what they thought of the situation. Sent me out the door with the RIGHT bow, the one I paid for, even though I used this one since September. Probably just as much on me for not realizing it when I picked it up, but in my defense, I didn't speak "bow" at the time and trusted I got what I ordered. Not that I really speak bow now - still learning a ton.

Five years ago I may have just let it slide, but if I'm going to upgrade the sight, arrow rest, etc. I want it to be on the platform I researched and intended to buy. Good on Scheel's for honoring the original purchase - shame on me for not realizing the mistake when I picked it up.

 

[CatDaddy]

Wow, you really went for it. I love it.
Only problem is, now your buddies know where your honey hole is.

I found another spot VERY similar, if not harder to get to. Now that I know what I'm looking for I'm hoping to be able to put myself in the zone in new places.

I offered to take them with me earlier in the season....no one took me up!

 

[SDMF]

Ever since KDM helped my son harvest a giant symmetrical 4x4 I've fallen in love with them myself.

NOBODY can wax poetic eloquence regarding a 4x4 like KDM. Full disclosure and clarity, I mean that, and it's NOT derisive or some dripping w/sarcasm inside joke. You sit down and talk antlers w/KDM and you will be subject to an eloquent soliloquy regarding 4x4 whitetails.

 

[SDMF]

Interesting, I no longer have the shakes, I’m so hyper-focused on what I’ve “drilled for” in my noggin every time I practice that I just fade comfortably into the zone and execute.

I know that sounds like balderdash, but it really happens. Not sure why, but I am guessing it’s my mindset when I target shoot. On each and every shot I developed the discipline to imagine it’s “THE shot”.

It's the "Muscle-Memory-Time-Slows-Down" thing you hear professional athletes talk about. Happens to me w/bird flushes. Nothing "feels" fast. Eyes get your feet set right (resulting in proper body positioning for the swing) and eyes also get your hands to the right spot. I feel like all of that happens slowly and I'm taking my time. Comments from hunting partners would suggest in "real-time" things happen pretty quick such that I have to really consciously think about laying off until others shoot.

 

[KDM]

NOBODY can wax poetic eloquence regarding a 4x4 like KDM.

Get a few beers in me and what I lose in eloquence I make up for in sheer exuberance. Big 4's just make me happy in the face regardless of who shoots'em.

 

[BrokenBackJack]

Nothing wrong with that buck CD.
Congrats and now you are hooked with a bow.
Bow hunting is what I miss the most when it comes to hunting.

 

[rodcontrol]

Well, I did it, and couldn't be prouder! First year bow hunting, poured my heart and soul into finding and harvesting a mature buck on public land. E-scouting, boots on the ground, deer behavior research, trial and error, and time in the stand were the key. Not to mention 1000+ arrows shot in the backyard. Started in September, closed the season on Thursday.

Found a spot that you could only access by kayak. I'm not a kayaker, but decided it was worth it. Took my piece of ish 10' Pelican sit-in and made the move. Cameras told me this was a doe haven in Sept and early Oct, but became a rut destination as the season wore on. Mature buck after mature buck showing up on camera. The one I shot wasn't one of the giants, but it's a giant in my book for year one hunting from the ground. Could NOT be happier!

Here are a few pics of the buck, my blind setup, and a video of the drag to get him back across the river. Some great coworkers offered to come be part of the adventure on the drag out. Not sure they fully understood what they were in for, but they're 15-20 years younger than me so I didn't turn them down! Backstraps and venison chili will be their reward for the help.

I scored him just for the hell of it - don't really care but was curious. Any guesses? Ever since KDM helped my son harvest a giant symmetrical 4x4 I've fallen in love with them myself. This one will look great next to his on the wall, though mine will be a euro mount.

Video link below to the river recovery. Of course it was at night!

 

[Davy Crockett]

Well done Rodcontrol, I'd copy and frame that CatDaddy and hang it in your mancave.

 

[CatDaddy]

That's cool! Inaccurate, but cool! Inside spread is 17 5/8" and everything else is low compared to actuals. I posted the measurements I took earlier in the thread if anyone is interested to compare how it did on each measurement. Looks like it calibrated itself based on distance between eyes?

 

[bucksnbears]

Screw the score,
Remember the adventure.

 

[measure-it]

What the heck is BUCKSCORE? The only notible scoring systems for North American animals are Boone & Crockett & Pope & Young....and NET score is the only official score! Period!!

 

[Kurtr]

What the heck is BUCKSCORE? The only notible scoring systems for North American animals are Boone & Crockett & Pope & Young....and NET score is the only official score! Period!!

nets are for fish

 

[measure-it]

Sorry Kurt, but that saying is as old as the hills and twice as false. If you understand the big game scoring system of normal growth and symetry, you'll see why NET is used as the benchmark total. Gross score is fun for showing all growth of antler/horn, but not the score of typical growth. The non-typical listings cover the "extras".

 

[Kurtr]

Sorry Kurt, but that saying is as old as the hills and twice as false. If you understand the big game scoring system of normal growth and symetry, you'll see why NET is used as the benchmark total. Gross score is fun for showing all growth of antler/horn, but not the score of typical growth. The non-typical listings cover the "extras".

nets are for fish