Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: adkmountainken on January 23, 2009, 08:17:00 AM

Title: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: adkmountainken on January 23, 2009, 08:17:00 AM
as many of you know i am an avid muzzleloader fanatic. however this year on planning on carring my bow untill i kill a turkey, small game and deer and will not pick up the smokepole untill i accomplish this. its going to be a loooooong turkey season i fear!!  :banghead:    :banghead:    :pray:   not a big deal for most but a HUGE step for me!
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: mcgroundstalker on January 23, 2009, 08:38:00 AM
Stick With It Ken. This past season I felt "something missing" when I carried a .243 in the woods. I've changed, my heart I mean. Maybe for the better. Think I'll do the same. Leave the pop guns and smoke poles in the house and hunt TRAD ONLY!

... mike ...
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: BigRonHuntAlot on January 23, 2009, 08:42:00 AM
Best of Luck to you guys, I agree , It is a HUGE step.  :thumbsup:   I love it all to much to limit myself.
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: ron w on January 23, 2009, 09:40:00 AM
Ken, never say never, the season is a ways off. Things can can change in a heart beat.I hope you can pull it off, but are you sure you want to limit your self. You might want to keep your options open. Just a thought.
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: swampbuck on January 23, 2009, 09:54:00 AM
I've never gun hunted turkeys...useta use my stick for deer and dust off the wheels for birds but have lost the wheels for birds too

As for the other seasons I use both weapons when given the choice depending on my mood

good luck Ken !!
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: mwmwmb on January 23, 2009, 10:15:00 AM
this year i went to only bows and bow season is open until march 1st. but in 09-10 season i want to go trad all the way.
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: Frenchymanny on January 23, 2009, 10:29:00 AM
Good for you, that's the only way!

Good luck Ken
 :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :campfire:    :archer:  

F-Manny
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: Raven on January 23, 2009, 10:31:00 AM
Good Luck!   :knothead:    :help:    :thumbsup:  

 Raven >>>>--------->
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: NorthernCaliforniaHunter on January 23, 2009, 10:47:00 AM
Well, you'll have good company. I went into the woods with my longbow for the first time last weekend. I've been a hunter for years but I tell ya, something about that stick just felt right. My focus was sharper, I took my time again, and it really changed my attitude about why I was out there in the first place. Somehow coming home empty-handed was really o.k. in a way it hasn't been for a long time.
   I think I just might be reaching for the stick instead of the rifle a whole lot more.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: BowHuntingFool on January 23, 2009, 10:55:00 AM
Good luck, thats a big step for anyone! We not allowed to hunt with a bow in gun season for deer! Thank god, otherwise my Flinters might no get any action!!!!!! I love makin' smoke!!!!
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: Pat B on January 23, 2009, 11:06:00 AM
Ken, three years ago I decided to hunt only with all home made equipment, most of which I made myself but some made by friends. Self bows or simple backed bows, cane or hardwood shoot arrows,  turkey or goose feathers tied on with sinew, stone or trade points hafted with pitch glue and bound with sinew. My deer killing has been unsuccessful but the experiences have been great. A few close calls and only one loosed arrow(a clean miss). I have limited myself more now to closer shots and only on unaware animals.  Sometimes I wonder if I am putting too much pressure on myself but as of now I will continue until I prove to myself it can be done.    Pat
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: SouthMDShooter on January 23, 2009, 11:11:00 AM
Good for you if thats what you want, setting a goal and sticking to it    :thumbsup:

I love my longbow, I use whatever I feel like when I wake up wether that be bow, shotgun, muzzle loader, or rifle. My only goal is to have fun.
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: kevsuperg on January 23, 2009, 11:18:00 AM
sounds good i think i'll join ya. good thing we get two seasons for turkey,i think they will be the most challenging. i plan on using my self hickory bow i made some 10 yrs ago.never hunted with it,but shoot it a fair amount.i have taken a couple does with my recurve and hunt with a revolver during gun season,which requires all my bowhunting skills to pull off.good luck to you
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: amicus on January 23, 2009, 12:15:00 PM
I stuck to my recurve all season. I had friends try and get me to use a gun or a compound bow but I wouldn't give in. Im glad I didn't. I got my first whitetail with my bow this season and also my second. Its a great feeling. Im commited to just my recurve. I may switch to long bow but thats it. Some advise on turkey hunting with your bow. If you nail one don't watch and wait till it quits moving. Run out there and pick it up or hold it down until it expires. I put an arrow thru my first big tom and he did a bunch flips in the air and then landed with a hard thump. I thought he was down for good. While I was patting myself on the back, the tom got up and ran off. Man, was I bumed out. I never found him.

Good luck

Gilbert
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: Wannabe1 on January 23, 2009, 12:24:00 PM
Ken, I sold off all of my rifles except two .50 cal. Muzzle loaders. I don't hunt with these. There just there for shooting at targets. I have made a permanent move to traditional archery and will stick with it. I love the challenge and have yet to take anything but, will continue to practice, plan, practice, do my home work and more practice. When and if the day comes to fulfill my tag, it will just be that much more sweeter and memorable to me.

Good luck my friend!   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: adkmountainken on January 23, 2009, 12:34:00 PM
let me back up a bit. i will not carry smokepole UNTILL i have taken a deer, turkey and small game with longbow. if i get lucky and get a deer early i would pick up the smokepole again. i just really feel the need to prove to MYSELF that i can/will take game with longbow. it has been a long time coming but i have felt the extreme pull of just using bow for the last couple years and i want to see how it feels to just carry bow untill i meet my goal. i believe a turkey will be the biggest challange as i do not want to use a blind. don't like them, will not use them.  i lok very forward to a challanging season!
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: mcgroundstalker on January 23, 2009, 12:51:00 PM
Understood My Friend! 100%! Give it all ya got during the early seasons. I get the same calling from deep within. Still dig my (other) hunting tools. Just that the call of the bow is super powerful.

... mike ...
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: Bear Heart on January 23, 2009, 12:56:00 PM
At least most of you live where you get a choice.  Here it is one weapon per a species, per a year.  That means if you hunt deer with a bow that's it.
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: Kingstaken on January 23, 2009, 01:01:00 PM
Aren't ya coming to JLMBH-09?  There's the chance to make it happen..  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: adkmountainken on January 23, 2009, 01:08:00 PM
yes i am, i hope to get a rabbit before then, looks like a great weekend!
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: Raven on January 23, 2009, 01:13:00 PM
Ten four!!  :D   I understand the path you have chosen, not easy but you will come out a better hunter and person at the end of your jouney!  :readit:    :thumbsup:  

 Good luck Brother!  :thumbsup:  

 Raven >>>>---------->
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: ron w on January 23, 2009, 01:20:00 PM
OK, thats sounds more like you. I thought you liked black powder to much to put them down.
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: adkmountainken on January 23, 2009, 01:27:00 PM
no worries Ron the mountain man in me will NEVER put down the long rifle!
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: jimmerc on January 23, 2009, 03:26:00 PM
Ken, I went totally trad this past deer season,longbow only!! started out sept 27th ended mid dec, logged over 250 hrs in the woods chasing the wiley whitetail,had some close incounters but didn't feel right! ended up with my wife around christmas time boiling a pot of water,i asked her why she was boiling this pot all day, she sail for tag soup!LOL got to love her!!   I don't regret one second of that 250 hrs, and it tunred out two be my best hunting season ever!!!! Why?  because I love hunting with the lbow and feel at peace with myself and nature! It was a hard decision at first,but I,m comfortable with it and look forward to turkeys(which I have hunted with bow only for 5 years) and next season!! only you can decide if your ready for it!!  good luck!
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: adkmountainken on January 23, 2009, 04:18:00 PM
Jim,
    lets get together and do a little turkey hunting this year. i have a couple great spots and between the two of us maybe we can fool one!
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: jimmerc on January 23, 2009, 04:30:00 PM
Sounds like a great plan Ken, I too have a good area for turkeys,that is if the yotes didn't damage the population to bad like last year!! i'll know more in the next few weeks as i'll be getting out for some small game and scouting!!  I don't usually hunt turkeys with a call,but pattern them like deer and set up!But most of the fun is calling them in!! we will talk more on this again!! Jim   :campfire:
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: manny718 on January 23, 2009, 08:07:00 PM
started hunting 3 years ago at 42 never wanted to hunt any over way but trad,still putting the puzzle together. im hooked.got sucked into wheels for a second,brain fart,im finally doing what i been dreaming of doing
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: No-sage on January 23, 2009, 08:24:00 PM
I went the other way this year.

For years I've hunted with nothing but my homemade bows.  Once gun seasons opened, I hunted the archery only areas while my buddies were out with their guns.

This year, I hunted with my bows, my .54 Hawken, my shotgun, and my 7MM .08.  I also gun hunted with my friends that love to use all their weapons across the seasons.

I had more fun this season then I did in a long time.  Don't think I'll go back to the bow only for a while.
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: Focusource on January 23, 2009, 08:54:00 PM
You are reading your internal signs as well as those in the field.  I hope that many years from now, you will look back and say, "Remember that year I went bow only? It was twenty oh ... nine, yeah. That was a good year."
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: Killdeer on January 23, 2009, 09:02:00 PM
No-sage, your arsenal looks a lot like mine!   :bigsmyl:  

Killdeer   :)
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: wollybear on January 23, 2009, 10:20:00 PM
YOU CAN DO IT THEIR IS NO DOUGHT  :bigsmyl:    :archer:
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: NightHawk on January 24, 2009, 12:14:00 AM
Have been bow only for many years now. To me there is a mind difference. The gun hunters that I see are out to conquer nature, as a bow hunter and a trad one at that I seek to become part of nature. Just a little different mind set than most hunters
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: adkmountainken on January 24, 2009, 07:14:00 AM
NightHawk,
    we have a lot in common my friend!!
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: Osagetree on January 24, 2009, 08:09:00 AM
Best of luck and I know you'll do it! just be sure to send me some pics!
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: bmfer on January 24, 2009, 08:43:00 AM
I did the same thing last year. Sold the compound and parked the muzzleloaders. I hunted all this year with nothing but a longbow and recurve. The result; one little doe, a miss on a huge doe, and close calls on several bucks. It was a good season, and I enjoyed it. Good luck, Ken!
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: Gray Buffalo on January 24, 2009, 08:54:00 AM
Good luck on your quest
I’ve been bow only since 1979 and do not regret it at all. I’m older now and I’m not as mad at the deer as I was in my younger life. The simplicity of the longbow or recurve is what draws me to them. The beauty of the woods is what keeps me going.
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: mike hall on January 24, 2009, 09:06:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Gray Buffalo:
I’m older now and I’m not as mad at the deer as I was in my younger life.  
interesting line.........glad I'm past those days too.

Good luck Ken! Look forward to the stories.   :campfire:
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: Jerry Jeffer on January 24, 2009, 09:29:00 AM
Go  for it Ken. I have been bow exclusive for several years now. I just love it.
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: John3 on January 24, 2009, 09:53:00 AM
Good luck on the bow "quest".. I admire the commitment.

I do love to chase deer with my Hawkin .54. Of course that is after bowhunting for three months until muzzle season opens.


JDS III
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: DEATHMASTER on January 24, 2009, 09:56:00 AM
Ken, I have seen other posts of yours on smokepoles and longbows. You are going to do great with your mind set.
I would love to find a nice smokepole maybe a hawkens or even something in a 32 for tree rats and hang up the inline.
Best of luck,
Tim
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: Daddy Bear on January 24, 2009, 10:04:00 AM
I like what NightHawk and Gray Buffalo wrote above:)

Hunting is a personal journey. For me, the journey means much more than the conclusion of killing alone. I personally find greater satisfaction from the hunt, from the kill, from the table fare, and from the crafting of feather and hide,....when this journey is with a simple longbow and simple tackle.

As an example, I cannot imagine any greater fletching to use on my arrows than those crafted from the turkey I arrowed with a longbow. Certainly, no turkey breast upon my table is of its equal. And lastly, no greater turkey hunt can be found by me than that hunt with the longbow.

later,
Daddy Bear
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: MikeC on January 24, 2009, 12:08:00 PM
Good luck, love the bow but flintlocks rule.
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: adkmountainken on January 24, 2009, 12:39:00 PM
DeathMaster,
  sent ya a pm bud.
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: Stone Knife on January 24, 2009, 12:52:00 PM
I haven't turkey hunted with a gun in two years, I don't plan on it anytime soon.
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: dagwood64 on January 24, 2009, 01:00:00 PM
I am trying to sell all my shotugns and rifles. All I hunt with is Tradional. Duane
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: Hattrick on January 25, 2009, 03:32:00 AM
You`l never be the same i garuntee  you that..One tip fast before you before plung it`ll make hunt harder   :biglaugh:
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: Plumber on January 25, 2009, 05:30:00 AM
I MADE THE SWITCH THIS YEAR. I SHOT I MISSED I SHOT AN HIT. I TRIED MAKEING THE SWITCH LAST YEAR BUT MY COMPOUND WAS TO MUCH OF A DESTRACTION SO I SOLD IT.I DIDNOT MISS IT AT ALL! HOW EVER I JUST DONT SEE MY SELF EVER SELLING MY SMOKEPOLE.THEY ARE TOO MUCH FUN! JUST REMEMBER! DONT SWEAT MISSING! ITS GONNA HAPPEN .BUT IT WILL GET BETTER.I HUNT AN SHOOT WITH GOOD PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN DOING THIS A LONG TIME AND THEY SEEM TO HIT MORE THAN THEY MISS AN THEY SHOOT SOME REAL NICE DEER
Title: Re: %100 devoted to the bow for this year.
Post by: Linc on January 25, 2009, 08:00:00 PM
Good luck on your quest Ken. I tried that route some years back.I don't think I'll give up hunting with my smokepoles 'cause it's about the only hunting I've been doing. Actually looking to aquire a few more,well at least one.LOL.