Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: BeNoIt on October 02, 2013, 12:17:00 PM

Title: First Trad Deer!
Post by: BeNoIt on October 02, 2013, 12:17:00 PM
I was able to get my first deer with a traditional bow yesterday. After 2 years of no success, with opportunities, this was pretty sweet. Not the biggest deer but thankful nonetheless.

The day started pretty nice with me seeing a deer just after sunrise. We had a foggy morning, and while the fog was still lifting, I saw a single deer wandering about 10 yards in front of me. Being that it was a single deer I figured it was a button buck. I passed on a potential shot on that one. Shortly after that I had a buck show up about 6 yards behind me. He was reluctant to take another step into an opening and the brush was thick covering his body so no shot there. A short while later I had 3 deer, all bucks, in the field in front of me. They danced around for a couple minutes before moving over to where my son was at. He didn't get a shot either. So, a great morning seeing deer.

I went back in the afternoon not expecting to see anything. The place I was at is definitely more of a morning spot. Being that it is on the ground all shots are close, most within 10 yards, one shot out to 20. So, I was mainly reading on my phone, enjoying the day, taking videos of birds hanging out in front of me. About 20 minutes before dark I heard a familiar crackle behind me and I turned to see some legs through the same brush I mentioned earlier. This time the buck stuck more than his head out and was walking past the opening that I had to shoot in that direction. I debated whether I wanted to shoot him as he was smaller and it was opening day but when he stopped and started eating in that opening I quickly decided that I was going to shoot.

The next thing I knew I was drawing, I hit my anchor and held for a second to refocus on that spot I wanted to hit. I knew then that it was all over. And then, there was my arrow sticking out of his side right where I was looking. He was probably 10 yards away at most when I shot him. He ran for a bit along the edge of some corn and my son tracked him to where he was. I really couldn't be more thankful. First traditional deer, hunting on the ground, very close, very exciting.

Update: Equipment used, Spirit LB, 53@28, wood arrows with 145 gr Magnus Snuffer Broadheads. Total arrow weight at about 585 grains.

   (http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/DKBeNoIt/be98b09d-d1cc-48bd-8d8f-2fb4f9fbdb29.jpg) (http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/DKBeNoIt/media/be98b09d-d1cc-48bd-8d8f-2fb4f9fbdb29.jpg.html)
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Kip on October 02, 2013, 12:23:00 PM
Nice buck great shot.Congrats you will remember that for a long time I still remember my first from 1976.  :thumbsup:    :campfire:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: ronp on October 02, 2013, 12:25:00 PM
Congrats and thanks for sharing the hunt!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: BOWMARKS on October 02, 2013, 12:26:00 PM
Congrats on a nice buck.  :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: 59Alaskan on October 02, 2013, 12:31:00 PM
CONGRATS!

Nice deer and great story!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Jayb on October 02, 2013, 12:33:00 PM
Congrats!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: bruinman on October 02, 2013, 12:36:00 PM
Congrats!!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Shortlongbow on October 02, 2013, 12:38:00 PM
Congratulations!  Well done.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Zradix on October 02, 2013, 01:00:00 PM
AWESOME! WAY TO GO!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: South MS Bowhunter on October 02, 2013, 01:19:00 PM
David,

You did good! And 2 years is not bad on the learning curve, took me longer   :knothead:  and some are still at it.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: BeNoIt on October 02, 2013, 01:58:00 PM
Thanks, all!

John - thanks for the kind words. I'm thankful that we have a pretty tight group of trad shooters in our area which has helped us to get better faster. The hunting part we had been doing a while, so that wasn't so much the issue, just getting good enough with the trad gear, and then settling down to focus during a shot. Shooting 3-D a lot has helped as well. That and having a son that is very skilled to challenge you is the rest of the story.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Gen273 on October 02, 2013, 02:01:00 PM
Congrats!!!! That is great!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Bernie B. on October 02, 2013, 02:08:00 PM
Way to go!  That's a fine looking buck!  Bryan Holley builds one of the finest longbows out there.  I love my Spirit bow!  Congratulations on a very memorable hunt!     :clapper:

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Josh Perdue on October 02, 2013, 02:14:00 PM
Awesome
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: CHENRYIV on October 02, 2013, 02:32:00 PM
Congrats!! Great read.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: TJK68 on October 02, 2013, 02:32:00 PM
Way to go, Congrats!!!!
Tom
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: BeNoIt on October 02, 2013, 02:38:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Bernie B.:
Way to go!  That's a fine looking buck!  Bryan Holley builds one of the finest longbows out there.  I love my Spirit bow!  Congratulations on a very memorable hunt!      :clapper:  

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
I agree, Bernie. Definitely underrated, especially considering how inexpensive they are.

Thanks.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Tsalt on October 02, 2013, 02:46:00 PM
Congrats!  Looks like you did it in some evening stand green Asbell to boot!  That makes it extra traditional!    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Horne Shooter on October 02, 2013, 02:51:00 PM
Great Job...
I think you did the right thing taking the shot.  You just never know when you will get another chance and you made yours count!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: joe ashton on October 02, 2013, 03:04:00 PM
well done!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Basinboy on October 02, 2013, 03:08:00 PM
Great shot David congrats!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: JEFF B on October 02, 2013, 03:09:00 PM
congrats on your deer may you have many more to come as its an awesome life style and ya get to eat the end result mmmmmm back steaks jerky and the list goes on.   :clapper:    :clapper:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: KentuckyTJ on October 02, 2013, 03:10:00 PM
Fantastic congrats Brother.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: dirtguy on October 02, 2013, 03:20:00 PM
:notworthy:    :notworthy:    :notworthy:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Bowwild on October 02, 2013, 03:21:00 PM
Excellent!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: durp on October 02, 2013, 03:27:00 PM
one of the best parts of tradgang is the sharing of a well told story...conrates and tks for taking us along...  :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Mac Hicks on October 02, 2013, 03:49:00 PM
Congrats David...good story and nice buck!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: VictoryHunter on October 02, 2013, 03:51:00 PM
Congrats on your first trad kill!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: sleepyhollow on October 02, 2013, 03:58:00 PM
congrats
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Keith Zimmerman on October 02, 2013, 03:59:00 PM
Congrats and great pic!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: BeNoIt on October 02, 2013, 04:06:00 PM
Thanks again all. I greatly appreciate this site and all the encouragement offered!

 
Quote
Originally posted by Tsalt:
Congrats!  Looks like you did it in some evening stand green Asbell to boot!  That makes it extra traditional!     :thumbsup:  
Thanks TSalt - Not sure about making it extra traditional but I do like that stuff. Keeps me warm and dry.  :)  

 
Quote
Originally posted by Horne Shooter:
Great Job...
I think you did the right thing taking the shot.  You just never know when you will get another chance and you made yours count!
Thanks Horne Shooter - I think I did too. It was one of those gifts from the Lord that I couldn't pass on.  :)
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: wetfeathers on October 02, 2013, 04:24:00 PM
Congrats!    :clapper:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: RC on October 02, 2013, 04:31:00 PM
Congrats.RC
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Douglas Martin on October 02, 2013, 05:05:00 PM
Good job man!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: drewsbow on October 02, 2013, 06:35:00 PM
congrats
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: doubleo on October 02, 2013, 06:47:00 PM
Good deal,Congrates!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: wooddamon1 on October 02, 2013, 06:50:00 PM
Nice, congrats!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Warden609 on October 02, 2013, 06:52:00 PM
:thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Cookus on October 02, 2013, 07:02:00 PM
Pretty buck and congratulations brother!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: woodchucker on October 02, 2013, 07:19:00 PM
CONGRATULATIONS, David!!!!!!!!!! He is a Dandy!!!  :clapper:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Coonbait on October 02, 2013, 07:44:00 PM
NICE!!!
Great Story. Thanks
Glenn
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: TimDougan on October 02, 2013, 08:01:00 PM
CONGRATS!   :clapper:    :clapper:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: buckeye_hunter on October 02, 2013, 08:30:00 PM
:campfire:     :clapper:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: lone hunter on October 02, 2013, 08:46:00 PM
Congratulations, that's a real nice buck.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: on October 02, 2013, 08:54:00 PM
Way to go!

Congrats,

Bisch
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: BrushWolf on October 02, 2013, 09:09:00 PM
:clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on October 02, 2013, 09:12:00 PM
Congrats, nice deer. 1sts are always special.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: snakebit40 on October 02, 2013, 09:40:00 PM
That's awesome congrats! I like your wool too!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: gregg dudley on October 02, 2013, 09:51:00 PM
Awesome!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Stan the bow man on October 02, 2013, 10:08:00 PM
Nice job
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: BlkDog on October 03, 2013, 12:54:00 AM
Sweet!  Very nice!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: JohnnyWayne on October 03, 2013, 05:56:00 AM
Diggin It  :)
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: soap creek on October 03, 2013, 06:53:00 AM
Nice going, good job!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Spurs on October 03, 2013, 09:39:00 AM
That's a heck of a first!!Great Job
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on October 03, 2013, 03:35:00 PM
Great stuff David!   :thumbsup:   Congrats to you.

Your comment about your son giving you some competition to keep your shooting skills honed is an understatement. That kid can flat out shoot with the masters of the bare bow. Hopefully you've got an edge now to catch him.   :biglaugh:  

looking forward to seeing some more trophy shots with your boy.... You gotta be proud of that kid....Kirk
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: caligator on October 03, 2013, 03:43:00 PM
Awesome!! Congrats.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Walt Francis on October 04, 2013, 12:04:00 AM
Congratulation on taking a fine animal.  Way to stick with it.

You done good... Really good!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: OBXarcher on October 04, 2013, 04:37:00 AM
Congrats, the first is always the hardest.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Gator1 on October 04, 2013, 07:30:00 AM
:clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:  

Very exciting great job
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: BeNoIt on October 04, 2013, 09:37:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Kirkll:
Great stuff David!    :thumbsup:    Congrats to you.

Your comment about your son giving you some competition to keep your shooting skills honed is an understatement. That kid can flat out shoot with the masters of the bare bow. Hopefully you've got an edge now to catch him.    :biglaugh:    

looking forward to seeing some more trophy shots with your boy.... You gotta be proud of that kid....Kirk
I am proud of him, primarily for his dedication and desire to make sure that he doesn't wound an animal. He takes the thought of "getting a clean kill" very serious, which is a huge blessing. He's actually hunting with the Bigfoot this year so I'm still hopeful that we can have a couple Bigfoot sightings and "deer down" by the end of the season. I'll be sure to keep you posted.

As for giving him a bit more challenge, yes that new flatliner is accurate. Within minutes of having that thing strung up I was hitting groups so tight that I needed to be careful. The grip is a big help for me. Thanks again!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: sam barrett on October 04, 2013, 09:38:00 AM
Congrats!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: hnt2mch on October 04, 2013, 05:01:00 PM
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Wetfeet on October 04, 2013, 05:51:00 PM
Nice work, and from the ground, it doesn't get better than that
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Wetfeet on October 04, 2013, 05:52:00 PM
Nice work, and from the ground, it doesn't get better than that
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Alvey on October 04, 2013, 11:41:00 PM
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: BeNoIt on October 04, 2013, 11:57:00 PM
Thanks again, all!

 
Quote
Originally posted by Wetfeet:
Nice work, and from the ground, it doesn't get better than that
Yes, I'm very thankful for that too! It was truly a great experience all the way around.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: Pat B. on October 04, 2013, 11:59:00 PM
:bigsmyl:
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: crotch horn on October 05, 2013, 09:20:00 AM
Congrats. Cool story & venison for the table. Good luck to all.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: amazonjim on October 05, 2013, 09:35:00 AM
Trophies come in all sizes, and after two years I'd say nice trophy
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: varmint101 on October 05, 2013, 12:55:00 PM
Good job!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: BrownA5 on October 05, 2013, 11:09:00 PM
Congratulations David.  Very nice deer!
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: stujay on October 05, 2013, 11:39:00 PM
First trad deer...very close, how exciting. Congrats.
Title: Re: First Trad Deer!
Post by: dbd870 on October 06, 2013, 08:10:00 AM
Congrats to you, I'm hoping to start traditional deer hunting next season. I guarantee you the first deer that I have a shot on 1.5yr old or older is getting shot at. Kind of like the first deer all over again! I absolutely would have taken him. I'm sure it feels very satisfying.