Help!!!

[Tree Shark]

First of all I am a newbie to this site and enjoy it a great deal. I am not a newbie to Traditional archery,but am a newbie to traditonal bowhunting. However a few years ago I took a 5 point buck with my recuve.I lucked out though as I had the buck at 25 yds out of a tree stand.I drew the bow, took aim for the kill zone and released my arrow, amazingly the buck fell to the ground never took  a step just hit the  ground thrashing and kicking and finally expiring while i seen my arrow go into the air and hit some tree limbs. At first I could not understand what happened ,but finally come to the conclusion that the buck as he heard the string slap crouched low and started to turn and go back to the brush and as he did the simmons  Tree Shark connected to the base of his skull . the wood arrow snapped off and went into the air hitting the tree limbs,like I said I lucked out,thanks to the Simmons. Now back to what I need help on,I have a nice compound I have been using for about 7 years and have taken eleven deer with.This year though I have gotten back to the traditional thing wanting to take another deer with the  recurve. Yesterday I went bowhunting with the recurve, port orfords, and the simmons Tree Sharks.I saw four deer and could take none of them because they were out of my  range with the recurve. (25yds.) But could have taken a nice 6 point that was trailing a doe ,if I had been hunting with my compound . (good out to 45 yds. )  What I'm asking is how do I keep from beating myself up for not taking my compound instead? Have any of you ever felt this way? Help I'm desperate for a deer. Thanks.

[Roadkill]

soon the challenge of the recurve will over come the need to drag something back tothe truck. I had a huge 4X4 mulie within my compound range 3 times this year.  I'd rahter take him with a astick than anything else

[JBiorn]

Yes, the hunting is just more challenging with trad gear. I think thats why I like it so much.

 Just think of it as becoming a better hunter.

[Dirty Bill]

I don't know.I only tried a compound for a few months,when jennings first came out with it.I knew it wasn't for me,and went back to my bear kodiak hunter.

Actually,45 yards is a long shot with any bow,in my opinion. My advice is to get skillful enough so that your shots will be close,getting close is where the excitement is. Practice enough so that you have complete confidence in your equipment,so you can make that 15 yard shot every time.

The challenge isn't really about numbers of kills,but the skills you develop along the way.You may not understand that yet,but if you keep at it you will learn in time that the challenge is what it's about.

I'm sure there will be many more helpful posts from the family here,so listen and take their advice. There are some very knowledgeable hunters here.

[MW]

Interesting question.

I think this is a very personal thing.  To me it is all about choices.  These choices have consequences in the form of limits.  These limits influence what your goal is.

My goal is to enjoy the outdoors and take an animal with a long bow.  I mean it.  As a result of this goal I do not harvest as many animals or the biggest.

This is OK with me.

I could extend my range with a compound or gun but it is more important to me to realize my goal.

Sometimes it is hard when a huge animal passes outside of range or you come back empty handed and people tease you but for me right now its ok.

Its not so different from life.  We all have limits that we have placed on ourselves.  They come in the form of moral, religious, ethical, some are mandated through laws.  Sometimes it would be easier to do something outside of these limits.

It is the something inside each of us that causes us to maintain the limits that make us us.

I do not think less of someone who uses different limits than I do while hunting.  They are the ones that live with the decisions they make and determine if they have met their goals.

If you are desperate for a deer as you say and that is your goal use a gun my co-workers at times have suggested I use my truck!

[CrisW.]

After being a vegetarian for about ten years, then deciding to re-enter the food chain again with only trad gear about 4 years ago and still not bringing home anything, even a squirrel, I definitly know how hungry you are.  Stay at it and try to appreciate being there and having the encounters.  Stay sharp and try to bring something, some type of lesson home that can bring you closer next time,  i have brought home pleanty of that:)  Good luck
CrisW.

[MW]

My wife has suggested my response my be more intense than you were after.  It is not meant to judge in any way.

I simply mean that there are many ways to get a deer.  If this is the goal there are many easier ways than with Trad gear.  If a deer is what your after I hope you get one.  

[Legolas]

Dan,
Interesting that your last name is "wheeler"...

 With the deep satisfaction of taking game with traditional/primitive equiptment comes the responsibility of understanding and abiding with its limitations.
This is frustrating if you want just a  kill, or a large rack, or outside congradulations/validation.Sometimes if your confidence is down you extend the equiptment.

Imagine Fred Bear. Seems like he did what was best for moment and type of hunting and was consoled knowing he did the right thing.

If I wanted to kill big deer I could do like Dionne Saunders (football) and shoot high powered rifles on top a big monster trucks. That is/was tasteless.

Also wound or not retrieve a few deer you shoot and you really reevalutate your motive and equiptment.

My friend shoots a compound and killed 5 deer this season. I got 1 eight point with a shot under 20 yards with a longbow. What is more important...killing deer or enjoying the limitations? Only you will answer that for yourself.


Paul

[JAG]

Just hang in there and keep trying to do it right.  Everyone has to set their own goals and limits.  You'll get it worked out.  When I first started bowhunting, I let a doe walk at about 10 yds....thought this was so easy I'd just wait for the "Big Boy"...wait I did...six years before I got a chance at another doe...and I took it.  Since then I've learned to be a Hunter, not a killer.  A lot of difference.  Been lucky since I went Trad.  I've had some good Mentors and hunting Parterners that taught me how to become a hunter.  Takes time....but well worth the effort.  Don't beat your self up over it...just overcome it!
Tree Shark, you have a PM.

[Gatekeeper]

First off, welcome to the gang.  

I haven’t ever felt this way about hunting with traditional archery equipment so what I have to offer may not be of any help.

If I needed to provide food for my family and wild game was my best option then I would not rely on my traditional archery gear to get the job done. I would turn to gun hunting because, hunting with traditional equipment (for me) is very time consuming and not very productive. But since I am not in survival mode I find the lessons of hunting with traditional equipment a blast. I like having to wait for the animal to get so close that you can count its eyelashes. It is a real high for me!

I put further personal restrictions on myself by letting smaller bucks walk and if I see a doe with a fawn before the last week of October I will not shoot the doe.

For me it’s the challenge. Being able to say “I could have if I wanted to.” Don’t get me wrong, I love bringing home the meat and getting to show off my hero pictures of me and my kill but, for my own personal satisfaction I like telling everyone that I did it with traditional archery equipment.

Good luck, hang in there and enjoy your time in the wilds.

[Tree Shark]

Thanks to all of you who responded to my question.I have read and considered each answer and will do what I need to do .Thanks again.

[Eastern fisher]

Man do not beat your self up.  Always remember that it is the chance to get out and enjoy nature is the biggest draw for most people.  Getting a deer is bonus.  I hunted with a compound and got one, but if and when I shoot one with my longbow.  That will be the COOLEST