New Member Introduction from California

[Black_Pelt_Hunter]

Nick, I noticed something you said that I have found prominently with traditional archers in California. You said that you wouldn’t hunt before you’re proficient at 30 yards. Why? Why can’t you limit your shots on game to 15 yards?

That is essentially what I am doing. I getting myself myself proficient out to 30yds so that when I am at 15yds and closer it is well with in my effective range. It is just a rule i set myself up with. If I am accurate at 30 with no troubles than 15 or 10 will be a far easier yardage for consistency and efficacy.

When I practice I constantly jump between different distances and angels too.

[Sirius Black]

Welcome!

[Doug Treat]

Nick, I noticed something you said that I have found prominently with traditional archers in California. You said that you wouldn’t hunt before you’re proficient at 30 yards. Why? Why can’t you limit your shots on game to 15 yards?

That is essentially what I am doing. I getting myself myself proficient out to 30yds so that when I am at 15yds and closer it is well with in my effective range. It is just a rule i set myself up with. If I am accurate at 30 with no troubles than 15 or 10 will be a far easier yardage for consistency and efficacy.

When I practice I constantly jump between different distances and angels too.

That’s cool. I just noticed that a lot of trad archers in Ca don’t hunt with their bows. I also noticed that the archery shoots that I have seen in Ca (both paper and 3-D) are set up with very long shots. I’m wondering if there is a correlation that when trad shooters do poorly at a competition with these long shots, maybe subconsciously, they don’t think the’re good enough to hunt.

[YosemiteSam]

Welcome from Fresno.  I don't get on the site as much these days but I still shoot & still hunt.  I haven't managed to find a buck during the archery season yet but I have gotten a couple nice toms these last couple years with my recurves.

If you're planning to go out for the rifle season and you can get the time off to hunt a little in the archery season, I say go for it and just keep the discipline to not take a shot beyond your effective range.  If that's 10 yards, then wait for that 10-yard shot.  I've learned more failing with a traditional bow than succeeding with a rifle.  Plus, it gets you out more when the deer are more relaxed & more time in the woods watching deer is always a good thing.

This year, I made plans to take it more relaxed during the general D-zone season & focus more on the late season tag I drew.  If work stays quiet (always a gamble), I may take the recurve for the first half & my muzzleloader for the second half if I fail with the bow.  I usually see plenty of bucks and does during that season & have gotten so close but haven't yet loosed an arrow at one.  Maybe this year.

Hope to hear some good stories from you.

[Stump73]

Welcome!