I’ve been a hunter as long as I can remember. My dad took me hunting for the first time when I was three years old. He killed an 8 point buck with me toddling by his side. My grandfather also helped mold me into a hunter at an early age. I have many fond memories of hunting with my Father and Grandfather. I have killed quite a few deer and hogs with rifles, shotguns, handguns, muzzleloaders, and compound bows. Something was missing though.
I bought my first traditional bow about ten years ago, and shot it on and off. I was in the Navy then, and spent most of my time away serving my country. It sparked a fire in me though! I continued to shoot my recurves, and even built a few all wood bows in the years that followed. When it was time to make meat, I would always grab the compound. You see, I was a competitive 3D shooter in those days with my compound, and knew I could make the shot when the chips were down. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to practice as much as traditional bows required.
After retiring from the Navy in August 2006, I had no more excuses! I had some shoulder trouble that first few months, which forced me to hunt with the compound bow. After shooting my first bear with the compound that August, I regretted not being able to hunt with my recurve. Fortunately, after about 6 months, I had recuperated from my shoulder injury. Now I could shoot every day, without my next 6 month deployment lurking. I began my quest for that perfect bow! I did shoot almost everyday preparing for that first traditional only season. I bought and sold many bows over the next few months, and could shoot them all pretty well.
In July of 2007 I secured some private property that I could hunt hogs on year round. My buddy and I went one afternoon. I was still shooting the wheels though. I killed a hog that day, but it was not like it was before. I decided to take the plunge and hunt with my traditional bows only from that day forward. I listed my compound on E-bay, and called my buddy Brad. We were going hunting that afternoon, and I would be toting my Robertson longbow! I killed a nice boar that day, and started what would be my most enjoyable year of hunting ever. Here is my first traditional kill. A nice boar hog.
I continued to shoot daily, and hog hunt periodically, throughout the months leading up until deer season. I saw lots of game, but didn’t have another good shot opportunity. Deer season came at last, and I hunted quite a bit. My closest opportunity was a nice 8 pointer that was only 25 yards away, and clueless that I was in the same county. I wasn’t comfortable past 20 yards, and chose to pass on the shot. I had absolutely no regrets about not “flinging” one his way, and realized that I was maturing as a hunter.
October, and my beloved Cumberland Island bow hunt, came at last. My brother and I share a camp on this beautiful island paradise every year during the quota hunt sponsored by the state of Georgia. There are good numbers of deer and hogs, and both were in season during this three day hunt. Glenn and I shared our camp with our three good friends Brad, Jamie, and Chris. I was the only traditional bow hunter. I shared quite a bit of good natured ribbing, but stood proud, and confident, in my choice of weapons. I would be hunting with my Great Northern Ghost recurve. I also had my Hummingbird longbow along as a back up.
My buddy Brad killed a nice little 8 pointer and two hogs the first hour of the hunt! Chris hit and wounded a doe the same morning, which we never recovered. Glenn saw a nice 6 pointer, but had no shot. Neither myself or Jamie saw a critter. The next day I killed a nice 7 pointer at 7 yards. I was thrilled, to say the least!
The third day of the hunt Jamie hit and lost a nice buck.
I hunted throughout the deer season, without another opportunity. Fortunately, small game season was in through February 2008, and my best chance to bag another hog was fast approaching. My buddy Brad and I spent quite a bit of time hunting from the boat out in the marsh. The hogs love to feed on the grass roots out in the marsh flats. We shared a particularly memorable hunt where we both connected with hogs. He with compound, and me with my trusty Ghost.
During February I hosted a hunt on my favorite Wildlife Management Area. I shared camp with 14 other traditional bow hunters, and had a great time. This was the first time I had ever hunted with anyone else shooting traditional bows! I met some of the greatest folks I have ever met. RC, Hookedn21, Al, Tradbow, Pinenut, and many others shared my camp. The group killed several hogs and had a great time.
Small game season ended and turkey season opened in the middle of March. Hogs are game during spring turkey season with turkey weapons. This is the best time of the year for hogs, in my opinion. Danny Rowan was in town for a couple of months with work and I had a great time hunting with him on several occasions. We were on hogs every time we went, but didn’t make meat. One weekend I hosted Danny Rowan, C J Pearson, and Ray Hammond on a hog hunt in my favorite stomping grounds. It was truly an honor to hunt with such fine folks.
I spent at least one day per week chasing hogs, and had a blast during the spring. This good eating sow fell to a great 20 yard shot from my Martin Savannah long bow.
These two were killed the same day with my Howard Hill Wesley Special.
In April RC let me chase him around the swamp on his stomping grounds, and we had a blast. I had several groups of hogs within bow shot, but couldn't get the shot I wanted. I had a great time!
In addition to my bow hunting with traditional gear, I started building bows in earnest. I completed five bamboo backed bows and have built my first laminated fiberglass bow. Next year I plan to hunt only with bows that I have built.
I’d like to thank all the fine folks on the traditional bow forums! I have learned so much from all the shared information, and encouragement from those following my build-a-longs. I have made some great friends in the process, and hope to share many future hunts with these fine folks. Thanks again for one of the best years of my life!
Topic: My first year "traditional only". (Read 261 times)
