returning (or going there for the first time) to your bowhunting roots

[GMMAT]

As I sit in the beautiful NC snowy morning scenery....I've been thinking of where I want to head in my bowhunting.

   

   

I started in 2005 with a compound bow....and I've been mildly successful (22 big game animals, since I started).  

I bought my first traditional bow in 2007 (haven't sealed the deal with trad gear.....yet) and I've been afield with it enough times to know that it'll be THE way I hunt "at some point", exclusively.  I've just been struggling with the leap.  Pondering that leap.....I was thinking, this morning....

Starting out as I did in bowhunting.....my bowhunting "roots" are likely comparable to planting a hybrid tree in fertile grounds and dousing it, daily, with miracle grow. They've stretched away from the trunk, but they're not very deep in the soil.

I can't help but think about some of you guys who aren't as fortunate as I....ONLY in the sense that you don't get to see the numbers of deer I and a lot of others see in a typical deer season. I've been thinking about this a lot, lately. While the guys I'm speaking of are wishing they saw more deer (I imagine it to be this way) I'm sure there are others (other than just I) who think it would be really cool to view EVERY deer sighted as "the one".

I don't consider myself a "trohpy hunter" and I have a lot of respect for the guys who claim that distinction and ARE. I also wonder if some of the guys doing this (trophy hunting) ever wonder what it would be like to get back to their roots? I imagine (could be wrong) that a lot of you guys started out.....taking pretty much any deer that gave you a shot opportunity. I forget who it was who coined the following analogy, but it stuck with me and I've always loved it.

Sometimes it's great to hook up the new 23' Ranger boat and drive to the impound to fish for trophy bass. Maybe it'd be great to even enter tournaments and see how your fishing skills match up to the lake....even other fishermen/women. Then....you think about your fishing roots....and how cool it was to catch bream in the farm pond with a cane pole, a bobber and an earthworm. Wasn't that fun, too?

Anyone ever think of or wish they could return to their bowhunting "roots". Anybody ever do just that? Any regrets (I would imagine not).

I posted this, this morning, in another bowhunting forum I frequent (heavily weighted towards compound shooters).  I think I'm getting closer to taking my leap....and it's a pretty cool feeling.

[charles suttles]

Jeff, don't know where your at in N.C. but if you are near the Charlotte/Hickory area, there's a bunch of great people to hang out with that could help you make the leap. You can email or call me anytime! Charles Suttles
                 [email protected]
                 704-201-0061

[BobCo 1965]

My suggestion is to quit thinking about and just make the leap.    :D

BTW, very nice picture.

[GMMAT]

Bob I'm "close".  I;ve already said I have one more season of turkey hunting with the compound.....and if I score that'll be the last one taken that way.  If I score early.....the recurve will be it from then on.

I've got a whitetail hunt in KY lined up for Nov.  "We'll see" which bow makes that trip.

Here?  Whitetail hunting?  My guess is I've already lept.

[Orion]

When how you take animals becomes more important than how big or how many, you'll make the switch.  Simple as that.  We'll be waiting.  Good luck.

[Harmless]

Orion hit it right on the head, couldn't say it any better than that !!

[GMMAT]

Orion:

You hit the nail on the head.

I agree, wholeheartedly.

[wtpops]

Orion said it. To add to it, every hunter that i have talked to that made the switch at one point or another has said the same words. "I wish i would hve switch a long time ago", including myself. Ive been bowhunting for 32 years now about 18 with recurve and longbow and i wish it would have been all 32.

[BowHuntingFool]

Yep you got that right! I was talking about it for years, and wanting to get a bow for years. I bought a Longbow in Jan of 08' and never picked up my wheelie bow again! The first time I had a deer in range this year I was shaking uncontrollably, it was amazing! After I missed...          


Jeff you know whats going to happen don't you, your going to have a big ole Tom at 10 yards wishing you had your recurve instead of your Compound! I hunted spring gobblers for 2 days with the Longbow, then switched to my fathers Remington 1100 for that last 2 days. On the last morning hunt, I killed my 24# Tom at 11 paces! Go figure! But killing this bird with my Fathers shotgun was pretty special to me as well!

[Widowbender]

Made the switch over two years ago...I used to hunt with a compound, smokepole, pistol, rifle, you name it...Put 'em all away, even sold the compound...I wish I'd done it a long time ago...I've gained much more than I gave up...The woods feel different with a traditional bow in your hand...And you still get to put food on the table...

David

[jbuck9]

Gmmat,
My son was having the same problem, taking that leap, and could shoot his longbow well,
But one evening in his tree stand this 8 pointer comes in at 8 yards , well he drilled it with his compound , and all the way home I kept hearing him say over ,and over , man why didint I take my longbow, just do it , and I can assure you, you will not regret it, my son sold his compound, and says he gets so much more out of being in the woods then he ever did, and he just turned 40. Good luck and keep it fun, jbuck9

[broketooth]

gmmat, ive been a trad nut for 12 yrs now i havent hunted with a wheeley or a fire arm since. the only fire arm i own is a shotgun... home protection cannon.but ive also been in a five yr drought of taking any game what so ever... but i wouldn't have it any other way. down here on the coast , taking deer with trad gear is even more of a challenge due to alot of hunting clubs run deer dogs. others dont beleive in fair chase as we do. but every one chooses a different path.myself i choose to hunt with trad gear and dont think i will everown a firearm again good luck  regards ,ruddy

[GMMAT]

Great stories, guys.

Thanks.

[Whip]

As I told you on the phone today Jeff, switching to traditional equipment makes it all brand new again.  Your first deer with traditional gear will be every bit as exciting as your first deer ever was - I guarantee it!  And the cool part is that each animal after that seems to be just as exciting.  It adds another element of challenge that is so often missing when high tech gets in the way of really hunting.  

Most all bowhunters got into it initially because they were looking for more of a challenge.  When that challenge disappears because things are too easy something is lost.  Traditional gear will help you find it again.

Welcome!  I think you have already made that leap at least in spirit.  Your heart is in the right place.