How I've killed some nice deer...

[BRONZ]

TexasTrad posted on my Kansas Buck thread,

"WOW...you are obviously doing a lot of things right to harvest such big bucks. I remember reading about at least one of your other big buck harvests. Really exceptional!

Can you tell us more about how you are setting up? Public or Private land? how you are locating the best locations? How much time you spend in the stand?"

[BRONZ]

I thought I'd try and answer a few of his questions.

1. Marry a woman who understands that your battery recharges when you are outdoors with a Bible in your hands and a traditional bow hanging behind your shoulder.

2. Hunt the way that makes you happy.
Whenever I pray over hunters before we go out, I always ask that God bless each one with success as it's viewed through each man's own perspective.
For example, some hunters make scent  elimination  part of their ritual and they enjoy it. For me, I wash my camo and plaids in baking soda and borax and then hunt with the wind in my favor.

[BRONZ]

I have a buddy that only hunts during the rut. He has killed 2 Boone and Crockett deer in back-to-back years with a compound ...one measuring over 200 inches. For me, I just want to be in a tree and go out whenever possible. Normally, this means one to two times a week and I take at least one weekend hunting vacation with my father a year for turkey and one for deer.

3. I am truly blessed. I am fortunate to hunt several private areas within the state. I ask for permission whenever possible and I'm not ashamed to use my daughters as leverage... it's hard to say no to kids!

4. Be a student of what you are passionate about. Truly, I'm not going to share anything that you can't read in every magazine article. Identify bedding, feeding, and the transition areas. Locate pinch points in these transitions and hang stands that allow for appropriate  prevailing wind conditions.
Hunt what you have. I love the magazine articles that detail these 500 acre tracts that have all the necessary ingredients! Not all of us have access to that! Study what you have, and make the most of it

[BRONZ]

5. Be sure to approach your stand the right way. For example, do not walk through the feeding area in the morning before dark on your way to the tree... this is where you expect the deer to be.

6. I believe bow hunting is 90% luck and 10% skill! Bottom line, you can't kill what doesn't live there. I am fortunate that the buck last year and this year came from two different places. I had no idea either existed as I'm not obsessive about trail cameras, but I did carefully study  deer patterns and setup where I see deer moving.
I've recently watched the guys on Midwest Whitetail... these fellas know how to kill big deer! As for me, I want to remain humble and recognize that God is good!

[Blueridge]

Amen Brother!

[TexasTrad]

This is great stuff -- thank you for writing such a thoughtful response.   It sounds like you have a really good outlook AND you are able to keep your head and make a good shot when a big buck shows up.

Congrats again on two really great bucks!

[curlis]

You, have the right frame of mind!

[SuperK]

Well said..  

[ksbowman]

You know Bronz I think everything you said is correct and I like to see you bring Christianity into it. That mental leverage means a lot when keeping focused.

Well said, Manolito!

Congrats again on another great buck!

Bisch

[CoachBGriff]

Originally posted by Bisch:
Well said, Manolito!

Congrats again on another great buck!

Bisch

X2

Amen!    

[South MS Bowhunter]

Amen!  Some good advice there sir!

[Michael Arnette]

#1 Hunt in Kansas LOL
Not to downplay any big buck harvests in Kansas but my goodness you guys grow them big and unpressured!

Good advice!

[BRONZ]

Originally posted by Michael Arnette:
#1 Hunt in Kansas LOL
Not to downplay any big buck harvests in Kansas but my goodness you guys grow them big and unpressured!

Good advice!

We do grow them big here! My dad has a 173" 11 and a 186" 8 pt (yes, you read that right). He's a recurve-only guy as well.

[TIM B]

Atta'boy BRONZ ....good advice and mentality.  
My old man told me once that he thought sometimes God just created the big bucks and sent them by him......
Tim

[2nocks]

great post!

[bucknut]

I will also agree that some people just are blessed with a pile of luck. Couple that up with knowledge and skill and you end up with a pile of heads on the wall. My brother is the same way. The boy could catch a bass or kill a buck in a Walmart parking lot. We often hunt the same stands and I wont see crap, he hunts it the next day and sees 10 and kills a whopper.  I don't know?

[Friend]

He dos not demand that we succeed in accomplishing anything in this world.

We are expected to try, fall, get back up, begin again and continue trying all the days of our lives.

Success is His gift!

[Sawpilot 75]

You have your priorities in order Sir. A man who approaches it that way should be blessed as you have been. Good job again this year. Beautiful Buck.

[Terry Lightle]

What Bisch said!
Terry