Dan,
Confession time ! I shot compound for the first two weekends of the season. I then purchased a traditional Viper Longbow, used it for two weeks, and was surprised how my skills came back in the practice with it. I then purchased a John McDonald custom " Big River Bow " 48 # at 28". Ever since I got it I have not been able to put it down. That's what I've taken hunting this year until now, as in
TODAY !
I took my compound out for the first time today, I hiked in to the place where I put my double bull stand, which was on my back along with other stuff. Altogether weighs about 40 lbs. with all the other stuff I take. I walked about a mile. I had my hands free because I use a Alaskan outfitter frame. But in my hands I carried my compound. With all of the extra gizmos it weighs about 8 1/2 pounds, maybe seven at the least. By the time I got to the place where I was going to set my double bull blind, my hands were definitely tired. And then as I placed at on top of my frame, I was worried about knocking the sights off, or out of place. And then I was worried that if I didn't have my hand release attached to the string loop I would never make the shot in time. And then there was the idea of being able to shoot to the Windows properly, you know the difference between the sight and Broadhead.
To say the least, I will not be taking it for the rest of the season. If I get a deer with my traditional, I'll eat deer, I had disciplined myself when I hunted with a traditional, 15 yd. was the maximum, that's were I'm efficient.
The bottom line is you have to make the decision. No one else can do that for you, my experience today, made my decision for me. I spent over $1200.00 on my compound,its a Hoyt PowerTec purchased it in April of this year. And now because of traditional, I don't like using it, simply because everything is simple with traditional, the bow, the arrow, and my skills.
I think what I see in the posting is the pressure, getting a deer, or wounding a deer. Thankfully I have never lost a deer. But my best buddy did, it was today 15 yd. shot. we looked for that deer for hours, and we had a good 4 inches of snow on the ground, lots of blood trail, spots were the deer laied down, that was 30 years ago, he shot it with a compound. So you can have those times with traditional and also compound. Just realize no matter what route you take, you still then have problems, I changed my sight on my compound three times, I changed my arrow rest twice, I purchased three different sets of arrows, the problems will come, what it comes down to, we need to get a good attitude about the equipment we have, and realize our limitations.
Like everyone said the decision is yours, but realize it's more than compound or traditional.
Because I was carrying a traditional bow when I passed on a 8 point buck, that was the hardest decision I've ever made in archery, because I've never shot a buck before, I really wanted to shoot that buck, he was five yards beyond my ability, it was darker than I would have liked to be to know if I would get a clean shot. So I just stood there and watch him. I would've liked to put him in the freezer, but he will be in my mind forever, because I shot traditional.
If I was carrying a compound at that time, I probably would have shot him, because I would have had more trust in wheels and cables and sights, then I would have had in myself.
Confidence, is what traditional gives me, if I understand my limitations, and do not break them.
Good luck in your decision
Carl
Topic: Any of you consider quitting trad?? Tough year. . (Read 11896 times)
