What did you learn this year?

[LKH]

I learned that when crouching in the grass, holding the bow parallel to the ground, and shooting at bull at 15 yards, you still have to to bring your hand to anchor or you'll shoot over the bull.

[Lefty1972]

I learned about this wonderful sport called Traditional Archery.

I learned that Trad Gangers are a great bunch of people.

I also learned that the Trad community is made up of the finest humanity has to offer.

[NoCams]

Funny this thread came to life.... I was just thinking the same thing the other day and got sidetracked and did not start it. Oh well, guess we think the same way don't we ?

1) Wool is awesome, especially $3 Goodwill sweaters for layering over your Ullfrotte' longjohns and under your outer coat, comfy down to 10 degrees no problem !

2) The fenix light by the Wensel's is awesome, last flashlight I will ever need.

3) Predator Fall Gray Camo. Turkeys passed by twice at 6 yds as we were in a lone tree in a 4 yr old clearcut, never saw us.

4)Alpha Lite boots by Lacrosse 7MM thick with side zippers are the cat's pajamas ! Feel like wearing tennis shoes comfy warm down to 10 degrees with one pair of thick wool socks.

5) Cannot kill them sitting on the couch, get out there even if you only have a few hours to hunt. Especially evening hunts. Most shots are right at dark, so what if you get there only an hour before then...... ? Dead deer don't care what time you got there as long as it was before they did, haha !

6) Spend as much time hunting with your kids as you can. Seems like a blur sometimes, they grow up fast.

7) Cut your shooting lanes and approaches to your stands NOW, not in Sept !!!

8) The strap that holds the two pieces of your Summit Viper tree stand together makes an awesome deer drag if you are too far from your ATV, Deer Cart, or Truck.

nocams

[Mike Manassa]

I learned that I can put a well placed sitka spruce arrow with a ultra sharp 125 grain zwikey broadhead right through a whitetail deer..Confidence level went way up after that..Mike

[Todweelz]

I learned to accept things for what they are, we may not understand why bad things happen to us, but we have to accept them never the less. I know I will never walk the way I did before our accident, I know that it has made me slow down and not hurry through life, I know it has made me how great my family is, how awesome my girls are, I learned that being able to hunt is WAY more important than killing an animal. Todd

[Gerry]

I learned that patience and moving slowly are the keys to sneaking up on  a deer.  They are pretty crafty those deer.

[vtmtnman]

Originally posted by craig1955:
Make time to scout. Even if it is 100 degrees in September.

I agree.Had I done this about 500-700 yards to my north of where I was hunting last season I may have got a chance at a buck,or just seen more deer.    

I also learned if you hit a deer in the right spot you don't need a blood trail.I could really get used to all of them going down within earshot/sight.

[Altiman94]

1) to slow down and appreciate the wilderness
2) to be more patient and wait for the shot
3) stick with the trad bow, even when it gets tough mentally (didn't do this all the way through)
4) that a trad bow is just as deadly as any other weapon within your comfortable shooting range
5) practice, practice, practice.

[Dusty Nethery]

I also learned to save vacation time for the rut!

After 10 days in Ontario fishing, I learned that I am not a fishermen and never will be.

Also while in Ontario, I learned that a seagull cannot be felled with a 3 day old biscuit.

Had a pretty darn good year all things considered.

Best wishes to all for 2010.

[jonsimoneau]

Whitetails continue to show me they are smarter than we think!  Just when I think I've got a couple of big bucks figured out....I eat a tag!

[swampdrummer]

I learned what it "feels" like to pick a spot. Theres a big difference between thinking your looking at one tiny spot and actually putting all your focus on one. It "feels" different and I won't forget that.

I also learned I need to keep practicing during season.

I learned I need to practice more actual hunting shots during the off season.

I learned what really sharp was after purchasing a KME sharpener.

One I already knew but was reminded of is. I have a really great wife. She always encouraged me to spend as much time as I wanted in the woods all season long. Waited till season was over before bringing up the honey do list, again.   :eek:

[LoneWolf73]

I can lose weight and get in great hunting shape if.... I stay focused.

Elk hunting is not easy.

Still Love Whitetail Hunting.

Shoot the first Pig you see.

As a Lefty, learning to shoot Right Handed is just as fun!

3D shoots are a Hoot. Go have some fun!!!

[tradtusker]

"All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible."

[frassettor]

Relax, things will just "happen"

[Friends call me Pac]

I learned teaching a 10 year old about trad and hunting is as much fun as when I first started myself.

Stumping is the best sort of hunting practice that I know of

Stick with what I have confidence in for hunting arrow combonations.

Coyotes in Arkansas are starving.  Shot a deer last week and waited overnight after loosing the blood trail.  Next morning I found nothing but bones, head and hooves less than 40 yards from last blood.

[Bowspirit]

Deer exist, and more importantly, they CAN be killed with a bow and arrow...

 

[b.glass]

I learned to NOT sit on one side of a hill when deer can come up the other side and see you scratch your nose just as they peek thier head over the top of the hill.

[sj_lutz]

I learned that waiting for the "perfect" shot when there is a perfectly "good" shot staring you in the face isn't such a good idea.

I learned to trust the blind.

I learned the magic that is being in the woods with a stickbow.

[mcgroundstalker]

I've Learned:

To move even slower when hunting the cover for deer.

To trust in my wind string and change course as it dictates.

That if I have a candy bar with me in the woods I can last the whole day.

Not to wear a watch when hunting... The deer don't.

First Impulse is always right!

Most Of All... The deer are watching me leave my house! They know what's going on. Maybe (they) can read my mind.  :rolleyes:

Thanks Jamie  

... mike ...

[widow sax]

I learned as long as there is a trad bow in my hand no matter what Im doing Im having fun.

I learned it easy to miss a easy shot. 10yrd six point

I learned that having a girlfriend that shoots and hunts makes memories that last a lifetime.

I learned that spending time in a yurt in colorado trad hunting elk with six great guys is priceless.

Widow