Trad for life

[Southern Sam]

Its been since last fall that I have hunted with or shot my wheelie bow.  I have always shot trad bows along side the wheelie, but I got to where I wasnt enjoying the "modern" day equipment as much as I use too. Last June I got back into trad VERY heavy and with my stickbows its like an addiction, I have to make myself put them down and are lookin forward to the next 3D shoot on the weekend.

Here's my struggle, elk huntin is my passion as far as bowhuntin is concerned.  I only get to go out west once a year for about 10 days.  Of the elk I've killed with a bow I havent shot one (trad close), but I'm wanting to finally make this transition over to trad for good.
My buddies and I have talked abut this and I just have to face the fact when that 300in bull is at 40yds I may not have the best chance at bringing him home.  Deer, hogs and turkey I'm not so much worried about, since my shots are usually under 25yds most of the time.
I'm shootin my stickbow better than ever and my wheelie is up for sale. If I can get rid of it, things will get better!!
Any of you guys still on the fence as I am?

[Nathan Killen]

Go ahead a jump off the fence on the trad side sam ! Its about the hunt anyway and success will be that much sweeter, but you already know that !

Ill support you buddy !  :D

[DannyBows]

Well, it depends on your goals. If the kill is the most important, shoot the wheels. If "How" you make a kill is more important, as in personal satisfaction/fullfillment, go Trad. As you have already taken Elk with wheels, I assume you want to 'up' the challenge.
Do a search for Elk and see what Trad folks are taking with stick bows. I believe you just need a confidence boost and that will do it. The 'Hunt' is the thing.

[Slickhead]

I switch over about 6 years ago
Made a decision to sell all wheel bow stuff at that time.
I can tell you that its going to be harder and the definition of a "Trophy"
will change.
But IMO its the best move I ever made.
The love I have for Bowhunting is in second place for the low of trad bowhunting.
Ive heard that Elk are easier to get trad bow close to (than whitetail)
But Ive never hunted them so I cant say for sure.

[Cory Mattson]

Never been on the fence - and I do have friends who use compounds for elk who hunt all else with stickbows for the reasons you cite. But I also know folks who start shooting out to 50 yards starting July 1 to prep for elk. I also know folks who use sight pins for 40, 50, 60, 70 only when they hunt Caribou along with their instinctive method for the usual 10 to 25 yard shots. So there are all kinds of ways to approach this. Personally I more often end up too close - even with elk - so I just stay stickbow only for better or worse.
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[Stumpkiller]

Its been since last fall that I have hunted with or shot my wheelie bow.

For me it's been since 1984 that I have not hunted with a "wheelie bow".      

But then, I haven't got an elk in that time, either.  'Course, no one in NY has so I'm not alone there.  I'm happy to say the whitetail no longer just laugh outright at me.

I was actually much less of a hazard to them with the compound.  I could hit a tennis ball at 45 yards but when it came to deer I would only find a way to miss at much longer distances.  Wrong pin, noisy draw, arrow fell off rest, deer too close so I was afraid to draw.

[Southern Sam]

I have found that for sure the kill is much sweeter with trad. And no, the kill is not what its all about. But I work SOOO hard at elk hunting when I'm out there, cause to me there's nothin like it!

Might also give me a reason to buy another set of limbs for my Widow that are heavier!!haha  I knew I could make this work!!!

All jokes aside, I enjoy trad soo much I look forward to making it a full time commitment.

[canoeman]

Shoot what you are comfortable with and enjoy.  I shoot traditional because I enjoy it.  I love the beauty and simplicity of the equipment.  I also take one or two deer with a muzzleloader most seasons.  We usually count on eating 2 or 3 deer a year and I'm not able to provide that with traditional equipment at this time.

[rolltidehunter]

i know exactly what you are talking about. i finally put my compound down 3 years ago and i havent picked it up since. it is a addiction! that first year i had to watch animals at 30 yards + just walk by. it was hard. but i did it. and i missed alot! i still miss. i missed the same deer 3 times in 3 minutes this year!!but i have taken several deer a  now with my long bow and recurve... but not as many back when i was wheelin!. i will only kill about 4-5 a year. i was killing around 10 with a coumpound. thinning does! but ill tell you its much more gratifying to kill 3 deer with a stick bow than 10 with a compound! you can do!

[reddust]

I switched in back to traditional bows in 1989 and never regreated the move.

[gobblegrunter]

I had 2 compounds (one old one from from the early 90's and a fairly new one). Both have been sold within the past several months. Those wheelie days are ones I wouldn't trade, but I'm also happy to be rid of them from here on out! I don't have anything against compounds (obviously thats how I got started) but I just enjoy shooting trad so much more.

If you're like me, you'll be thrilled to see that compound on its way out the door. (especially with fresh cash in your hand!)

[legends1]

Welcome! you wont go back.

[Southern Sam]

Originally posted by gobblegrunter:


If you're like me, you'll be thrilled to see that compound on its way out the door. (especially with fresh cash in your hand!)

I heard that!! That fresh cash could turn into new limbs or......another stickbow!!  

[gobblegrunter]

I have a BigJim TC on order that was funded (mostly) by the 2 sold compounds...great feeling!  

[Terry Lightle]

Time to go for it and enjoy it

Not too many fence sitters here.  Most if us have been in your shoes and luckily have found our way home.  Hang out and catch the trad buzz!  You'll never be the same....promise!

[Wannabe1]

I live right here in elk country! Haven't gotten one yet, nonetheless a deer. Have never been anything but traditional. Refuse to do it any other way. It'll happen, just like it will for me. But, got to get out there and just do it!  

[sawtoothscream]

all i shoot now is my long bows. i just dont really have fun with my compound as much. usually i get back into compounds when 3d season roles around. back wven then i think the longbow will make it to more shoots then my compound will.

idk. im taking my beller long bow out for turkey this season and plan on hunting deer with my hybrid at least a few times in the fall (still taking the compound as well.

at this point i dont want to give up compounds for deer.  maybe in a few more year though.

[EL Mejor]

Go ahead...u wont regret it...you will get better and kill everything.The sense of accomplishment in the end will be greater than any of your past success,,,GOOD LUCK>>>

[far rider]

Switched about 5 years ago, and never looked back.