First traditional harvest opening day of Ohio season opener

[captain caveman]

Very excited about the effectiveness of traditional gear.  Ohio's bow season opened last Saturday and due to family obligations all I had time for was hanging a tree stand with my son and two nephews.  Boys took shot gun in case we crossed paths with some squirrels.  I took my black widow pch with me.  Don't like to go into woods in season without bow.  Had no camo on and regular deodorant on because was not planning on getting chance to hunt.  Had boys head back to barn one direction I went other way to see if they might move something my way.  As I crested the ridge ahead of them I peeked over a shelf and jumped 2 deer doe went to right out of range fawn (no spots) was quartering away about 20 yds.  It all happened so fast don't remember much about the shot.  Felt kind of guilty with my recent switch from compound bow.  Felt unethical not aiming with something.  Anyway arrow hit little forward and I heard a loud popping noise I've never heard on arrow impact.  Deer exited with arrow half way out of chest cavity and no exit wound.  Went to look for blood.   From now on I will pick a tree or other landmark at site of shot before I head in to track.  Fortunately orange cap wrap and feathers were visible from where I stood 20 yds away.  Watched processor skin it and sure enough 125 grain snuffer penetrated shoulder blade was bent at the threads but intact still doing it's job as deer fled the seen.   This was my first traditional harvest needless to say I have new found faith in my bow and set up.  Will keep future posts brief just excited.

[huntingarcher]

Congrats....

[kwc]

great start, after 30 years i still get excited. enjoy the felling

[WPAtrapper]

Great job!

[rolltidehunter]

pics??

[Mudd]

[wooddamon1]

Sweet!

[captain caveman]

This has been about a three year process.  I have been practicing and gathering info.  However season would come and I would get cold feet and reach for my compound.  Guess I should have sold it.  My friends shoot compounds so the quest has been primarily a solo one.  Love this site thanks for sharing the excitement.  Know they shouldn't be but pics little emabarassing due to size of deer.  My son asked me to please not shoot any more baby deer, but as I previously stated there were no spots.  Ive shot much bigger animals but there is just something different about this.  Traditional archery has completely changed the hunt for me.  The traditional bowhunting community is something to be truly proud of being a part of.  I am reminded of this when I read Traditional bow hunter and this site.  This change of mindset makes things like canned hunts on television and trying to seek out the next gadget to give me the edge on my prey repulsive.  I am addicted to shooting this bow and am constantly trying to become a better woodsman.  I said I'd keep it short maybe next time.

[americanhunter7]

No need to be embarassed over the size of the deer. I can't think of one person in here who would criticize you for making a clean, legal and ethical kill on an animal, no matter what the size. I think the quality of the hunt and the experience you had doing it with traditional equipment is a great reward for you, not to mention the delicious tablefare you just provided your family with. Good job and congrats on your success.

John  

[Thumper Dunker]

Way to go.

[Huntinfool7]

Good deal it sounds like you're hooked now! LOL!

Congrats!!

~HF~

congrats on your first.  

[Hopewell Tom]

Good job. Don't worry about being short in the telling. Details are good.
Trad is the only way to go.

[KentuckyTJ]

Yep I will never forget watching my first big trad fletchings fly straight toward the vitals against that tanish brown background of deer hair. A fantastic site to witness.

Congrats.

[Gator1]

Fantastic, congratulations very exciting...

 

[Big Ed]

Way to go, congrats on the first!!!

[bolong]

           

[bill langer]

Way to stick with it, CONGRATS!!

[Hooper]

Nice!! Congrats on your first harvest!