When is it really time?

[Stick n' String]

I have gone backward and forwards in my approach to traditional archery over the years. First and foremost, both compounds and traditional bows are range-limiting devices that are supposed to make killing an animal harder under fair chase conditions. You have to prepare yourself for several facts when making the "complete" switch to traditional archery. First, your effective range will most likely be significantly shorter. Second, you will have an ethical responsibility to the animals you hunt to practice more often. Third, traditional bowhunting requires significantly more focus at the instant when you decide to shoot. You are the sighting system! With that said, most people enjoy shooting a traditional bow significantly more than shooting a compound. The fact this type of hunting and shooting is more difficult - which also makes it more rewarding when the practice and new found knowledge pays off. I honestly believe a traditional bow is a more effective hunting weapon than a compound in close quarters situations. You just draw and shoot, which may be performed from a number of different angles that would be impossible with a compound. You simply have to be at a place in your life and hunting experience that will allow you to be at peace passing on shots within your range that just don't "feel" right or shots outside your effective range, regardless of how big the horns are... your responsibility increases.

I still shoot a compound occasionally, although I rarely hunt with one anymore. I took a compound to Africa and killed a P&Y bull elk with a compound several years ago. I felt completely at ease with my decision regarding equipment in both instances and do not feel a need to justify that to anyone. I am also invited on a rifle hunt each season on a fantastic 24,000 acre pasture of a very famous ranch in South Texas. I killed the best buck of my life this last weekend with a spot and stalk, 100 yard shot using a .270 rifle given to me by my grandfather. No apologies there, either.

In the end, I have become what I consider to be primarily a traditional bowhunter. That is what I eat, sleep and breathe 90% of the time. Perhaps more. Now you need to find what works for you.

Good luck.

[Can Hahaka]

Matt,

Seems like in your pre-hunt plans you are predisposed to making a kill as priority one. As we all plan our hunts we look at the options available to us to be successful. If all a person wants to do is kill an animal the easiest way then during the bow season a compound arrow flinger or a cross gun would be the weapon of choice. I have always felt (and I never touched a compound arrow flinger) that my hunts provided more of a challenge. When the time comes to accept the challenge along with the satisfaction of the harvest then you will know it's time to sell all other options and go trad.

[Thumper Dunker]

Sounds like you made up your mind to lose before you start.Shoot the deer with your rifle and use the bow for other game.Theres more to hunting than killing a stupid deer.

[b.glass]

"Nothing to it but to do it", I like that one too! The squrriel one made my chuckle though. :D

[Bill Carlsen]

Here is the advise Michelle Eichler gave my wife. She told Laura that to hunt doens't necessarily mean you have to kill. When an animal presents itself  you can decide to shoot or not too....there is no law that says you must shoot when you can, Whether you are experienced or not you should never shoot if you don't have reasonable confidence that  you can make a clean shot. The first year Laura hunted she killed a bear. Her first night on bear stand she had 7 bear come in. At the very last light one came in and because she wasn't sure about low light shooting she let the bear walk. Today she would have shot.  While deer hunting she has passed up shots in those first two years she wouldn't hesitate to take today. Go hunting and enjoy the experience. When the time is right to shoot it will be a decision you make at the time...not one you will make reading posts on this site.

[rolltidehunter]

who cares if you miss! it not a big deal its just a deer!

[Mike Bolin]

Can't agree with the "stupid" deer comment. I'm not one to be "at one with the animal" kind, but deer aren't stupid. Every game animal deserves some respect. The man lives in a deer hunting state and wants to hunt deer.

As far as when it is time, that is hard to say. I shot all the 3D shoots in my area for 2 years before it was "time" for me. The winter before I switched, I sold my compound so if I wanted to hunt the next season it was with the recurve or I would have to shell out some cash for a new set up. Being frugal (cheap) by nature, I stuck with the recurve! LOL!! Killed a nice bear that spring and have taken deer pretty consistently ever since.  

When we hang up the gun and go with the bow, we automatically cut down our range. It happens again when we choose traditional bows. Shooting trad bows has made me a better hunter in as much as I am more selective in my hunting set ups and my shot selection and I scout more efficiently, or at least that is my goal. I guess what I am saying is that we choose our methods and sometimes our choices create limitations. It is our decision on how we deal with those limitations. Practice hard, scout efficiently, hunt smart and remember-"a man's got to know his limitations".

Good luck-Mike

[TRAD101]

I look at Trad Hunting as a leap of faith.
Faith in the hours of practice I have put in to
hone my form so that when the shot presents itself
I am consentrating on nothing but the spot I want
to hit,(not my form),so to me once you are comfortable with your form you are ready to hunt.

[PaddyMac]

When I am hunting there is a line that I cross where I am driven to get the prey and maybe it's just my imagination but I can do things better when I'm in "the zone." I first noticed it when I was a kid and after killing something I had a "memory" of seeing individual hairs on the rabbit or feather detail on a quail. I'm not sure if I can really do that but I still have that memory of intense focus each time I am successful. When I went from a rifle to a compound bow that intensity seemed to increase and so it has again with a recurve. But it's not the weapon; it's the proximity, I think, the need to get closer. When I am within 20 yards of a deer with my bow I am about as close to being a wild animal as a human can get I think. Either that or I'm just weird.      

When you need to be 20, 30 won't get you in that state. It's getting across those last 10 yards that does it, not the type of bow.

[NBK]

T.J. summed it up very well.  Sure, without the wheel bow you may still miss some shots, have "the big one" walk by at 35 yards, or whatever.  But that's not the point, and once you believe that to be true, you're ready.

[Bowwild]

I think you answered your question when you commented you had killed a couple of Does that you 'could have killed with a recurve'. That suggests you believe you'd get more satisfaction by using your recurve.

For me:
Recurves 1968-1974
Compound next 25 years
(Switched to Lefty in 1996)
Recurve 2001
Compound 2002-2009
Recurves 2010-2011

I wish I had stuck with the recurve after 2001. A bunch of deer at 25-35 yards wish I had also.

[misfire]

For me it happened three years ago. I gave up everything that had to do with compound. Now the only time I do not have a bow in hand when hunting is shotgun season for deer. Even during Spring turkey season its "Bow turkey or no turkey".

You'll know when it's time.

[Altiman94]

You almost need to sell your compound if you want to go 100% trad, then you won't have the temptation.

But, I'm like you.  I hunt with both, but usually take my training wheels.  My time afield is sometimes limited, so I want to make the best of the opportunities I have. I enjoy being out regardless of the weapon in my hands.

Trad is more of a journey than it is about actually harvesting.  But, there's lots of guys who put tons of meat in the freezer with them.

Remember, it wasn't that long ago that's all we had.

So, set your compound down over the winter and shoot your trad bow 100%.  After you're confident in your shooting to your desired distance, sell the wheels and go trad full-time.

That's my $.02.

[ECRESS]

I sold my wheels 2 years ago and have had some success with trad. gear but each year i get that feeling to go back but 5 min. on here and 5 more shooting my recurve i fall in love with simple all over again. My 2 cent worth.

[Orion]

I've offered a version of this statement before to a similar question.  When how you do it becomes more important than how big or how many, and I probably should add, how far, you're ready to make the switch.

[frassettor]

I am a HUGE meathunter, and when the hunt is more meaningful then whats in the freezer, you to will make the transition. I passed on opportunies this year, shots I would have made while hunting with a compound, I passed because it didn't " feel right", and boy do I feel good about that.
I made transition 6 years ago, and when you finally do connect, there will be nothing better, trust me!

[Plumber]

I love these threads you will  be ready when you committ.I felt the same way, but you know what I had to sell the compound an committ,you wont belive how it changes things.when theres no looking back theres only one way to look forward.get off the fence as long as you have the compound you will always struggle on what bow to use.I have been shooting trad for4-5 years these days I kill lots of deer an I dont even think about it.I look back an laugh because I felt the same way as you.give yourself a honest chance an be willing to except the outcome good luck ED

[David McLendon]

Process over product, how you get there is more meaningful than when you do.

[wisconsinteacher]

After reading all of the post, thanks it helps.  It is not about missing a deer, it is about a bad hit.  As far as filling the freezer, that is not the biggest issue I have.  My wife hunts to so we get a few extra opportunities a year at deer.

[Fletcher]

A lot of good thoughts and advice in this thread, Teach.  Concern over a bad hit shows good attitude on your part.  Find a good shooting coach and practice well.  When the time comes, have confidence and respect your limits.  Best choice I made was to only take "slam dunk" shots.

I also feels it helps to optimize your equipment; it helps greatly with your confidence.

Enjoy the journey!