Finally made my first traditional harvest in 12 years. It's been a long time coming, shot my first twelve years ago with the old Martin Hunter and then fell for the latest and greatest compound.
Long story short after a few years it wasn't there anymore with the compound and shooting if became more of a chore than a pleasure. 4 years ago I could feel that calling that brought many of us to where we are now. I'm glad that I sold the compound and never looked back and will never look back again. This is what it's all about!
Today will be a day I never will forget and a moment that will go down as my first deer harvest as a real traditional hunter, not just a kid with a recurve. I think when one realizes its more about the hunt than the kill is when they become one with nature and a true traditional hunter. I hope that statement doesn't offend it's just my opinion.
So today was a beautiful day for an afternoon hunt regardless of the outcome. 55 degrees with a nice SW breeze. A nice change from the usual winter day in Nebraska and a perfect day for a little still hunting.
With my recently finished r/d long bow and some Asbell wool I was ready to go. After walking, stopping, watching and listening a couple times I found a nice little patch of ash trees with some ground cover and a good place to sit. This would be my sit for the evening I told myself. After clearing away a few leaves to keep my movement noise to a minimum I was ready. At this point it was about 430 just abut an hour before sundown.
I wasn't sitting for more than 15 min and some jays were all fired about something so I got bow in hand and at the ready.
Not two minutes later a spike appeared about 200 yards upwind of me and started working his way toward my sit. I lost him in the tall grass for about 10 minutes until he appeared 60 to 70 yards in front of me.
I've thought many times before that this is the moment only to not have things work out, but this was not the case tonight. My Timber Ghost blended perfectly and he had no idea I was there and at 22 paces I watched my traditional bar feathers disappear where I was looking.
It was a double lung complete pass through and he went 40 yards and expired in my view, and tonigh I thank him for the meat he will provide for my family.
Thanks for coming on my journey with me.
Cory
Topic: Been 12 years! (Read 947 times)
