Wow both VERY nice bucks!! I don’t usually see deer like that regularly on property I hunt. Usually a lot of younger bucks. I did have 2 encounters last year with deer like that but no shots opportunities. One was dogging a doe and wouldn’t stop and the other I had just got settled in my saddle and checked a voice mail and heard something looked down and there he was at 25 yards. Until I grabbed bow he was out of range. I normally wouldn’t have done that but it was my boss so I felt I had to at least listen to it. Last time that will happen. Last year I didn’t end up getting a buck but had a good run of 6 or 7 years straight before that. I’m not promising I will shoot a monster but I do promise you that I will hunt as much as possible and have a pretty good chance to get some points. Does are usually not a problem. Can’t remember the last time I went a season without getting at least one with the Matthews. Time will tell I have been trying to shoot 12 arrows every night to stay tuned in. sets are all prepped and ready to crawl in and hook on. Let’s do this!!!!! Now I’m getting excited just thinking about it. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
You put the time in and the deer will come. I had a few bad years. The first and second time I signed up for this, I didn't get a buck. It was rough, but I did manage to shoot a few does. You a saddle hunter? Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Yup have been for maybe ten years. I love it. Would prefer over a stand anymore. I am going to be getting a new one next season. I have a trophy line tree saddle that is nice but to bulky to wear in to spot. I have 8 different spots set up on property that all have screw in steps there so all I need to do is check the wind pick the right location and crawl up. Ready to hunt within 2 minutes of when I get to base of tree. You? Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
Yes me too. This is my 3rd year. Been wanting to saddle hunt for along time, but lack of products and info keep me from it. But I found Aerohunter and found out they were coming out with a new saddle ( Kestrel ) so I ordered one. Been hunting with it ever since. Sold almost all my stands. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Thanks Holt! I got him in Illinois, not my biggest out there, but I have a thing for 8 pointers and the way the hunt worked out I couldn’t help myself!!
Here are my previous contest entries. All but one were taken off my 40 acres. The one I didn't kill on my property was in 2014 and I killed him on public land about 4 miles from my property. I'm missing the pic of my 2012 buck, but he was a bit smaller than the rest. Had a huge body but not much for antlers. I didn't kill a buck in 2017, I was chasing one specific buck so I passed up a few opportunities in hopes of connecting with him but he out smarted me several times. I could have killed him in 2016, but I had already filled my tag. I had him at 10 yards 1 week before I got my second tag for gun season. Since I got skunked on 2017, I had a bit of an itchy trigger finger and took that buck on September 30th. There were a couple bigger bucks in the area, but he gave me too good of a show not to let it fly. 2011 2013 2014 2015 2016 2018
Well guys, looks like we've got some stone cold killers on this team! I figured that I might as well introduce myself as well. My name is Brad Kaufmann, I'm 24 and live in Northern Illinois. I work for Bowhunting.com, so I'm the guy that's basically running the deer contest this year. I've gone through a bit of a dry spell over the last couple years, but I've got a few good private spots and I'll be hitting some NW Illinois public land as well! Hopefully I can get the monkey off my back this year and we can finish with a pretty good score.
I’m not sure how I feel about this name for the team but it popped into my head today. Cinco de arrow Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
Have any of you guys ever had any experience with ballistic collars on your arrows and 3D targets? I just got a new arrow set up 2 weeks ago. Gold tip kinetic hunter with aluminum half out insert “I think that’s what it’s called”30 grains extra weight behind it and a ballistic collar over tip. I’m getting ready to do my one and only 3D shoot this weekend at Lancaster archery club and just wondered if that is going to cause me problems removing arrows from Targets. I do have to say that this new set up seems to fly great compared to my old standard set up. I’m not a pinpoint accurate target archer so I want to be able to hopefully blow through a shoulder if I get excited and rush the shot. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
I don't have those collars, but I do put footers on all my arrows. They do get hung up on targets with a mesh type cover. But not that bad. Foam targets I feel no difference. Are they only held on by the point being screwed in? Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Yes they are somewhat snug fit but screwing in point holds it in place. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
Should be fine for target shooting. As long as it tapers off the back side, should pull out of the targets just fine. The only thing I have ever heard bad about them was there sometime would be a slight wobble in the insert. And that was from the outsert not being square with the arrow shaft. But other wise most people seem to like them. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Haven’t noticed any wobble. There is a slight taper on back side. I just don’t want to be the idiot in the group that has to lay the target over and stand on it to remove the arrow. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
