I got into the woods late this morning, around 8:00. I had only been sitting for 45 mins or so, when a fork horn 4 point came around to my right, on the opposite hillside from me. I had forgot to take my gloves, so my hands were in my pockets. So obviously being my first chance at a bow kill, I was going to take it, and boy was I excited. I was shaking so hard I couldn't get the release on the loop. He looked right at me, I tried to hold very still, but he just turned around and lightly ran away. The spot he was at was 22 yards. He only needed to turn to his right and I could have had him. So I learned several lessons here. My style of ground hunting with rifles, by sitting in bushes, just doesnt seem to work with a bow, not enough distance, so I need a tree stand. Secondly, I bet I dont forget my gloves on a frosty morning again. I backed out of the spot after he had time to get away, Im going back this evening to try again. But this did raise a question for me. With them facing you head on, is a center chest shot a viable option ?
Sounds like it worked fine he just beat yah that time Plenty of people kill deer like that. Those shakes will get yah every time. and yuppers, gloves are important
He is far from a trophy, but probably plenty of good eating on him Hopefully, by tonight, I will be posting pictures of my first bow kill.
I'd avoid head on shots. If you miss the heart, you basically have no chance at lungs, nag you're just going to lodge an arrow at him. Wait it out and take the ethical, broadside/quartering away shot.
Ive never taken a head on shot with my rifle, due to it making such a mess end to end. So I just wasnt sure about with a bow. I will get him though, its just a matter of patience.
Stay away from the front on shots. Your asking for It. What you described Is plain and simple bowhunting to a tee. It will probably happen again. Exciting though wasn't It? You'll get It done yet. Good luck!!
As said above, absolutely NO head-on shots. I learned that lesson many years ago the HARD WAY!!! 130+ 10-pt that I found when the crows did...... Also, with those Tekans, make sure you wait for a broadside or slight quarter away, for best results. Good luck back at 'em again later....
Thanks for all your help Doug, especially with the arrow stuff. I'm installing my Rip Cord rest right now, and going to sight it back in before I go back out. Crazy I know...lol I'm tired of dumping the arrow off the Trophy Taker.
You're quite welcome, helping someone NOT make the mistakes I had to make to learn, especially when it's something simple and easy is part of being a good steward to our sport. I LOVE my TT's, though I've heard the Ripcords are nice, I know I had a QAD (similarly designed rest), and couldn't get what I wanted out of it, it either didn't drop fast enough, or bounced back up, either way, I couldn't make friends with it.
Jeeper, Doug is one of those guys that knows all that technical stuff to stear you right .... there are alot of guys here that can as well .. that's why I love this place
I'm learning a lot. I'm reading everything I can. I have been a gun guy since I was 9 years old (im 29 now), and I always refused to use a bow. I used to see it was inhumane, until I researched the new broadheads, and how fast they work. That and some coaching from my brother, I bit the bullet and traded a Ruger .264 Win Mag for a bow setup. I'm already miles ahead of where I was a month ago, and I hope to keep getting better.
Well I didn't get to go back hunting. So I couldn't resist. My brother and I installed my Rip Cord. Best thing of all, that came out of this night, was he got my Trophy Taker Drop Away, and got rid of that ^&*$**^*@!*(^$ Vane ripping Whisker Biscuit. We put the ^&*$**^*@!*(^$ Whisker Biscuit on his 12 year old sons bow. Then I passed him down my Vibracheck stabilizer and my Beman 500 arrows. He is shooting a 23" draw, 30# PSE Bandit. So I had a nice sit in the woods, I did see some deer, got my bow a little more personalized, and gave my nephew some pretty cool gifts. So all in all, it has been a great day.
