Bow Hunters

[Circle W]

Glad to see a bunch of responses, it was more than I planned on! Also very surprised at the number of traditional bow hunters out there. I really like the Bear Kodiak, it's just a little out of my price range right now. Maybe I'll get it for myself as a graduation present in May!

 

[Larro Darro]

I still have the Browning compound and recurve bows I got in 1978. I would rather shoot the recurve, and can hit with it better than the compound. But when I still bow hunted, I used the compound. The last time I got my five year hunting and fishing, I didn't get the archery stamp. Too often the deer would run off to die and I couldn't find it. I didn't have access to a good tracking dog then. Now my BIL raises Redbone hounds, so that wouldn't be a problem anymore. The Archery season doesn't start until October 26 here in NW Florida, and the stamp is only $5, so I might still get one. For a whole month of extra hunting, that is cheap.

 

[mbohuntr]

Bowhunted since around '81. Taken quite a few deer over the years. Starting to slow down a bit and tree time is harder to come by... Still use a golden eagle compound.

 

[RobertBrown]

I shoot a P.S.E.. Same one I have had for maybe 20years. I have killed my share of deer and more hogs than Oscar Meyer with it.
Bow season is a real challenge this far south, temps are in the low 90s today. By the time you are in your stand you're covered in sweat so you have to be high.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm not an archer but I allow a local fisherman to hunt deer on my property. He usually bags a couple each season and always leaves me four or five pounds of different cuts of meat in my freezer. Win Win. Deer have been a major nuisance on our island but a few changes to the bow hunting regulations have balanced things out nicely for both the sportsmen and the residents.

 

[SPIKER]

I could get me a nuisance permit (farm tree nursery) but just let my nephew hunt, he has taken 2 small doe's he has his eye out for a buck now. Doe's are better eating than the bucks, year or two old are best but not as much but higher quality. I used to shoot bow with many other outdoor hobbies I lost time and energy to keep up. Now I fire off maybe 100 or so 22 rounds a year plinking & woodchuck eliminating (got one yesterday.

Mark

 

[Hill Farmer]

Mathews Z7, haven't been yet this year. Mid 80's since season came in, so I'm in no hurry. Cold front moving in tomorrow, may have to burn a little vacation early next week.

 

[Circle W]

Well I think it's official. I'm goin to try and see if I can trade my Hoyt Razertec XT2000 for a bear recurve, preferably a Kodiak but it's not a deal breaker. I have never bagged a deer with a recurve, but I can guess there prolly isn't a better feeling in the world. I know how excited I was when I was a teenager and got my first buck with a rifle, still my biggest buck to date. To take one with a traditional bow would be the most awesome thing I can imagine. Hopefully I can report back to y'all a successful story, but we'll have to wait and see. Thanks again everyone, love to see so many people who enjoy God's great creations of the outdoors as much as I do. My church is governed by One and is 15' off the ground! Happy hunting all, may they all be top pinners and easy to track!

 

[arrow]

The Bear Kodiak is one of the smoothest shooting recurves I've ever tried and I've tried a bunch. There is one other that shoots just as well and only comes in a takedown now which is too bad because their one piece was one of the most exquisite looking bows to behold. At the time it was called the Grove bow. A couple of company changes later and it was called the "Predator" when Darton bought them out. Darton sold the company and now they are called the "Predator" once more. http://www.huntersniche.com/predator_bows What I like is the graceful visual transition from the riser to the limbs. Most recurve takedowns look like they just plunked the limbs on with no design after thought. Martin bows are "ok" but none shoot as smooth as the above two. Gale Martin who founded the company only died a couple of months ago. What I am about to tell you sounds far fetched but can easily be done. Practice enough until you can split a 1/2" bamboo stake (like a gardener's stake) from 20 yds. By shooting at the stake instead of a traditional target, you hone in your instinct pointing ability much faster. I don't know why but I know it just happens that way. You'll surprise yourself on how good you can get.

 

[wngsprd]

Opening day was yesterday but I didn't have any luck. Very hot (89 degrees) and I think the deer sleeping all day were smarter then me. I did have a Barred owl fly up and land close to me at sunset and give me a nice hoot opera for about 10 minutes. I shoot a Mathews DXT now after using a Browning for many years. The technology has come a long way.