stealthycat

I just spent 7 full days of hunting in KS. I took my Adcock longbow and a borrowed compound. I took the compound because this is THE hunt I have waited 2 years for and I have no kills with my longbow - a lot was riding on this hunt and I suspected I would get a chance at a nice buck.

We had poor hot weather and for some reason the bucks just were not in the creeks chasing does much. They were in the fileds and praries - unhuntable for the most part. I hunted with my longbow a couple of days and one Friday evening I had a mature whitetail come in right at dark. He had broken off one side of his rack but had half a 150&quot; rack and a huge body. I had him at 18-20 yards, broadside and my focus/shot felt great. I hit a limb for the second time this year and the arrow went behind the deer harmlessly. <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

This is now 0 for 2 with my longbow. I HATE being unsuccessful and I worked darn hard to get in position on a nice elk and whitetail only to have limbs deflect my shots. With a compound I really think both shots would have connected. Still, I have AR deer season to prove I can do this longbow thing. Its frustrating for me ..........

As for the KS hunting .... I had 4 shooter P&Y bucks within 75 yards, two within 20 yards and one shot. A farmer we met had a 4x5 skull/rack that I green scored at 160&quot;, 22&quot; inside spread, 26&quot; main beams, 16&quot; G2 on one side. Basically a 4x4 with a 5&quot; 5th point on one side - MONSTER deer (I'll post the pick later). Kansas has awesome hunting !
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Edited by - stealthycat on 11/11/2002 13:54:54

Dick4bows

Stealthy,
Sometimes things just don't go the way you think they should. I have changed my idea of a successful hunt since going back to traditional. If I can get within bow range and at least fool the deer that much, I've had a great hunt. If I get a deer, great. I just like being out in the woods! The only thing that can ruin the hunt for me is a lost deer. Keep trying! It will happen. Dick

john nail

You know......if a guy really NEEDS to connect with a deer....maybe he ought to hunt with his compound. I don't own one anymore, because I really don't care if I kill another deer or not.
It's pretty much like Dick said, it's the hunt and not the kill for me. But, having said that, You need to hunt hard and make as many kills on them as you feel comfortable with. Huntin' is huntin', doesn't matter what you use.
If I get one good shot per season and I miss (as I did this year) it's been successful for me.
I was a little disappointed on an Elk hunt a couple years ago, but that was because I was fool enough to spend $5K on it.
I guess I'd hunt field mice if that's all there were..<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Keep at it. You WILL make it happen.
Good luck in AR

Your life is made of time, not money.

stealthycat

John - I spent a weeks vacation elk hunting and like $1200-1500. I then spent a week's vacation and about $500 whitetail hunting in KS. I spent a lot of time getting ready for the hunts physically and getting my equipment ready. Lot of time, lot of preperation, and while the hunting was great kill or no kill, man, I sure like filling the tags !

I do agree that the whole of the hunt cannot be measured by kill or no kill alone. I would go as far as to say that the main goal is to enjoy the world God created, enjoy the woods, the camping, the comraderie and the hunt itsself. The kill IS the ultimate (maybe not the most important) goal though, and I can't imagine hunting for years without filling a tag, you know ?

I love horns, I love deer meat and I aint got either so far this year. Does watch out in the next few weeks !
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Hobbes

Stealth,
Sorry to hear about your bad luck. Maybe it'll happen at home for you. I haven't been able to bring myself to put down the compound this season. I haven't practiced with the recurve as much as needed and am only comfortable out to about 15yds. Past that and I would be going against my own code of bowhunting ethics, don't shoot past my effective range no matter how big the animal.
I enjoy the hunt as much, maybe more than anyone. But,there is nothing better than connecting after a lot of effort and hard work. I will happily admit that I do want to kill more big bucks. I am putting in as much time as possible in my home state of IL right now. And can not bring myself to give up that extra bit of confidence I have in my abilities to connect with the compound. I'll admit that at this point I can't stand the thought of a big buck passing me by at 25yds, knowing I can't take the shot if it is presented.

stealthycat

Hobbes - You know, I agree. Shooting a longbow/recurve is SOOOOO much harder it seems than a compound is, isn't it ? I argue this point time and again on the LW with people who want to seperate crossbows but see compound/longbows/recurves as the same in the same season. I too have a hard time giving up the accuracy of the compound and range. I actually bought a new HC Carbon bow, triple S. Under 2 1/2 pound mass weight - lighter than my Adcock longbow I think ! Amazing thing, haven't shot it yet and might not. I DO think I can kill with a longbow - proving it seems to be harder than I thought it would be !

Call me an O-fer so far this year, but it aint over yet !
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Lilhunter

Stealthy

ah man, you need to revamp your definition of Success dude! You are getting the chance to do what many cant, having opportunities that many don't, not to mention having them time and time again! It will happen, be patient and be dedicated as its all a matter of time! Successful, heck ya!

Hobbes,

Go for it! The season is winding down in places and the only way you are going to hunt with the curve is to take it out and put some stand hours underneath its belt. So what if you can only shoot 15 yards, then set up your stand at 10 yards giving yourself a 5 yard bufferzone! I am sure you wouldnt take a shot you dont feel comfortable with, but not hunting the way you want to because you cant shoot 40 yards and nail ping pong balls 99% of the time is un imaginable imho! Its supposed to be FUN eh? Make it that way <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>!

doehunter

I just started hunting with a recurve this year. I made up my mind at the beginning of the season that I would hunt with my recurve this year and leave my compound in the case. I live in Alabama where we have 46 days of either sex season with a gun. I knew I could get one to eat with a gun if I had to. I killed my first deer ever with traditional equipment on November 1st. It was a doe. Right after the shot, I got so shook that I had to sit down. My knees turned to jelly. It had been a long time since that happened. I have practiced enough this year that I ought to be a great shot, but I am just average. It worked out for me though. Don't give up guys.

stealthycat

Lilhunter - I don't think I'm missing the points of hunting, however theres got to be some tag filling going on or I might as well hunt with my camera !

doehunter - congrats !
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Lilhunter

ah man, you're taking it a wee bit wrong, I didnt say you were missing the point of hunting! Its called patience, it WILL happen, you have that nack of getting/creating opportunities, its just a matter of time before you connect. Btw, I know what you mean where there comes a time when filling a tag takes the front seat. Almost considered per pressure we put on ourselves. Its just the way the US runs, economy and success. But there is one thing I did have to learn the hard way. The harder you work, the sweeter it smells!