I debated whether or not to even post this, and I hope I do not get to many hot daggers in the process.
I like to believe we all give it our best when we (traditional bow hunters) go to the woods and use such simple designed weapons. No modern advantages of the latest technology and equipment. I will admit that I did not shoot near as much through the summer as I have the last couple years, and was pretty uneasy about the start of this bow season. A few long sits, and one hog later we are into rifle season. Again, NOT shooting as much as I feel I should have been. Last weekend- Friday afternoon to be exact. I had an opportunity lots of bow hunters wish on. A fully mature buck stands at 17 yards, completely broad side, steps forward on the inside leg and seems to "pose" for the shot. To say I got excited is a HUGE understatement. I came to full draw, anchored, verified my sight picture was correct and let the string slip from my fingers. - I wished I could stop right there- The next thing was sickening. I watched my arrow smack him in the main bone about 2" forward from the point of the elbow and stop right there. Almost all my arrow hung out, he wheeled and ran. I watched him duck off into the woods some 40 yards away without the first sign of blood coming from the shoulder. I sat there knowing I had just messed up, and that this deer was going to be tough to find, if at all. When I did start the trail I knew where he went through the drainage and up the other side, but I started at point of impact and worked my way up the creek and into the trail. It was almost 100 yards away before I found the first spot of blood. My hunting buddies came out and we tracked a total of 3 hours Friday night. I repeated the tracking process and covered about a mile of ground (literally) Saturday morning into mid-day. I know there is a strong chance the broadhead Never made it to vitals, but we do all we can.
The problem I have been faced with and still ongoing is, I had 100% confidence in any shot I ever took with my compound bow. It was either there or it was not. With my traditional bows (longbow or recurve) I have yet to find that confidence and in such loose some very import edge. I do occasionally have that "flyer" when shooting target, and not all shots are touching in the foam. I would never accept that as "good enough" with my compound or rifle so why have I accepted it with the traditional bow?
IF you have followed my post to this point, thank you first off, the question remains- At what point do we say, "I can ethically hunt animals."? Is there a numerical pattern that gives us the green light?
I think for me it is time to go back and do a lot more shooting on target, and spend the hours it takes dedicated to the weapon I want to use, OR, realize I do not have the time it takes for me to be that solid and not go to the woods with that bow.
In final thought I know I missed my spot by 4"give or take a few hairs, and real world seldom gives the perfect scenario. I also know I am not one of those who can lay the bow down for weeks and then pick it up and shoot just as I have before. For me it takes lots of practice.
We choose to hunt with a simpler weapon of design to increase the challenge of our hobby and increase the experience in the woods. Though with that challenge is a responsibility to make the commitment to be able to execute the shots we are given or keep the bow in our lap and watch. At 17 yards I should have been able to execute the shot, but this one has made me go more into personal reflection on what I am doing and how responsible am I being.
Do not misunderstand me by thinking I am saying I or anyone else should not hunt with the traditional style bows, because that is not it. I am saying for me it is time to either fully commit or back off.
I like to believe we all give it our best when we (traditional bow hunters) go to the woods and use such simple designed weapons. No modern advantages of the latest technology and equipment. I will admit that I did not shoot near as much through the summer as I have the last couple years, and was pretty uneasy about the start of this bow season. A few long sits, and one hog later we are into rifle season. Again, NOT shooting as much as I feel I should have been. Last weekend- Friday afternoon to be exact. I had an opportunity lots of bow hunters wish on. A fully mature buck stands at 17 yards, completely broad side, steps forward on the inside leg and seems to "pose" for the shot. To say I got excited is a HUGE understatement. I came to full draw, anchored, verified my sight picture was correct and let the string slip from my fingers. - I wished I could stop right there- The next thing was sickening. I watched my arrow smack him in the main bone about 2" forward from the point of the elbow and stop right there. Almost all my arrow hung out, he wheeled and ran. I watched him duck off into the woods some 40 yards away without the first sign of blood coming from the shoulder. I sat there knowing I had just messed up, and that this deer was going to be tough to find, if at all. When I did start the trail I knew where he went through the drainage and up the other side, but I started at point of impact and worked my way up the creek and into the trail. It was almost 100 yards away before I found the first spot of blood. My hunting buddies came out and we tracked a total of 3 hours Friday night. I repeated the tracking process and covered about a mile of ground (literally) Saturday morning into mid-day. I know there is a strong chance the broadhead Never made it to vitals, but we do all we can.
The problem I have been faced with and still ongoing is, I had 100% confidence in any shot I ever took with my compound bow. It was either there or it was not. With my traditional bows (longbow or recurve) I have yet to find that confidence and in such loose some very import edge. I do occasionally have that "flyer" when shooting target, and not all shots are touching in the foam. I would never accept that as "good enough" with my compound or rifle so why have I accepted it with the traditional bow?
IF you have followed my post to this point, thank you first off, the question remains- At what point do we say, "I can ethically hunt animals."? Is there a numerical pattern that gives us the green light?
I think for me it is time to go back and do a lot more shooting on target, and spend the hours it takes dedicated to the weapon I want to use, OR, realize I do not have the time it takes for me to be that solid and not go to the woods with that bow.
In final thought I know I missed my spot by 4"give or take a few hairs, and real world seldom gives the perfect scenario. I also know I am not one of those who can lay the bow down for weeks and then pick it up and shoot just as I have before. For me it takes lots of practice.
We choose to hunt with a simpler weapon of design to increase the challenge of our hobby and increase the experience in the woods. Though with that challenge is a responsibility to make the commitment to be able to execute the shots we are given or keep the bow in our lap and watch. At 17 yards I should have been able to execute the shot, but this one has made me go more into personal reflection on what I am doing and how responsible am I being.
Do not misunderstand me by thinking I am saying I or anyone else should not hunt with the traditional style bows, because that is not it. I am saying for me it is time to either fully commit or back off.
Comment