Last night I was in my newest stand that I moved recently after noticing some trails and a few nice bucks on my trail cam. I chose a tree that has a "Y" near the top so that I could be a bit more conceled, as well as have some support for my platform. Its about 25-30 ft high, so its high enough that scent control is at a minimum. My clover plot is about 75 yrds away so I was set up on the trails coming into the plot.
About 45 minutes into my sit I heard the familiar sound of a deer coming in from behind me. I slowly gripped my bow and removed it from the hanger and attached my release. As I stood, my tether was in my way, so I did a 360 and had a clear shot at a decent 7 pointer at about 15 yards. I went to draw and about midway through my draw my release let the arrow fly. GOD knows where it ended up, but it didnt spook the deer and I had time to nock another. But as I was getting into position I bumped the end of my rage on a limb and one of the blades had come out. By the time I got the blade placed back in the "o' ring the deer had passed behind some trees and I no longer had a shot.
I pulled out the grunt and let out a few mild grunts and I heard him stop. I though he would turn and come back but he decided to bed down about 30 yrds away with several trees inbetween us, so I couldnt actually see him. There was still about 30 minutes left of light left so I settled back in to see if any would follow him in. As I watched the light disappear I checked out the clover and there was no less than 15 deer grazing. I believe the buck that had bedded beside the plot and was watching and waiting for it to get a bit more dark, so I ended up stayin in the tree until about 8:30. I really had no exit except around the edge of the plot so as I climbed down I never hear any blows but the field cleared.
I went back today to try and find my errant arrow with no avail, which leaves me with 1 rage left. Time for another trip to Gander Mountain or Bass pro Shop. I may end up swithcing heads too. The Rages seem to come open at the slightest bump. Are the Rage two blades as easily opened? Maybe I will end up getting some Muzzy's or Slick Tricks to put in my arsenal. The first Rage was in the 10 pointer that was recovered by some random dude that left me a gut pile and hide...didnt even have the courtesy to leave me my arrow, and now my other rage is somewhere in the woods, leaving me with one....so regardless I have to re-up on my broadheads!
To me It would get old real quick having all of this mechanical stuff screwing me up- Mechanical Release, Mechanical Broadhead? I'd be steaming!! You guy's can have this stuff.
Sorry to hear about your bad luck.I once had a red squirrel come up the tree I was in. I scared it without realizing that a beautiful 10 point was right behind me. He bolted to 50 yards and stared me down for 10 minutes.....[:@]
I'm with you, Schultzy. Less is more. I take a bow, arrows, knife, rope and a drink to my stand.
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The more you cry, the less you have to pee
ORIGINAL: Hoyt_Viper
I went to draw and about midway through my draw my release let the arrow fly.
I'm just curious, but did you have your finger on the trigger when you drew? I actually got to watch my son do that same exact thing last season while drawing on an 8 point. It was his first attempt at a shot on a deer, and he made the mistake of keeping his finger on the trigger through the draw. He was drawing on a decent buck and launched the arrow into the next county. (I still rib him about that.)
I hear what you are saying. Usually my sit isa comedy of errors! [:'(]This is my first year bowhunting, so I am finding out what works, and more important, what doesn't [:-]
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"As soon as you're born, you start dying,
So you might as well have a good time."
The "mechanical stuff" will only work as well as the person operating it makes it work
Ok then.
I've seen It to many times. I use to shoot In an archery league. At least one time a night It would happen. It's mechanical, It can have mishaps. Am I knocking anyone down for using one? Not even close. Use what makes you happy.
ORIGINAL: Hoyt_Viper
I went to draw and about midway through my draw my release let the arrow fly.
I'm just curious, but did you have your finger on the trigger when you drew? I actually got to watch my son do that same exact thing last season while drawing on an 8 point. It was his first attempt at a shot on a deer, and he made the mistake of keeping his finger on the trigger through the draw. He was drawing on a decent buck and launched the arrow into the next county. (I still rib him about that.)
Sorry about all of the bad luck, though!
I actually cant recall, but I have never had that happen through about 20000 arrows shot. I think it was the cramped quarters I was shooting in and may have had my finger on the trigger without even realizin it. I bet it wont happen again though![:@]
That sucks about the bad luck. To answer your question on the Rage 2 blade, yes they open very easily as well. That is why when I used them I put rubber bands on the blades in addition to the O ring so if it was bumped the rubber band kept the blade closed until impact.
These things happen when bowhunting.I agree with shultzy on this though less is more. The misfire or pre-mature fire can happen with a mech. release, but is almost always user error.The blade coming out on your BH is partly user error, but when hunting your BH is going to bump a limb at one time or another, sowhy not shoot aBH that is going to with stand that. To each his own, but the BH problem won't be what costs me a deer. That will be my enevitable mistake one day.
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"Intelligence can make up for lack of experience, but experience can't make up for lack of intelligence!!"
- Adrian Woods
'08 AC Baseball Div. 3 Mid-east Reagional Champs
'08 Div. 3 World Series Final Four
I kind of feel like an idiot right now
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