What's the fastest you've heard of???

GMMAT · 08-13-2007, 08:57 AM

I'm an ethical hunter. I don't doubt myself about this, ever.

Here's my question......What's the fastest you've ever heard of anyone picking up a traditional bow.....then ETHICALLY hunting with it?

I think I can do it, this year......and I've only shot 100 or so arrows through it, so far. I "think".....if I shoot it every ohter day (or more often).....I can gain the confidence and instill the proper technique this season, sometime.

Is this unheard of? Too lofty a goal?

Thanks.....

08-13-2007, 09:21 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: GMMAT

I'm an ethical hunter. I don't doubt myself about this, ever.

Here's my question......What's the fastest you've ever heard of anyone picking up a traditional bow.....then ETHICALLY hunting with it?

I think I can do it, this year......and I've only shot 100 or so arrows through it, so far. I "think".....if I shoot it every ohter day (or more often).....I can gain the confidence and instill the proper technique this season, sometime.

Is this unheard of? Too lofty a goal?

Thanks.....

Proof is in the pudding. I know for me, it took over a year. I set a personal goal of hitting hitting the vitals of a 3d deer5 out of6 arrows randomly shot from 5 yards to 20 yards in a wooded enviroment.

I set my yardage limit to 18 yards or so. I can't say exactly what it is, but know mentally what it looks like. Its never good to take downyardage when practicing with trad equipment in my opinion. Make it as random as possible.

BobCo19-65 · 08-13-2007, 09:42 AM

Only you can answer when you are ready.

If you feel ready now, I'd say go for it.

What you should look at is only your first shot of your practice session (whatever time frequency that may be, and don't stray from that during the season) to let you know when.Don't use a combination or grouping for your decision.

GMMAT · 08-13-2007, 09:55 AM

I hear ya Bob.

It's not THAT important. I know I'll hunt with it one day. I'll also probably know when it's the right time.....which is NOT.....definitely not NOW...lol. I just think I'm doing OK.....and I'm a fast learner.

Look at it this way, too. I posted photos of my first shooting session.....and within an hour had my form critiqued via the forum. Within another 1/2 day....I'd posted 2 more sets of photos and gotten feedback on all of them. How awesome is that??

I didn't set into stone any BAD habits. I just feel that if I practice and keep progressing.....I can hunt with it before my season goes out in mid Dec. I'll know if that time comes, I think.

Thanks, guys.

kevin1 · 08-13-2007, 09:58 AM

I made myself practice with mine for a full year before attempting to hunt with it. I've heard of some folks taking to it much sooner, but that wasn't for me.

Arthur P · 08-13-2007, 02:29 PM

Everyone, even rank beginners, have a distance at which they are pretty darn certain they can hit what they're shooting at within a couple of inches. Even if it's only 5 yards, for example, they can hunt ethically. Might not be bringing home much venison due to being limited to nothing longer than 5 yard shots, but that's another side of the story.

08-13-2007, 02:31 PM

I agree with arthur, I guess the better question for yourself, are you willing to hunt with your limitations you have set for yourself? I know last year, I still wasn't as confident, and worried constantly about a big buck walking 30 yards out. It never happened. But I knew that was over my limits.

GMMAT · 08-13-2007, 02:55 PM

bigcountry.....I hunt with a bow....so your 30 ydsreferenceis no different to 50 with a compound.

I know my limitations with the compound bow, too. I'd need to find them with the longbow, yet. Good point.

08-13-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: GMMAT

bigcountry.....I hunt with a bow....so your 30 ydsreferenceis no different to 50 with a compound.

I know my limitations with the compound bow, too. I'd need to find them with the longbow, yet. Good point.

No offense, but sounds like you know the answer to your question then.

PA Hardwoods · 08-13-2007, 03:10 PM

Jeff it took me over a full year to feel comfortable enough to hunt with my recurve. All I can say is practice, practice, practice, and then practice some more. And don't be afraid to limit yourself to only short shots. I had a self imposed limit of 15yd shots when I huntined with it at first and now that has grown to 20yds, but nothing over that at all.