spde911

Well, I'll start off by saying, I'm probably giving up on gun hunting. This is my third year hunting, second year with a bow. I'm sure some of you have read my history of hunting is some of my other posts, but for those that haven't, here it is. I started hunting 3 years ago with a rifle and only hunted for deer during the 2 week rifle season. First year was a bust, not only did I not get a deer the first year, but hardly saw anything either. Even though I ended the first year hunting empty handed, I still fell in love with being in the woods.

My second year, I decided to give bow hunting a try. I bought a used bow off ebay, got it tuned, set up, sighted in, and practiced my rear off for 3-4 months before bow season started. I sat in a stand every free second I had. I didn't harvest a deer with a bow that year, but I sure did see a lot and learned a lot. I was lucky enough to get my first deer last year with a rifle....on the very last day of the rifle season.

This year started off great. I bought a new Hoyt UltraMag at the begining of bow season. Got it sighted in and had it in the woods after a week of practice. Nine days after buying it, I shot my first deer with a bow. Not only a first deer, but a decent buck. Both stories are posted on here somewhere about my first deer and my first buck. I thought about just using my bow through gun season this year, but decided that I didn't have enough deer kills under my belt and was sure I'd get another tag filled and gain more experience if I went ahead and rifle hunted. Boy was I wrong. Didn't even take a shot at anything with my rifle.

I'm getting ready to go back out for some late season bow hunting in hopes to fill a couple more tags. Don't know if I'll be lucky enough or not. I just keep learning more about hunting every time I head to the woods. Moved one of my stands after rifle season ended on Sunday to a spot close to where I think they are bedding down, so I guess we'll see what happens.

Anyway, I guess you can say I'm not going to have a completely empty handed deer season, but gun season ended empty handed. I'm pretty sure that next year, I'll only bow hunt, at least on my property. I might take the rifle when I go down to visit my brother, but I might just stick to strickly bow hunting from here on out. There's just something about bow hunting that really is very addictive. I just realy enjoy the challenge of figuring out where the deer move and getting them to come in close enough for a shot with a bow. I not a real experienced hunter yet, but I feel like I've pretty much lost intrest in hunting deer with a rifle. It is just a totaly different feeling when you get one with a bow, I guess I'd say it's a lot more rewarding to harvest a deer (buck or doe) with a bow. I guess we'll see how these tips I've taken off here about late season hunting pays off.....I guess I lied earlier in this story, I did take one shot at a deer with rifle this season....but I missed on a really easy shot (doe fever).

I know this is a bit long winded, just thought I'd share some of experiences I've had this season and let you all know I'm probably giving up on gun hunting.

Bionicrooster

I'm with you spde911, I think you learn alot more when bow hunting and I just generally think its a better time in the woods when there isn't a bunch of other people out there. But in NJ you can't hunt with a bow during the gun seasons and I don't want to give up any hunting time.

fl.huntress

There's more to huntin' than the killin' part. Hopefully you'll find some patience and keep it up. Good luck and don't give up.

NJ Deer N Beer

i couldnt agree with you more about sticking to bow hunting. ive went out shotgun just two years out of the 6 ive been hunting and its just not the same. Not only do i not see quality bucks but there is just to many other hunters in the woods. Good luck