A starter buck?
 

Now, I'm new to archery and hunting all together. I started hunting in 2004 after i completed my hunters safety course with a 97, highest in the class. I've been interested in hunting since i was very little. I've been watching deer and going on deer hunts with my dad for a few years before this.

I started bow hunting career with a crossbow because of the fact that i wasnt able to pull back a compound and wanted to wait a few years untill i started shooting compound. So far my archery season has been up and down. I started my hunting career strictly shotgun, harvesting my only deer with a shotgun. I never realised how awesome it is to bowhunt. It's such an experience having deer 20 yards up to right underneath your stand! I've never been more at peace with nature than i have been watching deer feed under my stand on a cool frosty morning overlooking a feild. It's some of the coolest experiences i've had yet. It's really somthing watching the deer that you plan to harvest so close to you. I could see the deer's breath, hear it eat, watch it respond to every other move out in the woods it calls home.

My archery career is going slow so far though. I waited a few long weeks before deciding to "attempt" to harvest a mature doe with my xbow. I was confident in my shot. I had a great rest and she was 15 yards away. Rut was in full swing and the deer were very jumpy but she was quartering away slighty looking the opposite direction. I took aim and fired. She jumped in the air and the arrow went clean underneath her. It was hard swallowing down the fact that i missed and i was tore up about it for days.

I've been on the search for the perfect shooter buck, you know the one. 130" or better, tall tines, great mass? I havent found him yet but i've seen plenty of good 110 class bucks that, looking back on, i should have taken. It's coming to a close on the 2006 season and i'm eating my tags. I passed a few good bucks, knowing that the big one is out there somewhere... you just have to wait for him. I've decided that not everyone needs to be the perfect trophy hunter their first couple of years or ever. As long as your happy with your deer it's good. I personally think that if your new or you want that "trophy buck" it's going to come, dont waste years of hunting hours on the stand searching for him. I'm in the midewest, the great state of ohio, one of the best hunting land around for bucks. I know they're there. I just havent found them. would you guys agree that it's ok to shoot a few smaller bucks before you go for the monster? How did you start out? Were your first bucks monsters and you've continued on that path or did you start out with a few small 4's or spikes and move up to trophy bucks?

RE: A starter buck?
 

My first couple years I didn't expect to shoot a buck, let alone a big buck. I wanted to get a deer or two under my belt before I tried my luck on an antlered deer.

I'd taken several does before this season, so I set my sights this year on a buck.

The friend that I just got into archery is going into next season the same way I went into my first. Nothing with spots, but don't expect a trophy.

RE: A starter buck?
 

Shoot the deer that makes you happy. Forget about whatever anyone else says. As long as you have a good shot..take it. Be happy with your decision and welcome to the fraternity.

They're are so many different aspects to bowhunting. Getting a shot is only a small portion of it as a whole. You still have to draw back at the right moment(not too soon.. not too late), place the arrow correctly (shot placement), aim and steady (while your heart races). And then you have to wait (if neccasary) before you even track the animal.

Don't wait for a giant.. start smaller. You will learn faster.

RE: A starter buck?
 

I take it you're a crossbow shooter. OK, we won't make jokes. My advice to the newbie hunter who hasn't shot a deer with the bow. SHOOT ONE or two and then you can decide you want to become a "Trophy hunter". Just shoot something. I suspect you're still a bundle of nerves and see things differently that many of us would in the same situation. For example, deer don't JUMP UP at the sound of a bow going off. Their first reaction is to DROP, loading their legs to get out of Dodge. It's done in one quick fluid motion with maybe a twist or turn away from the danger too. If your arrow passed under the deer I suspect you flat missed or the arrow went past and then she bolted. 15 yards is a Slam Dunk. The deer isn't getting out of the way of that arrow. It's going to hit her somewhere if you're on target.Most assuredly, she isn't jumping over it before it gets there unless she was already moving before you shot. Back to the trophy. Shoot a couple deer, any deer as long as it's not a fawn I'd say. You do that it'll give you confidence and settle the gremlins before the macho buck shows up. AFter all, he may not right away.

RE: A starter buck?
 

you shoot whatever deer you want to legally take.there's way too much emphasis on taking "book buck" anymore.a few years ago,i shot a button buck because it gave me the shot i wanted to take.and at 1st i felt a little guilty but then i thought to myself--"that was a great shot,it dropped within 20ft and the meat is gonna be great"--nothing to be ashamed of

RE: A starter buck?
 

I started small

RE: A starter buck?
 

Then got a little bigger

RE: A starter buck?
 

C'mon squirrel, waiting for a 130+ deer for your 1st is cheating yourself. I considered myself extremely lucky that my 1st deer with a bow had any horns at all.
I've seen your posts in the CB forum and I know you can hit what you're shooting at, so if your missing deer at 15yrds you may be getting The Fever. If this is the case you really shouldn't be waiting for buckzilla to step out.

RE: A starter buck?
 

Thinking back on it tschaef, i probbably should have passed the shot. I was shaking really bad and it took atleast 4 minutes to get calmed down enough for the shot. Is there any way toget calm when a deer comes in? I shake like a dog poopin razor blades!

RE: A starter buck?
 

I can tell ya right now anything you get with a bow the first time is going to be better than getting a vette for christmas:DDont get caught up in the trophy thing already. You seem like an honest person and your post got my respect. as for the uncontrollable shakes, thats what keeps you comming back for more, nothing like an adreniline rush;) I seem to have a better grip on that part now, i guess it comes with age but after the shot i still get tore up and can hear my heart beat when i breath. I cant even began to tell you about the hardships i had when i was a young hunter and how long it took for me to even take a deer, most people would have quit. I still get a rush from having deer so close when bowhunting and even taking a doe is still special and exciting. My first was a doe then an 8 point then some spikesand other 1 1/2 olds for many years.i was cursed with 3 points for awhile and then started getting some really nice bucks latter on. I now trophy hunt and am teaching my kids the roaps. They have it made[8D] Get out there and get that first one man, trust me you wont regret it. I have not regreated any of the deer i have taken over the years and would do it all over again. Good luck, now do it!!:)
Dan

RE: A starter buck?
 

The only way to lessen the fever is to pop that cherry.

Seriously, it gets better with time. I don't shake until after the shot, which is something that'll never go away no matter how many years I'm at it.

Take deep breaths, conecntrate, and do what you can to relax. It'll all come together and you'll pull it off, but only experience will really get rid of those bad shakes.

We're still talking about hunting deer... right?

RE: A starter buck?
 

I hope! lol thanks Dan.

RE: A starter buck?
 

I started small also, this spiker came in 30min after i set up 10yards broad side perfect shot with my 30-06. Lol this actually happened this year.

RE: A starter buck?
 

Like everyone said, shoot what you want, it is all up to you. I have only shot 1 buck, he was around 122", doesn't really matter to me whether I shoot a buck or not, I just like to hunt, so I shoot a doe when I want to shoot a deer, let the little ones walk. It just doesn't really matter. It isn't like if you don't shoot a buck you are a bad hunter, or not really hunting, that is how some people make it out to be, but it isn't. Just do what you want, it all feels the same to me, GREAT!

RE: A starter buck?
 

Shoot that first one regardless of size. then get picky.

RE: A starter buck?
 

I started small. Started with does and a spike first yr. then another spike the next then a 3 pnt. and this yr a 5pnt and 6 pnt. filling in the gaps with lots of does and missed a couple in my beginning yrs.

RE: A starter buck?
 

This is my third year bowhunting, but my first year getting one. My first two years i passed up little four pointers that were only like 20 yards away broadside. I figured i would see something bigger but never did. So this year when i got the opportunity for a good shot i took it. It was only a button buck but it was the most exciting thing I have ever done in my life. During shotgun season this year i was able to take a nice 8 pointer which was awsome. Hunting isnt about taking the biggest deer possible. Its about being out in the woods doing what you love to do.

RE: A starter buck?
 

You have your whole life to shoot MR. Big. Why pressure yourself with that just starting out?? You aren't out there to please anyone but yourself and gain experience. All of us started out shooting does and " any " buck that walked by. Well most of us have. Heck some of us still are happy shooting any buck. That is the way it should be.

I've been hunting for almost 30 years now. I still get shakey knees when a deer comes by that I want to shoot. When I decide on shooting a deer, I focus on takingthe shot. I focus on the spot where the arrows needs to be. Just like target shooting. Usually I am calm at the shot just as I am when practicing on targets. Granted you are still making sure the deer is in a good postion and there are no obstructions in your way... but I amconcentrating onwhich spot on the deer that needs to be hit. Put everything in the back of your mind but making the shot. It's hard to explain but it works for me.

Goodluck!!

Tim

RE: A starter buck?
 

MAn the first one that walk by (as long as it isnt like a fawn with spots) but the first one that walks on by shoot it.
It will help with the shakes because you will know what to expect next time and you will feel alot more confedent in your self.
This was the first year i have taken any deer with my bow. And i have been bowhunting for 3 seasons now.
My first one with a bow was a button buck. then i shot an 11 point (but hes not very big but i did get him mounted because i was proud of the deer) then i shot a doe.
So dont worry about shooting horns just go out and shoot a deer.

RE: A starter buck?
 

All of the above is good advise. You are really lucky to be young and getting started in bowhunting. I didn't start til I was 42. You seem to have things well in hand. Just do what YOU want to do as far as killing your first deer with a bow.

Controlled buck fever is the best feeling there is. If you could capture and put it in a pill it would be the most addictive drug ever.

RE: A starter buck?
 

I'm 42 yrs old.....and I'm going to tell you the truth.

It's easy to say we "pass" on deer. People here do it all the time. It's a COMPLETELY different thing to ACTUALLY let a deer have a "pass". I let MANY, MANY deer walk by me last year without attempting a shot. I mistakenly said I was letting them walk. What I found out is.......they actually care when you're moving to position your body for the shot. They have these keen sensory apparatus called ears that hear when your draw hand rubs against your jacket when you're trying to draw your bow. Their eyes seem to dart in your direction at the EXACT same time you feel like it would be a good time to draw back on them. They have FRIENDS!! These "friends" all have eyes and ears, too!!! If you scare a "friend".....they're social little buggers......and they run off, too!!

What I'm trying to say, jokingly, is......it's a little tougher to make everything happen.....than it seems. You NEED to prove to yourself that you can close the deal. Which deer you prove that on.....is personal.

Good luck to you.

Jeff