Who else is trying something new this year?
 

So tell us what you're doing that is unconventional or different for youthis season? What were your motives for changing your approach to the game?

Tell us the What, and the Why of your changes...

The What?I'm trying a new camo pattern, and I've got a new bow. I decided to go with an open pattern (Predator), increased scent control, and a crazy fast bow setup (HCA Iron Mace 29" 70# with 285 grain arrows @ a legitimate350+ fps). Also went with a new broadhead, making the switch from Muzzy to the G5 Montec.

Not sure how everything will come together, but I plan on spending 30+ sits in the stand.

The Why? As for the camo - I just wanted to see what the fuss was all about with regard to these open patterns. Nothing more. They look good, and I presume that they'll perform amicably. I think the open patterns break up the human outline (in a treestand setting) better than the Mossy Oak and popular big box store selections...

Scent containment - that's obvious. I just tried to increase my odds by ratcheting down my level of human scent emissions. Anti-microbial this and that. Scent lok. Sprays, wipes, detergents. I'm always careful, but this year, I plan on taking it to obsessive-compulsive levels.

As for the bow - I wanted to push the limits, prove some people wrong. I wanted legitimate one-pin to 35 yards trajectory (I'm horrible at judging yardage, and it has cost me in the past), and this bow is the only one that can do it. I also have my own views/opinions on kinetic energy, broadhead selection, tuning and penetration that lead me to believe that this bow will perform just as well as my old setup, from a penetration perspective. I guess I'm just one of those people who hears somebody say"You can't do that," and it makes me immediately start looking for a way to say "Ohhhhbut I CAN, and this is how I'm gonna do it."

So even it's something so small as trying out a new treestand or a new broadhead or a new brand of scent killer- tell us why you're switching, and what you're trying to accomplish.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

300 gallons of corn....:Dno just kidding really, im not really doing anything different than i normally do.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

What? 50# Longbow

Why? Cause I never killed anything with trad gear, and I want to. 95% of my shots are 15 yds and under anyways, so why not? (disclaimer: I haven’t dove in head first, the longbow will not accompany me every trip, much will depend on the intended setup that day)

Where? Ohio

Why? Cause I can’t hunt Sundays here in PA.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

trying something completely new this year.

trying to morph from a guy in a treestand in camo with a bow that calls himself a bowhunter to becoming a successful bowhunter.

last year was my first as most of you know. i learned alot last year. even got a shot on a buck that i muffed up. but learned alot and got the mistakes picked out. trying to learn from those. cant get better if you dont learn from your mistakes. im pretty much a whole new hunter this year. i feel as if im more of a smart hunter. not doing anything unconventional or off the wall....just learned from mistakes and gotta fix them this year.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

The thing I am trying new this year is already done. More scouting. One thing Iwanted to do was instead of just putting a feeder out and hoping for the best, I wanted to try and pattern the deer and set my stands accordingly. I think I will get more out of my hunt knowing that I worked a lot harder than normal to get one down.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

Instead of using the longbow that I've used for the past two seasons, I am using a recurve.

Instead of Magnus Stingers, I'm using trocar tipped Muzzys.

Instead of my Bateman Glove with inserts, I'll be using my Schultz American Leather Glove with inserts.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

I have my new Drenalin (it replaced my 13 year old Alpine)

Aluminuim arrows have been replaced by Maxima Hunters with blazers

I switched from Muzzy heads to Rage 2-blade

I'll be using the True-ball Short-n-sweet release this season ..... I LOVE this release!

The why ...... It was time for an upgrade

What am I trying to accomplish by switching .....looking cooler ;)and being more effective with the shot .... the bow is more accurate ... faster ..... lighter



BTW Fran ... how is that Mace shootin' for ya?

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

Lights out. If I blow the shot - it won't be the bow's fault.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

the only thing i changed was my broadheads...and ive shot a hell of alot more

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

I'm seeing a lot of guys switching away from Muzzy. I did.

Do y'all think they may have been caught, or even surpassed by the competition? I know Ifeel that way,in some respects.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

Gear is all new for this year.Hunting tactics well remain the same.If it works dont fix it.:D

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

Several things, actually. Like you, I'm going to a much faster set up, 320 fps w/ a 355 gr arrow. Why? Because I can, plain and simple. I still get TERRIFIC KE, and I'm just not worried about it.

Tighter scent control. I even wear rubber gloves when handling my clothing during the washing process this year, and wash my towels and such in unscented soap as well. I've not done that before this year, but details make the difference. I also bought a scent lok suit.

I'm being much more meticulous w/ my entry/exit routes this year, the reasons are obvious. Also, I'm going on the hunting less, but more effective strategy this year. Some of that has been by my choice, some not, but it's all working together.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

Strategy change: I am targeting two particlar bucks and going after them instead of just waitning to see what comes by.

Equipment change: New Scott release, try'n out the Tekans, and FOBs

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

I'm hunting with a recurve for the first time in the 36 years I been hunting!!

Hatchet Jack

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

I'm trying new arrows, Easton Axis 400's. I've also upped my draw weight from 55 lbs to 63 lbs (I have 50-60 lb limbs, but if I crank it all the way up it ends up being 63 lbs). I also bought a ground blind and will use it to quickly change locations. I will also bring my video camera along when I'm hunting the blind.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

Quik,

I made the switch this year to GT Pro hunters 5575 instead of my always reliable Easton aluminum arrows. I have always liked the "heavy" arrow idea, but made the switch for durability reasons. I also bought into the Rage 2 blade hype. I haven't shot expandables since I started with a 2 blade Vortex in 1995. We'll see how they perform for me. Good luck on Sat. if you haven't already taken advantage of the 2B season.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

I have changed virtually everything I am using this year. I went from Shooting a Bowtech Mightymite to the New Guardian. My arrows I changed from carbon express maximas 250s to a little heavier Goldtip CAAs.I switched from G5 montecs to shooting a mix of 2 slick tricks and one wasp Jackhammer. My bow is decked out with all new equipment that i havent used in years past. I changed from a Scott wrist release to a True Fire Hunter thumb release. I went from wearing a mix of camo to wearing my Enigma, and I love the quality of this stuff. I went from using dead own wind to using the advanced Scent Away formula, just because after reading the active ingrediaents on the back of both they are pretty much the same, but Scent away is cheaper. I am also hunting new areas this season.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

im trying to get my deer off the ground this year never did it with a bow killed like 50 already with a bow all out of a stand! New challenge for me!

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

I've changed lots. I shooting and hunting with a different bow. I shooting GoldTip CAA's instead of Pro Hunters, bought open pattern camo, working on staying out of my core buck areas until primetime, etc. Lots of changes this year........

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

who- spending time hunting with three more HNI members this year..Hia, Tim and Tyler

what- changed a few bow accessories..new copper j pro hunter 2, g-5 strikers, new binocs, steiners (got em cheap, great binos) added3 trail cameras and5 more treestands, and made several more blinds and will continue to move and add as the deer do.

where- increased my hunting areas and plan to hunt 6 different areas in 4 counties through the whitetail season. Heading to ND in Dec!

when-on any whitetail hunt from Sept. to Dec. -making sure to not compromise any wind direction even with what I feel is a tight scent control regimen. I've never believed a hunter can be totally scent free. Hunting higher this year in all my new stand sets.

why-trying to lessen the pressure I put on a bucks area, make it count when I get a shot.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

All new camo
Enigma
Enigma 2
Predator
ASAT

Striker Broadheads
Viper Sight
New Arrows maxma Hunters .350

Man I spent a lot of money

Quick who one the Michigan Penn State game?

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

Some of the things that are changing in my hunting this year are:

1. Broadheads......Changing from Montec's/Crimson Talons to 2 blade Rage
2.Hanging more double sets for filming purposes.....two guys in a tree is going to be a blast
3. Shooting my bow without my quiver attached to it. Itseems to be a lot more quiet that way!
4. Not shooting does during the rut
5. Field dressing my deer farther away from my stands this year

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

Nothing new for me. If it ain't broke, I don't fix it.[:-]

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

New places. Love a challenge.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

What? Bowhunting :D

Why? Never done it before (and I'm gonna miss this season anyway so I'll have a year to get ready!!)

Where? anywhere I can, probably in Central IL on family property or in NW AL at my folks place... maybe in WI if I can find a place to go...

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

I'm going to try hunting out of a pit. I dug a hole in the ground and made a "pit blind" in a place where there is noplace to put a stand. It's kind of a box blind underground. I left the natural cover around it. I dug a shelf where I can sitand the only thing peeking over ground levelare my eyes. All I have to do is draw and stand at the right time. It's situated in an elevated place where I can see the deer coming well ahead of time. Should be interesting to see what happens.

I'm also NOT ....... I repeat NOT overhunting my honey holes.

I've plotted entry/exit routes for every stand in every wind condition for both afternoon and morning hunts and I will stick to it no matter how far out of the way it is.

I'm going to trust my intuition more than logic this year. Seems like it usually pays off for me. Not sure why I fight myself sometimes with what I "feel" rather than what I "should" do.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

Packing less gear and going further in.
-and less talking about it.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

Who - I'll be hunting with Rob/PA in PA in late Oct. I hope to hace farmcntry come over for a doe hunt.

What - New: Arrows....a/c/c's. I wanted to learn if they lived up tot the hype. Bow - It's the same Allegiance...but I only hunted with it twice, last year. This will be the first full season with it. Broadheads ....

Me, too. I'm going to try the rage 2-blade. I'll report if I'm lucky enough to take a deer with them. Sight - First full season with the Viper Predator Pro. Stabilizer.....first deer season witht the Fuse Axiom. Heck....I just realized I've switched my whole setup from last year.....down to the peep.

When - I've got to learn to hunt my best areas less.

Where - NC & PA

Why - I'm still learning and trying to figure out what I like and what works best.

Im also targeting does....but didn't know where to put that. Strictly a product of the herd dynamic. Not my first choice.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

I made the switch to a bowtech commander and I had to have a new release.As far as hunting stratigies I'm going to try and mix things up a bit more this year and not hunt all the time from the same spots I have in the past.I'm going to hunt some of those spots that you always say to yourself "I need to hunt this spot",but you never do.Ya'll know what I mean? I think I will hunt more from the ground with natural made blinds to blend in some of these spots I spoke about which is about the only way to hunt them which is one reason that I hav'nt hunted them in the past{always out of a treestand}Thats how I am going to change some things this year.maybe that is just what I need to do to put me over the top for a really nice buck with my bow,not that I hav'nt killed many deer with a bow,but I think I can take it to a new level if I make myself do things different than in the past.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

I'll be using a Primos bow sling with my new Vectrix this year. It protects the cams with padded pocketsand covers the cables/stringwith nice quietmaterial. Great for keeping debris out of those areas and helps avoid getting snaggedpulling your bow up.;)
This is one of the most practical things I've bought for bowhunting in a while. I took the sling off because I carry my bow in my hand, only.:D

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

I'm trying something new Saturday morning. In my area (and many others) the weather has been hot and dry. Not just a little dry either, desert dry, no rain for weeks. I was hunting a base this week and while I was in the parking area the grounds caretaker stopped and asked me where I was hunting. He cuts all the grass and bushogs and maintains the gravel and dirt paths, so I started to pick his brain a little. I told him that I have been seeing deer just not the numbers I thought I would see (all evening hunts) and all sightings have been late.

I asked if he knew of any water and his answer surprised me a little but makes perfect sense. He said that with the drainages and one creek dried up and no glaring water source for literally mileshe has noticed about 10x the deer activity early morning and he has been seeing them not so much in the cut corn or beansbut in the taller grass around the field edges, ditches, and bush hogged paths. He believes that the early morning cool weather is part of it but he also feels like the deer are getting some of their H2O needs met from browsing the tall grass and leafy stuff early when it is still covered with heavy dew/condensation. He told me one area in particular and I am going to give it a try Saturday morning if possible, you never know.

I never really thoughtmuch about it but every Friday moring when I wheel my trash can out to the curb my boots are still wet when I get to work an hour later so there is plenty of water there. So that is my new strategy for this week, hunting dew as a water source. HeyI've tried crazier stuff than this, I'll give it a shot.

RE: Who else is trying something new this year?
 

This year I have 2 "new" things going on. The first is I'm hanging stands in multiple locations so I can get in and get out faster and quieter. I've always mainly hunted from a climber and it is just so easy to just climb up your sticks and sit down. I'll still be using my trusty summit, just hopefully not as much. The second thing is I'm switching from a single pin to a 3 pin sight and will be pushing my range out to 40+. Been practicing and am very confident, hopefully I get a chance to test it out.