Turning points in your hunting career?
#11

#1 - Giving my son, when he was 12, my best stand and he called in and killed a 125" 8 pointer.

#2 - Hunting mature bucks and winning more than they do.[:-]
#13

When I shot and killed a 15 pt. non-typical years ago (1993)I realized that the whitetail deer comes in all shapes and sizes and they are all unique in their own way and that I must pursue them with that frame of mindto truly understand them.
#14

My worst season.. 2005. What I will always refer to as my transition from deer hunter to mature deer hunter. I learned more about 'me' as a hunter in this year than any other.
#16

When I made a significant lifestyle change,giving upall football coaching in the summers and fall, then spring/summeractivitiessports like fishing,softball and water skiing..etc..and insteaddedicated my summers, fall, winter and spring to scouting and learning everything I could aboutthe old bucks that find solace in thebig woods/forestshere inNorthern Idaho.
Thats when the big boys started dieing on a consistent basis.
Thats when the big boys started dieing on a consistent basis.
#17

When I started bowhunting. I was hooked from day 1 and have never even considered rifle hunting since.
My first Pope and Young eligible deer. Realized how much more fun/challenging it was to target a specific deer that is a little smarter than the average deer in the woods.
My 3 day late recovery on a Pope and Young eligible deer due to poor shot selection on my part. I took solemn oath to self to neverlet size of horns,desire tomeetgoals, or anythingtempt me totake low % shot again. (slight quartering to)
My first bow elk after 4 years of hard hunting and lots of self education and stupid mistakes.
Introducing bowhunting to someone new each of the last two years and sharing their first hunts, theirsuccesses, as well as their failures.
My first Pope and Young eligible deer. Realized how much more fun/challenging it was to target a specific deer that is a little smarter than the average deer in the woods.
My 3 day late recovery on a Pope and Young eligible deer due to poor shot selection on my part. I took solemn oath to self to neverlet size of horns,desire tomeetgoals, or anythingtempt me totake low % shot again. (slight quartering to)
My first bow elk after 4 years of hard hunting and lots of self education and stupid mistakes.
Introducing bowhunting to someone new each of the last two years and sharing their first hunts, theirsuccesses, as well as their failures.
#18
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Illinois
Posts: 330

Taking a big black bear this year. After I quit shaking I realized that bowhunting really is the closest thing toa perfection that any sport has to offer.
Good Hunting,
Bowflex
Good Hunting,
Bowflex
#20

running back to the truck 15 minutes before dark at 10, and my grandfather watching me do it.that was my first time on stand alone or so I thought, my pop set up 50 yards from me to watch after me as he has done my whole life. Now I beg for 15 minutes more of light each time andhate having to go to the truck because I know that hunt is over. He came back to the truck laughing and explained that my favorite time to tuck tail was also the best time to see a deer. He has always had a way of making my blunders into a life lesson.