How long did it take for you to get addicted?
 

I have only been bowhunting for 3 years, yet my success hasn't always been in the form of a deer on the ground. I would still have to say I was hooked the very first time a doe came by my stand on my second sit ever there isn't any other feeling like it.
This season has to be by far the best season I have had,its not saying much but after taking a 4 point and a 7 point the first two years seemed to be cut short, with far less excitement. With kansas' new tag system this year I decided to take advantage of the archery-only tag that allows me to chase after muleys too. I live in the eastern part of the state and have many relations in the far western part of the state so I get to experience the best of both worlds. Now my new passion has to be Chasing Muleys, Ive never worked so hard for an animal in my life. Ive went miles on my hands and knees, been filled up with thousands of stickers, been wind burnt red yet I missed my first oppurtunity at a muley yesterday. After rifle season has gotten over the deer have been so unpredictable and skittish, you would be lucky enough to get half a mile from a herd in the pickup without them spooking.
Sunday was the day that I was waiting for, I stalked to 10 yards of two does bedded down, made another stalk on a group of six and took a shot a decent 4x4 buck and barely missed him by and inch or two having the arrow slide right under his belly which got me down but that high of putting a 4 hour stalk on those guys was amazing. The picture of this muley buck was supposedly shot during the rifle season, but to my suprise I caught him and 18 other deer in a lagoon that I havent seen any deer in yet this season. Out of five bucks there were three wall-hangers and he was the smallest of the three. I cant possibly put my whole season into words I just wish I would have had a camera with me more than just a couple days. All I can say is that I live for this and I cant wait til what next season brings. How many of you feel blessed as I do, even though you havent bagged a deer for the season?

Ive tried to stalk this deer over 10 times, but havent been busted yet. The closest Ive been was 80 yards and thats just out of my range.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/94blackSS/muleyside.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/94blackSS/muleyback.jpg
A doe I was able to put a stalk on around thanksgiving
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/94blackSS/doe.jpg
A few of the antelope in the group of around 200 roaming my uncles land
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/94blackSS/GetAttachment.jpg
An 8 point that has eluded me for the second year now
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/94blackSS/whitetail.jpg

RE: How long did it take for you to get addicted?
 

I was addicted the first time I had a deer walk into range with a bow on my hand..I might of even been addicted before that, just watching "out of range" deer. After the first bowkill it just increases in my opinion. There's absolutely nothing else I'd rather do.

I feel very blessed to finally have my own property to hunt, and most importantly, Imblessed with great family and friends.
Good luck to ya, there's many more great years of bowhunting ahead. I even look forward to all the work that needs to be done during the spring/summer. Its become a year round addiction that just keeps growing after every hunt.

RE: How long did it take for you to get addicted?
 

The first time I shot my bow!

RE: How long did it take for you to get addicted?
 

Mine was a doe on my first bowsit in 1986 when I was 11.

From that day forward...it was in me...heavy.

RE: How long did it take for you to get addicted?
 

i've been hooked since age 5 my dad got me a five pound bow for x-masand i went with him when he shot league. havnt put the bow down yet. some days i wish i dint have to go to school or work just so i could live off huntin with my bow.

RE: How long did it take for you to get addicted?
 

deerhunting in general, my dad was hauling me around the woods with him when i was still in diapers, i started bow hunting when i was about 10, when i could comfortably pull back 40#, so i would say from that point i've been hooked, the greatest rush in the world...

RE: How long did it take for you to get addicted?
 

same here!

RE: How long did it take for you to get addicted?
 

The 1st time I hit the bullseye on my target.

RE: How long did it take for you to get addicted?
 

I'm now 54, and I honestly can't remember not Bowhunting something, rabbits, birds, squirrels, and finally Deer.
It's just always been in my Blood:D

Dan

RE: How long did it take for you to get addicted?
 

I have been bowhunting since the early 60's. Back then you were lucky to even see a deer around here. I grew up on a small farm and being in the outdoors has always held a special place in my heart. Getting close to any wild animal was always a thrill for me and matching wits with a deer is a challenge I enjoy now as much as I did almost 50 years ago when I started hunting with a solid fiberglass bow that I got from my uncle. It is unfortunate that many young people today don't have the opportunities I had growing up.