Is it me?
 

I picked up my first (and only bow) about 3 years ago. I didn' t hunt the first year because I wasn' t confident in my skills. Last year was my first year on stand with a bow. (I haven' t picked up my rifle since!!!) To date, I have yet to even draw my bow on a deer. I am in decent set-ups (for not owning my own land). My question is: How long did you hunt with a bow before taking you first deer?

RE: Is it me?
 

I' ve been bowhunting for about 7 years now, and I still haven' t taken one. Of course, this is in Arizona where all we do is spot and stalk, for the most part (Muleys at that).

RE: Is it me?
 

Well I hunted a partial season years ago and then seriously bow hunted 2 seasons before my first bow kill. Hang in there, it is a learning process, I gun hunted for over 35 years succesfully and learned that I had to take everything I learned gun hunting to the nth degree to kill my first with a bow.

RE: Is it me?
 

Considering the fact that I started bowhunting when I was 12 years old I think it was probably at least 10 years before I harvested my first whitetail with a bow. I am sure others have taken longer and other shorter so I would not be frustrated if it takes a bit before you get your first. You learn a little bit from each encounter and eventually you put yourself in a situation that leads that first kill.

RE: Is it me?
 

Started bow hunting last year. Actually it was the first time I ever shot a bow when I tested it out at the shop. Got an 8 point last year and in my first season indoors placed 3rd in bowhunting division.

Now granted my hunting skills have been honed for some 2o years but always with a gun.

No kills to date this year but have let 3 legal bucks walk without drawing because they were not of wall hanger status.

Does any of this make you feel better? :D

RE: Is it me?
 

Nothing the first year but a doe and P&Y 11 point the second. I don' t think most new hunters spend enough time scouting. Scouting before, during, and after season will put you on deer faster. Be very careful scouting during the season. Try to do it midday right before or during a rain to wash your scent away. If you aren' t seeing deer look for new areas. Also, read everything you can about the sport. Bill Winke and Greg Miller taught me a lot and they hunt the upper midwest like I do. Bowhunting is so different than gun hunting and takes time to figure out all the little details. Good luck.

RE: Is it me?
 

Started when I was 12. Shot my first deer when I was 18. I didn' t know anything about bow hunting between 12 & 18, plus I was in my own rut at that age chasing the " does" if you know what I mean.

Don' t get frustrated though. It takes time. There is always a bit of luck needed in the mix as well. This board is a great place to learn about bowhunting, and learn from others, including their mistakes. I could write a series about all mine.

RE: Is it me?
 

Not taking a deer the first few years has nothing to do with your ability to shoot a bow. Don' t lose confidence in your abilities! Here' s why it takes so long: the deer. Keep in mind that this is life and death for them. They are doing everything in their power to avoid you. And, with a bow you have to learn how to get them " REAL CLOSE." That' s what takes so long. It' s a long learning process. It takes the " Three P' s" - Persistence, Patience and Perseverence. Keep at it - it will happen for you!

By the way, I took my first deer (4-pointer) when I was 24. I started getting serious about bowhunting when I was 17.

RE: Is it me?
 

Took me five years.

RE: Is it me?
 

Mt first year I spent only 3 evenings in the wood with an antiquated 1973 bear compound. I got it from my dad and needless to say I wasn' t confident at all with it. Next spring I bought a new PSE Thunder Flight Express and shot religiously all year. I quit the football team and was dedicated to bagging my first with a bow.
Opening day of 1995 bow season I got home from school and in my stand about 3:30and within half an hour 3 deer passed behing my stand about 40 yards behind me heading for my fathers stand who was on the field with that 1973 bear. With in 15 minutes I had an average 120lbs doe walking right down the run that lead to my stand. At 23 yards she must have scenced something wasn' t right because she veered off the run and turned broadside. She only went 40 yards after a double lung pass thru and with that my season ended.
When the shot presents itself you' ll be ready.

RE: Is it me?
 

Started bowhunting when I was 12, shot my first deer when I was 16. Shot my second deer 2 weeks after that one and it' s been smooth sailing since. Of course with the exception of the times I miss. But we try not to talk about those too much. :D

RE: Is it me?
 

This is my 3rd bow hunting season.

My first year and a half I barely ever saw any deer.

As soon as I learned de-scenting skills I started seeing deer. Then at the end of last season I got my first bow deer.

RE: Is it me?
 

I started shooting a recurve when I was 14.Did' nt bow hunt for deer untill I was 20.On my 3 rd.trip to the woods, I put doe in heat all over my coveralls,to " cover up" my smell.
Well, at first light when that little button buck walked out from behind the bush I was hidding behind,I was at full draw and ready to close the deal.I had no problem with the that 4 yard shot.Two weeks later I did the same thing, only I was standing in a corn field.I took an 8 pt. at 6 yards.That' s 2 deer with a combined shot distance of 10 yards.I don' t think I could pull that off again,from the ground,If my life depended on !!.

RE: Is it me?
 

i started hnuting when i was 12 years old... my 4th day or archery i shot a button buck... i also shot one when i was 13, 15, and this year im 16 and shot a big doe.. so ii have killed 4 deer with my bow so far in 4 1/2 years

RE: Is it me?
 

Hang in there. There are alot of factors that must be considered. Do you use a recurve or compound bow? Where do you hunt? I know in my area that I hunt private lands and I have better chances then those on the State Game Lands. Also it is a still that must be learned in time and through experience. I know alot of people who never bowhunted and make statements to me like " next year I' m going to get a bow because I want to get a big deer before the gun season starts" . They think its so easy. Oh well there loss for not actually trying it. Maybe its better they dont because there are too many people that shouldn' t be out there already due to a lack of shooting skills. Just keep practicing and learning it will come...

RE: Is it me?
 

I started hunting at 12. I got a bow for Christmas when I was 13 and began bowhunting the following year. I didn' t harvest a deer until I was 16 though.