RE: How long did it take?
 

Coming up on my 3rd season, and I STILL haven't gotten a buck or doe! [:o]:([&o][:-]

Butch A.

RE: How long did it take?
 

My 1st year, the season started 7 Sept 92. On the 17th of Sept 92, I arrowed my 1st deer, a little spike in velvet.

RE: How long did it take?
 

I have been bow hunting for 10 years in NJ now and can honestly state that i have never dropped a buck during bow season. In NJ we have to take a doe first before we can obtain the rights to harvest a buck. I have taken multiple does during bow season, but never fortunate to get a shot off at a decent buck. Nailed a few bucks during firearms season.

Heck, my time will come and until then I simply enjoy being away from work and in the woods to enjoy nature. If God pushes a doe my way, so be it. A deer is a deer.

RE: How long did it take?
 

Thanks for the stories... Hopefully I'll get a good shot this year. I have been shooting for a month now and can hit sub-1-inch groups at 15 yards, 2-3-inch groups at 25 yards and about 4-inch groups at 35 yards with field points. I start practicing with broadheads this weekend, after my shoulder "cures."

RE: How long did it take?
 

I shot my first deer with a bow on the second weekend when I was 12 (legal age), it was a button buck that I shot from 16 yards, made a terrible shot, but severed an artery in the hind leg, and crushed the main bone with my 100 grain muzzy... I have learned since then how to shoot, and have hit 3 bucks that we surprisingly havent found... I have three blood soaked arrows to prove it

I also hit a nice doe that we found a ways away 3 weeks later...

You may think we cant track, and I cant really defend that based on this evidence, but we can follow blood till it runs out and then it gets tough...

New bow and all new equiptment this year, my expectations are higher

RE: How long did it take?
 

Went with a buddy who showed me what it was all about in fall of 2002. Obviously i liked it as i bought an 02 legacy on sale at the end of that season. Started buying accessories as the paychecks would allow over the winter and spring and finally shot it late spring of 2003 and got its first kills on july 1st(Canada Day)....gophers, lots of em.

I practiced real hard all summer and filled all four of my deer tags that fall, ending with a 5x4 whitetail buck nov 24/03 with a 19" inside spread. First deer not a great shot but recovered, the next three i hit in the heart in the 25-35 yrd range. I live in a perdy good area for deer mind you, but i worked my ass off trying to get the shooting part sorted in time(to learn the bow etc.) and spent most everyday for 3 months straight hunting the deer. I was very determined to say the least.

It can be done pretty quick with todays equipment and help(forums etc.) but most of the hard work is getting permission in the right spots etc. and putting your time in.(the actual hunting imo)

B

RE: How long did it take?
 

I was into my 3rd season before I got my first buck with a bow. I had one come in my first year, late into December, temps were below 0 and I was so cold I couldn't get my bow back. He stood there rubbing a tree 10 yards in front of me for 10 minutes and try as I might, I just couldn't get it back. It sucked at the time, but I look back now and just laugh about it.


After the first one, it's alllll downhill from there.

RE: How long did it take?
 

I was able to harvest a 7 pointer my first year. I used to gun hunt but I would hardly see anything. I think it was just that I would go to deer camp every year and I could not scout areas out. But I got out of the military and borrowed my buddys bow, scouted and tagged a deer! I was hooked on the bows. Its amazing what you see when you scout and spend time out in your stands. My success rate and knowledge is getting better each year.

RE: How long did it take?
 

The first time I hunted was with my cousin. I went out with him and another friend second season during shotgun (sorry wrong forum). We over slept because of too much drinking the night before :D We got out there. We were eating jerkey and drinking sodas. I was talking to my cousin when I noticed a deer behind him. We all got silent. the deer walked right in front of us as we were sitting on the ground. As the doe walked behind some brush he handed me the shotgun. All I could see looking through the scope was brown. I took the shot. The doe fell over backwards. We waited there for like an infinity!! That was my first kill. We were there for like 15-20 minutes before taking the shot ;) That really ruined me for the next few years!!

I have yet to get my first bow kill!! Even though I have greatly enjoyed the hunt :D

Steve

RE: How long did it take?
 

Been hunting two years and fortunate enough to harvest a buck each year. first deer a half racker with two points and a small button of a brow tine...second deer last year a decent 8 with about 15 inch inside spread. Hoping to do better this year....I've got one spotted....