A story about being a trad hunter

[Kbetts]

As part of my intro to this site, I thought I'd share an experience that took me for a ride I never expected. Life is a series of journeys, and no matter how good or bad, they shape you into what you become. In my case, I like to think I've crossed into the land of our archery forefathers .....where the sport began, and where I've found the most enjoyment from learning about the simpler things as well as myself.


The traditional bug bit me hard a few years ago. I got good pretty quick.....not bragging cause I worked my butt off, but I was successful early and often. I had a great place to hone the skills and my natural penchant for doing it the hard way fueled a fire that burns just as bright today. However, the reality of the matter is you have to be able to take your licks. Nothing will humble you like missing a gimme shot or even more so......putting a bad shot on an animal. So much less about physicality, it's the mental part of the game that is the hardest.

I'll get started sometime this evening.

 

[PredatorX]

Can't wait to hear about your journey. I made the switch one year ago and am fully committed. It feels like my first year of bow hunting though, and I hunted with a wheelie bow for about 20 years.

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[Kbetts]

I have no set agenda as to how to tell this tale. There surely will be some rambling on about how my thought process was going. A few opinions will be thrown around and if they aren't for you.....well so be it. We are all adults and entitled to our own. So here we go.


I started the traditional journey because I've always wanted to be a stick bow hunter. The simplicity, the nostalgia, everything about it captivates me. I missed the first deer I shot at with a traditional bow.....three times. I put it up for three years before I would eventually buy a second hand Black Widow MA II. I practiced hard that winter into spring. I shot my first "Robin Hood" a week after starting. In 20+ years of wheel bow shooting, I had never hit an arrow so perfect. I was hooked.

 

[Kbetts]

I dove head first. My shed turned into a full blown archery shop (it was already part the way there). 100 and 125 grain tips and broadheads were replaced with 175, 200, 250 and brass inserts. I learned quickly how much I didn't know about arrow tuning and proper arrow flight. The whole time I'm thinking, "I've been in archery for over 20 years and I'm finally figuring it out." My bow collection grew. My wheel bows got sold.

The first few years were awesome. First spring, an hour into my first turkey hunt and I smack a gobbler. My friends were in awe. Deer season came and I layed down a few does, then a buck. Screwing around in the yard with friends, I'd occasionally shoot a sparrow. Following turkey season I did it again, but videoed it. I was flying high. Time to get serious on my ultimate goal......a P&Y with a stick bow.

This is where the story really starts.

 

[PredatorX]

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[Kbetts]

No go tonight. I saw 14 but no shots. We had a lot of rain the past few days along with some wind. Deer weren't on the acorns tonight. Saw 12 but no shots. All were when easing out of the woods. It felt so much better than being in a stand. Okay, back to it.


I try to run cameras as much as possible. It's easy to keep track of different deer from year to year. The farm I primarily hunt isn't huge, but it's in a great area and we can "keep" a couple bucks around. Big guys are ghosts. Plenty of pics in the dark and during the rut of course...then poof. The particular year of this photo, there were at least three of what I call shooters. This particular one acted like he owned the place.

 

[smoke]

Enjoy the journey! Everyone hunts for their own reasons and each of us is on our own journey - so different paths are good. For me, as a kid in college about 38 years ago, I read "Hunting with the Bow and Arrow" by Saxton Pope - of Pope & Young fame. While it was written in an old style . . . and yes, I am now old . . . Dr. Pope stressed the value of making and hunting with your own gear. I just couldn't get that out of my head over the years. So I've hunted with trad and now primitive (homemade) gear for about the last 35 years. I like being with all hunters but for me, the trad/primitive route has been very enjoyable and allowed me to touch an experience of my (our) ancient ancestors. I hope each of your journeys are as fun! Best, Smoke