New in Wayne

[Core]

I don't know what I don't know, so I can't speak to how realistic it all is due to lack of experience, but if I do go ahead with the bowhunting for this year I'll give it the old college try. I tend to ramp up on new hobbies quite aggressively and research extensively. I'm in good shape to get into bow physically speaking, but need to spend time in front of a target. Playing around last year with my dad's compound bow I felt like I was doing fairly well after not too many arrows, but the distance was fixed, no adrenaline, etc. 

 

I'm most worried about simply walking around in the woods like an absolute buffoon, not getting within a mile of a deer. But I think that's part of the learning curve.

Edited August 26, 2015 by Core

[Bow Addict]

I don't know what I don't know, so I can't speak to how realistic it all is due to lack of experience, but if I do go ahead with the bowhunting for this year I'll give it the old college try. I tend to ramp up on new hobbies quite aggressively and research extensively. I'm in good shape to get into bow physically speaking, but need to spend time in front of a target. Playing around last year with my dad's compound bow I felt like I was doing fairly well after not too many arrows, but the distance was fixed, no adrenaline, etc. 

 

I'm most worried about simply walking around in the woods like an absolute buffoon, not getting within a mile of a deer. But I think that's part of the learning curve.

Walking around in the woods like a buffon will fit right in quite nicely with the rest of us.

[philoshop]

I don't know what I don't know, so I can't speak to how realistic it all is due to lack of experience, but if I do go ahead with the bowhunting for this year I'll give it the old college try. I tend to ramp up on new hobbies quite aggressively and research extensively. I'm in good shape to get into bow physically speaking, but need to spend time in front of a target. Playing around last year with my dad's compound bow I felt like I was doing fairly well after not too many arrows, but the distance was fixed, no adrenaline, etc. 

 

I'm most worried about simply walking around in the woods like an absolute buffoon, not getting within a mile of a deer. But I think that's part of the learning curve.

 

1. Spend a lot of time practicing your shooting skills. No matter what you're carrying.

2. Spend a lot of time in the woods learning about the animals.

Without the second you probably won't see anything to shoot at, and without the first you won't be able to hit whatever you're hunting for.

[Five Seasons]

I don't know what I don't know, so I can't speak to how realistic it all is due to lack of experience, but if I do go ahead with the bowhunting for this year I'll give it the old college try. I tend to ramp up on new hobbies quite aggressively and research extensively. I'm in good shape to get into bow physically speaking, but need to spend time in front of a target. Playing around last year with my dad's compound bow I felt like I was doing fairly well after not too many arrows, but the distance was fixed, no adrenaline, etc. 

 

I'm most worried about simply walking around in the woods like an absolute buffoon, not getting within a mile of a deer. But I think that's part of the learning curve.

 

A couple of points.

 

1. Archery is almost all about muscle memory. If you golf or bowl or participate in any skilled sport then you know what I mean. The best skills are developed by repetition. But most importantly, by repeating proper techniques and not learning bad habits. A local club and even youtube will get you started on techniques. After that it's all about trying to shoot at least a few dozen arrows every night. Do not overshoot. You'll get sloppy and develop bad habits.

 

2. Archery target shooting is not difficult. Most guys will hit the block every time right out of the gate. The challenge obviously comes in grouping in that little circle and not just hitting the block. But a properly tuned and sited bow will get you 70% of the way there. Once you feel good, have a friend watch you. The added "pressure" can help simulate shooting a deer. Knee shaking, heart pounding shooting wearing full camo in November is much different than shorts and a t-shirt in the summer shooting at a target.

 

3. Archers are defensive. Not so much within our own group but within hunters. We get labeled as elitist we get labeled as the "wounders of all deer". So when we welcome a newbie to our ranks we really want to be sure he or she is ready to hunt. Wounding a deer with the stick and string is very easy and it's not good for the sport, the hunters ego and most of all the animal. So we just want you to make us all proud. Sometimes it just comes out wrong.

 

4. Don't worry about seeing a deer. 1/2 the fun of hunting is getting out in the woods and enjoying nature. It will come with time. If you're worried about being a buffoon then you're in the wrong sport. We all do dumb things and we all started at some point. Some of us are lucky to have had mentors and hopefully these forums can provide that for you, but be aware up front that many successful experienced hunters go days without seeing deer. It is certainly not a sport for those seeking immediate gratification.

[Two Track]

I see deer every season, problem is 3/4 of the time it is while driving home after hunting all day or they go in the one direction that is is not safe to shoot. 

 

Sometimes everything aligns so you can make the shot, It is a mix of luck and skill, especially if on public land.

 

Some places deer go to the some area everyday around the same time, others have a varied pattern over couple days or so.  If you can visit the same area a lot or have trail cams to assist in this, you can pattern the deer to make it easier to hunt.

 

I you have a long commute and some weekend obligations, it does it make it more difficult.  So at least learn identify tracks and identify game trails - it will help put you in a good place. Just have to figure what time they use the area.

 

Good luck out there.

[Core]

Thanks for the last few posts!

 

Since my last post I've joined a range (can't shoot a bow in the backyard, but the range is spectacularly well located for my needs, so I expect to make it there very regularly) and today purchased a bow. Have also read two well-rated books, but I think at this point I just need to get out to where I plan on hunting and look around, plus obviously get lots of time behind the bow. While the guy at the shop was tuning the bow I got into chats with a couple of other hunters. I guess people involved in this activity like to talk a lot!

 

I don't expect to take a deer this year, but hobbies aren't that much fun unless you're getting better over time anyway

Edited September 4, 2015 by Core

[Five Seasons]

Core your ducks are in a row and your priorities are good. Reading and education is good, but nothing beats boots on the ground.

What bow did you get?

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[Core]

I bought a PSE DropTine SX, which is a big-box package (bow plus accessories) and appears to actually be the PSE Stinger X, under a different name. It claims 316 fps and maxes at 70#. I have it set at 50. The two guys in the shop both thought it was better than the diamond infinite edge. I fired both, but I know too little to make a meaningful comparison on how they feel.

[Five Seasons]

I bought a PSE DropTine SX, which is a big-box package (bow plus accessories) and appears to actually be the PSE Stinger X, under a different name. It claims 316 fps and maxes at 70#. I have it set at 50. The two guys in the shop both thought it was better than the diamond infinite edge. I fired both, but I know too little to make a meaningful comparison on how they feel.

You really can't go wrong. PSE makes a good bow. When you get your form down try to get your poundage up past 60. It's better to shoot less poundage and be accurate, but the extra umph can pay off.