dbHunterNY Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 So going into this season I was a little disappointed. Knew the area I hunt is rarely one that holds a big racked buck. out of all the counties in NY, Rensselaer is the only one that doesn't have a net B&C buck taken on record. It's been a while since I've taken a buck. An exception, I did take a smaller one deep deep into state land, with a bow at 11 yards. It was my first time there, and I have a ton of memories from getting that thing out with three of my cousins and my brother. realizing I may never see a buck i'd like to take, I've decided to switch to hunting with a recurve bow that I picked up a year ago. no sights, rest, release, or anything. the mature deer has to be within 15, but preferably 10 yards. this past weekend I missed a big 140+ lb mature doe. shot 1-2" just over her back at 12.8 yards, verified after the fact. that was after I had already let down once with her at 5 yards, because she turned to walk straight away while browsing on fallen apples. I didn't fill my tag this first weekend. I will though, as it's only a matter of time. hopefully it'll be filled using the recurve. just thought i'd share some open thoughts and a story. I'll end this post by saying it's been a long time since I've gotten that excited and had my heart pound out of my chest that hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowhunter97 Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 Nice man. Its got to be a bummer not to have a BC buck taken in your county. Hopefully you can close the deal with the recurve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straight Shooter Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 Hang in there Dan, it will happen for you. It does have to be rush to have a recurve in your hands rather than a compound, I wish I had the courage to do that:) Good luck Buddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 I have thought about trying out a recurve myself. Something about it appeals to me, even though I've never even shot one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 Yeah, I'm looking forward to the day where I can sit in a tree and watch nature go by. Hopefully soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 Turning Another Corner with Bowhunting I've often thought about getting a traditional bow. What a sense of accomplishment when it does happen! Instinctive, fingers, no cams, that's real archery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted October 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 (edited) I could write a novel about how to shoot a compound. although i'm sure i'll get there with a recurve if you asked me now i'd tell you minimal directions. otherwise it's just like a throwing a baseball. focus on your target and let her rip. eventually you figure it out. lol it's crazy to think how close to deer a good hunter can actually get when he/she NEEDS to. that feeling you have when you gun hunt and then take out the (compound) bow is the same when you take out a traditional bow after using a compound bow. I've shot does before with minimal rush but still a sense of satisfaction. i'm tell you my heart was hammerin'. I mean if I was a predator I was within lunging distance and they had no idea. no running required. to get that close is crazy. well I mean I was wearing Realtree but still! lol it's still a rush but different when it happens by chance as it has in the past. when you need to plan for it to happen... that requires a whole other set of skills. Edited October 8, 2013 by dbHunterNY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted October 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 another thing that amazed me... I knew my recurve was quiet but when I shot the half dozen deer that were within 14 yards in front of me had no idea what happened. my arrow went over the doe's back and into mud. they all stood there and continued to browse around. didn't even flinch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted October 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 the experience and rush could happen my entire life... at the end if I looked up at my wall and saw nothing (no wall hanger of a buck) i'd probably start remembering the encounters and memories with others. I could live with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 Hope it all works out for you db, it sure was a rush for me too...I started with a recurve in '73..not looking to going back there anytime soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Yep Dan you turned a corner. I have utmost respect for anyone that turns that corner. Not much that gets on my nerves more than a compound hunter with an attitude putting down gun Hunters. I am like Chris, I hope one day I'm content to let nature walk by and consider a legal buck with my long bow with the same regard as the horn porn I currently chase. But for now the lack of time I dedicate to the sport means it's very much a challenge when I take an armadillo lol. Only drew my long bow once in the season I used it. I killed a sweet gum limb but I think if it wasn't there I would have stuck a big doe. Maybe one day I'll mature enough to slow down. Good luck to you man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smha6784 Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Turning Another Corner with Bowhunting I'm gun hunter turned archer two years ago. I have always shot bows but never really hunted with them, until two years ago. I have yet to take a deer with a bow. With that being said, I have all the respect for you. It is hard to imagine hunting with a recurve. The rush has to be like the first deer you ever saw in the woods! Good luck and keep us posted on the recurve hunting adventures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 That is awesome DB...can't wait to see a photo on here with the recurve and a tagged deer:) ome day I'll probably give it a go...someday;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Good for you Dan! I have my fathers recurve and I've had it re-strung. I've tried shooting it but I cannot hit the broadside of a barn. I would really like some instruction but I don't know anyone who shoots a recurve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted October 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Good for you Dan! I have my fathers recurve and I've had it re-strung. I've tried shooting it but I cannot hit the broadside of a barn. I would really like some instruction but I don't know anyone who shoots a recurve. Joe if we ever meet up i'll tell you everything I know about shooting one. most of what I know about them is setting them up. you'd be surprised how much goes into it for something so simple. if you've got any questions you know you can ask me. otherwise i'd have to type something up when I've got more time. I haven't pulled the trigger yet but Lancaster has some pretty good videos I hear; from Fred Asbell or the Masters of the Bare Bow series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted October 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 thanks to everyone for all the nice words. basically it's a choice I've made. taking a deer with any weapon is all relative in some way or another. I've agreed with the sentiment there's no wrong choice for what you use, to take whatever, when it comes to hunting. this assumes your choice is legal. all that matters is that rush or excitement you get from the experience and the fulfillment of knowing you're a hunter, a provider of food without going to the grocery store. That side if a monster showed up on cam i'd probably give into a choice that gives me a little more range. then go :drink: and celebrate with friends and family when it hits the dirt! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Good luck with it, Dan. I turned in my recurve a long time ago in favor of the latest and the greatest. Little did I know it would get to the point where I to, long for the old ways. I killed quite a few deer with my stickbow and recurve while at the same time losing a few. I do believe that helped me make the switch. I was thinking of turning the ship around myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Joe if we ever meet up i'll tell you everything I know about shooting one. most of what I know about them is setting them up. you'd be surprised how much goes into it for something so simple. if you've got any questions you know you can ask me. otherwise i'd have to type something up when I've got more time. I haven't pulled the trigger yet but Lancaster has some pretty good videos I hear; from Fred Asbell or the Masters of the Bare Bow series. Thnks Dan! maybe in the spring we can get together for a lesson or two. I'll trade you some wine for your time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted October 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Thnks Dan! maybe in the spring we can get together for a lesson or two. I'll trade you some wine for your time. I don't believe it'd be that much time and worthy of such a prize... I'd be all over it like Tim on cookies though. Someday buddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Yep Dan...it's a different feeling hunting with a recurve. Been several years now since I took mine to the stand. Still haven't wacked a mature buck with mine. I'll tell you this...with a recurve it's imperative to follow through with the shot. Hang in there...it'll happen. You will at some point find that some stands aren't friendly for hunting with a recurve. I was in an Ol' Man climber one year in Iowa with a 145 class 9 point at 10 yards. Couldn't get the shot off because the dang bar around top seat section was in the way. Also, due to the additional length and the need to cant the bow, shot angles to the back left & back right are limited too. BTW...what made me quit using my recurve while hunting in the Midwest was another bad experience I had in Iowa. I had a 170 class 10 point at 35 yards standing still, broadside. My effective range is 25 yards. No way I was going to risk taking that shot with a high percentage of just wounding him. I know I could make that shot with a compound. After that hunt I always carry 2 compounds when hunting Midwest whitetails. Told my trad hunting buddy that lives there after that hunt he'd never see me hunting there with my recurve again. Can't say now I won't ever hunt with my recurve in the Midwest but not yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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