RUDE AWAKENING
To say my early bowhunting was a struggle is being kind, fact is I plain stunk. Prob could smell my stink plum up in Wisconsin. I got permission on a small 50 acre farm and thought I was set so I didn't even look for another spot. I put up one perm stand and hunted it everyday of the season. I new nothing about the wind or deer movement in general. However, I did see deer almost every sit. Turns out I was so bad the deer didn't even view me as a threat, they just simply worked around me. Year 1 I never fired a arrow and I hunted every day of the season.
Year 2 more of the same still had my trusty one stand, except this time I was gonna deploy some bait and surely kill a monster. Did kill me my does and a young 1.5 buck with this tactic. Which built confidence in my equipment, I also learned deer have a nose due to all the blowing I recieved that season.
Killed a lot of these type bucks the next few years which helped hone my skills with a bow. And lit a fire looking for bigger deer.
MAKING A CHANGE
During this time I realized what I was doing was not producing what I wanted. So I struck out to acquire as many spots as I could find and stay mobile. I had a lil knowledge about the wind and how deer used it, I also figured out deer are a edge animal. My strategy was simply hunting edges that made sense for the deer to use with the current wind. I was a lot more mobile and killed a lot of deer during this part of my growth. Mostly 2.5-3.5 but I would average a glimpse or 2 of a big bruiser every season.
Some of the bucks killed during this part of my journey.
Also killed this antlered doe during that time that I thought was pretty cool.
TURNING POINT
I located a monster buck bedding in a oxbow facing the lake. I would watch him from across the cove 200 yards away every eve with a SE wind rise from his bed and take to the waters edge right b4 dark and parallel it. With wind and thermal the deer could smell the entire woods and watch the entire bank from his bed. While burning the midnight oil I concocted a plan! The following morning I entered the water armed with my bow and inner tube. I floated across the cove and set up in waste deep water in a patch of buck brush 15 yards from where the buck exits. I set in that cold water from b4 daylight until last 10 min of shooting light, many times I wanted to give up, I was cold wet and wrinkled. Right b4 quiting time I seen him rise and head my way. He was clueless, never expecting nothing from the water. Would like to show a pic of the giant. But fact is I muffed a 17 yard open broadside shot on a totally relaxed animal. But my plan worked, I didn't do what everyone else was doing, I hit the sucker with a curveball he hasn't ever seen b4 and despite a poor shot it worked perfectly.
Killed this 16 pt the following week on a public golf course with another crazy strategy I cooked up. Not the best genetics but he was old with double forked brows with a 6" goober with 3 kickers coming off the back of one. I realized the human mind is the most powerful weapon and hunting was about to get seriously fun!
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL
Things were really coming together and more importantly I was having serious fun doing it. I learned how to use air currents to my advantage, the importance of positive thinking and deep down I knew it's just a matter of time. Took a lot of good deer during this time, I was mobile and understood the importance of proper timing. Also got my hands on my first cameras during this time which really aided in my progression.
This buck is a neat story. Years b4 I was hunting and heard dogs barking afew hundred yards away then I see this big buck come running by to my left 100 yards he cuts the corner of a stock tank then circles back and crosses his old track back to where he came from. I watched the dogs get hung up at the pond and eventually lost interest. On the day of this hunt around 10 a.m I hear those dogs bark again from the same general direction as years b4. I got down as fast as I could and sprinted toward the stock tank. Actually tripped over a rock, broke my quiver and bruised my knee pretty good. Sure it was a helluva sight! Made it to the pond just in time to have him cutting the corner at 15 yards. I just yelled at him, he slammed on the brakes and I put a arrow through his heart. Completely diff buck than b4 but it was the same dogs. Memorable hunt none the less.
UP TO DATE
Still out there having fun! I don't hunt for the same reasons I did years ago, I like to think I got a lot better. I've seen some awesome things and made some special memories. To anyone just getting started it doesn't take a fat bank account to get good deer. It just takes effort and a tenacity to not quit and keep grinding and learning. I admitt those early days were tough on me mentally cause I new I was awful. But success isn't bought on a store shelf, wether you use a hang on, climber or saddle doesn't matter if u don't know what tree to place it on. Embrace the journey!!
Buck from this season.
Deer from the last 4 seasons, have had a good run of late and hope to get the streak alive. If not all I can do is my best, and I can sleep well with that. Good luck and Whitetail Wishes thanks for taking the time to read my journey.
Life is hard; It’s even harder if you are stupid.
-John Wayne-
