Sumpin a lil different
Ya might think that my interests are a tad flighty with the way I bounce around here. Then again, you might notice I come back around to the topics given time. Part of that is due to evolutions in my learning curves.
Todays topic is Bows.
Y’all know I like shooting. Guns, rifles pistols, darts, bows, etc etc. Y’all know I have made my own bows on occasion. This post is due to my busting a finger and having to evolve, yet again. I have always been a finger shooter with bows, and will be again, as soon as my offending finger heals up. But deer season is coming fast and I didnt want to let a bad finger hold me back.
I borrowed a mechanical release from my cuz, who is an avid compound shooter, and started making the transition to release shooting. I have an old Bear Griz compound as well as the Bear Super Griz recurve so I moved over to the compound as I don’t want to mess with the super: I like it just the way it is.
I don’t like it! All the funky cams,wheels, extra cables, funny rests, SIGHTS (wtf?) Its too ‘weird’ all that modern thingamigogery on something that throws an arrow! What I really like about the super griz is, I can grab it (when I have intact fingers) a handful of arrows and just go! No fiddling with releases that need strapped on, no sights to worry about getting knocked around, and the thing weighs about as much as a popcorn fart: you can carry it all day and danged near forget it’s there. The compound on the other hand weighs 8 1/2 pounds. When drawing it, its like holding a battle rifle out at full extension one handed and trying to steady the front sight. You can do it but you’ll wear your ass out doing so. (I know there are more modern bows that are much lighter, but I ain’t lookin’ at spending a couple of pay checks on one unless I permanently lose that finger!)
Ya, I really don’t like it, but if its what I have to work with, then I will be good with it. Until the finger heals, its what I have and for the sake of clean kills, I will be good with it, but I dont have to like it. Practice practice practice!
And I don’t like it. Did I mention that already? LOL. Yeah, I did, so I’ll drop it now.
To me, bow hunting should be simple, at least the bow side of the equation should be. Hunting isnt simple, unless you use the treestand/ambush method. Me(acrophobic that I am) I prefer to keep firmly on the ground and stalk. Not simple when your quarry has a battery of sensory defenses that make the CIA snoops look blind. In addition, natural camouflage that just can’t be beat, and half of ’em are armed with extra sharp points on their heads. (And those hooves can do one hell of a number as well!) Like anything, given reason, even Bambi will revert to violence when flight is no longer an option. (Ever seen a mamma deer take on a dog? Not pretty; and the dog, if it survives, learns one helluva lesson! IE don’t get between mom n baby!) Stalking has to take into account many things and adding to that worry isn’t in my interests. If I have to use the compound, I am going to have set up an ambush style method this season.
Anywhos, maybe, by the time rut is in full swing, my finger will be better and all of this dislike will be moot.
Happy hunting to those that do.
Dio's Workshop 
I start off stating that I haven’t been a hunter for well over 50 years. Not with the intent of killing of anything other than feral hogs and coyotes, only then if they have become a nuisance in my AO. That has been just a few times fortunately. I do still love moving through my area, so and easy and watching the various wildlife. Absolutely despise trophy hunters. On the other hand, the hunting and harvesting game for consumption I encourage if using the techniques Dio describes. Something about shooting from a tree or a blind using bait just rubs me wrong, unless you are handicapped and your only recourse.
I know Im coming across as a tree hugger, believe me, far from that. Guess it goes back to my early love and study of the native Americans and their being good stewards of the land and wildlife. Now if SHTF, I’ll be taking wildlife for food anyway I can.
Knowing Dio for a few years now, I admire his methods and true hunting skills, versus ambushes. Hope the finger mends quickly amigo. Good chatting with you couple days ago. Thus far Harvey has left us alone in this area.
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August 27, 2017 at 5:33 pm
Thanks Wonderdawg, was good talkin’ atcha too. Funny how Harvey has stalled out in a certain area, ain’t it? Mehbe someone’s karma is running over his dogma: dunno and don’t really care as you know but I do find it funny.
I was raised to respect the wildlife as brothers and sisters. Even say a prayer for them when they give up the spirit to us, whether it was by my hands or not. Fact is, my dad raised me that way and his feelings have strengthened strengthened such that he wont hunt anymore unless via a camera. As for me, I see it as a way of adding to mine and Voodoo’s larder. Trust me on this, Voo most definitely prefers fresh venison over kibble at ANY time of year. (And when we can we add to the dog’s diets,Jack and Voo, with any roadkill, as long as they aren’t too ripe.(more for our noses than the dogs, they dont care so much and likely prefer it with a little ‘time seasoning’, so to speak. Bleh I say but I am not them. LOL)
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August 27, 2017 at 6:47 pm
Yah , I be getting ready for bow season here bouts. Opens on the 16th of September !
I like my compound bows. My hunting bow is a Hoyt “Contender Elite” shoot through riser type that is 38″ axel to axel. Not a normal set up in hunting bows…when I got it , I was doing a lot of 3D competition and shot for a local Hoyt dealer. Liked it so much , that I ordered one in camo limbs and blackout riser. For my hunting bow.
Kinda pricey with all the doodads at $2 k…..but it sure shoots good heh heh.
Like you , I prefer to spot and stalk. Makes it a much more intense experience. Nothing like counting coup with deer !
When ya can get within touching distance to a deer . Well , just ain’t no way to describe the feeling of accomplishment…
Still not quite back to my old self physically and likely never will be. Yet I’m going out next week to set up the hunt camp and will be spending most of the Archery season staying out in the woods in my tent. Bag limits here are almost like fishing. You can take two deer per day and have four in your possession , doe’s are allowed during archery season too. No limit at all on hogs. Plus either sex on turkey.
Hope my body is up to the challenge lol.
Yeah, I too thought of that old boy down near that storm…beware the scammers are rampant after a hurricane.
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August 28, 2017 at 9:22 am
Our bag limits have been bounced around a lot the last few years, and its different from county to county, depending on what the census says. Last year there were no does allowed for our area at all. I haven’t seen what this years call is, but I prefer hunting the does because the meat is better IMO. If I am limited to bucks, i try for the spikes and smaller racks for the same reason. Those monster bucks tend to gamey flavor and tough as cardboard textures. Not after trophies, just dinners.
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August 28, 2017 at 6:51 pm
Very good written story. It will be helpful to everyone who employess it, as well as me. Keep doing what you are doing – can’r wait to read more posts.
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September 15, 2017 at 1:25 am