Agreed come to the dark side and buy the xbow. I hit a doe hi last year at 15yrd didn't recover. I said no more I'm done with a compound. I've killed a good amount of deer with them in 15yrs with compounds out to 45yrds with that was wound #3. Enough for me the switch. Hit two hi one gut shot. I'm not sure what it will do mentally to me if I'd have a perfect shot at a deer and botch it with the xbow.
What was your deer killed with this year? Poll?
- Thread starter Bowhunter57
- Start date
I agree with the 90% mental portion of archery.
I've had my "battles" last season and this season was worse. I do good at any 3D shoot, but hunting is entirely a different game. I missed 2 bucks this year...both of which should've been in the freezer. The 3rd one is what's making me doubt my abilities as a bowhunter and not wanting to continue, until I make some serious changes.I refuse to hunt with a weapon that I'm not proficient with at all levels....and I damn sure ain't into wounding losses.
"It happens" is not a statement that I can live with...in any form of repetition. I'm constantly evaluating my skills with everything I use for hunting and I'm not happy with my archery skills at the moment. Also, I'd rather not keep going on the off chance of wounding another animal. I'd rather use a weapon that has less human error involved. I can't say enough good about my Ruger American in 450 Bushmaster, but everything can't be shot with a rifle.Interesting how this started out to be a "poll" about what the deer were being taken with in the state.
Actually, I've been evaluating my archery hunting abilities since last year and this year has taken a horrible twist for the worse.
I won't say I'm giving up on my compound, but a crossbow is definitely in my future.Bowhunter57
Sorry for the derail but I think we are onto the roots of the real reason of this thread. I didn't vote BTW. LolI agree with the 90% mental portion of archery.
I refuse to hunt with a weapon that I'm not proficient with at all levels....and I damn sure ain't into wounding losses.
Interesting how this started out to be a "poll" about what the deer were being taken with in the state.
Actually, I've been evaluating my archery hunting abilities since last year and this year has taken a horrible twist for the worse.
Bowhunter57
2 with a crossbow and 2 with a rifle so far.
No big deal, brothers! It is what it is and we're all helping each other with this information, anyway.
Good hunting, Bowhunter57
NAC1989
Junior Member
Exact reason I went back to xbow, started with xbow originally. Switched to compound for a few years and ended up wounding a buck in 2014 with it which ruined the rest of that years season for me. I don’t take the “it happens” very well either, Sold that bow not long after and bought an Excalibur micro in 2015 and won’t go back now. Haven’t had an issue since, worse thing that’s happened with the xbow shot placement wise is that a buck I shot in 2018 took a step as I pulled the trigger and turned into a liver shot, still recovered him just took a while.I agree with the 90% mental portion of archery.
I refuse to hunt with a weapon that I'm not proficient with at all levels....and I damn sure ain't into wounding losses.
Interesting how this started out to be a "poll" about what the deer were being taken with in the state.
Actually, I've been evaluating my archery hunting abilities since last year and this year has taken a horrible twist for the worse.
Bowhunter57
@giles I have to agree for the most part about just wanting to eat venison. My first goal is to take a doe to get some meat in the freezer, then I switch gears to try and take a nice buck. Currently in that process now but if my target buck doesn’t happen soon I’ll take another doe or different buck to top off the freezer till next season.
loose_is_fast
Junior Member
I've never shot any deer with a compound bow. Anytime I tried to shoot a compound bow, it resulted in frustration and regret. I have a lot of respect for those who do.
As I get older, I've come to realize that successful deer hunting (obtaining game to eat) involves spending a lot of time in the woods. Having taken several deer off two small plots of land, and spent more time this year than other years, I understand why.
Primarily because deer/bacon burger recipes are so good, and I see more deer on the ride to/from work than I do in the stand, I hunt with a crossbow. If I was living in NY, I would be rifle hunting. Why? - Because most of the hunting opportunity in NY is in spaces where deer aren't 15-30 yards away. Often, they may be 35-75 yards away. We hunt 1000-5000 acre tracts of forested land, devoid of row crops. I shot far fewer deer there than I do here.
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As I get older, I've come to realize that successful deer hunting (obtaining game to eat) involves spending a lot of time in the woods. Having taken several deer off two small plots of land, and spent more time this year than other years, I understand why.
Primarily because deer/bacon burger recipes are so good, and I see more deer on the ride to/from work than I do in the stand, I hunt with a crossbow. If I was living in NY, I would be rifle hunting. Why? - Because most of the hunting opportunity in NY is in spaces where deer aren't 15-30 yards away. Often, they may be 35-75 yards away. We hunt 1000-5000 acre tracts of forested land, devoid of row crops. I shot far fewer deer there than I do here.
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I'm proud to call Ohio home (disappointed not learning about it sooner). We are fortunate for what we have.
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Sent from my moto e6 using Tapatalk
Mao
Member
I disagree with some of the assessment of crossbow hunters here. I’ve killed a lot of deer with a compound. I am still able to shoot one. However, I shot my buck this year with a dreaded Ravin. Killed him following a doe at 30 yards. I can honestly say there was no less of a sense of accomplishment and I didn’t wish I had used a compound afterwards. I know a lot of crossbow guys that spend the time and let good deer walk waiting for the 1 out of 100 just like I do. I get it that there are a lot of guys/gals that aren’t really into it and spend minimal time and effort. I’m glad those people use crossbows. Imagine if this group tried using compounds! Wounded deer galore. There are plenty of guys with those Mathews and Hoyt stickers on their big trucks that shouldn’t be shooting them either. It’s just not accurate to assume all or even most crossbow hunters put minimal time in and are lesser game managers.
Mao,
I agree with your disagreement.
I also agree, that not everyone should get "lumped" into 1 group of "that type of hunter" too. The more people that I talk to about using a crossbow, I'm finding that they're using it in the same hunting fashion as any other weapon...to kill the deer of their choice.I've been lucky enough to avoid any archery related surgery and would like to keep it that way.
I definitely see a crossbow in my future. Most likely in time for spring turkey season. Bowhunter57
Mao
Member
I agree about lumping hunters in a large category. Many slob crossbow hunters, many slob compound hunters. Many good crossbow/compound hunters as well.
My intent was not to lump everyone. It was a general broad statement. The weapon at hand doesn't change the hunter and I've preached that for years. I'd hunt with a gun all season if it was legal.
That being said, I would be more selective if I could do that.
That being said, I would be more selective if I could do that.
I've seen this word used throughout not only this hunting forum, but others as well. I also DO NOT wish to derail this thread by any means, but can someone quickly and clearly define what a "slob" is with regards to a hunter? I'm being dead serious and I hope my asking doesn't offend anyone, and yes, I'm ignorant when see this word mentioned. I have some idea what it might mean, but I'm hoping that someone can set me straight completely in what it means exactly, thanks!
So, what is a "slob" hunter?
So, what is a "slob" hunter?
Please disregard my last post here, unless you have something to add. I went ahead and looked it up, or googled it instead, thanks!
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slob hunter
A slob hunter is someone who callously kills wildlife for entertainment and ego-gratification, and revels in killing as many animals as the law allows (or more). These people tend to vote GOP and lack respect for nature in many other realms. To make themselves appear less than evil, they use cover stories about "population control," "game management," "conservation" and "harvesting."
A good example of early slob hunters were the Sharps riflemen who gunned down millions of bison in the 1870s to starve out the Indians. The general practice continues today on that same landscape during prairie dog shoots, where high-powered rifles on bench rests spit ammo for hours and small rodents explode to the sound of high-fives. There are few Indians in sight, but plenty of beer and tailgates. Their cover story is that prairie dogs are pests, even though their population has dwindled by 95%. Everything but Man is subject to that label.
A recent slob hunting development has been the posting of YouTube "kill-shot" videos wherein crass people brag about the mayhem they inflict on animals, often looping it in slow motion. The focus is generally on calibers and ballistics, with the animals being mere targets. Many of the videos have metal soundtracks like video games. You can spot a slob hunting video by the common cry of "nice shot!" after the animal drops on camera. Death by arrow takes a bit longer but the cameras have that covered, too.
Source: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=slob hunter
Mao
Member
Amongst other things, I believe the most defining characteristic of a slob hunter is someone who is not efficient with their weapon which creates a greater likelihood of wounded, suffering animals.
Trash, yes!
The property that I've been hunting recently had trash all over from another hunter that currently had permission, or at least did. IDK if he continues to have permission or not because I mentioned to the land owner that I spent a good bit of time collecting all the trash left behind by that hunter, like lures hanging within the trees, hand warmers on the ground, and other type miscellaneous items. It filled nearly a half of an empty bag of a 50lb. bag of whole corn that I laid out the first time that day in mid December. The land owner completely appreciated that I shared that information with him, along with gathering it all for him and properly placing those items in the trash at my home.
That right there burns me more that most because seeing trash laying about within the woods is one of my main pet peeves without a doubt.