I'm in trouble

Haven't thought about hunting much all year, after hunting last year, to be honest I was kinda burned out and I only picked up my bow a few times. Had a heartbreaking miss on a giant sika that really took the wind outta my bow hunting sails plus a new family kept the hunting family focused.

something happened to me in the last week (wasn't dove season) that got me real antsy to go and put an arrow thru a deer. problem is I haven't shot my bow since last October.....


Anybody else waiting until the 11th hour to get ready?

Right there with you on the 11th hour bit. Family has eaten into my hunting/hunting prep time bad.

Haven't shot the bow since last year, haven't set up any of the bow stands yet. Not sure if I will even try for archery during archery season this year.

I set up one pop up. My other bow stands are at the family ranch, I need to go pick them up since I'm not gonna hunt there this year. But that's a trip in itself and since they've been up since last year I'm not 100% sure what kind of condition they are in.


Prep wise I think I'll be ok for archery season save for the bow and archery tackle part of it.

I started getting excited about this season earlier than I have in years when I started seeing some good bucks in early summer. With the new bows and accessories that are available it does not take me many shots to be back in rhythm. For me practicing my shooting mechanics thru repetition and strengthening muscles is important at my age. I had not shot since early March and started back again in mid July. My first day shots were really good for not having shot in 6 months. I have shot daily since then even if it is 10 shots. I have not missed but a couple of days since. I have three setups ready to hunt out of and one will be crossbow only. The other 2 can be hunted with either bow or crossbow.

I shot a dozen arrows back in March and will shoot another dozen or so before season opener. Pop-up was set-up a month ago just hoping the wind/coons haven't destroyed it.

You bow hunting this year or using the crossbow?

The buck I want to hunt is at a location where I have a tripod so I can use either but will try with my bow first. He is not a regular buck there and has only been here in the dayligh(on TC) about 4 times in the past 15 months. More regular after dark than anything, but a no show at the feeder now for the last 15 days with all the rain/green up. I have never seen this buck in person yet.

He a pretty good deer?

if a shooter has good shooting form in their memory then it usually doesn't take that long to get it back. I have seen and hunted with people that can take a year or two off from bow hunting and shooting and pick it back up with a compound and be good to go for what most consider good ranges for archery in a short time. The way you were shooting last year I have no doubt you can get back into shape before season starting now. Practice with purpose like a pro golfer does making every shot count like it the most important shot you will ever take and if it doesn't feel right let down and start routine over. If hunting from a ground blind concentrate on shooting from a seated position.

My bet if a buck has STX excited about hunting it with his bow, it is a very good mature buck for the area.

It's a baby...he is just big eyeing it

Hope to start shootings today if I have time

Big eyeing

I limit myself to a max 30 yards with the bow doesn't take much before I feel confident again.

I have not put an arrow into anything in a few years. I don't have a bow I like to shoot anymore and every time I did get a chance, well I'd rather see the kids do it or a client.

I am very excited for this season and flinging an arrow or three! I put new cable and string on my bow and practiced a little bit and my last group after I had to adjust sights due to new string were all in the x at 20 yards so I stepped off another 10yards and same results. I will set up a few new bow set ups in the next few weeks. Good luck to All especially txtrophy85 My Brother!

Well turns out I was worried for nothing. Shot a bit this afternoon, not saying I would try a 40 yard shot just yet but at 20 they should be worried

Glad to hear it.

Good to hear, someone like yourself that has shot enough to get good it comes back pretty quick at least to be deadly inside 30 yards or a bit more

I just pulled the bow out today for the first time this year.

Nah, I'm always ready to go. I'm excited cause CCR called me today to tell me my bow is ready. Hoyt replaced my bottom limbs due to an issue and CCR has it ready to go. But I shoot regular and draw blood often so there is no "getting ready" shooting wise. Shooting lanes are trimmed. New blind in place and ready as well as regular stands. And that's at the lease. Picked up a new feeder for our new property today at Capps store in Fairfield and will get that up and going as well as set a pop up there. I'm gtg and itching to start the disappointment of not seeing as good of deer as I hoped to.

Amazing how quick it comes back. I still shoot a lot, just to reassure myself that I am ready.

I can't imagine going a season without bow hunting. It gets me going everytime.

I think reality sank in today when I was filling feeders and setting out camera's on the bow stands. It's gonna be a good season for all!

I picked up my crossbow last weekend and shot it once just to see if it was still zeroed.
Shot one arrow (bolt) at 30 yards and drilled it!
Who needs practice when you can shoot a crossbow!
Only thing I need to do now is go buy some brand new broadheads.

That said, I'm practicing with my recurve that I haven't used in years, and will try and take a deer with it later this season. I'm not comfortable hunting with it yet, but I'm getting there.

I hope to do a lot of it this year.

Every year I start out with high hopes only to have something squash it the first few weeks of November

I'm out for the first 3 weekends of October. Not sure what the first weekend is but its booked. Boys B-day part is the second weekend, and cousin getting married the third... by time the fourth weekend rolls around I will have bargaining power with the wife or will pizz her off and go anyway.

been building up the brownie points too, but after 1 or 2 trips she'll be pizzed off anyway. it's the circle of every fall. I can't go for opener... looks like it may be 10/8 before I can start curing this anxiety. It's a fever and she knows it's bad this year.

I don't need a "kitchen pass" to hunt. However weekend two I will be at Big Oak again hunting the elusive exotic. Weekend three I will be taking my scout troop to Score O. An orienteering event. The last weekend in October I hope to be hunting my place in NW Missouri. However, being "retired" I'm betting I will find a few days during those weeks to sit in the stand.

And when I get home in January she'll still be there. Has been for 30 years.