Lessons Learned

I was shooting my bow today and started thinking about the deer I shot last year but never recovered. The first shot was close maybe 5-7 yards but it was a very steep angle. He ran up a hill a little ways and turned broadside again. I nocked another arrow and shot again. I still can't remember where I hit him on the second shot but I am almost positive I hit the empty space above the vitals. After going back the following morning I ranged the second shot at 18 yards only problem was I thought he was closer to 25 which is why I used my 25 yard pin. I wish I could have a do over on that one.

So what are some of the lessons you have learned while out hunting?

The lesson I learned is to use a rifle and quit trying to be Robin Hood.

Before putting stalk on threw corn field, dont accidently hit trigger release at 1/4 draw, it tends ta lob arrow just outa sight, 2nd make sure braud head is on tight, half way threw it no good if got arrow but no braudhead...

I have a few lessons learned:

Chamber a round before you pull the trigger on a big buck.
Never and I mean never put your thumb in front of a cross bow string.
Make darn sure you know which way your scent is blowing
Make sure you carry a spare ramrod when muzzy hunting
When leaning up against a tree and twigs start falling out take a quick step back. You might be nose to nose with a small bear.
Never shoot a deer in a deep canyon when you hunt by yourself.

A wonder I made it to 54 huh?

If you are bow hunting and don't know for sure you hit the heart and seen it drop less than 30 yards of POI, give it 3 hours min before going looking. You will be surprised at how many deer you start finding just 50 to 75 yards away that laid down and bled out.

-When the land owner is giving you a tour and telling you where to hunt and he says "There's not much down that road," definitely check that road out.
-If a rifle gives you the slightest trouble feeding a second round, get rid of it.
-Everybody has different levels of hunting skills, but avoid the guy that says he shoots everything in the ear at 400 yds. with a .223.
-Avoid guys that talk about "not wasting meat". (Usually the same guy as above.)
-No two definitions of a "cull" or "management buck" are the same.
-When you're hunting with friends, savor every moment. Those friends may not be among the living on the next hunt.

Good ones.

Always tie down what you have help putting on a trailer, especially if you can't put it back on the trailer by yourself. No matter how far you are hauling it.

Biggest lesson I learned bow hunting was to get rid of all of those pins!! When I first started bow hunting I shot with multiple pins and made some stupid mistakes in the heat of the moment. Shoot one pin, and practice judging yardage every chance you get. Test yourself regularly. Once you are good on the ground standing, sit at different angles in a chair. Then, get elevated and practice in a tripod or a tree whatever. Then change your environment. Practice. When it gets cold out, put your cold weather gear on and practice. IMO, learning how to judge distance & shooting one pin is the way to go. You judge the yardage in your head before you ever draw your bow. You will learn where on the animal to set your pin in a hurry and your arrow will hit that spot.

Never climb a dead tree with your climber.

When bow hunting,estimating range can not be replaced with a range finder very often,which IMO,means it can be useless most times.As stated above, practice from unknown yardage. Deer come in from where you least expect them and sometimes they are in a hurry,so accurately judging distance is your best friend.I have taught myself to judge distance by looking at the ground between me and my target. Forget the horns or whatever else your looking at.If you know you are going to shoot, then you can check them out later.Set your target up in your yard or wherever, and shoot at it from random spots.1 pin or 4 pins shouldn't really matter.You still have to be able to estimate the range to make the shot.And again,as stated above; practice with clothing comparable to what you will be wearing in the stand.Also,and this is important! Don't just place the pin behind the shoulder.Aim as if you are trying to knock a tick off of him.A small target means small chance to miss by much.

*Avoid the guy that always sees a 150in buck every hunt when its never been on TC or seen by anyone else.
*Don't walk in tall grass in the dark without a flash light.
*Always bring toilet paper to the blind.
*Don't leave croc's outside by the door as they become snake habitat

Albeit a rifle, bow, or even a sling shot, you can never practice too much.

Anything that carries the Thermacell label works as advertised.

Being out of shape does not go well with dragging a dead animal.

A bad day hunting is better than a good day working.

Venison is very expensive.

- Hunt with your Dad, he'll be gone way too soon
- Hunt with your kids, you'll be gone way too soon

More than one way to Delete the Double Post....

Sounds like a fine gentleman you raised. But, you couldn't pay me enough to teach that age group. Don't know about less tension and drama, at least in those little self-obsessed darlings' minds. My hat's off to him.

Take the time to think the task at hand through, do the research, hunt & fish & bird watch & smell the wild flowers & look at a sunrise & sunset like it's the last time you'll ever get to go on or see one.

The Better Half & I ate a burger with my youngest yesterday for the 1st time in years and realized how long it had been ...I came away with " when did he turn 40? ... and wouldja look at that! he's finally grown up to become an Adult"...both of us have been way too busy with Life... but he blew me away with... MAN Plan'S & GOD Laughs....sounds like Faulkner, Hemingway or ???.

He's re reading the Great American authors and trying to change careers to teach Jr High hellions that he's been substitute teaching, for a Life with more stability and less Tension & Drama than upscale corporate restuarants.
Ron

We both survived

I see you live in the Monzanos or Watermelon mountain.. I used to live in a small cabin at the end of Raven Road in the small Skyland community years ago. This is South of I40 on 337. I miss that place sometimes.

Oh yeah, one more for your list - bring a darned compass.

-d

When you're on a week long elk hunt, it aint over till its over. DO NOT sit in camp the evening before the day you're leaving.

(fortunately I didn't learn this the hard way)

I know exactly where you're talking about. One of the prettiest places in New Mexico.
One more: put extra toilet paper in your day pack

Remember Murphy's law and try to plan accordingly.

Make a list of what you need and check it twice.

Get everything you need before leaving, thinking you will get something on the way doesn't always work.

Have fun. Don't spoil things for others by being a complainer.