My plan, at least starting out, is to use a hickory flatbow I made at the TN Classic a few years ago (with a lot of adult supervision) and even won the selfbow challenge with, then further refined with the help of Eric Krewson. For arrows, I have some bamboo fletched with wild turkey and stone points knapped by James Parker. Just need a deer that's dumb enough to step into range in this heat! If I'm able to score with this set-up, next attempt will probably be with my Treadaway longbow.
Good luck hope you get one-Hap
Good hunting! :archer:
Sounds like fun. I'm gonna open up season with my Osage Selfbow. Perhaps no one will pick up on the wood grain carbons :scared:
Good ol hot Mississippi. Spent 3 yrs at Columbus air force Base in the early 80s.
Good luck with the selfbow
Good Luck Chad.I would end by saying shoot straight,but I know you will!
Get'em!
Tim B
Using a stick and stone again this year myself Chad. I really enjoy the challenge. I also hunt ground blinds which has been a lot of fun.
Good luck Chad. I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures of your success.
Thanks! Dummy me didn't think to get practice shafts, so I've been shooting one of my 12 hunting arrows into a foam target. If I can get a deer within 15-20 yds, I believe it's goose will be cooked. For a solid hickory bow, it's no slouch...and QUIET. Ok, I admit I cheated...it has a Dynaflight '97 string on it. I would switch to BCY-X, but I already had a Dynaflight string on it from when I made it in 2011 (before BCY-X was on the market) and it shoots really nice as-is, so...ain't gonna' try and fix what isn't broken.
I am amazed you're not taking out that beautiful treadway first!
Good luck Chad! Can't wait for the pics!
Bisch
I was pretty sure I was getting good arrow flight, but I wanted to be VERY sure. Had a buddy video me shooting, and he has a slo-mo feature on his phone. Holy smokes...I don't think I've ever seen better arrow flight! A little nose-down...probably because of the weight of the heads...but no kick, no wobble, no anything. Anxious to let the air out of one!
Chad,
do you have some pretty good spots to hunt?
I know here, I would have a heck of a time getting something close enough to feel 100% confident with a self bow.
Good luck. Post pic's when the "dummy" shows up !
I admire anyone who can pull it off with primitive gear. I have a neighbor who, with his son, both took bucks with hickory self-bows and other terminal gear they had made themselves. They worked HARD at it. Practice and hunting.
I set myself the task of taking a buck by still hunting with my recurve. Took me five seasons - and it is my avatar because it is still my most cherished hunting achievement. 14 yards.
My history with hickory isn't good. I had one hinge and collapse on me and never tried a second. God bless 'ya and may the Spirt shine on you when the time comes. :thumbsup:
Good luck Chad!!!
Honestly I don't feel this set-up is a handicap at all. It's a bit slower than my laminated bows, but out to 20 yds or so I shoot it as well as any. I've shot it better than my laminated bows at times. Where I hunt it's too thick for even a 20 yd shot, so if I get a shot it will be close. I'm only pulling around 50# on it, but that's more than enough to take out both lungs as long as I do my part. Hardest part for me is getting a shot! Deer around here are hunted pretty hard and are very alert. We'll see how it goes.
Chad, good luck. I hope to see the pictures and taste some of the back-strap before long.
Well, it was close this morning. Walked up on two bedded fawns in the dark. Was literally reaching for my bow as twilight was breaking and a deer came in...standing in the perfect spot, broadside, maybe 12 yds...but too dark to tell what it was. Another minute and it would have been meat...but...as it was, she and two more walked on down the woods line towards my buddy, and he laid the biggest doe down. Proud for him! Looks like we are in a good spot.
Well, long story short...was in my blind yesterday and a big doe comes in...close. Almost perfect scenario...7-8 yds, head down behind a tree, she didn't seem to know I was in the world. I had to lean back a tad to get a clear shot...in my mind I'm loading her in the truck. Draw, release, WHACK! And disgust...the "whack" was my limb hitting the blind...I'd leaned too far. She ducked and I watched my arrow sail over her back...idiot me, I was looking for a double-lung centerpunch and I should have aimed for the heart. To add insult to injury, I lost the arrow too. Oh well. When I get back from my vacation I'll be back at it. Saw three more deer after that shot, too far to shoot at, and lots more sign. They will be back, and so will I.
Dang Chad! Those "almosts" are what keeps you going back! Good luck on the next one!
Lots of good memories being made here. Keep at it!
Now you know what not to do next time. Sounds like you are in a good spot. Keep at it and you'll get one.