Just now getting around to posting about my first hunt with my longbow. Sorry it's so long without a kill at the end, but I wanted to share it with the gang!

Zack (mississippidude) and I hunted public land this weekend since the farmer (our father-in-law) was harvesting beans on part of the farm where we normally hunt. I dropped Zack off at his entry point and drove to mine. We each had about a 1.25 mile hike to our spots. This was the first hunt with our trad gear for both of us. Zack was hunting from the ground on his Waldrop PacSeat (getting mine soon!) and I brought my climber.

I got settled into my climber overlooking a ditch crossing. Acorns were dropping and I was within 15 yards of an intersection of several trails.

At about 5:20 pm, I saw a few leaves move about 25 yards from me, then I saw deer legs through the brush. A few seconds later I saw antlers. Either this buck was bedded down not far from me the whole time, or he was tip-toeing. I couldn't believe I didn't see or hear him sooner. Anyway, he was a small 8 point that looked to be about 2 years old.

He fed within 20 yards of me and hung around for about 15 minutes. He spotted me in the tree but never could figure out what I was. He turned and slowly walked away feeding away from me.

Knowing that he was a legal deer in Mississippi, some may ask why I didn't fling an arrow at him since this was my first hunt with trad gear. The main reason is that I have hunted big bucks for several years now, and I am so used to letting smaller ones walk, that they really don't do much for me in the way of excitement after the initial sighting. Don't get me wrong, I get excited when I see any deer in the woods, but when it comes to killing a young buck, I'd rather take a doe for meat. I'm not a snob though, and I do get happy for others who kill smaller animals with their trad gear (just wanted to get that out of the way). I hope that makes sense.  

Another big reason for not taking a shot at the little guy is because I have a self-imposed maximum distance of 15 yards this year unless I gain more confidence at farther distances while practicing throughout the season.

While my first traditional hunt didn't end in a harvest, I am definitely hooked and can't wait to get back out there again sometime this week!

Great job knowing your limitations. We have a 20" beam rule basically so I'm mostly doe hunting. Lol. I'm gonna set up a ground blind for a 10 yard shot in a few weeks cause I know my limitations too. Lol.

Way to stick to your morals/limitations, it'll happen just be patient. Glad you're hooked

Your doing it the right way for sure. Have fun and enjoy the hunt. Thanks for sharing.  

Thanks guys! I just ordered a camera tree arm, so I hope to get my first trad kill on video!

Good job Brother. Nothing like traditional bowhunting.

Look forward to your video It's beginning to look like weather might shape up for the opener down our way.

@Matt, thanks brother! We should meet up soon. Shame we haven't yet.

@Possum thank you! You hunt in Neshoba too, don't you?

I still havent got my camera arm yet but will soon. Hope my little camcorder does the trick.  Also y'all watch out for the storm this weekend.

It sounds like you had a great hunt. Congratulations!

Next door neighbor here in 'Bama, ours opens the 14th. Can't wait.

Good luck this season Zwickey!

QuoteOriginally posted by jonwilson:

Knowing that he was a legal deer in Mississippi, some may ask why I didn't fling an arrow at him since this was my first hunt with trad gear. The main reason is that I have hunted big bucks for several years now, and I am so used to letting smaller ones walk, that they really don't do much for me in the way of excitement after the initial sighting.

Another big reason for not taking a shot at the little guy is because I have a self-imposed maximum distance of 15 yards this year unless I gain more confidence at farther distances while practicing throughout the season.

This right here is what I feel separates a hunter from a shooter. You knew your limits and stuck to them and let a good deer walk because of it. Who knows that 8 point may be much bigger next year. I think that earns you more respect than if you had shot it. Good job.

Thanks for the story Jon.
I appreciate your holding back due to the distance of the target.
You Sir, are a true hunter and sportsman.
I always believe in the Clint Eastwood Classic (Harry Callahan in Magnum Force) "A man has got to know his Limitations".
Congratulations on showing self discipline.
You will be rewarded for your sportsmanship.