Hello everyone,

This weekend will be my first hunt.  I will be packing my longbow with me.  All kinds of butterflies going on.  Im excited and nervous.  I value the opinions on this site and wanted to ask, what are any tips or words of wisdom for a first timer who is going the hard road of Trad.  lol  I will be with two experienced hunters, but both will be with compound bows.

Whitetail.

I am running a Ausable, 55# with Easton Axis Trad 400gr.  Stinger buzzcut 125 gr at the tips.  Hunting from ground blind in the Catskills, NY (private land, have permission slip.)

Thank you,
Bramos

Sounds like you are all set to go.  Remember to pick a spot, focus on it, and don't exceed your effective range and you'll be ok.  But most of all enjoy all that nature has to offer.

Hard road of trad?  Yer on the easy road now man!!!
Get'em in close and concentrate
Tim B

Thank you both.  Looking forward to it.

No matter what, take shots you KNOW you can make.   Pick a spot to shoot at.  Smell the roses... don't get disappointed if you don't see / shoot one. Good luck.

Just relax and have fun. Take only reasonable shots and pick a spot. Keep your nose in the wind.

Pick a spot, breath deep and steady, don't rush, try to remember that if you can see the deer's eyes it can see you move.

Breath in the surroundings, atmosphere and experience first.

All good advice here .
Good luck .

Learn to watch the deer, watch how it moves, know when it's alert, and when it relaxes.  That's how you know when to make your shot.

It's more important than being an x ring shooter.

And RELAX, your not hunting a grizzly, it isn't going to kill you if you miss.

Enjoy every minute and don't put too much pressure on yourself thinking a dead deer makes for a successful outing. Enjoy the campfire, your buddy's and all the stories. Oh and the beer.

Thank you everyone.  I was putting a lot of pressure on myself.  On Wednesday I rushed to the range just to get a few rounds in (one arrow per round) just to make sure my form was where it should be.  (The one thing I can account for)  But my wife actually said the same thing.  I cant forget to enjoy where I will be and what I will be doing.  I appreciate the wealth of knowledge on this Forum.  

Best,
Bramos

Take your time when the shot presents itself.  Ive been doing this over 35 years and I still forget.  Take your time!

Been bowhunting for 40 plus years and butterflies usher in October every year. I'm like a 4 year old on Christmas morning. Hope ya whackem!

Enjoy it all , when I take a shot at an animal I just talk myself through the shot process. Helps me keep my mind on the job at hand witch is hit what I'm looking at. I'm still very excited but if I talk myself through the shot I will stay focused , in my opinion good form will take a person far..

,,,Sam,,,

Wanted to give an update.  Had an outstanding time out there.  We saw a large deer, wish I could say if it was a buck or a doe, but it was so fast they before I could even draw back it had bounded away.  

This was everything and a bit more then I had expected it to be.  from getting out there in the dark hours, to the time spent with friends laughing about everything I am sure I did wrong.  

Hooked, and will be out there again in November.  On a side note, I now hate squirrels.  lol

Best,
Bramos

Great, I am glad you had a wonderful trip.  The Catskills are an incredible place.  Depending on where you are, You may have a lot of deer or absolutely no deer.

Make sure you know about the 3 point rule in many areas. Have your bear tag handy because odds are pretty good you will run into one sooner or later.

I am happy you did not have too high of expectations, some members on this site make it look a lot easier than it usually is (especially when hunting big woods)

Enjoy every minute and don't forget to stop and smell the roses.

Thank you for the post, that was one of the biggest things.  I had a hard time at first slowing down.  But once I was able to switch gears and look around, it was amazing to experience.

Sadly, cant get an image to post

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fixcHuiwgm4npW5B2

But that's the link.