He shoots, He .........

[deadeye]

MISSES. Yesterday evening I had a crack at a very nice 10 pointer and basically blew it. The big buck was wandering towards me in fairly open woods. I heard and saw him at about 45 yards. At about 30 yards I attempted to draw back but simply lacked the arm strength to get it pulled back (short story is I lost weight over the past months and most likely lost some muscle in the process). He was broadside at 20 yards when I made a second attempt which also failed but was enough to get him to notice me. This started a fairly long stare down after which he started on his way. The third attempt I was able to draw back and hold while I waited for him to stop where I had a shot. Probably made two mistakes. First, I assumed he was still at 20 yards and second I don't think I used the 20-yard pin. At any rate I let one fly, the lighted knock was on and showed me a nice flight path just behind his front leg and just under his chest. The arrow came to rest in the soft forest floor just past the buck. He made a few quick hops and I thought he was gone. I knocked another arrow, hung up my bow and went over the previous few minutes in my head. Then I saw him about 35 yards away but as he was never in the clear and at about 45 yards, I tried a grunt snort wheeze but by then he had circled downwind and decided to leave the area.  And how was your day.

The buck came from this direction. Not much cover and it really surprised me


This was his exit route. He managed to stay behind the various brush and small trees.


He was standing just past the log. Again, virtually no cover.

[dutchboy]

I think you did good to get a shot off. By the look of things I would have been napping in the warm sun and he would have strolled right on by.

[Leech~~]

Aren't you at that age to be awarded a crossbow pass yet?  Got mine!   

[glenn57]

deadeye........looks like a few trips to the weight room!!!!!!!

happened to me back when i was bow hunting. went out at the end of the season and it was like 15 below. so i just watched!!!!!!!!!!

[LPS]

Just have to be 60 to use a crossbow.  I have read many times about how so many bow hunters are using too heavy of a bow. 

[deadeye]

On occasion I have thought about a crossbow but have not had a problem with the compound bow I'm using until the past month or so. No issues drawing and shooting 10-15 arrows last September and early October. I believe the bow is currently set to 53 lbs draw so I could certainly lower it a bit to make it work for me. Of course, then I would need to resight it, which shouldn't be a big deal. I know for positive if I had a crossbow the buck would be dead now but that's ok with me. If you remember back on October 3rd, I did kill a doe using the same bow. At that time, it never occurred to me I might not be able to draw back. Oh, well, I guess some bucks will get a reprieve and don't have to worry about me. 

[birdswacker]

Target panic possible?

[KEN W]

You can use a crossbow during bow season in Minnesota if you are over 60?

[glenn57]

You can use a crossbow during bow season in Minnesota if you are over 60?

yep!

[KEN W]

Didn't know that.....I could have been doing that the past couple years.

[LPS]

Yup just to blow my horn.  Roger Ericson was the Rep up here in LOW County and I have had shoulder operations before which is common in us over 60 crowd.  The Crossbow thing has been tried often.  I said to Roger how about anyone over 60 automatically being eligible.  Previous you had to have a thing from your Dr. saying you were injured.  Nothing for you may hurt yourself drawing a bow back. He tried it again and it passed easily.  SO any bow season for bear, deer, turkeys etc. if you are over 60 there is no longer any Dr. info needed.  You are automatically qualified to use a crossbow.  I have had some very negative feedback about how it was going to change bow hunting forever.  Complete BS. 

[glenn57]

Even with the doctor certification those were handed out like Halloween candy! I know a few guys that got one just by asking the doc for one.

[tangle tooth]

      I thought about the crossbow permit thing since I'm 67 years old, now. Then I did a little research in to the prices of new crossbows. Looks like I'll stick with my 870.

[KEN W]

But the crossbow lets you hunt 2 extra months. And shoot another deer.

[Steve-o]

This was his exit route. He managed to stay behind the various brush and small trees.

I think they do that on purpose.  They know exactly where those noises came from and they know how to put trees between them and you.

[deadeye]

Steve-o,
Probably true. But as most of you know they look a lot bigger going away than coming in. 
Yes, I could use a crossbow but will probably stick with the compound for a few more years. I just need to build up a little more arm strength. :)

[Dotch]

Steve-o,
Probably true. But as most of you know they look a lot bigger going away than coming in. 
Yes, I could use a crossbow but will probably stick with the compound for a few more years. I just need to build up a little more arm strength. :)

Have I got a deal for you!  Seriously, imagining myself shooting at something with that many trees in the way wouldn't end well I fear. And, as you point out, losing weight without additional exercise to strengthen the muscles happens. That's the one problem with winter here. Not a lot of weight loss but not much hay baling or barn cleaning either. Definitely notice the long intervals between muscle building/maintaining activities.   

[Leech~~]

That's the one problem with winter here. Not a lot of weight loss but not much hay baling or barn cleaning either. Definitely notice the long intervals between muscle building/maintaining activities.

That's why God, created Ice fishing!   

[dutchboy]

I think the beer companies invented ice fishing.     

[Dotch]

True, and I think Dean Phillips has been financing his political campaigns with the schnapps money...

[dutchboy]

They own the big bottling distillery in Princeton. I can't remember the name of it right now.

[glenn57]

They own the big bottling distillery in Princeton. I can't remember the name of it right now.

he might be the most sane on of the bunch....at least we dont hear his name like some on a weekly basis!!!!!

i really dont know much about him sept he's a DFLer!

[fishwidow]

They own the big bottling distillery in Princeton. I can't remember the name of it right now.

United States Distilled Products. Also goes by Phillips Distilling.