"SPOT SHOOTER" ROOKIE!

Yes, I repeat myself on my hunting trajectory…, 15 years of bowhunting. But even a bowhunter (at least in my case) gets stuck in a paradigm. “I am a bad a--shooter”, “I don’t need a scope – it’s too easy”, “I prefer to score lower than ‘those’ target shooters”, etc., etc. IGNORANCE flowed through veins like watered down blood. I don’t apologize for my ignorance, but instead appreciate God for giving me the opportunity to try something new. I did it! I broke free from that paradigm that held me captive in the same world that I love.., the world of archery. Hunter set-up vs Target set-up - WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! I also appreciate God for the patience shooters in my archery club have extended me – not one has told me “I told you so” (in reference to letting me know it not as easy as it looks). Please understand I was not arrogant with my refusal to try a target set-up, but possibly scared of letting my “bowhunter” guard down. Maybe I just wanted to preserve what I consider the “bowhunter machismo”.

This past Tuesday, I shot my first “official” 14 target, 56 arrow outdoor round. I shot a lower score with my Sure-Loc, 4x scope, top of the end sight than my typical “bowhunter” set-up. I was floored. I was humbled deeply, and was vocal with my fellow archers how much respect I have gained for their shooting skill, for their precision. I told a fellow twitter blogger that a 50-60 yard paper plate is acceptable when preparing for a 20-30 yard hunting scenario. If we don’t hit dead center of the plate, we (at least I do) say, “It’s still a dead deer”. It’s almost like we are in denial that a few inches may end up being a missed shot, or worse, a wounded and/or lost animal. I failed to push myself to a higher quality of shooting, to a higher standard of precision.

Target shooting, even with a sight with all the bells and whistles, means nothing with without the purest forms of stance, form, breathing, CONCENTRATION, squeezing the trigger, respecting the bubble (level), feeling the shot, etc., etc. I have lowered my draw to 60 lbs. from 70 lbs. “Don” and “Bill”, tournament shooters, some of the best target shooters I personally know in their respective age groups, and fantastic individuals, have taken me under their wings. Although they know my “hard-core-hunter” status, they also know I am a beginner…., again. This new challenge I have taken on by no means signifies I will be a tournament champion. I am doing this for fun, for me. I also know this will make me a better bowhunter in the sense of precision shooting. I realize I have a lot of work ahead of me, and have lots of room from improvement, no doubt. Hey, what can I say, there's no shame to say - I am a proud “SPOT SHOOTER” ROOKIE!.

SCOUT & IGNORE THE "BUCKET DIPPER"!!

I WROTE THE STORY BELOW ON MY SON’S FIRST BIRTHDAY. LOTS OF EMOTIONS. BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES. BUT WHAT IF I HAD LISTENED TO THE ARROGANT, “KNOW-IT-ALL-NOW-PRIVATE-LAND” “BUCKET-DIPPER” HUNTER? THIS HUNTER TOLD ME I WAS WASTING MY TIME. WELL, I’M GLAD I PAYED HIM NO MIND OR I WOULDN'T HAVE A STORY TO TELL. SCOUT, SCOUT, SCOUT! DO YOUR HOMEWORK, EVEN IF IT’S PUBLIC LAND. ESPECIALLY IN PUBLIC LANDS TO UP YOUR CHANCES. CREATE YOUR OWN STORY, YOUR OWN SPECIAL MOMENT, PERSONALIZE YOUR OWN TROPHY! AS HUNTERS, WE HAVE TO BE OPTOMISTIC EVERY TIME WE GO AFIELD.., OTHERWISE, WHY DO IT? LATER I WILL SHARE HOW I SCOUT PRESSURED PUBLIC LANDS. “DON’T QUIT!”, JUST SAYING.

Published by lxtagle on 24 Feb 2011
Lucky the Tree
I’ve hunted for many years. I’ve been blessed to have successfully filled my freezer and share that blessing with church members and friends. Happy the 2008-09 season finally came around, I could not wait to hit the woods hard that first opening week hoping to have a shot at a wall hanger. Little did I know this year was going to be an emotional roller coaster. My wife Alex (yes, we have the same name) and I had scouted hard during the off season and had spotted a great bachelor group and thought we had patterned them well. During one of our scouting trips, we looked for a good tree to prepare. While helping cut shooting lanes, she found a rack of a non-typical 20 yards from “the” tree. WHAT A MOMENT and what a sign of what was to come!

On IL opening day, October 1st, I was able to leave work early, pick my wife up, and try to beat the rush of hunters for the afternoon hunt. Thank God we were there early, because there were some hunters that had not done their off season “homework” and looked like lost kids. We had to “shoo” them off and hoped they had not bumped all the deer to the next county. We finally settled in at about 12:30 p.m. and got our bows ready. At the base of the tree, I set up our blind. When 5:00 hit, deer were moving. It looked like a hunting show. A few does came out first and were using the trail we’d seen. Then, thirty minutes later, a shooter (130 class) finally stepped out, and wouldn’t you know it, it stopped right at a lane we had not cleared well. A few vines covered his vitals. I maintained drawn for what seemed forever. Sweat was seeping like never before, and I could almost hear my pulse! My wife ranged him for me at 22 yards – 3 yards inside my comfort level. He finally spotted us, new something was not right, never took that one step and blew right out of there! My heart sank. I told my wife why I couldn’t shoot and quickly got out of the blind with my pruners, and snipped those vines.

15 minutes later, more deer started coming out. We were waiting for the right one. A spike buck finally walked the same route the 130″ class did. Stopped exactly on the same spot! He was about to start walking, but I threw a short grunt; he stopped and looked our way. My beautiful wife released that arrow and made a perfect shot!!! Her first deer. Her first buck. Her first experience in understanding the “THE FEELING”.

Later that week I had several encounters off the stand on the tree. It was on October 8th that I harvested a beautiful buck. I’ve harvested more deer since then. My wife skipped the next year because of her pregnancy, and on Feb. 24, 2010, my son Marko was born!!!! Happy birthday, son!

Hunting is a big part of my life, but only because of God and my wife’s support. We plan to teach our son about the outdoors, and that it’s not the size of the rack that’s most important, but moments like that one mamma and I shared that led to her successful hunt, down to how we “met” that tree. The spike she shot, her first deer, is literally……, our millennium buck. That experience was the trophy for me. That was the “wall hanger” in my heart. I will NEVER forget October 1, 2008, nor that tree we named “Lucky”.

"DON'T RUSH THE SHOT"

Because I don’t claim to be an expert, I don’t feel the need to re-invent the wheel on important tips. Below is an outstanding tip Randy Ulmer shared years ago. Had I followed it on November 12, 2010, I would have had my second Pope & Young killed on my favorite Public Land I hunt religiously. The rut was in full effect. This three year old buck came in following, believe it or not, the scent of my bike’s tires! It had its nose to the ground. At 20 yards, he stopped without offering me a good shot, lost interest, and headed back to his original destination. I let out a social contact grunt with my mouth, and he came back. This time he stopped at FIFTEEN YARDS. Just legal shooting hours, no hot doe running around, he was not nervous…, I had time. I had time to settle the pin, but for some reason, I had a sense of need to shoot “now”. I punched the trigger, pulled the shot, and hit its shoulder. I KNEW I’d blown the shot before it hit the shoulder. Worst of all, besides feeling sick to my stomach for the missed opportunity, I felt even more sick knowing I rushed a shot without need and wounded an animal. I did see the buck two weeks later with a noticeable limp, but still feeding well. He made it, and will forever stay away from tire scents! On a serious note, I knew better. The famous “buck fever” and pressure equated to poor form and a lost opportunity.


“DON’T RUSH THE SHOT” By Randy Ulmer

“WHEN AIMING AT A BIG BUCK, I’M PROBABLY LIKE MOST BOWHUNTERS IN THAT I FEEL AN ALMOST OVERWHELMING URGE TO GET THE SHOT OVER WITH AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. HIT OR MISS, I JUST WANT THE SHOT OVER WITH. BUT GIVING IN TO THIS IMPULSE TO HURRY IS THE SUREST WAY TO MISS AN IMPORTANT SHOT. I’VE SHOT IN A FEW HIGH-PRESSURE TOURNAMENTS, AND I’VE SHOT A FEW BIG ANIMALS, AND THESE EXPERIENCES HAVE TAUGHT ME THAT YOU CAN STILL MAKE A GOOD SHOT EVEN WHEN YOU’RE SHAKING IN YOUR BOOTS. YOU JUST HAVE TO STICK WITH THE FUNDAMENTALS AND FOLLOW THE SAME STEPS YOU ALWAYS USE. A LOT OF BOWHUNTERS THINK THEY HAVE TO BE STEADY TO SHOOT WELL. IT REALLY DOESN’T WORK THAT WAY. IF YOU CONCENTRATE ON GOOD FORM AND SQUEEZE THE TRIGGER INSTEAD OF PUNCHING IT, YOUR ARROW WILL FIND THE CENTER OF THE TARGET ALMOST AS IF IT HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. IN SHORT, DON’T LET PRESSURE CAUSE YOU TO CHANGE ANYTHING IN THE WAY YOU SHOOT. AIM AND SQUEEZE JUST AS YOU ALWAYS DO. MAINTAIN YOUR VERY BEST FORM, AND YOU’LL BE AMAZED AT HOW WELL EVEN THE MOST TERRIFYING SHOTS TURN OUT. TRY TO RESIST THE TEMPATATION TO RUSH THE SHOT. OCCASIONALLY, AN ANIMAL IS GOING TO MOVE WHILE YOU’RE SETTLING IN AND SQUEEZING THE TRIGGER, BUT 90 PERCENT OF THE TIME THE OUTCOME IS GOING TO BE BETTER IF YOU JUST HAVE PATIENCE”.

IT'S PUBLIC LAND!!

“I arrived one hour before daylight to set up where you told me you’d seen some birds. There was one hammering away and I began to work him. That gobbler was coming in on a B line and outta nowhere, comes this yahoo walking the field with all his hunting gear, at prime time, just after the birds had flown off the roost. This bird was already at about 75 yards and he flew to the private side and out of sight. The guy didn’t show a care in the world, and went about his business !!” This is the reason many hunters have only bad things to say about public land hunting. If you hunt public land, you’ve probably heard similar stories to this before. This one (I summarized and clean up to serve the purpose) was told by my dear friend on his last day of IL season. He called me while still afield. Needless to say – he was fuming. Sadly and to no surprise, I felt his pain, for many of my hunts have ended in similar fashion. Here is my story, one of the stories: I was in a prime location on opening day last year. I’d scouted, cut shooting lanes, planned my entry, and anxiously awaited the moment. My set-up (NOT MY SPOT), was in a transition point deer were using to head back to bedding. However, this public land spot was twenty yards from a levy used as an access route by dove, duck, turkey, squirrel, anything legal hunters, including me. I, too, was in place and arrow knocked by 5:15 a.m., allowing plenty of time for things to settle down. At what I considered “prime-time”, does began heading my way. All of a sudden, a young man (hunter) comes walking up the levy with bow in hand, blind on his back, full camo, and a buck decoy. No attempt on his behalf to be discrete on his approach. NO ATTEMPT. All I heard was some blowing and saw white flags scattering away. Hunt was over. I ripped into this hunter. “What are you doing?!! I know this is public land. I know this is your land – but it is mine, too!! Do your homework like I do. Get up early like the rest of the hunters you’ve just ruined the hunt for and don’t even know it!! Learn about deer and about hunting them before you come out!!” blah, blah, blah. I was super ticked. I also cleaned up this story a bit  All I have to say is, I know how my friend felt. I know how frustrated he was. In reality, I hope “those” “hunters” learned a valuable lesson. God bless the young man that I lashed at, because now that I think about it, he really was into it. His heart was in the right place. He walked quite a bit, loaded with all the gadgets, maybe he’d just finish watching a hunting TV show the night before. No lack of motivation on his end. Moral of the story: “It’s public land!” That’s what I keep reminding myself. Chances are it won’t be the last time it happens. Public land blown hunts by others is like missing; if you have hunted enough - IT WILL HAPPEN! I will say this, IMO, that’s why public land success feels so rewarding. I feel like an accomplished hunter, a bowhunter for that matter. I feel grateful for all the memories and friendships I’ve developed on all public lands. I mean, am I not blessed to even be able to hunt, from rights to health? Public land blown hunts are a small price to pay. What would you do? How would you react? I can’t imagine land owners having their hunts ruined by trespassers. In that aspect, my buddy and I don’t have it as bad. "Don't Quit!", just saying.

"CANNED KILLING" vs HUNTING

I wrote on a newly found respect for outfitters. The following blog is what I perceived as ALL outfitters to be. That folks, is not the case!!! The outfitter I used, Abilene Outdoors Adventures fits the true definition of a free chase outfit - as does Tombstone Creek Outfitters. Both outfitters, respectively have guaranteed me one thing..., THERE IS NO GUARRANTEE I WILL KILL AN ANIMAL!! That's what I am talking about! "Don't Quit!", just saying. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-petersen/canned-killing-dont-call-it-hunting_b_1480296.html

WHY I HUNT

I'm in my blind right now.  Thoughts running through my mind.  I look at the field, at the trees, and process the thought of how lucky I am to witness the sunrise & how it illuminates mother earth.I am listening to the birds decorate the wind.  I am beathing the perfume of the dirt, trees, and other vegetation.  I am thinking of my wife and children, as I am sure they a just waking up.  I just got done thanking God for all the blessings he has provided me, from family, work, friends, health.  A few minutes ago, I witnessed the ritual of procreation, a hen and a turkey - nature at its best.  I tried calling in the gobbler to no avail.  Still, even though the hunt did not end up with a kill, my spirits are high.  I feel free.  I feel content with myself and surroundings.  In all this, I give thanks to this country, the wonderful US of A for having embraced me.  I am from Mexico, and believe me, I wouldn't have been able to do this, like this, in peace.  Having come from  very humble beginnings, I have learned to value the little things I do have.  I value this moment, for it is during these moments that I run with these emotions.  When I am afield, it is literally my "me" time.  I forget the daily grind and praise my blessings.  I forget the "preparation" for the hunt, for that in itself may be a  stress. I love creating memories & sharing my hunting stories.  I love to meet people with a similar passion .  When I am afield, I know I am alive!  The above may be just tip of the iceberg.  So this, my friends, is the reason why I hunt.

"Don't Quit!".  Just saying

To Bottle or Not To Bottle (your "business")

I hunt public land - lots of it, nearly 100% of the time. Needless to say, whitetail hunting on these pressured public lands is a different animal, no pun intended. These deer I hunt are spooked by their own shadow by the time the second day of the season rolls around. They have ZERO tolerance for intrusions into their domain! So, like smoking/tobacco (another topic) produces a foreign smell equated as a danger. Again, zero tolerance. Long ago, I posted a thread with this same title. The response was phenomenal, both in amount and in context! From MEDICAL SUPPORT to HUNTER EXPERIENCE. Here's my take (IMO). I follow a strict regime when it comes to scent control, from dedicating a shower/restroom just for hunting season to soaps, shampoos, plastic clothing bin with branches & leaves, cleansed towels, blah, blah, blah...., you get it. So, I am not going to take a chance doing "#1" out of my tree stand and let it be. I will not do it in my ground blind unto the ground. In short, I carry my bottle to do my business. A hassle? Maybe. However, a few ounces of weight are not going to kill me. I will try to do all I can within my ability to control all human scent & minimize it as best as possible. I hear stories of how guys with cologne, coming from an all-nighter, have killed booners. Well, God bless them. A lucky vs good argument. But since I know I hunt some honey holes multiple times, rotate spots - I don't want to be careless by the tinkle-tinkle factor. I want to hear your take. Whether public land or private land, "scientific" to personal. I will respect your "habbit" or "practice".., I mean, to each his/her own. Right? Please share. "Don't Quit!", just saying.