Where Are You From & Where Do You Bowhunt?

[Airborneguy]

I am from New York City, although I plan on moving soon. I hunt currently in upstate, southern New York and some New Jersey. I have been hunting since I was 6 years old with my father and am jsut getting into bowhunting now.

[BUDFIELDS]

HOWDY FOLKS..

I started bowhunting and shooting competitive archery in 1964. I have witnessed MANY archery innovations throughout my career. The compound bow, aluminum arrows, razor bladed broadheads, release aids, modern arrow rests, and the list continues on and on.

I live in Indiana and I have bowhunted whitetail deer in Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, Illinois, Pa, Kentuckyand throughout my career, I have harvested 97 deer with bowhunting tackle and 85 with muzzleloader.

My first bowhunting trip was in Northern Indiana and I got cold and was headed for the truck... (I was going the wrong direction) and someone spooked a big doe and she came running directly to me. I dropped to one knee, drew the old Shakespeare recurve and "let 'er rip." To my surprize... the deer done a cartwheel and fell right there on the spot.

I did not even have a knife with me.. "Rookies" are not supposed to kill deer on their first trip. I later found out my "skilled" hunt was entirely luck. I was later taught the "finer aspects" of bowhunting. I was informed that I did not even have a nock point on my bow string and I had shot directly off the window shelf without a rest...

From those very "humble" beginnings, a love for bowhunting was formed and that feeling NEVER dwindled and I dedicated my life to teaching people as much as possible about ALL forms of deer hunting.

I have become a certified archery instructor with the National Field Archery Association, the Indiana Field Archery Association and I am also a Hunter Safety Education Instructor with the Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources. I am an outdoor columnist for a local newspaper where I have a weekly column, "OUTDOORS WITH BUD FIELDS" and I write hunting and fishing articles for a number of Internet websites and other publications. I also conduct deer hunting seminars for local businesses and tackle centers.


GOOD HUNTING FOLKS...
Bud Fields Pro-Staff
"OUTDOORS WITH BUD FIELDS"

[slyder]

Sly here,
Born and raised in Nebraska. Hunt mostly northeast nebraska. Hunt turkey, deer, coyotes, antelope, mule deer, pheasant and the occasional squirrel or rabbit. Got interested in archer around age 13. Pretty much self taught. Currently shooting Mathews Outback but have shot about every brand out there in the past. My first bow was a Bear recurve. My first compound was a Martin Ted Nugent Gonzo Safari. I still have that bow. Its been signed by Ted twice now along with a handfull of hats, pictures and a book. I havent had any hunting experiences that stand out...they have all been great. The only thing that would fullfill my hunting "career" would be a State Record whitetail. Not just being in the books.....i wanna be at the top of the list!

[Coonhound]

I'm a Washington State Native, I live in Lewis County right at the edge of Mt Rainier National Park. I've been huniting Blacktails and elk since I was a pup.

5 Years ago I took up archery and man do I love the thrill. I make it a point to attend as many 3D and Safari shoots as possible using my hunting setup. What a great way to prep for September and network with fellow bowhunters.

I have been reasonably successful with the Bow, I arrowed my 1st P & Y critter this year, a 25 1/2" Muley that scored 173 P & Y.

[TagSoup]

Grew up in Corona and now live in Long Beach. Got into bowhunting at the first of the year and have not picked up a rifle since......
I have taken one hog with my PSE and am looking to score in A zone this year with my new Kodiak.

[deershed]

My name is Steve and live in Md. just across the line south of Gettysburg,Pa.

My brother and I started shooting the bow with a friend.We'd hit the archery shoots every week,sometimes a couple a day.

I mainly hunt deer,but hunt anything eles too.I've taken deer,turkey,pheasant,rabbits,squirrel,g-hogs and a few others with the bow.

My first and only bow that I still shoot today is my Bear Alaskan II.It was 1988 the first year I bowhunted and I took a nice 6pt. that year.

My favorite bowhunting memory was last year after hunting 16 yrs. with the bow.
I took a P&Y buck that gross scored 149 2/8's and netted 140 1/8 shot in MD.
Two years earlier I shot a 121" whitetail in Pa. that came close to making the book.

My dream hunt would be to take an Alaskan Moose.

[bighog]

Hello everyone, I'm from watsonville, central ca coast. I have been huntin for 5 years now. First year ducks only. Second year branched out into big game with a rifle. Sometime later I received permission to hunt an apple orchard near my home, but it was bow only. So I bought one out of cabelas, a browning reflex.

I have had 2full seasons with it in the orchard and still no luck. I think I have made every mistake possible. I have been winded,busted on the draw,pinned, missed shots, arrow fell off rest on a big one(later bought a wisker biscuit) and had arrow catch on a limb of the ground blind. This was the 3rd season and I am so busy now with kids only hunted 4 hours on opening day of A zone archery. Did not see one deer. When I got back to my car the nice gentleman who rents the house nearby asked me how I did. I told him the usual. He laughed and said a nice big buck walked by my truck and hung out for 10 minutes or so 20 yards from it.

I took my huntin partner out there 2 seasons ago and within a half hour he got a 3x3 in velvet. He dosnt want to go back said it's too easy. Man am I depressed or what I have so much more respect for bow hunters now.

Well despite the continued risk of failure I still have a tag to fill so I think I'll give it a go tonight. Since huntin by yourself isnt much fun if theres a fellow bow hunter nearby who stll has an A zone tag your welcome to come along. cell # 234-3087

[5.9cummins]

Jared

I love to turkey hunt (shotgun) but now that i have discoverd archery for whitetails turkey may have to take a back seat.

I shoot a triumph by bowtech

I use to shoot a 1973 fred bear whitetail(what a diffrance)

My best memory of bowhunting is taking my first buck with my old bow two years ago. Stumbled on a buck running a doe on the way into my tree. the buck was chasing the doe in circles through some apples. each time the went into cover i made my way closer and closer. finally the buck chased the doe into the pines down hill. i grunted once and all hell borke loose, branches breaking, him running and grunting all the way to me. he broke out of the pines at 10 yd looked at me looked to my left then right. took two bounds i grunted, he stoped and end of story. ran 40 yards and piled up under the first apple he came to. clean pass through double lung shot. 8 point 14.5 in inside spread.

[5.9cummins]

I forgot to mention that while the above was taking place i didnt have time to take my climber off my back, didnt effect the shot (right in the sweet spot)

[BigDave]

Hi All ,


I shot my first whitetail deer (doe) as a kid with a 40 lb recurve , wooden arrows and Bear razor heads, back around 1972.

My next whitetail (doe) was taken with a new fangled compound bow, Bear Whitetail hunter with aluminum arrows.

I missed a shot at a once and a lifetime MONSTER whitetail in NJ around 1977 . Dad and I still remember it like it happened yeasterday. I never saw that buck again , but I remember the massive rack as it turned back and to look at what made that bow noise after it bolted a safe distance away from us.


I shot for Ramapo College archery team. I won a few tournaments and managed to win NJ State College Championship one year . I recieved a grant to attend "The World Archery Center". T.W.A.C .

I was a certified Archery Instructor and Bow hunter Instructor, But I have not made much use of it.

I have owned many fine target and hunting bows from Bear, Hoyt , Black Widow, Jennings and now I shoot a Matthews Switchback LD.

I hunt CA with Rifle and Bow. This year I will probably archery hunt AZ with a few buddies.

My recent Big Game animals were an almost 14 Inch CA Antelope in2002 . CA D8 3X2 in 2003 ,CA D14 3X3 in 2005. All taken with rifle.

I've passed on a few small bucks while scouting / bow hunting. I'm still looking for that MONSTER buck to hang on my wall.

This year I'm going to make a serious effort scouting and archery hunting.


BigDave

[HomertheHunter]

I hunt just north of Kansas City, MO. My brother in law got me interested in hunting in '04 and I went rifle hunting. I had a few people tell me if I liked that I should try bowhunting. So in January '05 I bought a Hoyt Ultrasport and started shooting and doing some 3d tournaments. I let my brother in law shoot my bow and now he is hooked on bowhunting also. Last year was my first bowhunting and I took a doe and a button. Since I really enjoyed it I sold my bow and bought a Hoyt Trykon that I am now shooting and love it. My greatest memory which there aren't many at this point would be my first doe. She came in less than 15 yards and was so relaxed, I hit her quartering away and the arrow exited between her front legs, she went about 30-40 yards and I saw her drop. I waited until I stopped shaking and climbed down. I went and found my brother in law who was hunting also so we could recover it together. It was great because we were able to share it together.
My dream hunt would be elk hunting, or being able to hunt with the Drury Brothers or Michael Waddell they seem really cool and down to earth.

[leftyhunter]

I enjoy any kind of big game bowhunting but would like to try bow fishing. I belong to Wilderness Unlimited and will be hunting the D-zone opener with a buddy from work. If any WU members wish they can e-mail me for a hunt. I live in LA., Calif. I have hunted in Kentucky and blew a shoot at a doe.
Leftyhunter

[OCD4BlackTails]

My name is Aaron I live in Sacramento, CA. I shoot a 2006 BowTech Old Glory. I backpack/backcountry hunt blacktail deer in the Trinity Alps.

[el_vaquero]

I'm from Castaic. Shoot a Mathews, new to bowhunting (and hunting in general) this year. Love going for deer and pig. So far, unsuccessful, but working on it. Would love to go on a Colorado Elk hunt.

[BOHNTR]

I'm from southern California (La Quinta) and hunt in-state as well as AZ, NM, CO, WY, OK, and any other state that will give me an archery tag.

[fishingitup]

Yolo County

2005 Bowtech Tomkat

[mdewitt71]

[attachment=37808:attachment]

- Mike Dewitt, I am a U.S Army soldier with a lil under 17 years in. 3X Iraq vet, Somalia, Haiti and all over the Central and South Americas........
Picked up bowhunting when I was stationed at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri in 1997 and been sling'n arrows since.
I have yet to take any big game as I am usually deployed or overseas during the hutning seasons.
Originally from WA but will retire in Missouri if all works out.
I have owned fred bear (3), Jennings (2), Storm (1), Bowtech (3), Newberry (2), and Ross (3) bows.
I did get to shoot some rabid dogs in Iraq as well as a few goats with a bow i took over there on my 2nd tour.

[Sleepy]

I'm from NW VT and have been deer hunting for about 8 years. My father has extremely bad arthritis in his elbow and can't shoot his bow anymore. This past fall ('06) i started practicing with my brother. 2nd week into the season i shot my first ever buck, or deer for that matter with a bow. Funny story, in the end i was leaving the woods when i stumbled upon this 7ptr bedded down, shot to the neck, hour wait, and there he was!

I'm abosolutely addicted to archery now, i think it is my favorite hunting out of all the hunting i do

[Iowa Ben]

Hello...I'm new to the site so I thought this was a good post to introduce myself. I'm a paramedic, married for 8 years with 2 kids.

Started bow hunting when I was 14. Won't stop until they put me in the ground. I'm from the western side of Iowa. Shot my first deer with a bow the second day out. All luck man, very little skill on that first one ( basket 10 pt.).....come to think of it not much has changed in 17 years ( I'm talking about the luck) ...... of course the beer gut has developed.

First bow was a Bear Black Panther open sites, love that bow, gave it to the neighbor kid about 5 years ago, he has as much fun with it as I did. My own son was only five at the time. So he'll get his own in a couple more years.

Shot a PSE, then a jennings Buckmaster, which killed a lot of deer and one cinnamon phase black bear in Canada. Got a switchback last year and I'm loving it.

Shot a couple 120's and a 130, biggest is a 149". Small beans compared to a lot of bucks that get shot here.

My dream hunt would be a Yukon moose hunt. Unless I win the lottery.......that probably isn't going to happen in this lifetime.

Ben

[willowbend1]

Live in Missouri
Hunting since 6 years of age
Deer
Turkey
Ducks
Geese
42 years old
Bow=Bowtech Allegiance and back up Bow is Bear Element
Buying a Bowtech Gaurdian for 3D this next coming year
Hunt all over Missouri
Dream hunt is a Excellent Elk hunt
Come on Sept.15th

[Mergrath]

Hi all! My name is Tim and I'm born and raised in sunny San Diego. I got myself into bowhunting last year based off of pure intrigue. What better way to spend your time then to challenge yourself in the sport of bowhunting? I went rifle hunting twice, picked up a bow and have never looked back!

The greatest feeling in the world was getting my first deer this year! What an adrenaline rush! I remember trying to dial my cell phone to tell my wife of my accomplishment and I was shaking so bad it took like five times to get it right.

I just picked up a new Bowtech General that will hopefully treat me as well as my old bow. I like to hunt pretty much anything with a bow but since I spend most of my time chasing deer that would probably be my favorite.

My dream hunt is chasing bugling bull Elk through the high country of Colorado.

[Belle]

My name is Al Rafferty and I live in Davis, Ca. (bugeatersville)

I have been hunting with a bow and arrow for about 16 years took a break for a couple of years in the middle thou.

I am currently the manager at Frontline Archery in Dixon,Ca. I also work full time at UC Davis.

I also shoot alot of 3-d tournments and Indoor archery

I like to hunt anything that will hold still long enough to get a arrow nocked.

I am also a Pope and Young scorer

[NESTO]

Where are you from?
have lived from Hawaii to Connecticut, but mostly Alabama and San diego

What kind of game do you like to hunt the most?
Deer and turkey, trying to get into yotes and hog

Who taught you how to bowhunt and when was your first bowhunt trip?
No one I know 'bow' hunts and my first would have to be picking of squirrels and rabbits in Talladega.

What kind of bow do you have?
Several different long and recurves.

What was your 1st bow?
A Falcon 25# glass recurve

What is your favorite bowhunting memory?
My first deer. From a home made tree swing with a hickory and cherry longbow, I was 16

What is your dream bowhunt?
Bear in alaska, with my own bamboo backed bow

[weekender21]

From the Carolinas, stationed in San Diego, CA. I've been bowhunting for three years and haven't hunted with a gun since that first kill. I'm Hooked!

New to Bowhunting!
I'm Stephen and I live in So. California.
I have never hunted before and this will be my first year.
I have a pse thunderbolt compound.
I have never taken any game with a bow, yet! I plan to hunt for Mule deer, pig, and black bear here in California.
My long time hunting goal would be to take a pissed off African Elephant with a Black Widow recurve and Ashby broadhead.
Thanks for welcoming me here.