Well decided to try to use a vertical bow to hunt with today..
Been thinking about getting a for a while. I've used a cross bow for years and of course shotgun and rifles. Local John Deere dealer, Bridgeport Equipment bought the old KMart building in gallipolis and they've got a really nice hunting section, they even carry saddle hunting gear, saddles, platforms, ropeman, madrocks. So on black Friday I decided to make the plunge.
Never really shot a lot of bows in the past other than tinkering around with the kids bows at events and I do have a takedown bow.
Really didn't want anything too expensive and wanted something more or less fully setup so I decided on the Bear Cruzer G3. It was preset at 70# and I didn't even want to try that... I might be able to hit a golf ball 300+ yards but I have next to nothing for upper body strength. Asked to set it at 60# which turned out to be doable but it was a bit rougher on me to feel comfortable with starting out so we dropped it to 52# and 30" draw length. We discussed arrows and settled on a 340 spine and he cut em down and built the arrows, no charge.
Paper tuned the arrow and it was good to go out of the gate. I shot it several times. Being basic newbie to stick bows I actually shot it pretty well other than a few times I was gripping the bow to hard and once bangs the string on my forearm on a shot. Good thing I had a hoodie on so the welt wasn't as bad as it could of been. Got the sights adjusted and I picked up some muzzy trocar fixed blade broad heads(I use the Xbow versions on my Xbow) as I hate mechanicals and a cheap trophy ridge wrist release and out the door i went.
Shot the bow a good bit Saturday. Not quite as much as I wanted because I stringed myself 3-4 times because I apparently kept reverting to closed stance bringing my arm into danger zone. It got quite swollen and some bruising is still there as I type. Despite all that I was shooting pretty consistent groups.
Decided to go out this afternoon to hunt, not really expecting much because it rained all afternoon but I'd at least get some extra tree time, some reading time and experiment with how to get into various shooting positions and the odd ball ones with the bow and making notes on how to adjust my standing positioning as it's about backwards from using a gun/xbow.
Getting close to 4pm and a group of nosey dies come in. I had one keep looking up at me as I messed up and made a bit of noise but she couldn't quite figure it out. This went on for about 30 minutes. I made my mind up to pop one em if I could get a chance. Well eventually I did get one on the right side of my saddle setup at 10 yards almost straight down.
Of course as soon as I start to draw she looks at me. I pause and wait till she goes back to snacking. Take my shot and it seems to be good but wasn't quite sure because I'm trying to keep my grip light and apparently it was too light and dropped the bow after the shot luckily it landed on some brush I cut when I cleaned out the the spot earlier the season.
Broke camp and rappeled down.
Went to find the arrow and was worried about bit. Too used to xbows burying in the ground especially at that range. Ended up finding it well behind where she was standing laying on top of some briars.
Thanks to the rain tracking was a pain and lost blood within ten yards. Did have a good idea of the way she was traveling so I just continued on and she was laying on the side of a hill. About 60 yards from the shot. Shot was right where I aimed just a bit higher due to elevation and close range as I was using the 20yd pin.
Been thinking about getting a for a while. I've used a cross bow for years and of course shotgun and rifles. Local John Deere dealer, Bridgeport Equipment bought the old KMart building in gallipolis and they've got a really nice hunting section, they even carry saddle hunting gear, saddles, platforms, ropeman, madrocks. So on black Friday I decided to make the plunge.
Never really shot a lot of bows in the past other than tinkering around with the kids bows at events and I do have a takedown bow.
Really didn't want anything too expensive and wanted something more or less fully setup so I decided on the Bear Cruzer G3. It was preset at 70# and I didn't even want to try that... I might be able to hit a golf ball 300+ yards but I have next to nothing for upper body strength. Asked to set it at 60# which turned out to be doable but it was a bit rougher on me to feel comfortable with starting out so we dropped it to 52# and 30" draw length. We discussed arrows and settled on a 340 spine and he cut em down and built the arrows, no charge.
Paper tuned the arrow and it was good to go out of the gate. I shot it several times. Being basic newbie to stick bows I actually shot it pretty well other than a few times I was gripping the bow to hard and once bangs the string on my forearm on a shot. Good thing I had a hoodie on so the welt wasn't as bad as it could of been. Got the sights adjusted and I picked up some muzzy trocar fixed blade broad heads(I use the Xbow versions on my Xbow) as I hate mechanicals and a cheap trophy ridge wrist release and out the door i went.
Shot the bow a good bit Saturday. Not quite as much as I wanted because I stringed myself 3-4 times because I apparently kept reverting to closed stance bringing my arm into danger zone. It got quite swollen and some bruising is still there as I type. Despite all that I was shooting pretty consistent groups.
Decided to go out this afternoon to hunt, not really expecting much because it rained all afternoon but I'd at least get some extra tree time, some reading time and experiment with how to get into various shooting positions and the odd ball ones with the bow and making notes on how to adjust my standing positioning as it's about backwards from using a gun/xbow.
Getting close to 4pm and a group of nosey dies come in. I had one keep looking up at me as I messed up and made a bit of noise but she couldn't quite figure it out. This went on for about 30 minutes. I made my mind up to pop one em if I could get a chance. Well eventually I did get one on the right side of my saddle setup at 10 yards almost straight down.
Of course as soon as I start to draw she looks at me. I pause and wait till she goes back to snacking. Take my shot and it seems to be good but wasn't quite sure because I'm trying to keep my grip light and apparently it was too light and dropped the bow after the shot luckily it landed on some brush I cut when I cleaned out the the spot earlier the season.
Broke camp and rappeled down.
Went to find the arrow and was worried about bit. Too used to xbows burying in the ground especially at that range. Ended up finding it well behind where she was standing laying on top of some briars.
Thanks to the rain tracking was a pain and lost blood within ten yards. Did have a good idea of the way she was traveling so I just continued on and she was laying on the side of a hill. About 60 yards from the shot. Shot was right where I aimed just a bit higher due to elevation and close range as I was using the 20yd pin.
