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Team 6

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Freak


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Going to TN for fire fighter training for my papermill job and going to try to go hunting in the evenings and then the weekend so maybe i will have some luck. I have never hunted TN so who knows. Looking at Yanahli WMA or Percy Priest WMA
 
Nothing for me this today but lessons learned and climbing practice. Picked a tree that was probably a bit big, had other options and was just stubborn and kept at it for the climb. Had trouble getting the platform to set right, had to reattach a couple times and then really work to toe hook it. Damn near dropped my bow, I hadn’t tied a good knot on the rope to pull it up but didn’t realize it, by the time it was up with me in the saddle it had nearly worked loose, was lucky there. Rookies make rookie mistakes I guess. Best I can say is that I took my time and thought things through while I was struggling so I stayed safe and that I’m more prepared for tomorrow.
 
Very few of us start out perfect. I know I have a hard time finding the time to practice climbing and setting up as much as I should. I did a handful of climbs and shooting session from the saddle including attaching the platform.
Some is better than none. I felt like i was further along this year on my first sits than last.
 
I practiced a lot (I thought) in my backyard on the one tree I had. Nothing compares to doing it in real time I guess. I think if I did it again I’d have moved a few yards over to a tree that was a better fit. Thinking it over I am sure that I knew what to do and was stubborn when I only had my first stick in. I think I would’ve been quieter and quicker and been able to get the platform to bite better overall. Did still have 1 yearling in range, I practiced drawing and moving, just not what I’m after overall, especially at this point in the season, probably at all really.

I learned a lot and got a good laugh when I picked my kids up from school and told them I didn’t get one. They only knew I got one on the first day so they suggested I try harder next time and if I do my best I’ll get another. Had to explain to them this isn’t a 100% success rate situation.
 
HuskerInIowa said:
Nothing for me this today but lessons learned and climbing practice. Picked a tree that was probably a bit big, had other options and was just stubborn and kept at it for the climb. Had trouble getting the platform to set right, had to reattach a couple times and then really work to toe hook it. Damn near dropped my bow, I hadn’t tied a good knot on the rope to pull it up but didn’t realize it, by the time it was up with me in the saddle it had nearly worked loose, was lucky there. Rookies make rookie mistakes I guess. Best I can say is that I took my time and thought things through while I was struggling so I stayed safe and that I’m more prepared for tomorrow.
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I did this last year once and it was a disaster. I was sika hunting an old pine forest and I hunted the ground in the morning and got a hind. My dad joined me and I gave him my spot and decided to go in further and set up in a small clearing where they were headed to. I spent the better part of an hour messing around just picking a tree. The one I wanted was to big and leaning really bad so I went 20 yards over and got up a few feet and realized I had no lanes to shoot, went to another tree which I didn’t realize until I was half way up that it was dead up top. Now sweating and loosing daylight I had the choice to go in 20 yards and go up a smaller tree or go up that big white pine that I couldn’t get my hands around. I was one sticking and it was a huge pain, I was rushed and finally got up and realized the lean was to the wrong side but I set up anyway, if I would have fallen I would have been hanging there opposite side of my stick and gear so I hooked into my rappel rope so I could get down if it happened. Got my bow up and hung but didn’t untie the rope I used to pull it up. Only about 20 min of light left I took my backpack off and hung it, pullled out a call and hit it and a stag stood up across the clearing and started walking my way. I didn’t even have my release on… scrambled and got it on and grabbed my bow, knocked an arrow and realized it was still tied so one handed I fumbled it off and turned for my shot which was now to my right and almost straight down, got the bow around the tree, drew and had a split second for a shot before he headed into the brush under me. Took a breath and right when I was about to let go the rope I had my bow tied to fell all the way down right in front of him which made him stop dead and my arrow grazed him. He took a few bounds back into the opening and turned broadside so I moved around the tree to the left side now, knocked another arrow and before I could draw I couldn’t get my my footing and all I could think about was hanging off the far side of this tree and how much that was going to suck so I stopped fumbling around and watched him walk away. Climbed out and looked at my arrow which had a few hairs in the mechanical head but no blood anywhere to be seen. Glad it was a clean miss and regret even trying to take that shot.

lesson learned on big trees and leaners that day.
 
Rope climbing is the only way for big trees. I was trying that last year and got my throwball stuck in this big oak tree. So then I climbed it with my platform with aiders and it was bad. I put an extension on the strap of the platform and still was barely able to get it around. I made so much noise that no deer were seen that day.
 
I agree completely, if I’m going up a big tree it will be drt method or just find another tree.
 
Put in about 7-8 hours in the saddle today. Nothing moving but the squirrels this morning. Saw a few tonight but they stayed out of range. That’s alright, I anticipate that no matter how long I do this the deer will likely win more often than I do.

Overall just really happy I made the move to the saddle and found this forum. Able to be comfortable and feel safe (an odd feeling for a guy who doesn’t like heights as a general rule) for long periods, really like that I can wear/carry everything in, find a tree, and set up.
 
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Don’t think I would’ve got her without being in a saddle, or it certainly made it easier. She was working her way along very warily, I was able to move around the tree and keep it between me and her. I thought she was going to keep feeding on the left side of the tree so I was working on getting set for a shot there and she decided to make a few quick steps to a different spot on my right. Waited until she dropped her head to take a bite and got my bow back to that side, waited again until she did the same to draw, and then watched and heard the arrow find it’s mark. 15 yard shot and I ranged her and she was down at 30 yards so she went 15 after the shot, couldn’t ask for anything more there. Nice to have two headed for the freezer at this point in the season and I think my kids are more proud of me than I am of myself!
 
HuskerInIowa said:
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Don’t think I would’ve got her without being in a saddle, or it certainly made it easier. She was working her way along very warily, I was able to move around the tree and keep it between me and her. I thought she was going to keep feeding on the left side of the tree so I was working on getting set for a shot there and she decided to make a few quick steps to a different spot on my right. Waited until she dropped her head to take a bite and got my bow back to that side, waited again until she did the same to draw, and then watched and heard the arrow find it’s mark. 15 yard shot and I ranged her and she was down at 30 yards so she went 15 after the shot, couldn’t ask for anything more there. Nice to have two headed for the freezer at this point in the season and I think my kids are more proud of me than I am of myself!
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We are proud of you too bud.
 
Appreciate you all, I’ll be trying to upgrade one of them to a buck, I know two does isn’t a huge boost for the team score, but I had to stick to my goals for my first year bowhunting and in a saddle which were very simple; improve my skills using a saddle and a bow in the field, put meat in the freezer for my family, and if I could continue to have success to donate to HUSH to help others. We’ll see how the next 3 months play out but I couldn’t ask for a better first 8 days in the trees and a saddle. Thanks for taking in the rookie on your team and being so helpful!
 
HuskerInIowa said:
Appreciate you all, I’ll be trying to upgrade one of them to a buck, I know two does isn’t a huge boost for the team score, but I had to stick to my goals for my first year bowhunting and in a saddle which were very simple; improve my skills using a saddle and a bow in the field, put meat in the freezer for my family, and if I could continue to have success to donate to HUSH to help others. We’ll see how the next 3 months play out but I couldn’t ask for a better first 8 days in the trees and a saddle. Thanks for taking in the rookie on your team and being so helpful!
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2 does is better than I’ve done this year so far and I’ve been hunting my whole life. I’m excited to be a part of this team as well, whether your a rookie or a veteran it’s all about team work.
 
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