First year with a recurve....and I scored!

[JSimon]

This is my first year hunting with a recurve and a year of practice has really paid off. Not only did I shoot my first deer with a recurve, but my biggest so far. The funny thing is, I wasn't even planning on going out tonight. I work about 70 miles from where I live, so I usually can only make it out on weekends. Today I had a meeting about 25 miles from work in the general direction of home that got out at 3:00. Rather than head back to the office, I thought I would haul ass back home and head out to the woods. It had been raining all day, but I wasn't going to pass up a chance to get out during the week, so off I went.

Man the deer were moving tonight. I saw a doe with twin button bucks at about 4:30 that I just couldn't quite get a decent shot at, and with it raining I decided I would hold off. They walked off and eventually came back around through the woods. I couldn't hear much with the sprinkling rain, so I didn't see them sneak up on me until it was too late to get into position. After they passed by some trees, I got into better position and saw movement off the corner of my eye from the same direction the doe and button bucks had come. It was a small buck. I told myself before the season started that I just needed to break the ice this year after I got skunked last year and being the first year with the recurve. I decide I would take the shot at the small buck if the opportunity presented itself.

Just as the buck hit my shooting lane broadside I was about to draw back when I saw more movement behind him. This guy followed right behind the small buck and I made a good a shot from about 15 yards. I didn't get a pass through and it looked just a bit high, so I backed out. I thought I heard him crash, but I gave him about 45 minutes before picking up my buddy for the tracking job. On the way out it started raining harder and I was getting pretty nervous. We ended up finding my broken arrow close to the impact and a light blood trail let us right to the buck. He went less than 50 yards and was laying right where I thought I heard him go down.

Being my best buck to date and my first with a recurve, I'm definitely getting him mounted. I just thought I would share my accomplishment that wouldn't have happened without all of the advice I have gotten from this site over past year and a half. Thanks!

[vermonster13]

Nice buck!

[Hot Hap]

Congradulations!!! That is a dandy. Hap

[PaPaFrank]

WOW! Congratulations, very nice...

[DannyBows]

Nice Buck!! Congrats on a fine deer!  

[dino]

Congrats!  Pretty nice buck. dino

[bayoubowman]

Man that is a fine deer. A hearty congrats!! First deer with trad equipment is something special..

[JSimon]

Thanks alot guys. I'm still so wired, I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep tonight. It was a nice deer for my area. He weighed 180 lb. field dressed. Luckily the drag wasn't too far.

Also, my bow is a Quinn Stallion, 45 lb. at 28" for anyone interested. I could not be happier with that bow especially with the $200 price tag, brand new. I'm using Snuffers, and probably pulling closer to 50 lb. at my draw. The penetration was pretty good, but I think I may go with a two blade head in future.

[Whip]

Beautiful buck!  Man, he looks like he was getting all rutted up - neck looks big already.
Congratulations  

[Mike Burch]

Congrats!!    

Mike

[Shaun]

Fine animal and good shooting. Many happy returns of the feeling.

[bmfer]

nice job dude!

[SlowBowinMO]

Congratulations!  You have good reason to be pleased.  

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

Nice buck! I'm tired just thinking about dragging it out.

[the Ferret]

COOL BEANS      

[dragonheart]

Great buck!  Congrats!

[stick_string]

Great Buck....CONGRATS!!

[pseman]

Great job! Really nice deer. I hope to tell the same story soon.

Mark

[thp]

Nice spread on that rack!  Congratulations!

[Hook]

Excellent !!
Way to Go!!        
                                 Hook