Finally got to go bow hunting this morning

[MCgunner]

I can lift more'n 15 lbs, now, so says the doc. AND, I can finally SEE to shoot. Man, it was chilly! I wore insulated coveralls, but still got chilled. I ain't used to 50 degrees. Okay, you yankees can stop throwing the eggs and rotten fruit now. Remember, you're dead still while hunting, not active.

Got into my tree stand about 5:30, sun up around 6:30 for decent shooting light. I just came in around 9:15. Didn't see any deer. About 10 minutes after I got on stand, pitch dark, I hear movement in the woods, multiple movement. No grunts so I figured deer, but then I heard a grunt in the distance and one back behind me. I figure it was a herd of pigs. Then, as the sun was breaking dawn, the coyotes went to yappin'. There was a group down the sendero from me, one across the neighbor's place, a pack out front of the house somewhere. I was surrounded. Still couldn't see anything, though.

I heard two gun shots right at dawn. It ain't gun season. But, there's no game wardens out here, so I figure they're trying to get in on the rut. The rut is going on now and it always happens during bow season this time of year. That's why I bought a crossbow, can't shoot a regular bow due to eye dominance problems. One of those gun shots wasn't far from me. I have nothing good to say about poachers.

But, anyhow, I got to experience the wildlife and had a good time. Squirrels are barking, too. I'm tempted to go back out there later with a .22. Squirrel season never ends in this part of Texas.

 

[Bull Nutria]

Man that's great MC!! Seeing is very useful when hunting!!!! Hope you score on a big ole long necked trophy doe Soon with your crossbow!!!

You know 50 degrees doesn't sound cold to most folks but to those of us that are acclimated to 90 degrees along the gulf coast it is very chilly!! LOL

Bull

 

[Patocazador]

You know 50 degrees doesn't sound cold to most folks but to those of us that are acclimated to 90 degrees along the gulf coast it is very chilly!! LOL
Bull

You're right about that. I had a bow hunt 200 miles north of me and brought the clothes I usually hunt in. The 1st morning was 52, the second was 46 and yesterday was 41 at sun up. I shivered and shook with 2 t-shirts and a long-sleeved shirt on.
I did see 8 deer yesterday AM between 7:50 and 11:30. I took a shot at one big doe but poor range estimation allowed the arrow to go below her chest.

 

[MCgunner]

I hunt the same stand that I've shot with my rangefinder over the last couple of years. I know the ranges out to 30 yards, my limit with this crossbow. I may extend that effective range if I get a nicer bow. Have had my eye on an Excalibur. I really prefer the recurves. I always TRY to remember my rangefinder, but like my mama used to say, I'd forget my butt if it weren't tied on. No matter in my tree stand, I already know the ranges.

 

[LoonWulf]

Congrats on getting out and hunting! What kinda Xbow you use? Ive wanted to get one, but since i cant hunt public land with it i havent. I may some time soon tho as a friend of one of my hunting buddies is having issues with pigs again.....its mostly an excuse i have a couple nice bows still....but i want one.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

"Okay, you yankees can stop throwing the eggs..."

I hear ya bro, I'm Yankee clean to the bone and 64F is tee shirt weather to me, but 50 will get mighty cold indeed if you're not dressed for it.

 

[Speedo66]

Yeah 50 is cold, I know because when I hunt it's usually in the teens or less. If it goes up to 50 I'm cold because I start sweating and get cold from the moisture. lol

A bad day hunting is better than..........

 

[MCgunner]

Congrats on getting out and hunting! What kinda Xbow you use? Ive wanted to get one, but since i cant hunt public land with it i havent. I may some time soon tho as a friend of one of my hunting buddies is having issues with pigs again.....its mostly an excuse i have a couple nice bows still....but i want one.

I searched the net, read the evaluations, etc. I was looking for a cheap one just to see if I liked it. I shot a nice 8 point with it first year I had it....2 years ago now. I wanted a recurve for simplicity and really got hooked on Excalibur, but they were a little high for me at the time. I settled on this "Inferno Fury", a 150 lb draw recurve I got for about $150. It is very accurate and totally effective with broadheads to about 30 yards at which point it drops off the map vs a field point. But, I don't have more'n 40 yards where my stand is and my feeder is 25 yards away. I took the one below my stand at about 20 feet max, though. LOL Shot right through it, good blood, only went less than 50 yards and keeled over.

I've been satisfied with it, but might still pick up an Excalibur. The main gripe I have with the Inferno is the trigger is a might stiff with a hint of creep, but I shoot it well. Ain't like it needs a bench rest trigger.

http://www.bestcrossbowsource.com/arrow-precision-inferno-fury-crossbow-review/

 

[LoonWulf]

Thanks, that might be perfect. Where i would use it id only be shooting 20-30yds anyway, tho id probably lob bolts at longer range targets for fun just like i do my traditional and compound.

Ive looked at the excals a few times, but i just cant justify one, no matter how much i want one.

 

[courtgreene]

I've got the same Model as MCgunner, I've yet to shoot a deer with one but can vouch for the accuracy. Keep the rails lubed, though. Every three shots mine gets lubed. If I lose count, it gets lubed just in case. If you fail to keep the rails slick you can say audios to your string.

 

[MCgunner]

Farthermost I shoot is 40 yards and the thing will put 'em in the 10 ring if you do your part. That's with field points.

Yeah, I didn't wanna spend the cash on an Excalibur for a first bow. I'll turn loose some more maybe and get another bow. Heck, I might toy with a compound, but I sorta prefer simplicity. The only advantage to a compound I can see is compactness if shooting from a box blind or something, but they are heavier, too. That doesn't seem to me to be a big deal as I would always be shooting from a stand with it.

The instructions say to lube the string/rails every 6 shots. I shoot 4 at a time and lube between.