Smossy's 2015 Hunting Season.

[GameHunter1959]

Nice job. Any deer harvested with a bow is a major accomplishment. I enjoyed the read, and your honesty regarding the mistakes you made. The key is you made adjustments, kept at it, and found a way to get it done. Like you; I made several mistakes last season (first year archery hunting for me). I made adjustments, kept at it, and found a way to kill a 5 point on the last day of the early archery season. I missed a lot of deer, made some poor shots, etc. It was the best thing that could of happened too me. I learned a ton. I look forward to more of your posts and getting out there myself to try and make it happen. New baby is keeping in in doors this year. Hopefully I can get out there this weekend...

[gilroym]

Good job on the deer. I also was successful on my first solo hunt this year.

[pianoman9701]

Nice going, Smossy. I knew you'd knock one down!

[Todd_ID]

Good job from start to finish. A well-earned bow kill is a trophy accomplishment. Congrats!

[Wazukie]

 I just read the entire thread. I've got to say that this is the best that I've seen on here in a very long time.  Grays Smossy on a job well,done!


Sent from the woods

[ribka]

Nice job. Any deer harvested with a bow is a major accomplishment. I enjoyed the read, and your honesty regarding the mistakes you made. The key is you made adjustments, kept at it, and found a way to get it done. Like you; I made several mistakes last season (first year archery hunting for me). I made adjustments, kept at it, and found a way to kill a 5 point on the last day of the early archery season. I missed a lot of deer, made some poor shots, etc. It was the best thing that could of happened too me. I learned a ton. I look forward to more of your posts and getting out there myself to try and make it happen. New baby is keeping in in doors this year. Hopefully I can get out there this weekend...

Yep
Big congrats

[hollymaster]

The most tender part of any animal.

Hence the name lol. Im watching this like hour long video on how to process all the cuts, Looks do-able.

Nothing more rewarding than butchering your own animal.  Took me and my brother 3 hours to get all the meat off the bone and separate all the muscle groups the first time. Lots of good YouTube videos. Way to get her done! 

[Becky]

^ the place he was at had some farm land owners, not a town by any means. He said they had multiple generations' worth of elk and deer heads hanging so I told him they all have grown up in hunting households and they all have probably been taught from a young age what to look for. Not antis by any means, just experienced, but yea all advice is welcomed.

The biggest help was BTKR's advice about comparing the ears to the body, definitely going to be using that as a reference. 

[elk247]

Just saw this... Congrats man. Probably the best tasting deer you'll ever harvest. Enjoy 

[kentrek]

Way to go ! I had done the same thing once and shot a pretty small doe on accident...i was pretty consumed in the moment as it was an exceptionally risky stalk and was so jacked to get to 30 yards,the size never crossed my mind !! ....that was some of my best tasting deer meet I've ever had by far

Don't let a Lil farm boy get to you, his idea of hunting is probably very narrow and has yet to be developed

Girls time now 

[Wanttohuntmore]

Congrats Smossy! 

[h20hunter]

Smossy.....just now getting a chance to read your update. Bottom line and we should all remember this, you got the job done. Small deer....yep. Doe....yep. Legal animal, legal means, above and beyond effort and I commend you for putting in the time. This deer will provide some meat, add to your experience, and make you that much better as you get ready for next year. Well done and thank you for sharing. Like a few others mentioned.....don't let one sourpuss ruin your excitement of a tag filled.

[7mmfan]

I've had this discussion with many people who are new to hunting. Here is my advice. You have to kill animals, in order to get good at killing animals. That means that in your first few years, you really should be killing any legal animal that presents a shot. I bet I killed half a dozen deer before I got to the point here I wasn't an absolute mess behind the trigger. It takes time and experience, none of which you can get by passing on legal animals looking for "the one".

Your story is a prime example or why that advice works. You learned so much about judging game, distance, and shots in that one experience. You also learned a ton about tracking, perseverance, and unfortunately, people. Don't let them get to you, you got the last laugh when you started eating those backstraps.

Good work, keep it up.

[billythekidrock]

I've had this discussion with many people who are new to hunting. Here is my advice. You have to kill animals, in order to get good at killing animals. That means that in your first few years, you really should be killing any legal animal that presents a shot. I bet I killed half a dozen deer before I got to the point here I wasn't an absolute mess behind the trigger. It takes time and experience, none of which you can get by passing on legal animals looking for "the one".

Your story is a prime example or why that advice works. You learned so much about judging game, distance, and shots in that one experience. You also learned a ton about tracking, perseverance, and unfortunately, people. Don't let them get to you, you got the last laugh when you started eating those backstraps.

Good work, keep it up.

I completely agree. Notching the stock or getting a few under the belt is the only way to build confidence in all aspects of the hunt.
Judging an animal on the hoof vs ground shrink is only learned with hands on and animal down experience. You can watch all the butchering videos you want,  but it wont come together until you have an animal to practice on. Gutting is an experience that you are not prepared for no matter how many times someone explains how to do it.

You just have to do it.