Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Bow Hunting => Topic started by: bwhntr350 on November 23, 2011, 05:35:01 PM
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Have taken many pretty nice Roosie's through the years and have never missed one because of mechanical failure until this year. I also never really used much mechanical crap on my bow just because if this reason. Last year I went to a release for the first time ever and a drop away rest.
On the last day of the season, in September, I was hunting back home, in Forks, and was in my typical spot. Had a bull bugling So I went after it and, eventually, cow talked it in to 30 yards. I had to wait about 15 minutes for him to turn broadside, and then let 'er rip. Nothing. The bull ran off over a little knoll, about 15 feet from where he was.
I waited. About 5 or 6 minutes later, he came back out about 5 yards further away. I had time to range him as he was not looking at me. 35.6 yards. I waited as he was now behind a little tree. After about 20 minutes he turned back around and walked through a big opening. I let out a little grunt in my throat and he stopped and looked at me. I drew back, aimed carefully, let go thinking that this time, for sure, that I would here the definite sound of elk body. Instead, I heard nothing.
The bull went back over the little knoll and bugled. I was perplexed. I just stood there not knowing what to do. I have taken 10 5 point or better bulls and this is the ffirst time that I never new what to do after a shot. He finally walked off all full of himself, bugling and being an elk, and I just watched him go knowing that something was wrong.
Been practicing with my other bow for the late deer season, and never took this bow out to see what was wrong. Actually, over the last two months, I convinced myself that I just screwed up. Tonight, finally, I decided to shoot this bow and see what what would happen. At 30 yards I shot 2 1/2 feet high and 1 foot to the left. :yike:
Started checking my bow out, just like I did in the woods that day in September, sights all tight, wth? Looked at the rest and wow! It was just hanging there, nearly completely off of where it mounts
The rest is a G5 Expert II. I really like this rest, well, I did like it. Now not so sure. On the pivot, where it screws to the mount, there is a screw that runs through the internal spring, whch activates the fall. This screw was nearly out. I took it in and tightened it and then my fall away would not fall. If I keep it back out a bit it works, but the screw is loose :dunno:.
So, thinking what I should do, I grabbed my wife's bow, which has the same rest, and guess what? Same friggin thing. The screw is nearly out.
Now, because I love this rest, I am going to try to put it back almost tight with some loc-tite and hope for the best.
I missed a nice 5-point that would have been pushing 270 P&Y, wide open, twice, and well within range all because I went to mechanical crap.
I probably should just put my Whisker Bisquit back on :tup: :dunno:
This does, though, confirm to me that I hope this state keeps mechanical broadheads illegal. I am sorry to be like this but I truly feel that when things get to complicated, they just tend to mess up more, or at least, have more of a chance to mess up. I just consider myself very lucky that I did not wound that bull and he walked away unscathed.
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Sorry to hear about the bull getting away. That sucks. Sounds like you have got it ifgured out tho.
Agree with you 100% on the BH issue. No need to risk it... especially on an animal as big and tough as a rosie bull.
As far as the rest goes..... for me the accuracy benefit I get from the drop away outweigh the additional maintenace. I really like g5 products, but after shooting the expert 2 my experience was similar to yours. I took it off and put Trophy Taker back on. I have used Trophy Takers for the last ten years, shooting several days a week. 1 failure, my knot came loose on the lift string. I caught it in the morning during my pre hunt inspection. 3 minute fix. It may or may not be your solution. Several friends shoot the WB and like you they like it as well.
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That is why I wont shoot a drop away, id stick to the whisker biscuit. Thats what I use and have never had a problem mechanically and it shoots good enough for me.
And I cant agree with you more on the mechanical broad heads either. There legal here in MT and id never consider using them.
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Thanks for the input, guys.
No biggie missing an elk. Missed my share in my life. Just a bummer why I missed it. As the title of my original post says, I feel dumb. I feel dumb for not checking things out before I went. Lesson learned. As a hunter, I have a duty to insure that I give myself every opportunity to make a clean kill and I really frown on myself for not checking everything out, at least every morning. I blew it and got what I deserved and like I said, I am very lucky that I did not have a wounded bull on my hands.
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My expert 2 did the same exact thing as yours. I took it off and put it away for a long time. Last year I took it out to put it on a 3d bow. I started fiddleing with it and realized the same thing you did. I tightened it up, then backed it out so it would fall and it has been flawless ever since and I have shot a ton of arrows and 3d's with it. Oh and ask my bull how well it worked this year. :chuckle: :tup:
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get rid of that G5 rest and buy the best.
Suggest: Trophy Taker, NAP or my fave, QAD.
everything else are just copies.
I switched from a WhiskerB and will never go back.
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Boy I love the longbow. :chuckle:
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Thats okay I missed a 3x3 at 25 yds last weekend. Settled my 20yd pin just above his heart and released. Went right beneath him. Somehow between ranging and teleasing i forgot he was 25 not 20. Talk about feeling dumb. If he had been tje 5x5 I've seen I still be crying.
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Boy I love the longbow. :chuckle:
:chuckle: I knew it was coming from someone :chuckle: I almost said it. The point is with any bow using anytype of sights or rests or anything that can move, there is always going to be a chance for stuff to come loose and move. I am a freak about my gear and my equipment. I have been bowhunting a long time and most times around here I have about 12-20 bows. I have yet to have any gear fail on me and I always check my gear before I start anyhunt. I like to check it everyday as well If I find time to shoot mid day or at night when back at camp.