It was a typical slow start to an archery season for me. It seems like every year opening day is the same day as IUP Homecoming, and I’ve always prioritized the parade and football game, especially since Will came along. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. This year like most others saw unseasonably warm temperatures and it never quite feels like hunting season at this early stage. I also don’t have any mature bucks I’m excited about at Horseshoe Hills and we’re still experiencing drought conditions. The combination of these factors led me to use opening morning as a warm-up hunt and I ended up going to the nearby State Game Lands 273 for a couple hours.
I accomplished what I set out to do, which was do a complete climb and setup in the dark with my new First Lite Transfer Pack, Tethrd One Sticks, vintage Bear Grizzly recurve, and video gear. I picked a spot earlier in the week that had good sign and was easy to get to, and on opening morning I executed my plan flawlessly. I didn’t see any deer, but I felt good about my approach. I hunted until about 8:30 a.m. and then had to call it quits to get home in time for the parade. It was a cool morning with temperatures in the mid 50’s and a beautiful sunrise, so it was an enjoyable hunt even though the action was slow.
My next opportunity to get out was Sunday evening. After staying out late at The Clarks concert and the long day on Saturday overall, there was no way I was getting up early. Despite the 82 degree temperature, I made the trip out to Horseshoe Hills because according to my trail cameras, deer were still moving pretty well in recent days despite the heat. This hunt wasn’t as smooth as opening day and it started with a comedy of errors.
For starters, I wanted to set my dad’s blind up for when he’s able to come out but never could get it to open. All I accomplished was breaking a heavy sweat and getting frustrated. My next bonehead move was going to might Gas Well Plot stand only to realize it wasn’t trimmed adequately for hunting with my recurve. The setup offered only a shot or two at 15 yards or less, so I had to pack up and move to my Homestead Plot stand. The wind wasn’t great and this spot also offered limited shots at short range, but it was better than the Gas Well Plot so I stayed.
It turned out to be a pretty good night. I saw a young doe early in the hunt but she stayed about 25 yards away, which is out of range for my recurve. A young buck showed up about a half hour later and followed the same path. I watched them feed in the distance for a while but they kept their distance. I saw another doe in the distance a bit later, but I think she saw me too and bounded in the opposite direction adding in a snort for good measure.
This was my first experience having to let a deer walk because it was out of trad bow range. I could have gotten a shot at the doe with my compound bow, but that’s a different game. I have to say I was fine with it as my drive to fill a tag isn’t what it once was. I’ve definitely felt myself seeking a good experience more so than the outcome in recent years. I think that’s a good thing.
The weather is going to change this week and I think that will help with my motivation. It’s just hard to get excited to hunt in temperatures north of 70 degrees, let alone 80. I’m hopeful my schedule eases up a bit so I can get back out soon. It doesn’t help that I’m fighting a cold as I type this. When I do get out, will I take the recurve or the compound? We shall see.