Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Bowhunting Got a bad case of the "what if's"

Just got back from the most action packed weekend of bowhunting bugling elk that I've ever had. Over two days I had 6 bulls within bow range but could never close the deal, so I've been running the scenarios over in my head trying to pick apart every move and learn from it. BTW, I shoot recurve and w/o sights, so for me 30 yards is the farthest shot I'd consider. The one that gave me the biggest rush was a 320 class bull that came right in to me...and I mean right in. He ended up just 10 feet away on the other side of the tree I was hiding behind and stood there for about 20 seconds before he got my scent and bolted. Sad thing is I moved up about 15 yards to give me more choices for shooting lanes. If I had stayed where I was I would have had an easy double lunger. After he blew out of there I relaxed a bit and reached for a chew, then turned around and there was another bull that had come in silent at 40 yards and he blew when I moved! It was some fantastic action and it's what keeps me coming back year after year, but once again I got a bad case of the "what if's." I just can't seem to close the deal and it can get frustrating. The wind was it's usual swirly self in the mountains and my buddy and I got winded just about every time things got up close and personal. Oh well, one of these days everything is going to come together and I'll get an arrow in a bull. Until then I can surely enjoy each and every encounter. It's mountain magic to this hoss.

As Deep Purple once sang..."It's not the kill,it's the thrill of the chase" Keep at it!

Dang that sounds exciting! Probably a dumb analogy, but it makes me think about hunting crows with a bow. What I mean by that is, you gotta be ready to shoot before the crow ever gets to the ground. You hear something? Get ready to shoot. You see something coming from a long way off? Get ready to shoot. If he gets right in front of you, and you ain't ready, it's to late.
Sounds like a great trip!

You mean like what if........
I had a compound bow with pins............

Now Tom, them's apples and oranges!

My freezer's been a lot fuller since I started whacking the first bull I get a shot at. Been a while since I shot a 6 point though.

OK Guys, I'll admit. I shoot both traditional and modern equipment. I practice with the recurve all summer. Sometimes I score, sometimes I don't. When I get frustrated late in the season...compound all the way! Later still? .308.

Aint nothing wrong with variety

Gonna have to get one with my recurve before I go to wheels. Don't think I haven't thought about it though.....

Imagine what the elk are thinking... "what if I hadn't smelled him?", "why do I always chase tail this time of year?", "Oh, that guy again..."