Devil Diver Down
Well-known member
Before I download pics off my phone, etc. I thought I'd throw out this scenario.
Backstory:
Bought my first bow last year. Expectations were low and standards were even lower: "If it's brown, it's down." Didn't have the opportunity to release a single arrow on anything other than paper, foam and burlap through an AZ deer hunt, CO OTC elk and AZ javelina hunt--not exactly a banner year for me. Guy at my local shop suggested I shoot at quail, rabbits, anything just to bust the cherry. I don't feel like blowing up arrows in the rocky desert I hunt.
Scenario:
Archery deer opened this weekend in AZ. I'm in a wilderness area north of Flagstaff and it has been raining lightly on and off since I hiked in Thursday night. In the evening I'm glassing a meadow and a small forked horn buck and doe start working toward me. I position myself beside a tree, see antlers (the first/only buck I see in this hunt) and nock an arrow. They both know something isn't right--the tree has a funny looking appendage on its side. He's trying to get me to flinch by bobbing his head up and down but he works from my right to left and stops, broadside, at 15 yards.
Here are the options:
Shoot this buck I named Two Steaks. Get the experience of that first arrow released, hit, etc. Get the monkey off my back and out of the rain. Deer numbers appear to be down in the area and it might be my only chance. He's likely too stupid to make it thru the rifle hunt in October anyway.
Let him walk. He's a buck I'd never consider on a rifle hunt. If I tag out now, there are no more tags in my pocket and my archery deer hunting is over until 2012=no more gaining experience in spot/stalk/pre-release.
Curious what you all would do given my backstory/experience. Let him walk or arrow him? I realize that each hunter has to decide for themselves. Each person defines their trophy, etc. I know all that. I did what I did. I want to know what you would do.
Backstory:
Bought my first bow last year. Expectations were low and standards were even lower: "If it's brown, it's down." Didn't have the opportunity to release a single arrow on anything other than paper, foam and burlap through an AZ deer hunt, CO OTC elk and AZ javelina hunt--not exactly a banner year for me. Guy at my local shop suggested I shoot at quail, rabbits, anything just to bust the cherry. I don't feel like blowing up arrows in the rocky desert I hunt.
Scenario:
Archery deer opened this weekend in AZ. I'm in a wilderness area north of Flagstaff and it has been raining lightly on and off since I hiked in Thursday night. In the evening I'm glassing a meadow and a small forked horn buck and doe start working toward me. I position myself beside a tree, see antlers (the first/only buck I see in this hunt) and nock an arrow. They both know something isn't right--the tree has a funny looking appendage on its side. He's trying to get me to flinch by bobbing his head up and down but he works from my right to left and stops, broadside, at 15 yards.
Here are the options:
Shoot this buck I named Two Steaks. Get the experience of that first arrow released, hit, etc. Get the monkey off my back and out of the rain. Deer numbers appear to be down in the area and it might be my only chance. He's likely too stupid to make it thru the rifle hunt in October anyway.
Let him walk. He's a buck I'd never consider on a rifle hunt. If I tag out now, there are no more tags in my pocket and my archery deer hunting is over until 2012=no more gaining experience in spot/stalk/pre-release.
Curious what you all would do given my backstory/experience. Let him walk or arrow him? I realize that each hunter has to decide for themselves. Each person defines their trophy, etc. I know all that. I did what I did. I want to know what you would do.
Last edited: