[STTH]

As another season closes reflections come to mind from years past. I got my start with a Bear Kodiak Magnum recurve back in 1979. I didn't get a deer that year but then deer weren't near as plentiful then. The next year I got my first, a doe and was proud of the accomplishment. Couple years later I swapped out for "training wheels" and got my first compound bow. Over the years I regularly kilt deer and a few turkeys and upgraded again twice more with faster, lighter bows. Can't remember what year it was 2016? I upgraded again to my current setup, a Horton Storm. With this change I also upgraded my selection of what I would shoot. I have taken several turkey with it but the last couple years due to lack of birds in the area pass on anything but adult gobblers. This year, the eighth year to hunt with the dreaded crossbow, I finally crossed paths with the #1 deer that I had pictures of this year and as luck would have it I got him, my first buck with the crossbow. He also claimed the honor of being my best archery kill by 6" over my previous best which was 140".
This also was the best season I have ever had as I managed to get all 3 deer that I wanted, no giants by any means but the two best on camera and the spotted fawn that I have wanted for several years. Pics of my first and latest archery deer....

And of course the fawn

 

[venatic]

Sounds like a memorable time line.

 

[BC-Buck]

Wow you got me thinking when I started with stick and string. This year will be fortieth season.

 

[Triple Creek Hunter]

Fifty-two years for me. I also started with a Kodiak Magnum. Couldn't hit squat! I always shot fingers, and that bow was so short that it really stacked on you.
There was a group of 6-7 of us that shot targets and hunted together. Loved getting together every weekend at hunting camp. I really miss those days. Only 3 of us left, but we don't hunt together anymore. Cherish the time with your hunting buddies time goes by fast.
Took a lot of deer over the years with a vertical bow had to go to crossbow in 2015 due to elbow issues. Miss the compound gonna give it another shot next year. Always shot 3 fingers under instinctive, so should come back to me pretty quick.
Deer hunting has been a big part of my life over the last 65 years. Hopefully, God willing, I have several more good years left.
Have a 19 month old grandson to teach in a few years. Granddaughters never had any interest.

 

[timberdoodle]

Nice ! I love old deer huntin pics

 

[20']

I started late, but still a while ago in 1993, killed a BB that year with a garage sale bought PSE and shooting fingers. close to 30 years! A lot of time in tree stands! I must have been mad at them in 2011, as I killed 11, ergh!

 

[STTH]

I started late, but still a while ago in 1993, killed a BB that year with a garage sale bought PSE and shooting fingers. close to 30 years!

I was a late starter myself as I was 20 when I started bow hunting in 1979

 

[callaojoe]

I was a late starter myself as I was 20 when I started bow hunting in 1979

And now, you will have 5 nice cigars to smoke while you contemplate your 46th year. 👍🏻

 

[STTH]

Nice ! I love old deer huntin pics

Came across this one while looking for first bow kill pic, didn't realize I had been wearing the same hat since at least 1986.

 

[pmpeaks63]

45 years for me. Man, where has the time gone? I've been fortunate to shoot a bunch of nice deer and a few really good ones with the bow over that time. Still shooting my 125 grain Thunderheads after all these years. Switched from fingers to a release in 1999 when I upgraded from a Hoyt Super Slam Supreme to a Mathews MQ1. I haven't hunted with the MQ1 in about 12 years. Just bought new threads for it. Going to hunt with it again next year just because I want to relive some of my best memories with that bow in hand. My best deer was taken with that bow in 1999, 168" 12 point. NIce to see that there a lot of seniors on the forum. Maybe we all need to get together and shoot sometime....both the breeze and the bows.

 

[sfrerk1]

46 years for me. Shot my first deer in 1980. Spike buck with a Bear recurve. Might as well been a 10 pointer to me! Missed my first 5 shots that morning. Climbed down, got my arrows and then the spike came by. Buried my dad and mentor a year ago. This was my first season hunting without him! Life's too short. It's about the memories and experiences with loved ones. Not the number of inches.

 

[callaojoe]

I started bow hunting in the early 1990's, but not very seriously. I'd shoot my bow quite a bit, but only hunt occasionally. Didn't really get into it until 2001 when I bought my place in Macon county. Those early bow hunts were an adventure in learning, as there was no internet, and I didn't really know anyone who bow hunted. Just sort of took it up, and figured it out. Learned some hard lessons, and finally killed my first archery deer in 2003. Spent a lot of time in a tree since then, It's been time well wasted.

 

[20']

Time well wasted, I like that!!

 

[Triple Creek Hunter]

Love it. I can't tell you how many hours I have wasted over the last 50+ years of bowhunting. Enjoyed every minute of it!

 

[BC-Buck]

Love it. I can't tell you how many hours I have wasted over the last 50+ years of bowhunting. Enjoyed every minute of it!

Dont want to think how many hours hunting MO deer a season but between 80 hours vacation and weekends its a bunch.