Bowhunting Procrastination

I am one of the biggest procrastinators. In a month I will be bowhunting in the backcountry and I finally took out my bow last week to practice. I should have been shooting all year (at least that is what my shot told me. I was struggling.) To make things worse I haven't even started to scout the areas I plan to hunt. People wonder why I haven't been able to get a deer in the last seven years of bowhunting.

Recently I started to get myself in shape for the upcoming hunt. What I started doing was push-ups and basketball (yes this is all). At the rate I am going I will not be ready to hunt for another couple of years unless something changes. The great thing about recognizing you have areas to improve is that you are aware of the problem and can fix it. I am going to start now to get ready for the bowhunt. I am going to start shooting regularly to improve my consistency, and I am going to start hiking to make sure my legs are ready for the long hikes bowhunting in the backcountry creates. Hiking will also allow me to see new areas and determine if I want to waste precious bowhunting time in the particular areas.

My advice is don't be like me and dedicate your time and energy in getting yourself prepared for the hunt by shooting your bow regularly and scouting usual and new areas. If you do, you will have a better chance of taking the big boy.

Posted by Nathan Shoell

New Bow

Last year I noticed my string was partially cut, and instead of replacing my string I decided to buy a new bow. After some research, I decided to by the new Hoyt Turbohawk (black). My new setup is the Trophy Taker Pronghorn and Bone Collector Quiver (Black). I am loving my new bow, it shoots really smooth, light weight, and accurate. Highly recommend this bow.

Posted by Nathan Shoell

Broken Bow String

Last year while Bowhunting in Backcountry , I spotted a couple of nice four points. I started my stock and got when in 60 yards and realized this is as close as I was going to get (practiced many times at 60 yards and was confident with the shot), so I decided to take the shot. As I was knocking my arrow, I noticed my string was partially cut. Going against my better judgment, I decided to take the shot. My shot was low and to the left, which I can contribute to being rushed for fear of my string breaking. Needless to say, this was the last time I shot my bow.

My buddy Mike wasn't as lucky as I ways. Last year he went out in the backcountry bowhunting and while he was taking some practice shots his string broke. Lucky for him it broke during the release of the arrow, which limited the damage to his bow to only a broken string.

Posted by Nathan Shoell

Scouting the Backcountry

My buddy Mike and I went this last weekend to scout some new area in the backcountry of Utah. For many years we have talked about hiking a certain mountain in central region of Utah, and Last weekend we finally did it. This Mountain range was steep, rugged and strenuous to hike, which was the reason it took us so many years to hike it. For the most part there was no trail to use. The night before it rained and so everything was wet. Not long into our hike we were drenched and the water from our legs ran right into our boots. By the time we reached the top our boots where full of water. Despite all the blisters and sore muscles that came the following day, seeing this buck made it all worth it. This buck has cheaters on both sides plus eye guards which makes him a 6X6 with a width of about 26 inches. This buck gets me even more excited for the bowhunt (almost two weeks away) to start. Besides from seeing this big buck we saw a few does and came across some bear track. It's not too late for you to go and spot the buck you are going to go after.

Preseason Scouting

It is time,once again, to dust off the hiking boots and start scouting new country in search of your dream buck. I know I haven't done much preseason scouting in the past because of the lack of time. This year is going to be different. I want to check out some new backcountry and find the buck that will win the "Da Man Trophy". We are going to checkout some new country in the Central Region of Utah. The area we are going to hike into should produce some big bucks. Don't be like me the previous years and procrastinate preseason scouting.

Da Man Trophy

Last year my buddy Mike decided to make the "Da Man Trophy." This trophy goes to the friend that kills the biggest buck. Unfortunately this trophy is not sitting at my house but at Chad's, who's buck is not featured on this blog because he killed his deer with a rifle. This is the most coveted trophy to have. This trophy comes with a plaque to put your name on and a year of bragging rights for killing the biggest buck. This is my year to have the "Da Man Trophy" at my house, and I will kill my big buck bowhunting in the backcountry.

Mike's Nice Buck

This is a tribute to my buddy Mike. He shot this nice buck in the backcountry of Uinta National Forest. This buck walked 20 yards in front of him. This was not one of those kills were Mike just happened to be sitting in the right place at the right time. Mike spotted this buck bedded down in some cliffs and came up with a plan on how he could shoot this buck. Mike picked a spot where he knew the buck, if pushed, would pass through. He then had another buddy hike around to the other side of the cliffs and start to push the buck towards him. His strategy worked perfectly. The buck passed broadside in front of him 20 yards away and Mike hit the buck right in the vitals. The buck ran about 20 yards and collapsed down a rock slide. Mike, this is my year to get a nice looking buck.