This post is more for me to document the season so I can reflect on it years down the road. However, please enjoy if you wish.
2023 was filled with many first's and was a great season, one I will never forget. This was the first year to a traditional compound bow (previous years I was using a crossbow) so I had some anxiety going into the season whether or not I could be successful as previous seasons. I typically harvest most of my deer early season to stock the freezer. It's historically been more difficult for me to find/pattern deer late season on public which is all I hunt.
1st time to harvest 7 deer (4 bow) that included 3 doe and 1 buck. Buck was a small 8pt but would only officially score a 7pt.
1st time to tag out on bucks. Big 8 with rifle and small 8 previously mentioned.
New PR with the Big 8pt (5x3) mentioned. Main beam 23.1" outside spread of 19" and aged at 5 1/2+ per TWRA at check in. One tine broken off on left side.
1st time to take a coyote. The thought of taking out a predator feels good but doing nothing with it feels wrong and probably will not do that again.
1st time to cap out a buck for a shoulder mount. Always have gotten European mounts.
1st time to harvest with my entry and exit was made by canoe.
Freezer is full and was even able to let a good friend have the meat from the last doe taken. So I had an awesome season and look forward to the next along with the adventures and memories it may hold. For now its time to start scouting more public land and shooting the bow regularly to stay in form and ready for opening day.
All glory given to God for this amazing season!
2023 was filled with many first's and was a great season, one I will never forget. This was the first year to a traditional compound bow (previous years I was using a crossbow) so I had some anxiety going into the season whether or not I could be successful as previous seasons. I typically harvest most of my deer early season to stock the freezer. It's historically been more difficult for me to find/pattern deer late season on public which is all I hunt.
1st time to harvest 7 deer (4 bow) that included 3 doe and 1 buck. Buck was a small 8pt but would only officially score a 7pt.
1st time to tag out on bucks. Big 8 with rifle and small 8 previously mentioned.
New PR with the Big 8pt (5x3) mentioned. Main beam 23.1" outside spread of 19" and aged at 5 1/2+ per TWRA at check in. One tine broken off on left side.
1st time to take a coyote. The thought of taking out a predator feels good but doing nothing with it feels wrong and probably will not do that again.
1st time to cap out a buck for a shoulder mount. Always have gotten European mounts.
1st time to harvest with my entry and exit was made by canoe.
Freezer is full and was even able to let a good friend have the meat from the last doe taken. So I had an awesome season and look forward to the next along with the adventures and memories it may hold. For now its time to start scouting more public land and shooting the bow regularly to stay in form and ready for opening day.
All glory given to God for this amazing season!
