Since the advent of internet and social media...The world has entered our living rooms and dens.

If there is one thing I've noticed...people certainly are not all alike.

I have honestly shot a lot of deer and turkeys. As far as deer honestly I think in all my years of hunting there is only 1 year I didn't get at least 1 deer. I think I was 14...I'm 55 now. That sounds like bragging...it isn't.

If there is one thing I learned there is rarely ever a sure thing.

That trail you found that is beaten into the side of the mt seems like a sure thing. But how many times have you posted by one only to go home empty handed ?

And that gobbler you roosted?..lol..funny I've snuck back in the pre dawn, set up thinking sure thing...and walked out without a gobbler slung over my shoulder.

And now we have trail cams...that's easy right? just pattern that big buck with a camera then slip in and kill him. Maybe that works on managed property with food plots...but it sure often don't work that way in the mts of PA on public land.

And how about deer sightings? I sort of envy the guys seeing deer every time they hunt, because I sit a lot of days without seeing a deer! Maybe I'm not the hunter I think I am eh? could be.

And then the public land thing...I hear soooo many people say its hard hunted. But then I hike in climb in my stand sit all day, hike out, and think....where is everybody? I think it depends on where your hunting I guess.

And what equipment do you need to kill a deer? That's one that will raise a discussion. I'll leave you in on a little secret I've learned....it don't take much...ssshhh The manufacturer's don't like guys like me...I often make it my self, or wear it till its wore out. Them tattered cuffs on the bottoms of your outdated camo really won't hurt your kill percentage...you just won't look as good.

And what bow is best?....hmmm, well it really should have a string on it.. and be strong enough to penetrate the vitals..

And arrows?...well ya want them flying straight.

And broadheads?...well needs to be sharp.

The best answer?...time and patience, cause everything else....just depends.

something else I've thought...why do I hunt, or prefer to hunt with a longbow or recurve? I don't know? just like the lightness, simplicity, and they just look nicer I guess.

And what of the challenge aspect? nah..I mean if it was all about getting close for me I suppose I could wait till they were close regardless of the weapon, I mean I shot a few deer with a rifle that you could measure it ft...like a doe at 15 ft with a 25-06...lol

but I'm not that disciplined, we rely on venison to much, if I can make the shot...I'm taking it.

Truthfully the ONLY thing that keeps me from shooting farther with a stickbow is I'm simply not accurate enough, to reliably shoot much beyond 30 yds, oh I've shot deer farther, my fartherest stickbow kill was 41 yds....right through the heart. Honestly that's not something I should be making a habit of though.

So again...distance?....well I guess that depends again. For me there is a certain time my mind shifts to kill mode...and I've noticed that usually don't happen beyond 20 couple yds. not that my bow can't kill farther...but I can't...normally...but then again....guess it depends.

I've been hunting for 56 years. The one thing that holds true is to be in the woods. That will pretty much tell you what you need to know/have. You may not see it necessarily, but it's there none the less. And you have a better chance of seeing it there, than on the sofa or at the computer.

We (us kids) were reared flat out against South Mountain in Cumberland County, Pa. Taking about the 40's but mostly 50's in a family that wasn't blessed with cash. Don't need to tell you what you learn to live on, or eat for a one dish meal, but it sure was a good childhood and a wonderful learning experience. The mountains/woods never leave your heart heart if your heart belongs there. Media or not, it's an easy thing for us to turn it off and go to the woods but I do spend too much time at it. I'll be 75 in January, and you can tell I'm getting old because I repeat things like that alot. )) But life is good still and our larder is full nearly all year and that's good.

We still worship the Lord out here and we still love our family and our friends, even those we don't agree with us or even get a little vocal with us. You never know what another is going through for sure. Go God Bless folks and keep to the woods as much as you an. Steve, you tend to keep us grounded...don't stop that.

Another great post Steve. I'm a little older and still driven to be in the woods and see/hear God's creatures and views. Been bow hunting 51 years now. Take care, Jeff

Yup, having the opportunity to spend some time in the woods every day is the only thing about retirement I find useful.

I've found it to be the same as juspassin, and I thank God each day to live in a country where I can do it!

Funny Steve when you were saying how different people on here are. I've never met you or George so I don't know much about you guys. But Georges childhood sounds like mine only on the side of a hill in southern Ohio. And your experiences and thoughts sound like mine alot even down to shooting my only gun kill I used a 25/06. On here i tend to over explain things trying to get my point across. So y'all made this easy for me. I saw a Hill short subject at the movies and became obsessed with bowhunting. I killed a small buck right after I turned 13 and thought it was easy. The next year the deer showed me how little I knew. I have chem burns on my lung from the army that finally caught up with me so my back country days are over, but I'll bowhunt as long as I can walk.

I grew up riding for cattle in the sage and mountains. Spent every summer with my brother living in a tent and feeding ourselves with trout and grouse while we kept track of our Dad's cattle. That started when we were 6 and 7 years old, and now that I'm in the sunset of my life I still am riding in the mountains most every day until October. Get to watch all the animals that live there, have eaten bear, deer, and elk all my life, enjoy sunrises and sunsets, and keep my cattle grazing on fresh grass. Hard to beat the privilege I've had for all these years, 79 of them!

Yes the inter Net has shortened the world, And in pa. Not too long ago you could only shoot one deer legally, And for me their is no correct answer for a lot of things I do, Ask my wife. lol

Well I definitely like your points about arrows flying straight and broad heads being sharp.

People spend a lot more time worrying about the perfect arrow and broad head than makes sense. I suppose you could make a few more points. Arrows that break are bad. 2/1 and 3/1 broad heads are better than 1/1 with modest power bows. But thats about it. And these are some of the oldest most widely agreed on point in bow hunting and have been for 50 years.

Often the internet does encourage people to obsess on insubstancial differences in gear.

pretty good stuff I just read here...thanks for the input. Shawn that was a heck of a year!

I miss the hills of PA were all I needed was a note from the landowner to hunt. Used to be able to walk out back and start hunting. It’s been too long since I’ve done that. Not much public land to hunt near me in Texas.

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