DOES ANYONE STILL BOW HUNT IN OHIO ? IS ANYONE, thinking about the upcoming Bow Season as much as I am ?
I'll be 75 years young in a few weeks and I do believe I am as excited about the upcoming season as I was my very first year of bow hunting :^}
Now I don't care what type of implement you use to hunt with as long as it is legal. Nor do I care if / or what organization or association you may or may not belong to. If you have sour thoughts on my or other folks equipment, on how or where I / we hunt, then I guess you need to drink more sweet tea !
I would like to know however if you are thinking about the new season ?
Where will I hunt, where will I place my stand, is my location / set up good ? Can I out wit (not to be confused with, out dumb wit) that deer :^}
Are you looking forward to those warm early season days, the crisp morning's, cool evenings of mid season, "THE RUT", the cold sits of the late season ?
Have you decided on new gear ? On when you will be scouting ? Or will you rely on past experience to get you to and though this next season ? Oh so many things to think about. Somehow, someway, it makes the all of the preparation, the anticipation, the joy of drawing on past experience to ready me for this new season worth it.
Ah, to have all of my plans come together for the opportunity to be successful. What a grand feeling it is.
Now all I need to do is start practicing with my bow. You see I'm not as quick of foot, fast of hand nor have the stamina I once did, my eyes aren't quiet as good as they once were and I am sometimes forgetful, so I need to get an early start on the upcoming season.
I sure would hate to miss it !
:^}
I am also looking at putting in more access lanes to allow me to better hunt the property in the various wind conditions now that time is not as big of an issue. Plus I have fletched a couple of dozen shafts and I am working on my shooting form. Turned my bow down for turkey season and will tune it in the next day or so. The snow fall last night will slow down my scouting for a day or so.
I do believe you have it right.
I still use lock-on's, and occasionally my climber.
:^}
I had to abandon my recurves last year (due to failing joints) and so I am now back to a compound, which adds another element to it all. Very much looking forward to this coming season!
Surprising to hear (lack of deer) about the NE corner of the state. I have many friends who have been quite successful up there over a long period of time. They have / did express some of the same concerns you express over the past several years. I took it all in stride, just thinking to myself they just were't successful that season.
One thing to think about is, "when you hunt the same area over a period of time you will experience both peak and lean seasons of deer in that area" for various reasons.
I go to the Orthopedic Doctor, tomorrow to review my MRI. I either have a "frozen shoulder" or a muscle tear in my left shoulder. In 75 years I have never experienced anything like this. I hope it is more minor than a tear and that a cortisone, shot will take care of it ? It would be a shame to miss the up coming season over this silly medical issue.
Good luck to you and the Ms', on your new lease and for the upcoming season. The transition to a compound bow should not be a problem for you.
I have found this same attitude with wardens in Trumble county. Three years ago, I reported an illegal stand location and bait pile on public land. Amish guy was sitting that stand. The chief flat out told me that they left the Amish alone. That stand and bait pile remained there all season and that Amish guy sat it on and off for a few months, as I witnessed him there over that time period.
Basically, IMO this is why the Amish are so destructive. They are a protected class around here.
If all game violators claimed they were Amish, would the "Chief" and the ODNR, (Game Warden) just leave the violator alone and do nothing ?
A Poacher, is still a Poacher, I would report the so called law enforcement officer for dereliction of his duties.
Sad, sad situation when you are being ethical in reporting a game violation and an officer of the law is to lazy to enforce the law and the citizen's he took an oath to protect.
We can include the Game Warden, who is also in dereliction of his duties. I believe if he were reported to the Director of the ODNR, he might have a different attitude.
If you still have the pictures I would make quality copies and try to set up an appointment with your State Representative to voice your frustration with both the local Law enforcement and the Game Warden.
Good Luck with a bad and a sad situation.
Very happy for you to still be out there in the "Woods" no better place to be IMHO.
Good luck and perhaps just perhaps one of those 5 grandson's will get the fire for a Bow
:^}