Congratulations Ed

Congratulations Ed on harvesting this nice six point with a Tenpoint Crossbow today.  Your Rage broadhead sure did it's job on this buck!  Thanks go out to Glenn and Rich from Whitetail Disabled Hunting and Associates for taking this veteran out today.

8 Point Buck 10/27/14

Last night I went hunting again with my friends from Whitetail Disabled Hunting and Associates. I shot this great 8 point buck with my Tenpont Maverick crossbow at 25 yards.

It was a great evening hunt, the weather was warm and hardly any wind. The landowner was so nice to talk with as we were getting ready to go.  She wished me good luck on the way in, and I needed all the luck I could get.  Glen and Rich set Beth and I up under an apple tree for the evening hunt, the set up was perfect for my wheelchair. 

I can't thank Glen and Rich enough for all their hard work and the great work their group does every year.  They sure put me on a great buck.  When we were finished hunting and my buck was recovered the landowner and her husband brought out champagne to celebrate!  Their children (6, 8 and 10) came out to see the buck and congratulate me.  It was a Fantastic night with friends enjoying archery season at it's best.

Hunting With a Crossbow

Is it legal to use a crossbow in your state?  24 states allow the use of crossbows the entire archery season and 28 states allow limited use.  I think every state should allow the use of crossbows.

Shooting a crossbow is archery hunting.  If you do not know the distance to your target, you will miss.  It is not like shooting a rifle.  Today's modern compound bows shoot 40, 50, yards, some could argue they are to advanced for the true archer...

Call your State Representative if crossbow hunting is not legal in your state.  Advocate and drive a change in policy and dispel the myths of crossbow hunting.

Plano Manta Crossbow Case

 

I just purchased the Manta Crossbow Case for my Tenpoint crossbow.  It looks like a great hard case with plenty of room for my xbow and accessories.  This is not going to be my everyday case, I will just use it for long trips. 

 

After putting it together I can say the directions were bad.  The pictures were so dark I could not see them.  This Youtube video was very helpful, I believe I could do brain surgery if I watched it a few times... 

Almost Turkey Time

May 3rd is quickly approaching, are you hunting Spring Gobbler in Pa ?  I'm torn between taking my crossbow or my 12 gauge shotgun (3'' turkey loads).  What are your thoughts on archery for turkeys ?

What a Great Hunt in Illinois (part 2)

 

One of the three bald eagles flying over the ground blind hunting pheasants. 

A curious doe who came 15 yard from the front of the ground blind and stood broadside

Making my way from the van  to the ground blind using my Action TrackChair

I had just seen a nice 8 pointer walking at 45 yards, I was hoping for a better shot

Watching the farmer harvest his corn one evening before the deer started moving.

 

 

The last night of the hunt, watching the sunset

 

 

A small six pointer and a few of his doe

 

 

Beth and I waiting to put on our balaclava's

 

 

What a Great Hunt in Illinois (part 1)

I just returned from my bow hunting trip to Illinois with LED outdoors.  It was a fantastic hunt with great people and I will always remember this trip. 

Ryan and Chase had everything set up perfectly.  The drive into the hunting spots was easy for my accessible van (very low clearance), the ground blinds were wheelchair accessible with room for Beth and I.  The guides moved the blind and decoy when necessary and made sure I made it in and out of the location, the day it snowed bad.

They completely understand my limitations as a hunter with a disability and did everything they possibly could to get me a shot at a monster buck.  Although we seen lots of deer, turkey's, bald eagle and even coyotes I was unable to tag out on a monster buck this year.

WMA Accessible Archery Hunt 2013

On Saturday I had the pleasure to go hunting with Whitetail Management Associates of Pittsburgh.  They set up a special doe hunt for four hunters with disabilities.  All of the members gave up their first day of archery season to get us into blinds, drive deer and assist us hunters with disabilities.

The day started early for our host Ryan, he was up at 2:30 AM putting a whole pig on the smoker, and getting everything ready for our arrival at 5:00 AM.  We would be hunting on his farm where he built several ground blinds specifically for wheelchair users.

After saying hello to several volunteers which I have met over the years, we were off to the ground blind.  By 5:30 AM, Beth and I were sitting in the middle of an apple orchard waiting for a mature whitetail doe to walk by.  The weather forecast was severe rain, but the rain had not started yet.

 

About 7:00 AM we were able to spot this buck 20 yards from my blind.  Unfortunately it was Doe only, so all we could do was take pictures.

 

By 8:00 AM several doe had been by the ground blind, unfortunately my limited mobility kept me from taking an ethical shot.  That did not stop Beth from taking pictures.

 

9:00 AM brought the rain.  This rain would continue all day until 8:30 PM.  I felt really bad for the volunteers who were driving deer to the hunters.  They never complained and could not do enough to assist us.  They were successful in pushing at least 11 deer close by me, but again I could not take the shot.  At 11:00 AM they came to take us back to the barn for a lunchtime feast!

I quickly learned that one of the hunters (Mike) who happens to be a double amputee was successful in taking two doe with his Tenpoint crossbow.   Zach and Bob had the same results as me, seeing lots of deer but were unable to pull the trigger.

 

Lunch was fantastic and I was able to speak with two Pennsylvania game commission officers about their work in the commonwealth.  One of the officers, Jack, told me an interesting story about recently rescuing a buck from a well and another buck that was tangled in a soccer net.  I also spoke with a few of the hunters who will be joining me this year on my bow hunt in Illinois. 

After a few hours in the barn enjoying the great food and camaraderie of the other hunters, we loaded up in the rain and headed out to a new location using a portable blind.

 

The evening hunt was almost an exact copy of the morning.  I was seeing lots of deer; unfortunately I was unable to get on them.  Hunting with a disability can be very challenging which makes the rewards that much sweeter.  Legal shooting light eventually came and I had to quit for the day.

 

Some people may not view this hunt as being successful, because I did not harvest a deer.  I know it was successful because I had the opportunity to hunt with great friends and experience bow hunting again in Pennsylvania.

Thank you to all the volunteers at Whitetail Management Associates for all you do for individuals with disabilities every year.  I’ve made some great friends within your organization and really appreciate everything you do for conservation and the sport of bow hunting.

 

 

 

 

Are you Ready?

I did an article for Wild Jaeger.com this month, please check it out !  It describes how I get ready for archery season with my Tenpoint crossbow.

Illinois License

I received my Illinois hunting license today!  I can't wait to get back out there with Ryan and LED Outdoors to try and take a monster buck with my crossbow. 

LED Outdoors is a first class operation and they have huge bucks that they manage and grow on thousands of acres of leased land.  Best of all, they are archery only and know what it takes to fill your tag.

Late Season Hunt

I did manage to get out hunting yesterday with my good friend Mike. We had a fantastic time and the weather did cooperate. The ground blind that Mike set up earlier in the week worked out fantastic. With Mike's help I was all set up by 3:15 PM and ready to hunt. It would not take long and I would see some action. At 4:50 PM I heard some movement coming 45 yards out in front and to my right. I used my pencil in my mouth to take the safety off of my Tenpoint crossbow. I know from practicing that the safety makes a loud click and I was concerned about the noise. The three doe were moving from my right to my left but there was no shot opportunity. As I watched the doe pass by, I noticed two of them were circling back, now moving left to right at 20 yards! As I watched the two deer in my scope the lead doe spotted me sitting in the ground blind. She was not in my shooting lane but I thought I could get an ethical shot. So I activated my BMF trigger activator, releasing the bolt towards her. I heard the bolt hit a branch and was concerned immediately with the shot.  Mike was watching from his treestand behind me. We waited a few minutes and for Mike to get down from his stand. He quickly found my bolt and it was a miss. The broadhead had white hair from the does belly but no blood, fat or anything indicating a hit. I had hit a small branch causing me to shoot under the doe. It seems this is the script for this year's hunting. There is not much time left in this season to redeem myself. But hopefully I get one more opportunity to fill my deer tag. It was a fantastic evening with Mike and I am very thankful for his help.

From Drop Box

Urban Hunting

I hope to do a little urban hunting today with my buddy Mike.  He set up a sweet natural ground blind for me last week.  The plan was to hunt today but I need some of the ice to melt away and freezing rain to stop first.  Wish me luck with the Tenpoint!

No Crossbows In NY

As of 12/31/12 you will no longer be able to hunt with a crossbow in New York without a special permit.  You can read the details here

I do not agree with this law and think anyone should be able to hunt with a crossbow.  What are your thoughts?

Illinois Hunt, How it Happened

Last year Ryan from LED Outdoors and I were hunting in Allegheny County Pennsylvania together when he asked me if I would like to go hunting on his lease at no charge in Illinois. I jumped at the chance and started planning right away for a fantastic archery hunt.

We would hunt together with members of his family and friends during the rut in some of the best Whitetail country Illinois has to offer. The temperatures would range from 24° to 70° so I needed to be prepared for all types of weather.

Two ground blinds were set up by Chase and Jake weeks before and I took an additional blind with me just in case we needed a third option. Chase and Jake are local guides and I just can't say enough about both of them. They could not do anything more to make my hunt successful, enjoyable and comfortable.

The guys in camp (Mike, Boo, Chuck, Sean, Joe, Bob, Brett and Steve) were all dedicated, passionate sportsman and fanatical archers. These guys were so much fun to be around and also so interesting to talk to about hunting. Everyone had an opinion on broadheads, bows, sent spray etc. and they were not afraid to tell you "you were using the wrong one...lol".

The land we hunted on was absolutely beautiful. I was hunting on 350 acres where I seen, squirrels, fox, turkey, coyote and of course monster buck.

I hunted hard all week and on the last day of my hunt, I got the opportunity I had traveled so far to take. A very large nontypical Whitetail buck was coming to the doe decoy, approaching her from behind and downwind exactly as Mike predicted.

As the buck got closer he noticed my ground blind and would look at the decoy, then my blind, take a few steps forward and look at me again. When he got to 42 yards he turned to face me offering a quarter to shot on his front left shoulder. He looked like he was going to leave the area and the doe decoy, so I did my best maneuvering my brace for the shot.

I whispered to Beth to raise my brace a little higher and move it to the left a little more. With her help I was able to get into position and take the shot. We both herd my crossbow bolt hit the buck in his shoulder.

I was so excited, breathing like I just ran the New York City Marathon. I had to take a few minutes and then text Ryan and the boys. Beth and I waited in the blind another 45 minutes before she went out to look for my bolt and blood.

Just then the Calvary had arrived, Ryan, Mike and Chase quickly found the blood trail but no bolt. The trail was bright red blood and they started the tracking process.  Jake came a few minutes later and stayed with us.

After going a long way it was determined that the buck never layed down so we wanted to give him a few hours. Hopefully I managed to catch one lung and giving the buck time, he would expire.

Later in the afternoon the guys went back out and tracked my buck until dark. At that point we determined that it was a nonfatal wound after a very long arduous track. These guys were the best trackers I had ever seen.  The next day was opening day of shotgun season and I was leaving for Pennsylvania. We had to call off the search.

Everything that could possibly be done to recover my buck was. It was not my best shot in the world but it will be one I think about for years to come. It's always the ones that get away that we think about in the middle of the night, right? Not the ones hanging on our walls.

Hopefully this will not be a my last Illinois archery hunt. The boys invited me back out again next year and we are already planning a different ground blind scenario. If everything works out with travel, my health etc. I plan on being there next November. Hunting is my passion and I could not ask for better people to pursue giant Whitetail Buck with than LED Outdoors and the Pittsburgh huntng crew.

　

　

John's 2012 Archery Buck

Last night my brother harvested this nice eight point whitetail buck with his Parker Buckbuster 175 crossbow.  He was using Rage 100 grain, two blade broadheads.

 

 

The buck was shot from his tree stand quartering away at 18 yards and was quickly recovered.  Congratulations John on a nice Pa buck! Now you need a turkey and a few Doe to fill the freezer for 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

Wax your String

It's important to wax the string on your crossbow after every trip to the range or field.  It's just as important to lube your rail and inspect your string and serving for any wear.

I also like to check all my bolts after every few trips just to make sure everything stays tight.  And when it comes to important gear like the BMF Trigger activator , rope cocker etc. remember, two is one and one is none in the field, keep an extra in your backpack.

Wash Everything

Ok the season is about to start, your crossbow is sighted in, new bolts and broadheads are ready in your quiver and your backpack is ready to be packed right?

Wrong, anything that can be washed including your backpack must be washed in scent free, brightener free detergent and Air Dried.  Never use your dryer or fabric sheets. 

Once all your clothing is completely dry, put it into a scent free plastic bag and seal that bag up tight.  Now this information is not new to most bow hunters but here are a few more steps...

Get a few packages of the scent away wipes and go over all your gear (wheelchair too) as best you can.  Your goal is scent elimination, that is the key to getting close.

Store all your gear away from pets, smells ect as best as possible. 

Shower in scent free soap before the hunt and use scent free deodorant. 

Fill your gas tank the day before the hunt not on your way there.

Get dressed at your hunting parking area if possible.

Touch as little as possible on your way to your groundblind.

Always hunt the wind...

Trail Camera Pictures

Here is one of the bucks on the property I will be hunting this November with L.E.D OUTDOORS LLC located in Illinois.

I can't wait to hunt with Ryan again and have a chance to take one of these great bucks with my crossbow.

Ten more days until archery season here in Pa, its like Christmas !

Crossbow Hunting Checklist

This is my generalized crossbow hunting list.  It changes by a few item's depending on where I hunt and for what...

1.      Bolts

2.      Brace for wheelchair

3.      Broadhead’s

4.      Cocking rope or crank

5.      Crossbow…duh

6.      Drag rope

7.      First aid kit  

8.      Flashlight

9.      Gloves, wet ones, zip ties, zip lock baggies

10.   GPS

11.   Ground blind

12.   Head net

13.   Knife

14.   License

15.   Lighter

16.   Range finder

17.   Scent eliminator

18.   String wax, rail lube

19.   Trigger activator

20.   Water bottle

Bow Hunting Illinois This Fall.

I will be hunting in Illinois this fall with my crossbow. I will be hunting with my good friend Ryan from L.E.D. Outdoors LLC . I have been thinking about this hunt since last year when Ryan made the offer to allow me to hunt on his property.

Ryan only allows bow hunting on his 2000 acres.  He runs a first class operation and is a great sportsman.  I have hunted with Ryan in Pa the last few years.  Oh and did I mention... Ryan is doing this FREE of charge for me?

Last night I purchased my Illinois hunting license from the department of natural resources online. I love how easy it is to purchase hunting and fishing licenses online these days.  It's one step closer to pursuing giant Whitetail deer.

I am really thankful to Ryan and I hope I have the opportunity to harvest one of these big boys that are on the property like he did last year.