Hi Matt,

I’m in a tree stand, either a hanger or a home-built 8′ ladder stand. I don’t get up too high, even with the hanger. 10 feet is plenty for me. I might spend some time on the ground later in the season, which really is sort of backward. I ought to be on the ground when there’s more foliage. It has more to do with the odds of putting meat in the freezer. I’m shooting a Leon Stewart, one-piece Slammer Special, R/D longbow with Beman Bowhunter 400s and Tuffheads up front.

Good luck with your set-up! best, dwc

That Ace reminds me of an Eclipse. If I wasn’t so sold on Tuffheads I might try the Eclipse. It’s a solid head. I found one at a yard sale or something and never used it to hunt. Not enough shot opportunities to try all the heads out there that guys swear by. Dwc

My setup really doesn’t change from year to year. I’m hunting with a recurve pulling 56# @ 32″ shooting full length Beman ICS 340s and 125-grain Ace standards. The brand of recurve has changed a few times over the last couple decades, but the specs are pretty much the same.

Just using my 50lb longbow, back quiver, and some wood arrows….

Matt, my setups, and that is plural vary. I may use my Longbow if I am standing against a big tree, or my 60 inch Widow if I am in a tree. Then bow preference goes out the window if I acquire a new pony to the stable. Over the years, my most consistent bow set up has been a 60″ MA11, 58@28, ground hunting or tree stands equally, and razor sharp Zwickey Eskimos on Cedars. Hey, all this setup talk has me thinking about hooky tomorrow.

Matt Steed wrote: … Dog hunters are the bowhunters biggest obstacle…

That’s a peeve of mine too. Hunting deer with dogs is a low down habit. If you get north of the Mason Dixon line, they shoot dogs that chase deer. And with good reason IMO.

Hunting southern whitetails from the ground is a low odds activity. I’ve done a lot of it this year as there are so few deer that sitting in a tree is an equally unlikely technique for collecting a deer.

I like doing it both ways, and my longbow works equally well for either method. I can honestly say I’ve killed just as many deer from the ground this year as from the trees 🙄 🙁 😳 😀

45# Martin Savannah, Gold Tip Traditional arrows, and my go to tried and true 150 grain Magnus Stingers. I’ve been using the Stingers for around 10 years or so. I’ve thought about trying something different, but I always end up sticking with the Stingers. I’ve switched bows and arrows several times, but the broadheads have stayed the same.

Steve Graf wrote: [quote=Matt Steed]… Dog hunters are the bowhunters biggest obstacle…

If you get north of the Mason Dixon line, they shoot dogs that chase deer. 🙁 😳 😀

I’ve been hunting in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey for 40 years. In that time it has NEVER been legal to shoot a dog regardless of what its doing. If we see dogs running deer we are obligated, by law, to report it to the respective game commissions.

I’m hunting with my Bear Cheyenne recurve (I love that little bow!) 60# @ 28 but I’m drawing 30. I’m shooting the STOS 160 grain heads on 450 grain cedar shafts from 3Rivers.

I’ve seen a bunch of little ones but haven’t gotten a shot at a buck that meets my standards yet. But the rut is getting close!

Hunt safe, often and with pride.

JMC

John,

Correct you are, however as a kid it was unheard of to hear that someone killed a dog suspected of running deer. In all my years in the woods I’ve never seen a dog chasing deer. Dwc

I was hunting near my folks old place near Mesa, CO years ago and arrowed a mule deer doe. She turned as I shot and I hit her far back at a steep angle but the arrow but disappeared so I figured I had a deadly shot.

I waited awhile then went looking. She didn’t go 20 yds and there was a huge puddle of blood but no doe????? I started tracking a big blood trail but came to a fence I had not permission to cross. I could not believe the deer had the energy or life left in her to jump the fence.

I went down the mountain to mom’s and called and got permission.

When I got back to the fence I noticed other tracks besides deer??? I though coyote and also thought coyote in the middle of the day?? Closer examination determined it was a couple of dogs and they were pushing my deer.

I found her finally about 100 yards further on, one of her haunches eaten. When I opened her to take care of business there was only a fist sized amount of blood in her. She had run on pure adrenaline til she died. Poor girl.

Later that day about 1/2 mile up the mountain a cousin was working on an irrigation ditch, had his dog with him, and two big dogs, blood covered, attacked him and his dog. He shot them. End of that problem.

CO used to have some kind of law I think that said something about if dogs were more than a 1/4 mile from their home and also laws about dogs killing livestock and such.

I gave the deer to mom and dad and they said that meat was so bad they couldn’t eat it.

Back to topic of gear, my truck is operable again so critters beware.

Problem though, once again this totally unusual weather is about. 92*. This time of year oughta be coats, not sleeveless t’s….

Forgot, the arrow went from end to end and lodged in her opposite front shoulder.

Long John wrote: [quote=Steve Graf][quote=Matt Steed]… Dog hunters are the bowhunters biggest obstacle…

If you get north of the Mason Dixon line, they shoot dogs that chase deer. 🙁 😳 😀

I’ve been hunting in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey for 40 years. In that time it has NEVER been legal to shoot a dog regardless of what its doing. If we see dogs running deer we are obligated, by law, to report it to the respective game commissions…

JMC

You misquoted me dude. Emoticons were not associated with statement about shooting dogs.

And you are wrong about New York. Here is the law for your state:

“Cats: Any person over the age of twenty-one years possessing a hunting license may, and environmental conservation officers and peace officers, acting pursuant to their special duties, or police officers shall humanely destroy cats at large found hunting or killing any protected wild bird or with a dead bird of any protected species in its possession. Dogs: Any person may kill a dog pursuing or killing game in protected areas (no action may be taken against the person).”

Here is the link from which I got the quote:

https://www.animallaw.info/article/table-state-and-federal-laws-concerning-dogs-chasing-wildlife

Nothing like this set-up for a days hunting:D

And a peaceful break in the line of though:

R2, that’s another beauty! We don’t get so much of that tucked in the hills as we are. Thanks! d

Steve, I looked up the PA rules on killing a dog in pursuit of game and found this.

§ 2385. Destruction of dogs declared public nuisances.

(a) General rule.–A dog declared a public nuisance pursuant

to section 2384 (relating to declaring dogs public nuisances)

may be killed by any commission officer at any time or by any

person when the dog is found to be in the act of attacking a big

game animal.

(b) Reports after killing dog.–Any person who kills a

licensed dog pursuant to subsection (a) and section 2384 shall

notify the owner or a commission officer within 48 hours after

the dog was killed. The person who killed the dog or the

commission officer who receives the report shall disclose to the

owner of the dog the time, place, circumstances relating to the

death of the dog and the location of the dog’s remains. All

equipment found on the dog, including collar, name tag, license

tag or any other personal property, shall be returned to the

owner of the dog within ten days after conclusion of any

prosecution or immediately if no prosecution is contemplated.

In the PA Game Commission Dog Training Regulations it seeks to clarify and urge not to rush into shooting a dog.

“All hunters are urged to respect dog owners and their sport. Dogs can be attracted to electronic calling devices, as well as turkey calls. Be sure of your target. While the law requires dogs to be under the control of their owner or handler at all times, dogs often are not within sight of their handler while tracking game. Dogs cannot read no trespassing signs and do not heed fences. If you see a hunting dog running or barking, even though you may not see the handler, he or she is probably not far behind. It is unlawful for dogs to chase or pursue big game, however THE PGC RECOMMENDS THAT DOGS NOT BE SHOT UNLESS THEY ARE ACTUALLY IN THE ACT OF ATTACKING A BIG GAME ANIMAL AND THERE IS NO OTHER OPTION. If you see a dog or dogs chasing any deer, bear, elk or turkey, please contact the Game Commission and report the violation. Hunting dog owners have significant amounts of time and money invested in their dogs, and consider their dogs hunting partners and friends. Please do not shoot hunting dogs just because you do not immediately see their handler.”

Interesting topic. Steve, thanks for pointing to that website. It’s good to know the actual law as opposed to folk lore which is basically the fuel I was running on. best, dwc

I was just trying to sympathize with Matt’s dog problems, not stir up a hornet nest…

Nice photo R2! Gonna be 85 deg here today, so I can sympathize with your thermal challenges. Been “hunting” in shorts and a T-shirt this year. Now that it hasn’t rained in 2 weeks, the skeeters are out in full force.

Worst year of hunting I have ever experienced 🙄 😈 😳

Let’s see. I am shooting Greg Coffey’s Elkheart longbow, drawing 50 lbs at my draw length. Gold Tip traditional shafts. STOS broadheads.

No hornets nest here. I was interested in finding out what was folklore and what’s regulation. Thanks! Dwc