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Post by harmonist34 on Dec 28, 2021 11:52:10 GMT -5
If you’re not paying cash, know that borrowing money for unimproved land tends to be more expensive since it’s not a traditional mortgage. You also need to factor in the opportunity cost of taking money that you have out of the market, where it might be consistently compounding at 7-10% a year (even more in our crazy recent market) and you’re putting it into land that likely won’t increase in value at anywhere near that speed.
I would love to own land but leasing just makes so much more sense financially.
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Post by harmonist34 on Dec 23, 2021 16:38:38 GMT -5
Probably my last sit of the year. Up since 2 and haven’t seen anything yet…maybe at last light!
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Post by harmonist34 on Dec 20, 2021 21:46:24 GMT -5
This just came from Bass and Bucks where they put on new strings and cables. This is the bow with which I had the misadventures detailed in this thread: hunt-indiana.com/thread/69077/cautionary-tale-advice-needed. So the bad news is that this bow was dry fired 3x over two years. Good news is that it’s been checked out by 3 archery shops after, one each time, and just had new strings and cables installed. Other than some paint scratched off on the riser where my broadhead hit, it looks great. New D loop installed, peep in but not tied in so you can adjust. Missing Matthews stickers from grip as they fell out early on. This is a good bow at an attractive price. Would prefer a local sale somewhere in the Indy area but will ship for $40-50 extra depending on distance. Message me your email address or number to text if you want pictures.
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Post by harmonist34 on Nov 29, 2021 9:23:51 GMT -5
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Post by harmonist34 on Nov 14, 2021 22:04:09 GMT -5
All - sorry for delayed reply. Thank you so much for good advice and perspective. Lots of ways out of this for me, and I'm seeing some very practical steps.
I need to start scouting to find specific trees well before the season. Then I'm deciding between spots (based on wind, etc.) but NOT stressing about finding a perfect tree in the dark, then wondering all day if I should have gotten down and moved.
Also see how I can adjust my perspective and remove some of the sources of stress I've been adding to hunting that doesn't really need to be there.
And after this weekend, I got a painful reminder that there are worse things in hunting than being in the wrong spot and missing an opportunity for a shot. I ended up shooting a buck on Saturday and did not recover him after 600 yards and 6 hours of tracking. Went back again today and still could not locate him. Feel really bad about the outcome, and realize some of the mistakes I made.
It's very clear that I need to invest more time improving my marksmanship and confidence, and I intend to do all I can to keep this from happening again. After the rollercoaster of yesterday and today I need to take a little time off to clear my head and get back to the right frame of mind, so I'm dedicating next Saturday to my daughter's robotics competition and some family time. Then will hopefully get a few more good late archery and/or muzzleloader hunts in, and ideally end up with one in the freezer after all.
Thank you again to all of you who contributed ideas, perspective, and encouragement.
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Post by harmonist34 on Nov 14, 2021 21:57:14 GMT -5
Awesome - congratulations!
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Post by harmonist34 on Nov 13, 2021 7:27:23 GMT -5
7:26 est southwest of crawfordsville
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Post by harmonist34 on Nov 11, 2021 11:32:47 GMT -5
To me, there's no point in being in the woods if I have any guilt about it. So, I'll be staying home. Heartbreaking as it will be but, my conscience will be clear. Sounds like you’re approaching the decision with a focus on integrity - kudos for that!
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Post by harmonist34 on Nov 11, 2021 9:35:07 GMT -5
I’ve got a really strange relationship with hunting. In many ways, hunting season is my favorite time of year, and I spend much of the rest of the year thinking about it, buying stuff, prepping and planning, etc.
A good day in the woods is incredibly relaxing and enjoyable, and recharges me mentally like almost nothing else can.
But…
Mentally, I’m kind of a wreck all hunting season. The fact that it’s so short, and I’ll only have x chances to go and then I have to wait another 9 months, I’ve spent so much money and energy and feel a need to be successful to make that feel worthwhile, etc. creates so much pressure. And every decision feels so impactful, with huge FOMO and regret and second guessing. Do I go one more time to my lease or am I over hunting it and should have gone to a public land spot? Should I try a new spot or go back to the one I saw that buck at last week? Which tree do I pick in the dark…if you get that wrong I wasted a valuable morning of one of my few chances to hunt. Do I make it an all day sit so I don’t kick myself later, knowing that I’m missing more of kids’ stuff and chores and work stuff are piling up that much more? And if something bad happens (missed shot, or worse, non-recovery) it affects me for days. Also, the short nights and crazy early mornings definitely get to me.
Anybody else deal with this weird love/hate relationship? Any tips for managing and de-escalating the stress and pressure so it’s more of a fully enjoyable experience overall?
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Post by harmonist34 on Nov 9, 2021 15:35:15 GMT -5
Had a spike push a doe through thirty minutes ago but otherwise it’s been dead all afternoon. I actually thought he was a second doe and kept looking around for the buck that was surely chasing them..,
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Post by harmonist34 on Nov 9, 2021 11:51:33 GMT -5
A little 6 was very perplexed. He’s sure he heard a doe bleat, but there wasn’t one here…
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Post by harmonist34 on Nov 9, 2021 9:17:44 GMT -5
Out at my lease. Didn’t like the tree I picked once I saw my shot options in full daylight so decided to not be lazy and climb down and get set up in a new tree. Of course platform was off and I was standing on top stick when I saw the doe working towards me. I made it down without being seen but when she came over the edge of the bowl she was in I was standing in plain sight and she eventually spooked. Now up in a different tree about 100 yds away.
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Post by harmonist34 on Nov 6, 2021 14:51:01 GMT -5
Dead to start the morning except for a bobcat mom and cub/kitten/whatever they’re called. Then had a fork come to 10 yards. After that it was a buck or two chasing some does about 150 yds from my stand and some small cruising bucks on all sides. But after that it got fun. Little fork started chasing a doe back and forth through a creek. A bigger buck came to check it out and grunted the little guy off, then they all proceeded to do laps back and forth and around. I never got a good shot opportunity on the wide 8 but it was definitely entertaining! If tactacam video turns out I’ll post a clip. Just one cruising 6 pt since. Hoping for some action at twilight.
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Post by harmonist34 on Nov 2, 2021 9:51:31 GMT -5
Shot newest Mathews and Hoyt options but ultimately liked the PSE Evo 32 the best. Loved the balance in my hand, draw cycle, back wall. Switched to a limb-driven drop away rest and got new arrows. Should end up around 440 grains.
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Post by harmonist34 on Nov 1, 2021 23:17:18 GMT -5
Went to Bass & Bucks today. Good news - Vertix just needs string/cable replacement, which they're going to help me with, though it'll take at least a couple weeks. No cam or limb damage.
In the interest of saving my bow season, I just went ahead and bought a new bow today. Figure I'll either keep the Vertix as a backup bow or find a buyer for it and recoup some of my money.
Shoulder's sore from all the shooting today, but need to get practicing again tomorrow as I hope to feel confident enough to hunt by Friday!
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Post by harmonist34 on Oct 31, 2021 20:21:53 GMT -5
It's my fault - I'm not mechanical and don't think things through before I do them.
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Post by harmonist34 on Oct 31, 2021 13:38:59 GMT -5
Well...doing some tests today trying to understand the issue better. Was wondering if torque was part of the issue from my unnatural drawing motion in a saddle. I tried putting some torque on during the draw and blew up my bow. At best, need new strings and cables. Worst case also damaged one or both cams and who knows what else. Won't make that mistake again, but it's going to be an expensive one.
Sigh.
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Post by harmonist34 on Oct 31, 2021 12:10:57 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestions, all. I talked to a friend with a history in competition archery who works on his own bows. He had a bunch of questions - why is my rest that close to the riser, are my arrows under or over-spined, etc.
So I think I've got a short term problem with some practical short term solutions to get me through the season...then a much bigger process in the off-season.
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Post by harmonist34 on Oct 30, 2021 13:30:58 GMT -5
Haven’t tried but that’s an option.
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Post by harmonist34 on Oct 30, 2021 12:48:58 GMT -5
I’m a lousy archery hunter who keeps finding ways to screw up.
Last year, two times I was at full draw with my Vertix when my arrow came unnocked and started sliding off my bow. Because I’m an idiot, I panicked trying to let down and ended up dry firing and blowing the bottom end of the string off my bow both times. Yah, I know. Couldn’t explain it. Never happened practicing, and couldn’t recreate it when I tried.
So, today I was at full draw on a really nice buck and it happened again. Arrow pops loose, though this time I have presence of mind to carefully let down. He goes right under my platform but spooks from movement or scent before I can try again.
Finally figured out the issue, though. I shoot with my arrow’s colored vane to the left, so a vane running perpendicular (if colored vane is up) does not touch the cables. However if my three blade broadhead happens to be oriented with one blade perpendicular, it just nicks the riser at full draw enough to pop the arrow off. Aaaaaaargh.
I found one arrow in my quiver of 5 that’s not oriented that way so it should be safe. I have some 2 blades at home that I could switch to but haven’t practiced with them as much and they need sharpened. Could move arrow rest left but the bow is paper tuned. Can order new arrows but that’s expensive and doesn’t help me this season. Could probably have my draw length shortened but I haven’t practiced that way and would have to move my sight. In a couple tests up here from my saddle it seems like a broadhead goes on the same way on an arrow even if I try and rotate before starting it. Anything else I could try that I haven’t thought of?
Hurts to screw up yet another chance, and on such a nice buck, but I’m glad I didn’t wound him or bust my bow. Aaaaargh.
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