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Broadhead Dead My archery experience began while I was in the 82nd airborne at Ft Bragg, NC. A friend, who at that time was the record holder for IL bare bow, made it his life’s goal to teach me how to shoot bow without sights. I had purchased a Fred Bear recurve from the pawnshop and with a dozen arrows set out to become broadhead deadly. Well--- my friend, after two years of effort, suggested I buy a rifle. A move to Colorado resulted in my second archery purchase. I was the proud owner of a compound bow! This ignited my second rocket into the world of bow hunting. A friend and I practiced daily and after a summers worth of effort I was dangerous to anyone or anything in close proximity to a target. The years passed and the next time I picked up a bow was in MT where Bob talked me into shooting league! (He didn’t know my archery history) At the end of the season we were in dead last, even with my handicap. A friend suggested I borrow his wife’s bow which was equipped with sights, trigger, stabilizer, the works. WOW!!--- this was just like shooting a rifle. Who’s idea was this bare bow stuff anyway? Several years later in ND I went all out and borrowed a bow and the archery equipment from another friend. He also let me use his tree stand and property. This is what friends are for. This resulted in my first whitetail, a beautiful humungous Whitetail buck (spike)! That was it, I had to have my own bow. Whitetails look out, armed with a brand new Matthews FX, desire galore and basically no experience, I started the 2001 ND bow season. My shooting had improved; however being a novice in this close up game of archery whitetail left me less than confident. Late into November my heart begins pounding as I spot horns coming my way. Carefully I ease my Matthews out of the hanger and get ready. Within moments a majestic whitetail buck is 10 yards away and I have no idea what to do next. He feeds in and around my stand while my heart is hammering away, propelling me into a state of hyper-accelerated buck fever. Finally I get what my novice mind thinks is the opportunity. I pull the bow back, pick the spot and WHACK! The arrow is stuck in the ground absolutely drenched in blood and the trial is soaked red in contrast to the white snow. I am soooo pumped I can’t believe it. Did I actually do it? A real honest to goodness whitetail buck with a bow? When I got home I excitedly told my wife, "Those guys who snort coke have no idea what a rush is!" I am hooked bad! You don’t get off this stuff easily. In 2003 I buy my first trail camera, a 35mm film and with it discover a world of whitetails I have never seen before. First off, I get this picture of a great 5x4 and after it is developed, pass it around at the supper table and we all begin praying this is the deer for me. Just days later I get a photo of a 4x4 whitetail and after passing this picture we decide we are praying for the wrong buck. Just a few nights later I’m in my stand and in comes a fawn followed by ---- YES the 4x4 buck walking straight at me. As slowly as I can I get my Matthews down from the hanger and lock on my release. I’ve done this before so why the heck is my body vibrating from excitement. Straight on is no shot for my erratic shooting skill so I wait it out. The deer makes a right, walks 5 steps and stops broadside. Can you believe it? A broadside shot at 22 yards. The big plus is this is the deer we have been praying for and to top it off I have a trail camera picture which now hangs next to him on the wall! 2004-2005 ND Whitetail seasons found me in western ND with www.2riveroutfitters.com guiding whitetail archery hunters for Eldon Christmann. I told you this stuff is addicting. 2004 is the year I got my first cuddeback digital. Now I could take all the pictures I wanted and I did just that. Digital is awesome-cheap- and easy to operate. Guiding archery whitetail hunters is right up there with as good as it gets. I was in the tree with Ken when he took his first ND whitetail with a bow. As near as I can tell he has the same problem I do when bucks come within 20 yards. First the shakes, a moment of unbelievable clarity and focus, followed by a deep, exhilarating, I did it! I am telling you this stuff can get a hold of a guy. 2004 is also the season I just had to get a new bow. Yep, another Matthews, this time the Outback. It is also the first year I shot past 22 yards. I first noticed a group of 6 or 7 does coming my way. As they passed by my stand at 35 yards my hopes fell as I figured any buck following would be out of my range. Sure enough within minutes here comes Mr. Big right on their trail. As he was dropping over an edge I grunted, (something new for me). Seconds later I was looking broadside at a 4x4 whitetail. In what seemed like a flash of time I managed to slip a broadhead into the breathers of a whitetail buck at 27 yards. I AM PUMPED!!! The arrow is sticking out both sides, tight into the shoulder. Can a guy get luckier? Thank you, God. In 2005 I purchased more cuddeback cameras as I began to understand the significance of trail cameras to guiding archery whitetail hunts. It is also the year my 10 year old son, Jesse whacked his first whitetail. Yes, I was the guide, in the tree next to him and shaking with excitement when I saw it go down. This stuff can affect others around you as well so be careful who you expose. More guiding, more pictures and more excitement led to the idea of this web site. Thank you for visiting and if you have any questions or just want to talk feel free to give me a call or drop a line. 2006 will be my first season as an archery outfitter and I am looking forward to another exciting season guiding bow hunters in ND. If you’re interested in a ND bow hunt give me a call. Don’t worry, they tell me this stuff won’t hurt you, it’s not addicting, seldom if ever do people get hooked. That’s maybe why I have decided to quit struggling and become a licensed ND Archery Outfitter. Welcome to Broadhead Dead. |