Nathan Shoell in the Backcountry Bowhunting

Nathan Shoell's 2010 Hunting Video

2010-09-11T09:58:00.000-07:00

I want to thank you two buddies for making this years hunt a success. Mike for videoing my hunt and Mark for pushing the deer to me so I could have a nice 20 yard shot. I hope you enjoyed the video.

My First Kill with a Bow

2010-08-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

The Bow Hunt seasoned opened on August 21, and of course I headed up into the Backcountry of the Unita National Forest. I hunt at around the 10000 + feet range (up close to the tree line). We started hiking at about 5am and our hike usually takes us about 2 hours (5 miles in). Half way up the trail we passed a group of bow hunters (where we hunt we have only seen one other bow hunter in 8 years), so we were a little disappointed. We decided to hike a little faster to get some distance between us and them (Ultimately, to make sure we had the first shot). It turns out the other group of bow hunters were not threat (we did not know this at the time), but they played a huge role in our success. Just before we reached our destination, we spotted a group of bucks about 11 bucks in total all ranging in size from really nice 4x4 to a spike. Seeing this group of bucks got us really excited, and the best part of it was they were in the exact spot we were hoping to see bucks in.

Typically, we would sit and watch the bucks and let them bed down and then try to get a shot. With the bow hunters behind us we decided to jump into action immediately and set up our ambush. Our ambush spot is about a mile away from where we first spotted the deer. It is a spot that funnels the deer to a 20 yard shot (exact same spot my buddy Mike shot his deer a few years earlier). Once I was setup my buddy Mark pushed the deer right to me, and my buddy Mike videoed the shot. Four of the bucks did exactly what we hoped they would do. I was able to shot the biggest buck of the four at 20 yards. My buck is a typical 3x3 18" wide 17" tall. I shot him around 8:30 in the morning. What a great hunt and this is my first buck with a bow. What a great first buck.

This years deer hunt was a blast and short lived. It was kind of weird putting away my hunting gear this early in the season. I am already looking forward to next year's deer hunt.

This buck was just sitting about 50 yards off the trail looking at all the hikers walk by. The best part about it was none of the hikers even knew he was there. He is a 4x4 and we ran into him on our way down the mountain.

Backcountry Scouting Trip

2010-08-17T08:15:00.000-07:00

After my Bowhunting Procrastination post, I decided to get out an do some hiking. I went up into the Backcountry of Utah Uinta National Forest with a buddy of mine. We decided to go to my usual hunting spot to see if there is anything up there worth going after. In years past there was always some nice bucks (The spot is were my buddy Mike took his nice buck). We went up there last year and did not see the nice bucks we were use to seeing and felt it was a waste of time. We decided to head up before the bow hunt to determine if it was an area we would like to hunt. We ended up seeing a total of 9 bucks, and a couple of them were decent four points. I know where I am going for the opening of the bow hunt.

Bowhunting Procrastination

2010-07-19T12:18:00.000-07:00

I am one of the biggest procrastinators. In a month I will be bowhunting in the backcountry and I finally took out my bow last week to practice. I should have been shooting all year (at least that is what my shot told me. I was struggling.) To make things worse I haven't even started to scout the areas I plan to hunt. People wonder why I haven't been able to get a deer in the last seven years of bowhunting.

Recently I started to get myself in shape for the upcoming hunt. What I started doing was push-ups and basketball (yes this is all). At the rate I am going I will not be ready to hunt for another couple of years unless something changes. The great thing about recognizing you have areas to improve is that you are aware of the problem and can fix it. I am going to start now to get ready for the bowhunt. I am going to start shooting regularly to improve my consistency, and I am going to start hiking to make sure my legs are ready for the long hikes bowhunting in the backcountry creates. Hiking will also allow me to see new areas and determine if I want to waste precious bowhunting time in the particular areas.

My advice is don't be like me and dedicate your time and energy in getting yourself prepared for the hunt by shooting your bow regularly and scouting usual and new areas. If you do, you will have a better chance of taking the big boy.

Posted by Nathan Shoell

New Bow

2010-06-28T08:54:00.000-07:00

Last year I noticed my string was partially cut, and instead of replacing my string I decided to buy a new bow. After some research, I decided to by the new Hoyt Turbohawk (black). My new setup is the Trophy Taker Pronghorn and Bone Collector Quiver (Black). I am loving my new bow, it shoots really smooth, light weight, and accurate. Highly recommend this bow.

Posted by Nathan Shoell

Broken Bow String

2010-06-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

Last year while Bowhunting in Backcountry , I spotted a couple of nice four points. I started my stock and got when in 60 yards and realized this is as close as I was going to get (practiced many times at 60 yards and was confident with the shot), so I decided to take the shot. As I was knocking my arrow, I noticed my string was partially cut. Going against my better judgment, I decided to take the shot. My shot was low and to the left, which I can contribute to being rushed for fear of my string breaking. Needless to say, this was the last time I shot my bow.

My buddy Mike wasn't as lucky as I ways. Last year he went out in the backcountry bowhunting and while he was taking some practice shots his string broke. Lucky for him it broke during the release of the arrow, which limited the damage to his bow to only a broken string.

Posted by Nathan Shoell

Scouting the Backcountry

2009-07-30T05:50:00.000-07:00

My buddy Mike and I went this last weekend to scout some new area in the backcountry of Utah. For many years we have talked about hiking a certain mountain in central region of Utah, and Last weekend we finally did it. This Mountain range was steep, rugged and strenuous to hike, which was the reason it took us so many years to hike it. For the most part there was no trail to use. The night before it rained and so everything was wet. Not long into our hike we were drenched and the water from our legs ran right into our boots. By the time we reached the top our boots where full of water. Despite all the blisters and sore muscles that came the following day, seeing this buck made it all worth it. This buck has cheaters on both sides plus eye guards which makes him a 6X6 with a width of about 26 inches. This buck gets me even more excited for the bowhunt (almost two weeks away) to start. Besides from seeing this big buck we saw a few does and came across some bear track. It's not too late for you to go and spot the buck you are going to go after.

Preseason Scouting

2009-07-03T10:36:00.000-07:00

It is time,once again, to dust off the hiking boots and start scouting new country in search of your dream buck. I know I haven't done much preseason scouting in the past because of the lack of time. This year is going to be different. I want to check out some new backcountry and find the buck that will win the "Da Man Trophy". We are going to checkout some new country in the Central Region of Utah. The area we are going to hike into should produce some big bucks. Don't be like me the previous years and procrastinate preseason scouting.

Da Man Trophy

2009-06-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

Last year my buddy Mike decided to make the "Da Man Trophy." This trophy goes to the friend that kills the biggest buck. Unfortunately this trophy is not sitting at my house but at Chad's, who's buck is not featured on this blog because he killed his deer with a rifle. This is the most coveted trophy to have. This trophy comes with a plaque to put your name on and a year of bragging rights for killing the biggest buck. This is my year to have the "Da Man Trophy" at my house, and I will kill my big buck bowhunting in the backcountry.

Mike's Nice Buck

2009-06-08T16:07:00.000-07:00

This is a tribute to my buddy Mike. He shot this nice buck in the backcountry of Uinta National Forest. This buck walked 20 yards in front of him. This was not one of those kills were Mike just happened to be sitting in the right place at the right time. Mike spotted this buck bedded down in some cliffs and came up with a plan on how he could shoot this buck. Mike picked a spot where he knew the buck, if pushed, would pass through. He then had another buddy hike around to the other side of the cliffs and start to push the buck towards him. His strategy worked perfectly. The buck passed broadside in front of him 20 yards away and Mike hit the buck right in the vitals. The buck ran about 20 yards and collapsed down a rock slide. Mike, this is my year to get a nice looking buck.

Backcountry Bowhunting

2009-06-06T19:20:00.000-07:00

I love the outdoors and most outdoor activities, but I am passionate about bowhunting. There is something about spotting a mule deer 200+ yards and being able to close the distance to 30 yards, pulling back the bow and letting the arrow fly. It is one of the greatest rushes.

I started hunting when I was 18. Not growing up in a family that enjoyed hunting, I was able to tag along with some friends. My first hunt was with a rifle and it was my last hunt with a rifle. We hiked to a peak in Utah and spotted a group of bucks crossing a rock slide about 200 yards, opening morning and we opened fire. My Buddy and I ended up filling our tags. My buck was not the most impressive but it was a buck and I was excited. That excitement wore off and I didn't see the challenge in hunting with a rifle. I decided the next time I go hunting it would be the archery hunt. A few years later I bought a bow and fell in love.

I do have a confession to make even though I have been bowhunting for about 5 years I have still haven't taken a buck. It is not because I haven't seen one or had a good shot. Every year I have plenty of shots at nice bucks but unable to hit. I can sneak in on bucks and get within 30 yards that is no problem, but every time I shoot I miss calculate the terrain and either barely over shoot or under shoot the deer. Regardless, I still love being in the backcountry and seeing the beauty of God's creations. I am looking forward to this year's bowhunt because this year is going to be the year I harvest my first buck.