Full Draw Outfitters

04/29/2026

523 likes, 23 comments. “Part 3”

09/19/2024

02/06/2024

Tatonka, he is called by native Americans. … the Bison or American Buffalo. I’ve been to South Africa and had a run in with a Cape buffalo, 2500 lbs of aggressive testosterone. It was there that I learned what it was like to become the hunted. Fortunately I was in a safari vehicle and we we able to turn around and make our escape. Many of the American bison have become semi domesticated and a real hunting experience is hard to be found. January 2024 I was making preparations to visit my daughter in Texas and Jas, an outfitter from East Texas called me and asked if I was interested in a buffalo hunt for a rogue buffalo. The timing was perfect and I said yes, and I’ll bring my bow! On the other end of the phone, after a brief pause Jas said “ if you are bringing a bow, I’m bringing a rifle because this buffalo is extremely aggressive. If a truck were to approach him he would charge and ram it in the side”. This reminded me of our encounter in South Africa. This was going to be my best opportunity to hunt the mighty Tatonka as he was 300 years ago! I prepared. At 50 yards I could consistently hit an orange size target but I planned on getting much closer. Buffalo can see well and smell even better. They can run 35 mph! But they are not agile and keeping a tree in between you and 2200 lbs of bad attitude is a great way to stay alive. Jas explained that there were a lot of woods and thick cover… so making a successful spot and stalk was doable, plus having a lot of trees was a comfort in case the wind changed and gave my presence away.
Day of the hunt: I arrived before first light and geared up. When it was light enough to safely begin we started the search. The woods where he had been spotted the previous day were unfruitful. We continued our journey on the side by side, stopping and glassing as we went. Before long, Jas spotted him through his binoculars. I could not see him. With my binos I could make out a dark image deep in the woods. It was him! He was bedded down but on alert. We drove east of him keeping our distance with the plan of ditching our transportation when we were out of hearing range and down wind of this beast. Once we were downwind we turned south, drove until we were out of hearing range and began our careful stalk. We soon saw that he was not bedded down. We waited. Soon he became more calm and began grazing. We slowly closed the gap using brush and trees to conceal our approach. Jas was behind me with his rifle (our backup plan)and a video camera. I only moved when this bisons vision was blocked by his massive body or the trees and brush. My every move was in slow motion. He slowly meandered toward us. When I could get no closer I ranged him at 50 yards but I had no shot. He was facing me! In time he slowly moved closer as he grazed in between his searching gaze for any intruder. Suddenly he turns broadside. I range and he’s at 40 yards! With anticipation at its peek I come to full draw, waiting for him to take one more step forward. I release the arrow and it quickly disappears just behind his front shoulder. It’s a complete pass through! He runs 10 yards and stops. He has been double lunged. Several minutes later he takes a few steps and goes down. 2200 lbs of fury is now at rest and I gave thanks. The real work is about to begin. It is a monumental task to dress a beast that big!! Hours later I head home, exhausted and content. Feb 5th 2024 will never be forgotten.

12/30/2023

Turn up your volume!

11/29/2023

Go for it!

Hunting is called hunting for a reason. I've returned home empty handed more often than I can remember. I've had success out of state, but often I don't bring home the bacon. But I do gain knowledge and experience. Plus being outdoors is always a win. This season my wife and I went to Kansas on an archery deer hunt for our anniversary. With her trusty crossbow, she took a 10 point on her first day! I hunted all day every day. On day 4 was hunting with my back to the woods, overlooking a large grassy field. (grass was 4' tall) and about 2:00 pm I saw a nice 10 point walking on a mission diagonally across the field from my left 9:00, quartering away toward my 12:00. It's early November and the bucks are not chasing, but hanging in remote spots with a doe who's about to be in heat. The buck stops about 250 yards out and stares to his right at a small patch of bushes. I grunt loudly. He immediately continues on his mission. He is headed for a single evergreen, shaped like a Christmas tree. Behind the tree, the land drops off and then there is a dirt road. I see him drift behind the tree and then he seems to drop out of sight as he descends down the drop off behind that tree. He never crossed the road. I think there must be a doe there that he got a whiff of. I climb down from my stand and quickly walk towards the tree. It was a lot farther than I realized probably 450 yards. The wind is in my face. When I get to where he had stopped to stare at the low bushes, three does pop up and make their escape. They didn't blow. As I near the tree I walk quietly. It's difficult in the tall dry grass. When Im about 20 yards from the tree, as Im talking my last careful step, I see the tips of his rack! He's bedded right behind the tree! But as I slowly place my foot down, it makes a little crunch. The buck immediately jumps up and is looking directly at me. I know there is little hope, but I slowly range him. He's at 22 yards! I slip the range finder in my left front pocket, connect my release, all with out looking down. And then, as I start to pull back my bow, he bolts out of there at what looks like he's shot out of a cannon. He never stops until he was out of sight. I hunted the rest of the week, all day every day. No buck, but day 4 was thrilling. Doing a spot and stalk on a Kansas Whitetail is my number one bucket list item. I was 2-3 seconds from making it happen. This was my second spot and stalk opportunity in Kansas. So far it has not come together. I've had success in a stand, but doing a spot and stalk is thrilling beyond words. I've been successful at spot and stalk for whitetail in Ohio and Indiana, but only because the wind happen to be blowing hard. That was the missing element in that tall dry Kansas brush. Two years ago I did a successful spot and stalk on a coyote in Kansas. I got within 30 yards, very little wind, but fortunately the grass was kind to me and was quiet. Maybe next year it will come together for a spot and stalk Kansas whitetail.

05/09/2023

04/13/2023

Bow. Kansas Nov 2022

04/04/2023