Bowhunting Advise: Stop Over Complicating Stuff!

[@tonydawson2405]

“The more you know, the less you need!” What a great quote and piece of advice. Thanks for that reminder Jason!

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@tonydawson2405 glad you enjoyed it

[@moneyandtimefreedom3352]

The back pack craze is stupid too. The back pack they use for an evening hunt is giant! After parking their truck 1/4 mile from their stand they then drive their side by side to within 100 yards from their stand. Along with the expedition pack is the bino harness kit thing you mentioned. They have more stuff in that pack including mre’s, spotting scope, Tripod, tent with camp stove, string of pack mules, bow press, kitchen sink. Not to mention they are either on their own farm 1/2 mile away from their house or highway where they parked their truck and trailer or 1/2 mile the other way from a bass pro shop and shopping center.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@moneyandtimefreedom3352 😂😂 yep I carry alot of crap with me too. My buddies laugh at how heavy my pack is. I may not have a kitchen sink in there but probably have a pipe wrench and thread tape😂😂

[@progradepainting3755]

I don’t know where you hunt, but I need everything in my pack when I hike in 4-5 miles and camp for 6-7 days on my hunts in Arizona.

[@tomfilipiak3511]

A Fanny pack,is great,small and that’s all you need!Sir you are correct!

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@tomfilipiak3511 very true

[@LouiedaLab]

Great advice! Back when I was 16, I started archery hunting, I grew up on a dairy farm and would milk the cows and grab my bow, binos and head back in the woods for a couple hours to hunt, never had any issues seeing deer. Then I started getting more serious about hunting and the gear started piling up. It took me awhile to realize that having all this gear was actually taking the enjoyment out of hunting. All it is, is more work to get ready for the hunt, more work putting everything back after the hunt, and definitely a LOT more money spent! I didn't see any more or less deer with all my fancy gear, my harvest rate didn't go up any!

[@SamkoTradBow]

@MB-mh3gq very well said and a perfect time line of the transition many of us have gone thru.

[@tomfilipiak3511]

Boy,I love your channel,as a 76 year old long bow hunter,you are great,string silencers,maybe a bow quiver,I use one on my bow,because a side quiver,and a back quiver to me make more noise!A extra string!Thats it,destroy your scent as best you can,play the wind!

[@SamkoTradBow]

Agree 100. Simple works best

[@cenccenc946]

Ask yourself what a successful bow hunter took in to the field 1000 years ago. That is what you need. It still works.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@cenccenc946 I'd bring a flashlight now too though. They are handy😂

[@progradepainting3755]

Not me, I want a loin cloth and no deodorant for some realism.

[@josephkilmer7440]

Jason, thank you for this. I know it sounds crazy but the over complicating of bow hunting is why I originally started with a crossbow. I’m now going to switch back to a regular bow. Thank you!

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@josephkilmer7440 glad ypu enjoyed it. Simple is always better

[@rd5081]

EXACTLY RIGHT ON‼️I enjoyed this a ton .. and many of comments left by viewers Thanks for reminding us what s really important. .

[@SamkoTradBow]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@bobmcglothlin1562]

That is so true. A lot of hunters today think they can’t hunt with out the latest and greatest technology and that’s just not true. When I started hunting 50 years ago we hunted with shotguns here in Oklahoma, rifles weren’t legal. We also hunted with stick bows with out sights. Bottom line we spent more hours in the woods and we’re successful. I shot my first deer at 12 years old with a double barrel 20 gage. Keep up the good work.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@bobmcglothlin1562 yep amazing simple times back then. Some crackers in the front pocket, a mag light in the back pocket a knife on the belt and a ball compass pinned on the jacket.

[@UncleDanBand64]

Yep, you summed that up nicely. The more you know the less you need.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@UncleDanBand64 thanks

[@kevinanderson4610]

I definitely need to simplify things. From the way I climb, to the way I set up my arrows, etc. I’m guilty of making things overly complicated.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@kevinanderson4610 simple works best and something I'm always striving for

[@Matt-d8m]

That’s one of the main reasons I got into trad over compound was the desire for a minimalist setup. Single string, stick, and arrow. Done.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@Matt-d8m very nice

[@tomfilipiak3511]

I have seen guys at my bow club Joliet bow hunters,in Illinois spend hours trying to tune their compound monstrosities! Holy moly,some of these look like they came from a different galaxy!

[@ChavsADV]

I needed this. I already have the simple approach as I hunt with a self made long bow and all my gear is mostly from thrift shops. The key take away here for me is to get into the woods more even if it’s only for an hour or two after work. I’ve kept it to the ground since I just started hunting seriously 2 years ago but I’ve been torn between the stand and saddle since that’s all the rage now. I like that simple lone wolf setup for the flexibility it offers because often my hunt seasons starts off as a scouting/hunting and I never know where I’m going to end up.

[@SamkoTradBow]

Yep simple wins. And when you start climbing trees that is where the gear starts to stack up, weigh you down and gets expensive. I love hunting from a stand, but miss the days of walking in with just a folding chair

[@ChavsADV]

@@SamkoTradBowI missed had a few times last season that I had tracked the deer and set up in a good position in order to have cover I ended up too far away. It happened 3 separate times.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@ChavsADV yep been there too

[@kennethholt498]

The most annoying thing now is the chest binocular/rangefinder packs. It is such a stupid fad to wear those out to a bow range where you are going to shoot your bow at 20-40 yards where everything is pre-marked ranges. Are you that blind that you cant see where you hit the target (that is 20 yards away). Not to mention you are going to have to walk down there to get your arrows anyway.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@kennethholt498 😂 I can appreciate guys practicing in the gear they hunt with though. Back when I shot 3d alot I use to laugh at the guys bringing all the crazy gizmos and staring at the 3d target for 5 mins thru binos.

[@chuckbert3117]

After 50 years of mobile hunting the complications for me is trying to keep things simple. You are spot on about too much gear making hunting complicated and a job.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@chuckbert3117 yep remember the days where we went in the woods with a compass around are neck, a mini mag light in our back pocket and a knife on our belt. Hunting has got very complicated and we have to remember simple wins.

[@RabbitusMaximus]

"the more you know the less you need." - you can really see this wisdom you cite illustrated with new parents - first child parents will lug a diaper bag the size of a rucksack. By kid number 3 it is 2 diapers and a spare pacifier in a pocket.

[@SamkoTradBow]

😂😂so very true

[@lukebonagurio4503]

I need to hear this from time to time.

[@matthewmichalek436]

Great advice rant I have been guilty of lately following the gear trends. Have tried to not buy any new "hunting equipment" this year and stay with what I've got tried and true. The accessories for saddle hunting do seem endless and the entire point of switching was to save weight and bulk, but now there's even more bulk and weight then treestand!

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@matthewmichalek436 agree on all points

[@JimmyGammons]

K.I.S.S. I looked at saddles a few yrs ago and decided to go with a hang-on because of all the extra stuff that I thought I would need for a saddle. Sticks, stand, bow, hunt. Great advice.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@JimmyGammons yep simple wins.

[@bradlauber9097]

I am too cheap to buy all the gizmos. Been hunting the same way for 30 plus years,, has worked for me!!!

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@bradlauber9097 very nice

[@lukew8574]

Great advice! I sold some of my camo this year and bought the Columbia Ascender jacket you talked about. This jacket is awesome and i got it for $20 on ebay! Keep up the videos!

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@lukew8574 you are gonna love hunting in that ascended jacket! And agree 100. Camo is not needed

[@fairviewman3924]

Spend your money on the kit that will keep you safe and comfortable on stand, so you are not fidgeting all the time and getting busted. I use a JX3 hybrid saddle with Skeletor sticks, no platform. For me it's safer than my Lone Wolf climber and super comfortable, $670 for those combined. But for the rest of my gear I'm using a camo set I got for $60, same boots I hike in, a r/d longbow/string/quiver/tab/arrows I made myself, Ace Standard broadheads, $70 backpack, $70 rangefinder, $100 binoculars. All my gear combined cost in the same neighborhood as most custom trad bows or flagship compound bows. Took 3 deer last year at 5, 6, and 9 yards on heavily pressured public land. I can afford all the expensive stuff, but it's just more fun this way for me.

[@SamkoTradBow]

Very nice!

[@voodoochild1990]

Have a decent amount of barebow target and 3-D archery experience. Always had an interest in bowhunting but seemed intimidated by the seeming barrier to entry. You inspired me to sign up for a bowhunting class.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@voodoochild1990 there should be nothing intimidating about bowhunting. It's suppose to be fun, and enjoyable. Quality time in the woods. If it ever gets complicated or overwhelming contact me. I will help you.

[@chadreid146]

Thanks Jason I need to hear this I would love to meet you some day I think I could learn a ton from you

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@chadreid146 thanks. Glad you enjoyed it

[@samfulks4896]

Thank you for the instructions. Super simple

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@samfulks4896 glad you enjoyed it

[@nickyslicky]

This is great advice. Minimize the BS maximize the skill!

[@PremierCoupOutdoors]

Perfect! 😊 Thanks for the great advice!

[@jessejohnson_tx]

Best video I've watched in awhile! 100% true!

[@SamkoTradBow]

Thanks

[@SparkleDonkey]

I'm likin' this new format and increased frequencies of videos!

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@SparkleDonkey thanks

[@darrinrebagliati5365]

My brother came at me for using a trad bow, so I asked him how much a spare pulley cost for his compound, how many he had in his kit or how long it'd take to make one in the bush. He stopped. If I broke my bow, I would make one from what is around. I still feel odd tho, due to a broken neck and subsequent nerve damage, I use a release on my trad bow. My fingers won't hold a 30lb string.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@darrinrebagliati5365 yeo trad bows are simple and durable. And nothing wrong with using a release. Glad you are shooting!

[@DixieBowhunter-m5g]

Well said Jason, and look at you finally getting your channel name right. Really been enjoying your daily videos.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@DixieBowhunter-m5g thanks. Been waiting all summer for it to get close to hunting season so I could switch to daily videos.

[@DouglasMiller98]

Amen! Very well said

[@samsteelman8980]

Well said. Your best video yet!

[@SamkoTradBow]

Thanks

[@a.j.taylor4401]

Very well said. People are turning hunting into a complicated thing when it doesn't have to be. All of my hunting clothes came from goodwill or the army surplus store or Walmart. When I was a kid my uncle would pick me up after he got off work and I got off school and we would wear carrhart jackets and bluejeans and work boots. Most of the time we didn't even use a treestand either we would just sit on the ground. I still hunt that way and I think it makes it funner because you don't have all the gadgets to fool with.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@a.j.taylor4401 agree 100%

[@robertlaforge9264]

Another fine vid Jason.I pretty much agree 100%.Been a trad hunter since the late 80’s.Now did I hear u say pop ?U didn’t even think twice.Hahaha.A true Michigander.From one Michigander to another,right on.Lol

[@SamkoTradBow]

@robertlaforge9264 people don't here in georgia laugh at me when I say pop! So used to being in Michigan. Also the laugh when I call a buggy a shopping cart😂

[@adamparris7319]

So true ! I have a much better time since I gave up everything but the basics, and I kill bigger bucks too !

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@adamparris7319 yep simple wins

[@jeffbutler9902]

Well said Jason !

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@jeffbutler9902 thanks

[@flintriverexpeditions6634]

Agreed ! Hunting is all about marketing and money now. What you need is to spend more time in the woods not more money on junk. Most of the time i dont even wear camo and never use scent and have never had a problem harvesting deer. I still hunt out of 8 loc on lem treestands from the 80’s and use cranford ezy climb tree steps ! If you’re spending more time looking at the latest and greatest hunting gadgets online than you are in the woods, change your focus!

[@SamkoTradBow]

@flintriverexpeditions6634 those were my go to set ups for many years. Lockon lems and Crawford steps! Never even knew mud falling off your boots thru the grate of a stand was a thing until I switched stands after using the lems for so long😂

[@flintriverexpeditions6634]

Funny how my feet stayed warmer with a solid surface under my feet too and under 11 lbs.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@flintriverexpeditions6634 very true

[@spudkidmandudebro]

Awesome video to start my day with. Thank you Sir!

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@spudkidmandudebro glad you enjoyed it

[@jimaureli6475]

My most successful bowhunting seasons were using using a finger release with a 47 inch ,round wheel, 30% let off compound bow with a simple single pin sight with no peep sight, and aluminum arrows tipped with Bear 2 blade broadheads. Then I got more "Sophisticated" with a parallel limb compound with all the bells and whistles, My success rate did not get any better.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@jimaureli6475 well sa8d and agree 100

[@pathfinder5804]

This is exactly the reason I’ve switched to a traditional bow!!!! To many bells and whistles on a compound now. I stopped shooting a compound for fun and only to make sure I could hit a 4” bullseye at all my ranges. Then I would put it down and not shoot it again until it was time to kill an animal. I shoot my trad bow cuz it’s super challenging and it’s made shooting fun for me again!!!!! I still use a windwalker but it’s heavily modified. For me the best bit of tech that’s changed things for me is ultra light solid climbing sticks. I have a permanent set of STEEL Millenium sticks that go up to 22’ which are the easiest climb ever but they weight 25lbs alone. Not portable at all!!! I have some techie stuff as far as cloths and boots goes cuz I need to be cool, warm and dry and find that modern cloths are able to do this however I’m from the northeast and honestly if it’s not raining in Nov I’m in my woolies and truly nothing better for hunting then them. However even though they keep you warm when wet I HATE being wet!!!! 25 and less on shots, a 35yr old stand, some good cloths and some new ultra light sticks and I’m good to go!!!! Great Advise again!!!!

[@SamkoTradBow]

@pathfinder5804 very well said and love the attitude towards it all. Agree 100

[@WilliamLouis-vk6wz]

Fred Bear wear just a plaid coat in a lot of his videos in a ground blind.

[@Todd1arrow]

I think it’s a zen thing where success is NOT when you acquire everything but instead when you no longer can take anything away!

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@Todd1arrow well said

[@george2099]

Great video Jason! Less is more!! Thanks for your video's

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@george2099 glad you enjoyed it

[@ScottSanders-e3s]

Great info....Thank you

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@ScottSanders-e3s glad you enjoyed it

[@RobertEatonOutdoors]

Excellent common sense hunting advice! Keep them coming!

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@RobertEatonOutdoors thanks

[@journeyman7189]

Get advice Jason. We all overcomplicate life in general. Good to try and change that! Nate

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@journeyman7189 agree 100

[@smoothvern165]

Excellent video! I love these videos!👍

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@smoothvern165 thank you

[@djkilpatrick5256]

Right in every way. I work in an auto factory. I come out smelling like coolant, and oil. And whatnot. Deer season, I’m in the woods after work. Change my boots and grab my bow and backpack out of the truck. Still wearing my work clothes. No camo! One year just like that, had a small buck come walking thru at 20 yards. I don’t get caught up in the camo and scent proof junk. Play the wind, and sit still and be quiet

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@djkilpatrick5256 agree 100

[@rocklee775]

My favorite aspect of traditional and primitive archery is the simplicity. For tens of thousands of years people have hunted very successfully with a simple wooden bow and wooden arrows. Why make it more complicated?

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@rocklee775 agree 100

[@reedmitchell6716]

One big fashion show to alot of bow hunters. Not me. I like keeping things simple.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@reedmitchell6716 simple is always best

[@MWoodslore]

I commented yesterday, I mentioned Early Humans. Imagine what they Smelled like. Again, if they hadn't of Been Successful in bringing down Animals, we would have went Extinct.

[@andrecancilla4901]

Scent control brooooooo

[@MWoodslore]

@@andrecancilla4901 I let the Air outa a Decent 7 point last year after work in my Work Clothes..Down wind at 12 yards...Stink control Brooooooo *Brown Carhartt pants and a long sleeve OD Green Shirt...

[@andrecancilla4901]

@@MWoodslore big fan of stink control archery hunting in florida during august and september

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@MWoodslore very true

[@progradepainting3755]

Yeah, they also didn’t have a hunting season limited to a handful of days in the woods or mountains either, they were out there all the time, so of course given enough time, you can kill any game at some point, even if you had a skunk strapped to your head 😂

[@JimD-h8s]

Good morning. This is related to archery, but not specifically hunting. I've been learning as much as possible about archery via KZbin and sometimes I get conflicting info. The rule of thumb as I understand it for GPP is 10 and it's a minimum safety standard, not a formula for ideal performance out of a given weight bow. In other words, you might damage a forty pound bow by tossing an arrow that weighs less than 400 grains. Others have said it is only a rule of thumb and going a little below that is ok. I'm currently shooting a forty pound recurve and using 28 inch 500 spine carbon arrows that come in around 520 grains. At my target ranges they seem to work fine and they're fast, at least they are when viewed from my limited experience with arrow speeds. I priced out custom made arrows built around the 10 GPP idea and arrived at a 600 spine totalling 430 grains. They are a fair bit more expensive than my cheapo 500s. Am I overcomplicating this and perhaps expecting a bigger difference than I would actually get? Thank you kindly and have yourself an awesome day 👍

[@SamkoTradBow]

@user-ey5fm7lu1x great question! If you are hunting those heavier arrows are the way to go in my opinion. If you are not hunting going to a lighter arrow around 9 or 10 grains makes sense for better trajectory on longer 3d targets. But you do not need custom made arrows or expensive ones. Gold tip warrior shafts are 65 bucks a dozen and buying a fletching jig like bohning or bear paw, or Arizona ez fletch will let you make your own very easily. When you order the shafts online for 2 bucks you can get them cut to length

[@JimD-h8s]

@@SamkoTradBow Thank you kindly. $2 a shaft is pretty good compared to what I've been looking at. Plus it never hurts to have another skill in the pocket. Have an awesome day 👍

[@SamkoTradBow]

@user-ey5fm7lu1x agree and I have a few videos on how to make arrows. It's very easy, enjoyable and fun to make them like you want

[@JA-hn3to]

It is a big trap that we all fall victim to. Great advice!

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@JA-hn3to agree

[@christianb5110]

Absolutely, my core group of family/friends are chasing the newest and greatest, horse trading like crazy every year. If it's not broke why try to fix it. Use that money and go hunt

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@christianb5110 yep buy tags and gas..hunt more

[@CH-nn7jg]

I’d love to be able to simplify things by shooting a longbow or recurve but fact is I really suck at it 😂

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@CH-nn7jg so do i😂😂 that's why I hunt close

[@tomfilipiak3511]

Buddy,don’t give up! Get a long bow,but be sure not to get a heavy draw the first time out,you will be fine,pick a spot concentrate on that spot,draw and follow through,do not drop your bow arm,at 76 years old,I shoot,once a week !If not at the club,at a 7 yard shot from my bedroom,into a walk in closet,just to keep my fundamentals !

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@tomfilipiak3511 well said

[@chickimac1]

Always got to have the latest greatest compound bow too😂 Not me I have a 25 yr old mathews that works great when I use compound. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it😮

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@chickimac1 exactly! If it works good use it

[@jamesroberts3584]

Amen

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@jamesroberts3584 glad you enjoyed it

[@Coyote5555]

Guys look like they are ready for war I know exactly what you mean 😂

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@Coyote5555 I do know exactly what you mean😂

[@KrisG-u1u]

I ground hunt with no blind

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@KrisG-u1u perfect

[@WildlifeDriven23]

Great advise, I totally agree. That's what draws me to traditional bowhunting so much is how simple it is.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@WildlifeDriven23 agree 100

[@casperd6388]

Yo love your Channel . I searched the whole god damn WWW. I want to go traditionel but my draw is 31 to 31.5 and no guideline to see if a 64” bow Can hold that draw etc

[@SamkoTradBow]

@casperd6388 I would be shooting a 70 inch longbow if I had that long of a draw in a hill style bow. With some of the hybrid longbows like the ones made by big Jim and javaman archery you could go shorter. Best thing to do is to call some of the bowyers you are interested in and ash them what length they recommend for your draw length

[@casperd6388]

@@SamkoTradBow thanks for answer . My recurve is also 76” but hoped a Hunt/3D bow could be shorter. And we in Europe dont have so Many options as u overseas guys

[@johntandycrabtree392]

Dean Torges tree seat…

[@SamkoTradBow]

@johntandycrabtree392 always been a great seat

[@jimaureli6475]

Do a quick Wash on your butt, under arms and groin with regular soap, stay downwind. You'll do just fine.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@jimaureli6475 one of the brides I shot a wedding for called that a wh*re bath "pits, t*ts, and girly bits"..lol

[@alfredpayne1762]

yup! do more with less it's all about money greed

[@donwaldroopoutdoors3665]

great advise , not grammer nazi lo😂

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@donwaldroopoutdoors3665 grammar is highly over rated😂

[@donwaldroopoutdoors3665]

@@SamkoTradBow especially for us trad archers lol

[@paulbernitt4280]

Gramitically your title should be Bowhunting ADVICE. We are hunting goats....with limited brain power as compared to humans. Hunting instinct made up of hunting experience kills big bucks. Most of the Pope and Young and Boone and Crockett bucks were killed before all the modern gadgets. Saving 5-7 lbs on a stand and stick is not worth the money....think about it...7 lbs? Anything that can create interest in hunting is a good thing, but the "things" cant kill bucks...you and your hunting experience can.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@paulbernitt4280 well said and thanks for the correction. Not only do I suck at spelling and grammar, I'm too lazy to correct it. Heck I can't believe I even took the time to put the coma after grammar in that sentence 😂

[@paulbernitt4280]

@@SamkoTradBow keep up the great work! 👍

[@ImaOkie]

Well yeah man , I've got my deer feeders set up 35 yards from my porch where I have my morning coffee . Sweet corn , molasses corn , apple corn and a pile of persimmons . My side by side around the corner and gambrel already hanging in the barndominium next to my bass boat and pool table . I can harvest my deer , haul it back and be back on the porch before my coffee goes cold ! Why ? Cuz I'm a Real Hunter , that's why I bought this piece of land , fenced it in and posted it " No Trespassing " . Where all the youngsters used to roam and hunt for small game , pretend to be Daniel Boone or some mountain man is now my private hunting preserve , why because I can , I'm rich and lazy and dont care . I'm a real hunter !!

[@unknown-archer]