Well, I've been hunting for about five years now and today was the first day I was finally presented with a shot.
I was in my ground blind and a nice 4 point was just a touch above 20 yards away. I was able to stand up half way through our encounter. I was behind my nature made blind that is about 3 and half feet tall. The fact that I was able to stand up without him detecting me really told me how far I've come in paying attention to details.
Everything went the way it was supposed too until the final step of my shot. PICK A SPOT! The left to right of my shot was dead on. The arrow went six to 8 inches over his back! Needless to say I'm well aware of what went wrong.
I have one question that I'm unsure of for any of you very experienced deer hunters. I know I have to let the area die down and hunt somewhere else but how long do you think I should wait. I plan on moving my ground blind this afternoon to get a little closer than 20yrds to the trail but when do you think it would be good to hunt it. I obsess over wind direction and I was down wind the entire time so he had know idea what I was. As far as he knows I could have been a falling branch or something. At least that's what I think. I really need some help in this area because this is the first shot I've ever taken at a deer and I don't know if he'll still use that trail. The rut is not in here yet if that helps.
Thank you,
John
You could hunt there again today. A four pointer likely will come back. Especially if he did not see you. If you are hunting a trail there is more than one deer. Stick with it!!
As long as he did not see or smell you you are good to go, Ive missed deer and had them run a circle to see what just flew by them and give me another shot on more occasions than I like to admit. You didnt spook him I'd hunt it again right away.
Yea, I would worry more about my scent in the area then the missed deer. If you walked around to look for your arrow or blood and contaminated the area, then I'd wait a few days.
go right back you did not hurt anything
Don't go anywhere. If it is a good spot deer will be coming your way again. There have been a number of guys on here who have posted about shooting more than one deer from the same stand on the same day. A good spot is a good spot so stay put if you have confidence in the decision you made to sit there in the first place.
Hunt it again and relax and stay focused you will succeed.
I can sit in the same spot morning, then evening, then morning and have plenty come by... now missing well i'm still working on that one haha...
I'm sure the rut is close as ours is just ramping up. Go ahead back in there if its a good doe area. Find the does and the bucks will be there no matter if an arrow flies over their backs or not.
Missing is a good thing, second best place to hit em. Now, shake it off and get out there. A miss will remind you to pick a SMALL spot and concentrate on hitting it. Don't move closer, 20 is fine, just bear down on the next one and you'll be eating backstraps for supper.
I agree go ahead and hunt that spot again today. A young buck like that will most likely be back.
I do have a bit of advise though.
QuoteOriginally posted by Dozer:
Everything went the way it was supposed too until the final step of my shot. PICK A SPOT!
IMHO that was your mistake. Once you know that you plan on shooting the animal, pick your spot and concentrate on it a long time before the shot even presents itself. You should be able to go through the mechanics of the shot while you already have the spot burning in your mind.
Good luck!
I think he will be back also.I once missed a 4 pt in the morning,he came back by the same tree in the evening and I missed him again.
Don't forget,he isn't the only deer in the woods and especially this time of year,magical things can happen at any time.You may have a big buck come by that you didn't even know about.
The only thing I would add,try to arrange your blind so you can shoot without standing up.I think you did well getting that shot but I always like to shoot from where I am when the deer shows up.This would usually be sitting or kneeling.
I prefer this even when hunting from trees but think it is especially important when hunting on the ground.I would arrange the blind so you could shoot that way and then practice shooting from those positions.Going through the motion of drawing the bow is almost too much movement to pull off sometimes.The less movement the better.
Besides the motion,anytime you move,there is a potential for noise also.
Since you are shooting from a fixed position,to a known distance,you could even check your "gap" on your target at home and if you are unsure of your hold on the deer,use the point of your arrow to double check that.
I admire your perserverance.That is exactly what it takes.It will happen when it happens but it sounds like you have been paying your dues.This year may be your year.Take pictures and good luck!