What I am asking is how do you get from sitting in your treestand to full draw on a deer without being made?
THAT to me is the hardest thing. I learned never to sit crosslegged because one of them grey ghosts appear and uncrossing my legs is all it takes to alert them.
Any tricks or strategies as to how to stand and get to full draw?
Not really. Just have to catch them before they get up on you. Move when ther head is behind tree. I like shooting sitting down if the deer is in right spot. Other than that I don't take my eye of em and move slow when they are looking away or behind tree. The biggest thing is whenever I hear or see something I get up and am ready. Most times is false alarm though but at least I'm ready.
What red shaft said. I'd of killed a nice buck last Friday if I had caught him sooner and had more time to prepare mentally and actually setting the shot up. Move slow, move when they are behind something, dont take your eye off of em. Keep in mind the angle that they can see too they might not see your head and chest but can see your arm or bow limbs. Just my experience with a gun and being busted with a bow. Fluid deliberate movements usually keep you concealed. Sharp sudden movements will get you caught.
I prefer to shoot sitting down, I feel less exposed that way. Also you must set your stand up so that it will require the least amount of movement to get a shot in the direction that you expect the deer to come. Move slooooow and you can get a way with a lot. I also think that if you can stay calm, you are less likely to get busted.
It amazes me also that as soon as I go after something in my pack is when a deer walks into view. :eek: :eek:
i was busted reaching into my pack a few weeks ago!
I agree with everything stated thus far. I am a bit superstitious (or whatever) too...I don't look at them directly when I am moving. I keep them in my periphery...but I am one of those guys that believe prey have some type of 6th, 7th or 8th sense...they can just feel a tensed up predator trying to pounce...so, I don't put direct eye contact on them in case that energy travels to them by coming out of my eyes LOL!
I rarely shoot sitting down. It seems like the deer avoids the spot where I can actually shoot every time. I stand as soon as I see a deer in the distance that I think may come my way. then I can adjust to the deer's movement to get the shot, left, right or straight out in front of me. Once they get close I don't move unless they are and I can do it as they move behind cover of some sort.
D.P.
On top of what these guys said my dad always taught me to stay standing during the first 30-45 minutes or so of daylight and the last 30-45 minutes as well. That way if one comes in during "prime time" you'll already be waiting.
That's a fantastic question!! I've been hunting deer with a rifle for almost 20 years, but this is my first year hunting with a bow. I have learned over the years how to move into position as the deer move behind trees, feeds, etc. With the range of a rifle, this isn't too hard to do, but I am finding out that with trad gear, it's not very easy at all!
This past Saturday, I had a doe within my bow range, which is about 15yds, and for the life of me, I just couldn't put it all together to get a shot. The one thing I did learn about the experience is that there is a fine line between being patient/waiting for a good shot, and being able to act quickly on an opportunity that presents itself. There was a brief moment - ~5 seconds - where she was broadside with her head behind some saplings, and looking back on it, I should have been quicker to react to it. My shoulders, head and bow/string hands were in position, but I guess I just froze for a second as I missed the opportunity. Lesson learned... I'm sure there will be many more lessons to come!
Just a though of some advicei can pass along I have noticed over the years and has never failed. When I a stand and usually on the ground when a deer is trotting in or moving by quickly. You can move and follow the deer with no problems. I think they are concentrated on where they are goin and have never been caught as of yet.
I can shoot up or down. I prefer standing.
I typically stand the first 30-45 minutes of shooting light in the AM and the last 30-45 in the evening.
If I get "caught" sitting I will do as others have said above, wait for moments when the deer is looking away and make slow movements. It is really pretty easily accomplished unless you let the deer get too close before you try.
The more difficult task is switching sides of the tree to shoot from. That requires a 180... a lot more movement and depending upon your stand and safety strap set-up, dicey. The more movement involved the more opportunity to make noise and/or shake tree limbs that can alert the deer.
Try a saddle. Seriously, since I started using one of these, I don't get busted visually, only with wind. You can keep the tree between yourself and the deer, and it really helps with getting busted. You also don't stick out like a sore thumb.
I went from the trophyline to the new tribes aero hunter this year. I shot a buck with 10 deer within 50yds. I don't think I could have done it with my old API.
I get into position as soon as I hear or see the deer coming. I keep my bow arm shoulder pointed in the direction of the deer by slowly shuffling my feet or turning my torso. When he starts getting really close I will get my bow up and ready. This way when he gives me a shot, I only need to draw straight back which reduces movement. The little pouch sewed on the inside of your leg that will accept your lower bow limb can really help you keep your bow in the ready position if you should have to wait longer than anticipated.
I've killed 8 deer in the last doz years with my long bow and it seems they make you or don't.
I appreciate all the advice above and wanted to see what new ideas would pop up. A few did.
I have stalked 1 deer and dropped it but had the advantage of a strong wind and big trees to sneak behind.
I think the main thing I go by is the deer's body language. After you have watched deer enough, you can tell when they are calm and when they are tense.
I try not to sit and be ready to shoot at all times. As far as actually taking the shot it is simply about watching the deer's body language and being aware of any other deer that may be in the area. I like to wait for a head to be down or looking in the other direction. The best deer to shoot is a calm one.
I almost ALWAYS shoot sitting down. It seems like unnecessary movement to stand up. I strive to see them before they see me. I play a game....every sound in the woods is a deer, until my eyes prove otherwise. I still get suprised and blindsided, but not often.
Choose your stand tree wisely. I will never set up in a tree without cover if at all possible. Look for multiple trees together for your set, getting up in that inside tree.Maybe a small tree with a lot of branches in front of a potential stand tree. Love a good cedar close to my stand tree. Just anything with cover. Pay close attention to the cover behind you also. Being skylit is worse than not having cover in front of you. Don't worry about it being to thick. With some pruners or a good folding saw you can open up some holes you can shoot through. You get a good setup with some good cover you can dance a jig as the deer go by. Well not really but it does help you get away with a lot more movement. I hate being busted and it is definitely worth the extra effort to have a good setup.
The answer to this question is why crossbows shouldn't be allowed in the general archery seasons.
But that's another thread.
I stopped getting busted once I started using a glove on the bow hand and a face mask. Ive killed three of my four deer this year sitting down with a 66" Hill style bow.RC
Through the Heart and lungs. LOL
Move when their head is covered.
only move when either they are moving or they are in a position where you can not see their eyes.. good luck.
I like to slowly extend my bow arm with my other hand on the string and draw back as soon as I see the opportunity . A swing draw makes my whole body move and I can loose my balance . But that's just me .
Don't recall getting made while attempting to stand up...have hunted many years and I am sure I must have at some time.
Just remember the first move to be made when it is time to stand up. Position your feet first to permit the easiest and least amount of required movement to get into position.
Depending on the stand I shoot standing or sitting down.
I always wear either face paint or a camo mask and always have fingerless gloves on.I think a white face and white moving hands are a big giveaway.
I always try to have a stand with cover and if there is none, I make some by hanging branches or a piece of die cut camo material behind me.
With all that being said I very rarely get busted. I have had deer come and go and never know I was there but also never give me the shot I need.
One thing I try to do is to face more towards my right side. Since I'm a righty I'm shooting across my body to the left. I find it's easier to twist a little left than it is to twist right (your form tends to collapse). I'f I'm already a little bit facing right, I can cover more area without moving my feet.
Right on Otto!
I stay on my feet as much as possible especially first of the day, last of the day, and 11-1 in the rut. I keep my head moving around a lot to try and pick them up. I want to see them or hear them as soon as possible so I can start to set up the shot. I move when they are looking away, head behind something, or on the move. This is supper critical for does. In the pre rut and rut a lot of times bucks come along nose down walking along and you can get away with all kinds of stuff.
QuoteOriginally posted by Otto:
The answer to this question is why crossbows shouldn't be allowed in the general archery seasons.
But that's another thread.
Truer words were never typed :thumbsup:
Some good points made above, especially re when to move and paying attention to covering your moving parts (hands, face).
One 'part' not yet mentioned is your bow quiver fletching (if you use one). Fletch on bow quivers bounces alot, and can be a problem even when you 'think' you are moving your bow carefully. It can be a dead give-away when getting ready to shoot. Fletch covers are cheap/easy to make and are good insurance against getting busted by a 'fletching flag'.
Leaves near your feet in a ground blind are your enemy if shifting position to shoot (crunch crunch). Rubber boots on metal tree stands don't do well together (squeak squeak). Neither do dirty arrow shafts drawn back on dirty arrow rests (squeak scratch). Make sure that your hunting coat is SILENT when you draw your bow or shift stand position (krinkle sssst). Shoot in the same position that you practice. I.e., if you don't practice much sitting down then don't shoot sitting down. Same for standing up.
Details, details. As if you don't have enough problems when a deer is standing close enough for you to count it's eyelashes and your knees feel like jumping beans, lol.
It depends a lot on what kind of stand. If I hunt from my ladders, I tend to sit until I see deer and then stand. My climbers are a different story, though. If I try to stand up from my Lone Wolf, my seat usually falls to bang against the platform. I angle my stand to catch anything coming from my far left to center and shoot sitting. I scared off a nice buck last year cause my seat fell.
Cosgood,
If u want to avoid the old model lone wolf clank. Check out third hand archery stabilizing straps. U can use em on any stand n yours will be just like the new ones
I also always stand during that first and last "magic hour" of shooting light. Also almost always have my bow in my hand, none of that fumbling to get it off a hanger crap. Practice shooting sitting down so you won't have to change positions to take the shot.
What arrowbuster said, Try to find a good pinch point with a good cover tree. You can't just set up a tree stand anywhere and expect not to get busted. Providing the wind is right, the only other consideration is how well your stand setup is hidden and natural looking. If the stand sticks out like a sore thumb, then what do you think the deer is going to see? Don't setup on top of food sources or in major bedding areas, but rather in between the two or in staging areas. I'm talking generally here because every situation calls for differing statagies.
well me i dont have that problem as i hunt from the ground . trees is for the Birds any how i like my feet on the ground :biglaugh:
QuoteOriginally posted by Knawbone:
What arrowbuster said, Try to find a good pinch point with a good cover tree. You can't just set up a tree stand anywhere and expect not to get busted. Providing the wind is right, the only other consideration is how well your stand setup is hidden and natural looking. If the stand sticks out like a sore thumb, then what do you think the deer is going to see? Don't setup on top of food sources or in major bedding areas, but rather in between the two or in staging areas. I'm talking generally here because every situation calls for differing statagies.
Your a wealth of info wish I could do some hunting and learning from you! Seem to know your stuff. You have given allot of good advice for fellow gangers including myself. When I see knawbone post anymore I pay attention.
I like to shoot sitting if I can
I don't like to shoot while sitting. Usually the deer are always in wrong spot for it.
I don't have any problem standing up with deer approaching. I just stand up when they come into view but I like some others prefer a hang on stand in a tree with good background. I don't recall the last time I got spotted standing up from a sitting position. As a deer approaches I will move my feet around to maintain the shot angle. Have had a time or 2 when one was so close with the woods dead quiet, I was afraid to move my feet. I have always had good luck standing up even when a deer sneaks in on me and I don't see it til it's within 20 yards.
I shoot sitting down almost exclusively, whether elevated or on the ground.