Closest hunting shot you've had.

gringol · February 17, 2012, 09:14:00 AM

I was set up in some rocks overlooking a small draw while hunting muleys along the Snake River breaks in southeastern Washington. Does and fawns had been moving up the draw all morning. I was feeling pretty good about my set up. Suddenly I felt a gust of wind focused on the back of my neck. I slowly turned my head to come face to face with a massive 8 pointer. He was young, but his rack was easily 30 inches wide; they grow em big in SE WA. We stared each other down for a few mintues. He was so close I could have reached out and poked him with an arrow. I never raised the bow to take a shot, but it was still one of the best days I've had hunting. I thought I was the hunter, but that muley stalked into within licking distance and I never new it. Good thing they don't eat meat! :D

bowhuntingrn · February 17, 2012, 09:25:00 AM

In my early compound days, 20 or so years ago (think I was still shooting fingers and aluminum), I was hunting from a 10' ladderstand and shot a doe about 4 inches from the ladder. Right between the shoulder blades...in retrospect it was a shot I never should have taken because of the angle. Fortunately, she only ran about 60 yards before she went down, we live and hopefully learn. I haven't had an opportunity yet with the trad equipment (just switched over last summer), but looking forward to some close encounters from the ground in the coming season.

Jerry Jeffer · February 17, 2012, 09:28:00 AM

I guess 3 yards for a shot, but I have had deer sniff me while sitting on the ground. I often get deer close enough to touch with an extended arrow.

smoke1953 · February 17, 2012, 09:29:00 AM

My doe was 4 yds from the tree this year. Wouldn't recommend it but it worked out.

Birdbow · February 17, 2012, 09:31:00 AM

Bull moose from the ground @ 6 yds. in Maine. 15 yd. recovery.

Mudd · February 17, 2012, 09:32:00 AM

gringol "Good thing they don't eat meat! :D "

I am so glad I wasn't drinking my coffee.....lol

Thanks for sharing.

God bless,Mudd

hunt it · February 17, 2012, 09:38:00 AM

I've arrowed hogs from the ground a number of times from 6 ft or closer.

lovethehunt · February 17, 2012, 09:52:00 AM

I've had some really close no-shot encounters. A hen turkey steped over my legs as I sat with them extended out in front of me. I touched a small white tail with an arrow once. I was tracking a buck I had shot and crept in on this one thinking it was him. The closet shot has been 2-3 yards from the base of the tree 12 feet up.

Downwind Lefty · February 17, 2012, 10:05:00 AM

Two seasons ago I was standing by a big oak along a old logging trail watching some deer in a field close to dusk.

I heard a noise behind me and a small doe walked so close to me I could have touched her with my bow. She was fixated on the deer in the field and had no clue I was there.

As she passed I pulled back but didn't loose the arrow. That was good enough for me and it was SO cool!!!

Skipmaster1 · February 17, 2012, 10:08:00 AM

I've had lots of animals closer but for actual kills, a deer at 3yards and a turkey from a blind just over a foot from my arrow before i drew the bow.

gringol · February 17, 2012, 10:08:00 AM

Good stuff, Lefty. Getting close is the best part! Putting them on the ground is just a bonus.

sweeney3 · February 17, 2012, 10:29:00 AM

Deer=~8yards.
Squirrel=~1 yard lateral distance.

LITTLEBIGMAN · February 17, 2012, 10:31:00 AM

this buck directly under me

I also shot a moose from 6 paces off the ground!

bowgy · February 17, 2012, 10:36:00 AM

A bear at seven yards and about the same on an elk. Once I had a nice bull elk so close I could have poked him with the end of my bow but couldn't shoot through the brush.

stabow · February 17, 2012, 10:46:00 AM

Good stuff here. I shot a few deer and pigs inside the 10 yard mark. It's really exciting when you get a critter close......stabow

FerretWYO · February 17, 2012, 10:54:00 AM

I shot a bear at four yards and a Javelina at 3-4 yards.

February 17, 2012, 10:57:00 AM

4yds on a deer........2yds on a javi!

Bisch

February 17, 2012, 10:58:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Bisch:
4yds on a deer......4yds on a turkey.......2yds on a javi!

Bisch

Hot Hap · February 17, 2012, 10:59:00 AM

A small buck at about 18". I had to lean backwards to draw my bow. Ran a snuffer through him and he went about 15-20 yards.
Hap

Ragnarok Forge · February 17, 2012, 11:24:00 AM

Less than 6 feet on a whitetail doe. She was walking a field edge along a shallow ravine. I was tucked into some brush just below the lip. I was in full Camo with face paint. She spotted me and was curious. She walked right up to me and was getting ready to move into the ravine to get closer when I shot. I swear it was self defense! She was getting ready to sniff me at point blank range.