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Cityhunter
 I'm a 8 point buck on this forum. My next goal is to become a 9 Pointer.
| Joined: 02 Nov 2009 |
| Posts: 20 |
| Location: Pittsburgh, PA |
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Game Tokens: 575 |
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Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:37 pm |
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Well, today was my first day hunting outside of the City of Pittsburgh or the nearby suburbs. I drove about 40 minutes north of the city. I climbed (Summit climber) into a tree just before sunrise which was about 615 to 630 am. I had previously found a scrape which appeared to be fresh, so I set up on it this morning. Thinking that he might return to check it. At 8 am a big ass buck which was at least an 8 point walked into view. Now I don't know if it was just dumb luck, but this buck walked 80 yards right to me, but he never gave me a broadside shot. I set myself in a tree which would give me a broadside shot if he stopped to check his scrape, but he bypassed it and turned left right underneath me. As he passed underneath me, I decided to try and stand so I could potentially shoot at him after he passes by me. Unfortunately he saw me move. He quickly stopped and stared right at me from about 20 feet below. He then ran about 16 meters away, but again, only gave me a shot at his butt. He paused there for only about 10 seconds then ran a little further and stopped. He stood there and snorted at me for about 5 minutes.
About an hour and a half later I saw him run across a nearby field, but he never came close to me. I called it a day at about 1pm.
This is the 4 time I've been nusted and not even been able to draw my bow before the deer sees me and runs. What can I do to correct this? Was I correct to set up on the scrape? Or do you think that it was just a coincidence that the buck walked within 5 feet of it?
Thanks in advance.... |
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RuggedHunter
 I'm a 12 point buck on this forum. My next goal is to become a Member of the Pabucks.com Monster Buck Club.
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Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:52 am |
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I feel ya CityHunter. It's my second year in archery, and I also use a climber. I have been within bow range of many deer this year....and can't connect. It's really, really hard to find a good straight tree, with enough cover nearby to break your outline, and near the sign you'd like to setup on. I always feel naked in my stand....so I try to climb higher than usual....about 25 feet. Sitting perfectly still, I have had regular success having deer come very close with no idea I'm there....but as soon as I move, they go on alert. Not always seeing me....not always hearing me....and I'm pretty sure not smelling me. It seems they can feel the energy of my heart beating in my throat....LOL. A few deer have busted me while drawing. I try to only move when a deer is behind cover, or a tree is between me and its head....or it's looking away....sometimes only getting partially into position with each movement. I've tried standing when I think I hear something, and before it's close....but it's usually squirrels....and makes me move too much, I think. I always stand for the last half hour of light, just to be ready....that's when I've seen most of the action. I think that when I can afford one, I'll get a hang-on stand. There are many, many more options to place a stand within proper cover with one....I think that's really important in archery. I can get away with less cover in rifle season, so the climber will still get used.
It also seems that no matter which way I'm facing, they always come from my right side. I'm right handed, so a shot to the right involves a lot of movement. On more than one occasion this year, I've tried to get ready for a shot, when I should have been more patient and waited for the deer to cross to my left side. I can shoot that direction while remaining seated.
It is frustrating....and at the same time, more fun than I've had in 20 years of rifle hunting!
Good luck! |
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Cityhunter
 I'm a 8 point buck on this forum. My next goal is to become a 9 Pointer.
| Joined: 02 Nov 2009 |
| Posts: 20 |
| Location: Pittsburgh, PA |
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Game Tokens: 575 |
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 12:32 am |
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The more I thought about what happened with that big buck, the more I realized how I screwed up. I saw that big boy when he was 80 yards away. And I was in a hollow in the shade. I could've stood and drew my bow long before he entered the hollow. But I was so amazed that I was going to get a shot a a big buck that I completely lost my mind! I waited far too long to prepare for the shot. I had my mind set that he was going to that scrape. If I hadn't been thinking that, I may have drew my bow and waited for him to come into the hollow then take the shot. Well...you live you learn. And I did.
Now I have to tell you about day 2 in the same general area. I arrived in the same hunting area about 1130 am, but I instead climbed a tree along a path from which I saw that big buck come from yesterday. Well by 230 pm I began to get frustrated. Realizing that this is ot optimum hunting time, I decided to take a walk and scout around for an hour. About 330 I got back into my tree stand. Just in time. At 350 pm the freakin place went crazy. I saw a doe come busting out of the woods into a field about 60 yards away. Then I saw another. Then about 5 more. Then that same big ass buck came running out chasing them. And he brought a friend. Don't know how many points he was. Atleast a 6. Maybe bigger. These deer ran around this field for 45 minutes chasing each other. In and out of the woods. The absolute wildest thing I've ever seen hunting. These deer weren't close enough for me to shoot, but I heard them all around me. Then suddenly I see a doe walk into view at 25 yards. She is eating and oblivious to me, but she is also not in a position where I can take a shot. For 40 minutes she walks in and out of view. I learned this time. When she walked out of view, I stood. And remained standing for 30 - 40 minutes. For a few minutes she was out of view and I thought she left. But I heard her walking behind a bush. So I raised my bow. She walks into view at only 15 yards (if that). She is looking at me. I remain standing with my bow raised. Man did it get heavy quick. She finally turns her head away from me, so I drew my bow. She looks back in my direction. I get a good shooting position and aim, but I was forced to aim about 2 inches toward her rear than I would consider heart and or lung shot. But I figured this was as good as it is going to get. Squeeze. SMACK! Hit her broadside and she runs about 30 - 40 yards and stopped. I thought she fell. I waited about 1/2 hour before I climbed down. I checked my arrow which had heavy bright red blood and brown hair all over it. But.....no blood anywhere on the ground. I looked for her where I saw her run to. Nothing. I swept back and forth but no blood. I abandoned the search after an hour. It was very dark. My lantern broke. And I had no blood trail. I'll be heading out tomorrow morning. It's pretty cold here tonight. Like 35 degrees. Hopefully if I find her she's still good.
So....getting better, but no cigar. |
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RuggedHunter
 I'm a 12 point buck on this forum. My next goal is to become a Member of the Pabucks.com Monster Buck Club.
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:13 pm |
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Congratulations! Did you find her this morning?
I'm jealous.... ![greentoung [greentoung]](images/smiles/crazy3.gif) |
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Dirty
 I'm a 12 point buck on this forum. My next goal is to become a Member of the Pabucks.com Monster Buck Club.
| Joined: 09 Sep 2005 |
| Posts: 94 |
| Location: Chester County |
| Age: 30 |
Zodiac:  |
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Game Tokens: 1825 |
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Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:52 pm |
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Out of all the deer I have shot with my bow. VERY few leave blood right were they are shot. If they do it is normally a very small amount. I have learned to watch the deer after the shot. I mentally mark the LAST spot I saw that deer. Looking at land marks close to that spot as well Since the view from my stand is always different then from the ground.
I have had deer run 50 yd before they bleed and dead at 150 yd. I have also had deer bleed right were I shot them and I have tracked them 1+ miles to never find them. Tracking is a slow art and is not something you learn all at once in my option.
The other key thing I am focusing on this year is SLOW DOWN. I know everything happens very fast. But I have hurt more deer then I should by rushing to take a shot. It is not worth it to me anymore. The past few years, I am mentally taking the time in the stand to walk though the “what if's” and keep telling myself to pause and make sure the shot is GOOD before letting it fly. ![antlers [antlers]](images/smiles/antlers.gif) |
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Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 4:42 pm |
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