Bowhuntingboy
New Member
Alright guys, your advice is needed big time here. Here's the story...
I've been after a certain shooter buck this year and I finally got a crack at him. I decided to move in on his bedding area tonight, since he is so nocturnal, to see if I can finally get a visual on him this year (I've pretty much been hunting his sign so far this season). I Lone Wolfed it on some dry ground between two cattail swamps where I know he moves between. He beds in the one to the right of my position. 2 does came out of the fresh trail I was set up on. They were in shooting range. I let them move on. I was hunting a ground stand with the Lone Wolf seat strapped onto the base of a tree since none of the trees were suitable for a quick climb (I didn't want to make too much noise pruning branches in prime season at 4:30 pm so near his bedding area).
15 minutes after the 2 does passed I spotted the brute. He was to my right emerging from the cattails. I could tell it was a buck but not if it was a shooter. He worked his way through some more brush and I got ready. When he emerged from the brush to my right I was jaw-dropped. He was a shooter by my standards, and the one I've been watching pre-season. I didn't analyze the rack too much because I was more worried about whether I should take this shot quick since he was heading out of the open soon... but a rough estimate: 9 to 10 pointer, not a wide rack but it was very tall! He'd probably score in the 140's (that's a shooter to me, especially in this high pressure area I hunt-last I saw of him was when he was in velvet). So I decided not to hesitate... I drew, aimed, judged the distance... and here's what went through my mind: "Dang... 45, maybe 50 yard shot... in dimming light... awe darn... but I might not get another chance at this nocturnal beast... I'm always too picky... just take the shot Robert..." Well, I took the shot... right on over his back she flew. The arrow crashed in the brush behind him and he took off into the cattails from where he'd come.
He had been looking toward me at the time I released, trying see what I was and he may have seen the arrow fly.
The question: How educated did I just make this deer!? I know I should have been patient since it is still pre-rut... and they're still in patterns. I am so mad at myself right now! I should've passed for a better shot. Anyway, it happened. Now I'm concerned about how I should continue to hunt this buck. Yeah, he spooked, of course. Should I let thinks cool down there for a week... then maybe do a decoy and rattling hunt next weekend... or should I wait longer? Any other advice on how I should proceed?
I've been after a certain shooter buck this year and I finally got a crack at him. I decided to move in on his bedding area tonight, since he is so nocturnal, to see if I can finally get a visual on him this year (I've pretty much been hunting his sign so far this season). I Lone Wolfed it on some dry ground between two cattail swamps where I know he moves between. He beds in the one to the right of my position. 2 does came out of the fresh trail I was set up on. They were in shooting range. I let them move on. I was hunting a ground stand with the Lone Wolf seat strapped onto the base of a tree since none of the trees were suitable for a quick climb (I didn't want to make too much noise pruning branches in prime season at 4:30 pm so near his bedding area).
15 minutes after the 2 does passed I spotted the brute. He was to my right emerging from the cattails. I could tell it was a buck but not if it was a shooter. He worked his way through some more brush and I got ready. When he emerged from the brush to my right I was jaw-dropped. He was a shooter by my standards, and the one I've been watching pre-season. I didn't analyze the rack too much because I was more worried about whether I should take this shot quick since he was heading out of the open soon... but a rough estimate: 9 to 10 pointer, not a wide rack but it was very tall! He'd probably score in the 140's (that's a shooter to me, especially in this high pressure area I hunt-last I saw of him was when he was in velvet). So I decided not to hesitate... I drew, aimed, judged the distance... and here's what went through my mind: "Dang... 45, maybe 50 yard shot... in dimming light... awe darn... but I might not get another chance at this nocturnal beast... I'm always too picky... just take the shot Robert..." Well, I took the shot... right on over his back she flew. The arrow crashed in the brush behind him and he took off into the cattails from where he'd come.
He had been looking toward me at the time I released, trying see what I was and he may have seen the arrow fly.
The question: How educated did I just make this deer!? I know I should have been patient since it is still pre-rut... and they're still in patterns. I am so mad at myself right now! I should've passed for a better shot. Anyway, it happened. Now I'm concerned about how I should continue to hunt this buck. Yeah, he spooked, of course. Should I let thinks cool down there for a week... then maybe do a decoy and rattling hunt next weekend... or should I wait longer? Any other advice on how I should proceed?
