I encountered a situation yesterday where a buck was chasing two does yesterday across a field. I hear them, locate them and then stand and grab my bow. In that short time the deer were already at the treeline and I was spotted.I could not believe how fast these deer covered that much ground. How do you guys get into position to make a shot on the persuing buck when the action is happening so quickly?The lesson I learned was to get in position without getting seen and then get bow from hook with less movement if possible.
RE: Preparing for the shot, how do you get ready??
Honestly, the chasing phase of the rut is probably the most difficult time to get a shot. The problem is that they are usually doing just that, chasing! I personally like to stand as much as possible while I'm hunting the rut. But do have to sit down once in a while to give my legs a break.
When they're running after a doe that won't stand still, its tough. You either get lucky and she stops or she doesn't. One thing you might try is concentrate on stopping the doe somehow. A grunt tube, a bleat, something like that. If you can get her to stop and see where the noise is coming from, the buck most likely will do the same. Of course, you also run the risk of being busted. Of course, what usually happens with me is the doe will stop, but the buck will keep pushing her.
It's really a 50/50 deal. You either get lucky or you don't.
RE: Preparing for the shot, how do you get ready??
Well the way i do it is like this. I keep my bow in my lap with my trigger on the loop at all times. I got burned like you did one time on a monster buck and i'll not make that mistake again. You never want to try to stand until you know they are not looking your way. Also, when you do stand. Go up so slow that your thighs burn. Don't bring your bow up to draw until the deer is looking away or is stopped behind a tree where you can't see his head. Hope this helps
RE: Preparing for the shot, how do you get ready??
I've found that when a buck is actively chasing a hot doe, you can get away with ten times the movement you normally would be able to, but in a quick paced situation like that I'd draw for my shot and stay seated.
RE: Preparing for the shot, how do you get ready??
I'm sorry, my reply was more geared to getting off a shot under normal conditions. With the chasing issue, it's somewhat the same situation in a way, you have to get in position when they can't see you. When they are chasing, be patient, a lot of times they come right back around after they run out of sight.
RE: Preparing for the shot, how do you get ready??
Basically I hold my bow at all times. But it doesn't weigh much at all and never really gets heavy. Other then that I don't really draw until I have a shot. But I do shoot traditional equipment.
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RE: Preparing for the shot, how do you get ready??
as soon as i hear deer, im sneaking to a standing position....if i see them, im standing ASAP...farther away i can usually get by with less cover...if they get in close, fast you gotta wait till you got their heads blocked or turned or something...
cover is important in your tree around you, as well as on the ground....alot of guys i see go buck wild trimming and trim the whole forest floor and void it of brush...ive even seen guys chainsaw the logs and hual them out etc....sure that LOOKS nice...but what happens is they take all the ground cover and have no cover to draw from...i see that alot...
when i trim, i leave growth lanes...usually around a downed limb or something i aint moving anyway....and anything i DO trim, or small branches i pick up, i turn into a brush pile, which is potentially something else that i may draw while they are behind...i like to pick up the small downed limbs and make a pile of them...dont know why but i do lol....then when i trim lanes i'll add all that to the pile...
other than that, slow, deliberate movements is what you need...wait, watch, pay attention to them and where their looking and where their focus is...
last year, the buck i killed was dumber than a rock...he was feeding in the wide open..i was kinda high and had cover...(a whole live, standing hemlock tree was just under my feet) i stood...he looked at me...when back to feeding...i drew...he went back to feeding and i sent it...between the cover and slow and deliberate movements i did make, he never went alert...he seen SOMETHING...but had no idea what...
lower draw weights help...i can stay on target and slowly inch by inch draw...that helps a TON...
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RE: Preparing for the shot, how do you get ready??
Try a fawn bleat. I have had good success with getting does to stop with this call. I'll admit it doesnt work everytime, but it has worked enough that I always try it. I never go to the woods without mine and if the doe stops you know what the buck will do.
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Preparing for the shot, how do you get ready??
