Buck Fever- Bowhunting

[ShotThruTheHeart]

I'm really disappointed at myslef I wasn't able to take an easy shot at my first buck with a bow (6pt). I was sitting in my stand, and heard footsteps slowly coming from directly behind me( I assumed it was only a doe). So I decided to just be still and let it come on around me. I hear the footsteps getting closer and it must be 5 yards from under my treestand. Well as soon as it shows itself, my heart instantly starts pounding. Probably the worst I've ever felt it under any physical exertion. He moves on ahead a lil further and is now directly ahead of me at 10 yrds, milling around with his nose on the ground. At this point I'm deciding should I just remain seated and pull back on him when i get a chance, try to queitly stand without making noise, or just sit tight and wait for him to move a lil further out. During this time he's tuning into his surroundings, with his nose in the air and using his ears as beacons. He turns his head directly opposite of my direction, with one ear turned back toward me. I thought this might be my chance if i can be quiet. I thought rather than stand and risk making noise, i'll try to pull back on him in a sitting position. As I start to swing my body around, my arm movement makes the slightest rustling of my wool coat (with the wind blowing 5-10mph). He does a one 180 and looks right up at me, and I freeze. Well he gets spooked and takes off gingerly 15 yrds away, and out of a clear shot. I wait to see if he might come back this way, but I know there is no way he would. He hangs out in that general area for about 10 min, and then I noticed the top of a sapling thrashing around while he is rubbing his antlers. As it starts to get dark I climb down and he is no where around. In hindsight I think I would have been better off standing when i heard the footsteps. He is probably only one of a very few bucks in the area. Do you think he'll come around again? Or did I blow my chance?

[kateraxl2381]

I think you will be alright. He should be back around, not saying that he will be by the exact tree, but he will still be in the area. Especially if he didn't blow and run completely out of sight. Good luck with him!

[nodog]

I stand almost all the time for that reason. I glass 360 almost all the time for that reason, very slowly. I would probably seen that deer long before it got close to me, probably, they're cagie. I practice the shots I think I'll have to make for that reason, if sitting, sitting. That wool coat shouldn't be making noise. Is it new? If it is leave it outside in the weather. It will break in faster and be something you just don't hunt without. I have one I always take

You see just how fast things happen, be ready, you can sit and sleep at home, this is hunting. You have to control yourself for a fraction of the time in order to make all the time and money pay off, do it.

If you do it will be hero stories. Hope to hear one soon. Sounds like you had a good day in the woods, better ones will follow. Many can't even get as close as you did, you did good.

[UPHunter08]

As was mentioned, this goes to show you how fast things can happen. This is why I don't read, play with my phone, etc while on the stand. Chances are you'll miss an opportunity if you're farting around and not paying attention (which didn't happen in your case, BTW).

If you can change trees or stand locations slightly, that might help. He's young and will still come through that area, but he might check out that tree the next time he comes through (I've had deer do that before). Next time, one thing that might help is to take along a doe bleat can. I've been able to reassure deer that have gotten a little spooked by giving out a bleat or 2. Got one this year that way (he spooked, ran off 20 yards, and a bleat calmed him down and brought him back in).

I also agree with nodog that the wool coat shouldn't have given you away. More likely he either smelled you or caught some motion. I swear that deer can see your eyes moving, and for that reason I refuse to make eye contact with them when they're close. Think about it...if you're in a crowd, you can pick someone out of 100 people if they're making eye contact. I have no doubt deer are the same way.

[mnhunter1]

only a doe ? them old does are some of the smartest deer in the woods. who warns that big buck that somethings not right? i treat every deer like its one i want to shoot that way you can hold it together long enough to get the shot off