ORIGINAL: NY Bowhunter

I think there are 2 schools of thought when it comes to clearing "shooting lanes". Just curious on what others think.

I've always been one to disturb as little as possible with my setups. I'll selectively trim what I need to at the bare minimum to give me a variety of shot opportunities. Sometimes I dont' change a thing depending on the setup. I dont' want anything to look different to the deer. I'm more of the mindset that if he comes into my setup and I can't get a shot off then so be it.... let him walk. That is better than him suddenely noticing highways cut through his area. If he didn't present a shot, but walked away not knowing I existed or something wasn't right than that isn't the end of the world. This actually has cost me 3 shot opportunities this year on quality bucks.

The flipside ...... cut lanes where if he comes into your setup you're going to have a shot somewhere. That is if he doesn't spook or bust you or already decided he knows something is not right in that area when you weren't there.

Just wondering if overdoing it with my minimal disturbance philosophy. Would that buck that was 22 yards from me not giving me a shot even be there if I cleared enough shooting windows to already piss him off? Or that buck is right here right now and I got a shot at him?

What are your thoughts?