I have recently started scouting during the season (With my bow) around noon. I snoop around at a super slow pace and try and get into as much of an area as I can. I know everyone says that bumping deer in this way will ruin an area but I have had really good results and returned to the same area 2 or 3 times and still seen deer. I find an area that has lots of droppings and a lot of tracks intersecting it and just sit about 20 yards down wind with my back against a tree. The number of deer that have entered the area and stood less than 20 ft away from me is amazing. On Saturday for instance I had a nice Buck stand broadside on to me at 30ft, the only problem was I couldn't draw my bow sitting down. As his head went behind a tree I made an effort to slowly stand. I had already pushed all the leaves from around my feet out of the way leaving soft earth but it wasn't quiet enough. His head came up and to my amazement just had a quick glance and carried on eating. My second attempt to stand was just as bad but left me half standing with my bow thrust forward as a counter weight. For what seemed like an hour he just looked right into my eyes trying to decide what to do. My back was killing and my arms felt like they would drop off. What I found out later was that when he decided to make a sharp exit he only went about another 30ft and stopped behind some thickets. I stood up fully and stretched only to get snorted from behind the bushes. I wanted to share this experience purely to see if anyone else uses this or similar tactics and has had any strange encounters. I like this method mainly because I can stumble across a really good location, check it out and if there is a lot of activity I can hang a stand knowing exactly what to expect from it. And you have the bonus of a possible harvest for your trouble. BTB

I had a similiar experience early in my bowhunting career. I learned then when stopping to never sit down, can't shoot from that position.

In season scouting is always to the hunters advantage. Deer that are patterned all summer long can change habits once hunting pressure is on and the rut begins.

<font color=blue>Good Luck and Good Shooting</font id=blue>

<font color=red>Rob</font id=red>

Boris I know it is not as comfortable, but maybe you could try just taking a knee instead. Another thing to try is to sit with one leg straight(your left if your right handed) and the other bent at an angle to your right(if your right handed). This may not work on flat ground, but on a slope it does for me, I can actually shoot this way although not in as many directions due to my legs.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

Never stop to rest or wait in a position you cant shoot from.

My suggestion would be to practice shooting while sitting down. You need more right arm strength(if right handed) to pull the bow back to help eliminate excess movement. I practice sitting in different positions. Taz suggested one. I like it when my left leg is straight and my right leg in bent with the right foot under the left knee. It allows me to better stability when shooting to the left. I also like both knees flexed slightly and my heels resting on the ground in front of me. I am able to hold my bow and rest my arms on my thighs, very comfortable. Left shot easy, straight shot very stable and right shot near impossible. You can shoot sitting down you just need to strenghten those muscles needed to do it.