Hello I'm new..2 yrs old bow hunting. Seen 13 deer so far this season (9 does,have a doe tag but couldnt bring myself to arrow any of them)and a big "8" 3 times. Problem Im having is all I have read about bow hunting deer this fella does the opposite. 1) I seen (well he seen me first) my friend "8" I was caught reaching for a cookie (bad move), he must have been standing behind me watching. I reached = he ran. 2)I was in my stand and just before dark "8" emerged from a stand of hardwoods. He was heading into the wind (right to me) about half way he looked straight at me (I was not moving)and after careful consideration he turned and walked back the way he came. I thought he must have winded me right? Well last night "8" emerged from the same location and started across to me walking WITH THE WIND about 1/2 way he stopped looked right at me and turned and walked back the way he came (I know he didnt wind me!!).
My stand is in a maple tree approx 30ft up on the edge of the opening between 2 hardwood stands. I have full camo, wash with hunting soap, etc.I have 2 questions I hope can be answered:
1)WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?
2)IS IT POSSIBLE THAT I AM CAUSING TOO BIG OF A BULGE IN THE TREE AND IT JUST DOES NOT LOOK RIGHT TO "8" OR IS IT POSSIBLE HE REMEMBERS OUR FIRST ENCOUNTER (THE COOKIE)? - The closest he has come is approx 200 yards before turing around. Hope someone can help.....Thanks.

There are a few things you can do. (1)Put your stand in a different tree as close to the one you are hunting as possible. (2) Place your stand facing away from the direction he normally comes from. (3) Always use the wind in your favor, you might have gotten away with it once, but if he is a mature buck he will not be coming back from the downwind side of you to many more times before he decides to leave the area and not come back. Good luck, hoped this helps a little. 4runner

I would suggest moving your stand to either the first place that you see the 8, or to the place that he spooks when he sees you. Definitely move your stand though. Even if it is the next tree over. Deer definitely have a memory of bad occurences and I hope it is not too late for you.
As long as there is no obvious danger (movement, scent, sound) a bulge in the tree means absolutely nothing to a deer.
Good luck.

I think that he has your stand pinpointed and he can tell when you are there and when you aint. When you see a stand empty and one with someone in them, it looks different. If this is an area he uses alot, he has seen what the tree looks like without you in it and when you are he can tell something aint right. Move your stand as the others have said

&quot;A Country Boy Can Survive&quot; </IMG>

Everyone has hit the nail on the head, move your stand.

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

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