Good question road dog, refreshing to see a thread more directly related to hunting situations than what's been posted lately.

I too struggle with the decision of when to draw. I concur that it's best to draw when the deer are not in plain view with the hope that when they step in the open you are ready to rock, but they do seem to have an uncanny sense to stop in the thick stuff, leaving one in the situation you were in - at full draw for an extended period of time. You did what I would have done, some times it works, other times it doesn't.

I try to draw at the first good chance, I'd rather risk having to hold for a few minutes that getting caught with them in my lap.

I also try to draw when either I can't see the eyes, or they are moving.

Sometimes, not all the time yes but again, every situation dictates what needs to happen.

Agreed that you have to read the deer to make a decision.

Whenever I set up a ground blind or a treestand, I ALWAYS have a designated draw area. I assume I know where the deer are coming from, and if they play their part, I have a spot that I know ahead of time is my draw spot. If its in a tree, many times I will cut extra oak limbs full of leaves and hang in front of me to give me additional screening for my draw spot. Thinking all these things through before the deer is there greatly ups your odds.

When they ain't looking.

I always draw first then stop the deer. Even then, one busted me and escaped.

I draw whenever I feel the time is right, as every situation is different. That’s a poor explanation, but its as best as I can put it.
I’d rather error to drawing on the early side, as opposed to drawing at the last possible second.

I must be different
I never draw earlier, I wait until I can shoot the deer. Meaning if they do get spookie and stop in front of they are in range and I can shoot them.

I never pull back until I can shoot the deer. Meaning I pull back, within 3-10 seconds I am shooting.

I do this for two reasons

1. who knows what a deer is going to do 40 yds out
2. who knows what else will come in In 97 I was going to shoot a nice doe, as I waited a big buck came by, so I shot him.

I never want to tip my hand early, is the best way to put it.

X2

I don't want to hold my bow back for longer than 20 seconds. Not because I can't, but becauseI feel I am more accurate when I draw, put the pin on it, then release as opposed to draw, wait, put the pin, release.

Great topic. I would also say it depends on each situation, or watch the deers demeanor in his movement when preparing for you shot.When Isee deer creeping through the woods, taking their sweet time either feeding, or alert for some reason, I wait until they are in range and not lookingbefore I draw. When I see deer unalarmed and on a steady pace moving on a trail or even just through a field or open woods,I feel more comfortable drawing a few steps before they are in range as an immanent shot is going to happen. Example, if I see a few Does feeding through an area picking their heads up, randomly looking around, then continuing to feed and walk, Im much more careful about drawing. When I see a buck rapidly approaching nose to the ground, you just have to time it just like Payton Manning to Marvin Harrison lol. Draw a few steps before youre clear shooting area, try and stop the buck, WHAM!! Touchdown!!

I draw just before they get into shooting range or a shooting lane, then stop them! I'll draw when there behind a tree, walking or not looking. I usually have an idea of where and when I'm going to draw before I even see a deer. I'll sit on stand and think about all possibilities, "OK if a deer comes down this trail, I'll try a draw when its right here or here, if it comes down this trail....etc..." I try to play it out in my head!