MN/Kyle

Anyone ever still hunt with their bow? Any tips/advice would be appreciated. I'm going to try it tonight.

Jim_IV

Oh, I got ya now. I thought you were asking if anyone was "Still hunting with their bow?"

I'm no help at all then, just try and stay warm (I heard its cold up their)

Pro-Line

I've had a lot of luck still hunting with my bow over the years. Most of the time I've seen deer from the stand...climbed down and snuck to them. I've probably killed 8 or 10 from the ground while still hunting. At least one of them was a nice buck. It was probably 15 years ago.
I saw some does and it was nearing time to get down for the morning...so I climbed down to see if I could get on them. I snuck to them, and was about to shoot when one of the does raised her head and she wasn't a doe. He had a decent 8pt rack (for WV) so I laced him at about 25yrds.

He never knew what hit him. He jumped in the air...looked around and then proceeded to fall over stone dead. Double lunger.

It's possible, but tricky. I've never had any luck late in the year.

Schultzy

I've done It a few times Kyle. If the area Is quite enough I like to sneak In on the bedding area's down wind and slowly work my way through them. Ya gotta take It slow though, and I mean slow! A few different occasion's I've had doe's, fawns and even a few bucks damn near run me over being they heard me but didn't know where I was being I was moving very slowly and also down wind. It's fun and It can work, take your time. I've shot one deer doing It and could of shot other deer but chose not to.

Is the snow quite where you are? It's crunchy as heck by me, It wouldn't work for me In these condition's.

bigcountry

I do quite a bit with january longbow hunting. Walk maybe 3-5 steps. Planning out my next step. Each new step, I can see 100ft more land. I usually pause 10min between movements. Usually deer come to me before I get to them. Or during my pause, I will see one get up to stretch, and then I can move based off its reaction.

Biggest mistake I and most still hunters make is thinking, "I need to be over there", and they rush over to another ridge thinking they will start sneaking then. I can't tell ya how many times, I have jumped nice deer doing this.

MN/Kyle

Steve,

It isn't too bad. It's a good powder, and it is snowing right now. I'm not sure if I'll do it or not, just kicking around the idea.

I may try and go into the swamp, and just sit on the ground. They are coming to the food sources after dark, from the swamp.

Schultzy

I want to do the same at the swamp In my woods but It's just too damn noisy/crunchy out.

Good luck!!

Rhody Hunter

tried it today actually but it was to crunchy in the snow so i got busted before i could get in range. have done it before on wet ground with success. It is a rush when you can pull it off that way

Bowflex

Deep fluffy snow is a still hunter's best friend. As bigcountry said, nice and slow and keep scanning ahead.

I had my first stalk with a bow on a doesaturday, Less than 20 yards but too much brush to shoot.
My heart was hammering like it was a trophy buck, what a rush!

Phil from Maine

It is the only way I have ever hunted and have gotten a few deer by doing this. Up here with our low deer numbers and alot of predators it is hard to do. But, the thrill of having deer right beside you and getting one of them is something all by itself.. I would walk , stop, andlisten asI carefully move along. I would do this untilI find a spot that appeared right for me to sit and wait. If you decide to try this way of hunting do not be discouraged by it. Just keep on trying and you will figure out what is best for you..