Last week I was in my stand hunting and had a nice buck that I would guess to be right around 130 class. I have only been bow hunting for 5 years and I had a shot present itself that I have never faced. I was at full draw when he came in. he was moving through pretty fast and I whistled to stop him. And BAM he turned and faced me and looked right up at me. I was in my climber and was about tweenty feet up the tree. He was about 15 yrds from me. My question is, is there a good shot to take. I passed on this buck and he snorted and was gone. anyone with advise to help please respond. Thanks!!

Well congrats on knowing to NOT take the shot and then actually NOT taking it. I know some people who would have known not to take the shot but would have tried it anyway. Most likely wounding the buck in the process.

I would have to say that there is no good shoot when the deer is straight on and looking up at you.

That is a very low percentage shot and you did the right thing by not taking that particular shot. I'm sure someone will jump in and say they'd taken it, they're so good that they know where they can place their arrow, well I've been competitive shooting for so long I can't remember and won my share of 3D tournaments and I know I can place an arrow at 15 yards and I wouldn't have taken the shot either. Very well done.

ditto ditto ditto, you made the best shot, wait on a better shot.

Great job, you made the right decision in passing up the shot.

I commend you, I think alot of hunters, admit it or not, would have tried the shot at a good sized buck.

I have known people that have put them down from such angles and in fact, I had a similar kill shot several years ago on a fluke. A doe was broadside to me and just as I released, it wheeled towards me...I still haven't figured out why. The arrow, with pure luck, struck it right in the main artery of it's neck. It dropped in it's tracks. I never, ever, want to go through the anxiety that I did that day as I saw the deer wheel around...I was VERY, VERY lucky.

Again, I commend you on being a true ethical hunter...you know the buck is there, let the stand rest and go get him later!

Part of bowhunting is knowing, going in, that you are just not going to be able to shoot evey deer that gets into bow range. It's better to let the deer walk because he will return another day. If you shoot the wrong angles you may never see the deer again.

Good self control t_, I could imagine it was difficult so early in the season.
Way to go!

Congratulations.


t-I'm a little confused as the body position of the deer from your post. You said said he came in, and when you whistled, he stoped turned and looked directly at you at 15 yards. But, I'm not sure if he was walking directly away from you, was directly facing you, was broadside, quartering away, or quartering to you when he stopped and turned to look. If he was broadside or quarting away, I would have shot at 15 yards even if he was looking at you. Any of the rest, and I would have let him passed. No matter what, you were not sure of the shot and let him go. That was a very ethical move on your part. So congrats no matter what.