Archery late hunt...situation advice requested

[Eric M]

So I spent the last few rainy days trying to get my tag filled while I'm off work. The GMU is any deer (blacktail) and I just want meat. Been within 40 yards of does twice but it was too brushy. Yesterday as the rain is tapering off. I took my mind off what I was doing for JUST A SECOND. It was about 3 in the afternoon. I looked up and saw a deer at about 90 yards in a fairly open area looking back at me. I was on my hands and knees and saw with my binoculars it was a spike. It was spooked enough to trot off but not bounce off like they do when theyre really frightened. Thought I'd let the area cool down today. Took my wife shopping. On the way home I'm seeing lots of deer feeding (I'm guessing they were glad the rain let up). I want to run right back in there but should I wait another day or 2? Also I'm excited because it's the first buck I've seen in there. Looks like it might start raining again Thursday. Any advice is appreciated. Archery hunting now for 3 years and I'm getting antsy. Thanks

[billythekidrock]

Go after it.

[mfswallace]

Go after it.

 

[Eric M]

Yeah I don't think I could've waited. I'd be worthless all day tomorrow. Kinda like I was grouchy all day today about it. Thanks for the advice.

[bobcat]

With the end of the season so near, I'd wait for nothing. Go right back where you saw that buck. With any luck you may even find his big brother.

[Eric M]

With the end of the season so near, I'd wait for nothing. Go right back where you saw that buck. With any luck you may even find his big brother.

I think I found his dead big brother (a 4 point) on the same trail about 2 weeks ago. Still had flesh on him. Looked like maybe someone made a bad shot and the coyotes did the rest.. Thanks for the advice. I'll update the thread hopefully with some good news soon.

[Eric M]

As an update- Yesterday I went in early and was working towards the place where I saw the buck. The ground was frosted over and it was noisy, so I took awhile getting in. Took my time-stealthy and all that. A step or three and then stop. Got to an open place I needed to cross. Instead of glassing the overgrown road I hurried across. Caught some movement as I got across the road looked over and watched the hind end of a blacktail bounce away. Only 30 yards I just was so focused on getting to where I saw that buck I got stupid. Blacktail don't let you make mistakes. I KNOW BETTER. Anyway, I can't get back there until Friday or Saturday. Next year I can't hunt because of a military school, and the following year I'm planning to go after high country mule deer during the high hunt so pray for me if you don't mind. I'm running out of days. Either way I've had a great season and learned a ton and gained a ton of respect for these slippery buggers. I've had my chances, just made mistakes at the wrong time. Saw elk within 40 yards 10 days before the season opened then lost them. Enjoyed this year. I just got Scott Haugen's book on Trophy Blacktail and Robby Denning's book on Hunting Big Mule Deer through Amazon. Every little bit helps as I learn as I go. I'll update this after the weekend

[fishnfur]

I think you're going to score. 
-Be still more than you move - be a predator- watch and listen. 
-Find that area in your spot that has shooting lanes and hang out and watch.
-Next time, stay in the shadows and work slowly around the opening rather than crossing the opening.

Looking forward to pics!

[Eric M]

I think you're going to score. 
-Be still more than you move - be a predator- watch and listen. 
-Find that area in your spot that has shooting lanes and hang out and watch.
-Next time, stay in the shadows and work slowly around the opening rather than crossing the opening.

Looking forward to pics!

Thanks for the advice. I know you're right. My first season of archery hunting I tried a treestand. Froze my butt off and just didn't like it. Bucks within 70 yards (I'm a 50 yard shot) It was fun, but I like still hunting. I was just looking at the area yesterday thinking. If I just sat right HERE I know I'd score, but I just want to see what's over the next rise. The one path is like a deep rut from the years of travel. I know it's a good spot. Your advice is well met. Trying it your way Friday/Saturday. At the risk of being longwinded- I was walking all over that area yesterday most of the day. Do you think I ruined it? Should I just assume theyre still in there, wait until next week to check it out, go in after the rain on Friday? I feel close. Modern I'd be laughing at guys like me right now. Had my chances....

[Eric M]

worried I polluted the area for awhile.

[fishnfur]

If it were a big old mature buck you were after, I'd say you made it a lot harder on yourself.  Since it's not, I think you're fine, but it may depend on how often the deer are exposed to humans in the woods.  Does and really young bucks generally don't totally freak out if they have had a lot of contact with non-hunting humans.  Deer smell people scent, (and coyote, cat, bear) all the time.  They still have to eat, and as long as they don't feel like they're being hunted specifically, they just keep on keeping on.   If they fail to show up and the conditions are still somewhat similar, then you probably need to reconsider and decide for yourself.  There are several studies that show deer will avoid an area that has been used by tree stand hunters several days in a row, so your skipping a few days between hunts should benefit you.

I think, from your description of the spike encounter, you were fine to hunt that the next day as well.  Sounds like you just made him nervous and he moved off.  I bet he didn't go more than 30 -40 yards, and probably not even that far.  You may have been able to quietly pursue him after a few minutes of waiting for him to settle down.

In the future, if you're going to go traipse around your spot, you might as well take the time to clear some shooting lanes so that next time you're there, you have a better chance at having a shot.  Just wear gloves and don't overdo it.

Stay down wind, well hidden, and 25 - 30 yards back (or more) from your target area if you're really comfortable with that distance.  Try to  have a couple of good shooting lanes, and try to limit your time in the area.  I still like mid-day and late afternoon.  (I hate getting up early and out the door in cold wet weather).  Perhaps sit on the spot either from a half hour or more before first light until mid-morning, or 2:30 PM till last light.  Take a good flashlight and flag your trail going in so that you can stay until the last minute of legal hunting, if you're not in way too deep.  Keep your head on a swivel and slowly keep peering around you as you wait.  Minimal movements.

Resist the urge to break from your plan and head off to see what is going on in the next draw.  This one item alone may make your next hunt your last of the season, and fill your freezer.  Still hunting with a bow is tough.  If you've got a workable plan, stick with it.

   Good luck.

[Eric M]

If it were a big old mature buck you were after, I'd say you made it a lot harder on yourself.  Since it's not, I think you're fine, but it may depend on how often the deer are exposed to humans in the woods.  Does and really young bucks generally don't totally freak out if they have had a lot of contact with non-hunting humans.  Deer smell people scent, (and coyote, cat, bear) all the time.  They still have to eat, and as long as they don't feel like they're being hunted specifically, they just keep on keeping on.   If they fail to show up and the conditions are still somewhat similar, then you probably need to reconsider and decide for yourself.  There are several studies that show deer will avoid an area that has been used by tree stand hunters several days in a row, so your skipping a few days between hunts should benefit you.

I think, from your description of the spike encounter, you were fine to hunt that the next day as well.  Sounds like you just made him nervous and he moved off.  I bet he didn't go more than 30 -40 yards, and probably not even that far.  You may have been able to quietly pursue him after a few minutes of waiting for him to settle down.

In the future, if you're going to go traipse around your spot, you might as well take the time to clear some shooting lanes so that next time you're there, you have a better chance at having a shot.  Just wear gloves and don't overdo it.

Stay down wind, well hidden, and 25 - 30 yards back (or more) from your target area if you're really comfortable with that distance.  Try to  have a couple of good shooting lanes, and try to limit your time in the area.  I still like mid-day and late afternoon.  (I hate getting up early and out the door in cold wet weather).  Perhaps sit on the spot either from a half hour or more before first light until mid-morning, or 2:30 PM till last light.  Take a good flashlight and flag your trail going in so that you can stay until the last minute of legal hunting, if you're not in way too deep.  Keep your head on a swivel and slowly keep peering around you as you wait.  Minimal movements.

Resist the urge to break from your plan and head off to see what is going on in the next draw.  This one item alone may make your next hunt your last of the season, and fill your freezer.  Still hunting with a bow is tough.  If you've got a workable plan, stick with it.

   Good luck.

Thanks appreciate your time on this.

[Eric M]

So just as an update I had some time to hit the spot yesterday afternoon. Found a good spot to try to sit still. The rain had just quit maybe 15 minutes before I got there. As I'm standing on the edge of this area looking for a tree to sit against I see this doe scoot across it at 68 yards. She's not running, but is moving with purpose. So I think to myself, Is she moving fast like that because I did something to bump her or is she in a hurry for some other invisible reason? Then I say, maybe you ought to see if you can catch up to her. This was a bad idea because I was still wearing my Goretex rain pants. After I realized I wasn't going to be able to move quietly enough I took them off. But I already knew I blew it. When I write my book on all the mistakes I have made while hunting, this year may well have the longest chapter.

[fishnfur]

No worries.  Sounds like a pretty good year.  Write down all your observations so you can re-visit them next year and make note of what you think you did right and what you should have tried.  There are no perfect answers to the deer in the woods hunting question.  You will improve over time.  At least, you will consider other options based on your past failures.  That is the learning process. 

Sitting on my couch, I wonder what made your doe run.  Three or four answers:  Coyote, buck, you, or any other noise that freaked out that doe.  Always assume there is a second doe close by if you see a single.  I've blown a lot of opportunities, but if I feel I'm well hidden and not smelled by the deer, I'm going to sit tight and watch what happens.  If you're going to pursue, do it with extreme thought, preparation, and trepidation. 

I've got lots of noisy rain gear.  I never wear it when I'm hunting - you might as well wear a bell on your back.  Look for wool layering at Goodwill or similar spots that you can wear under "waterproof"  or less-than-water-proof (but quiet) camo outerwear.  I'd love to buy some Sitka rain/hunting outerwear, but the kids have to go to college....       Get rid of the noise.

[lewy]

Lets see this dead head you found!