Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Bow Hunting => Topic started by: eganx on September 07, 2013, 03:59:12 PM
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So, this is my first season hunting deer. I am using a bow. Bought it in April, got plenty of practice in. I have what I believe to be a good location for hunting deer. Looks like a regular deer amusement park. Heavily used network of game trails in a 10 year old clear cut. Deer *censored* everywhere, you can see where they are bedding down all over the place. The thing is I cannot see what they are eating. They must be going else where to eat.
This is my issue. I have a hard time being quiet as I walk through the area. Its not that I am going too fast, its just difficult. So I think my best option is to sit, watch, and wait. There are small fir trees growing so my view is somewhat limited. I can get concealed pretty well out there but will have to get up or reposition to take a shot. I really prefer to be on the move as I am ADD and cannot sit still to save my life. So what has ended up happening is I sneak into the cut, sit for an hour until I cannot stand it any longer, then go slowing walking the game trails. I have spooked a few in some thick scotch broom, too thick to peruse them, but thats all I've seen.
Any advise on how to proceed would be appreciated. I am totally new at this so anything helps. By my description am I doing anything terribly wrong? Thanks for the help guys.
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Sorry to say it, but in thick stuff like that you are doing more harm to your hunt moving around a bunch. Find a nice vantage point with the wind in mind, and plop your butt bring a book play with your phone whatever just wait it out. I have never had luck shooting deer, or elk in close proximity once I have jumped them. Hunting is a patience game, and the more of it you have the better you will do.
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Walk like a deer feeding. Two steps, then wait.....chew, swallow....listen, wait...then one step. I have walked right up to deer many many times by walking incredibly slow.....like a deer.
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as to sitting.. pick a spot, on the ground or in a tree- where if the deer come through you'll have a shot within your effective range.. if you're on the ground you want to be 15yds or more off their trail. its good to have your back to a tree or stump- to break up your outline, and have some kind of obstruction between you and the trail, be it tree, bush, whatever, something so that when they go behind it you can get your bow drawn without being seen. Practice raising your bow into position and drawing -aimed at each shooting lane when you first get into your spot, so that if there are limbs,leave, etc in the way, you can fix it then, not discover it later when trying to draw on a deer. know your shooting lanes, trim bushes back a bit if you have to. know the range to the spots on the trail or landmarks- if you need to then check them with a rangefinder when you sit down..(fence crossing is 25yds, 36yds to the big oak where the trail comes out on my right.. etc) Be comfortable.. it it means bringing a stool or a boat cushion to sit on, so be it. if you are comfortable, there is a lot less fidgeting going on. set goals for yourself- try to sit 2 hours.. most deer movement happens in the first and last 2 hours of daylight.. and if you can be there, and be still for that 2 hours- you'll probably be successful. when you get to where you cant sit still and you are fidgeting every 30 seconds, then you might as well get up,. and practice your slow walking and slow movement.
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i have a hard time sitting too man. i find it helps alot to be comfortable so i bought a tree seat off amazon and i am really looking forward to trying it out next year. real simple and it just straps to the tree like a tree stand just at the base of the tree.
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a "popup' type hunting blind is an option as well, as it lets you move around more and get away with it, but you need to "brush it in".. put it up under a cedar tree, or put bush around it to break up the outline and hide it a little.. when you walk in and look at it- if it looks unnatural- and like a tent in the middle of the woods- it will look the same to a deer..
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I can't sit still either man. That's why I hunt eastern wa. I know that sounds crazy, but you can see the game you are pursuing. Its tougher but spot and stalk with a bow is awesome. This way you can see your quarry and go after it. If you don't get it it's still not just sitting there.
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Well last week I was on one that some dumb ass ripping around the backroads spooked. I had been waiting it out, listening to it walk a game trail along the edge of a clear cut. It was just getting light and I could almost see well enough to feel comfortable shooting if it had appeared. I assume it was a deer, big game none the less. Later that morning I was just scouting the area by truck and caught a glimps of a black tail rear end jumping through some 4'-8' firs. Stopped the truck and spotted him. Drew the arrow back, got the 30yd pin on him, and as soon as that pin was on him he walked away. I didn't shoot but took off after him to see if I could get a second chance....nope.
I have three more evenings to go out until friday. Hopefully I will see something...
Anyone have any recommendations on reading up on black tail?
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Hey,
It's my first season hunting as well. I am hoping on getting out for Late Archery for deer. I am looking on linking up with some fellow hunters and get some range time in and hopefully find some hunting partners. If interested let me know or PM me..
-V
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Sounds like a tuff situation ...Anywhere to put up a tree stand ? If you are sneaking around in an area with lots of beds then your in their bedding area ...I would try to find a spot where they are coming from or going to ...If you feel you have to hunt that particular area ( Bedding Area ) I would do that on rainy day or wait until the rain stops So you can be quiet going in :twocents:
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Boyd Iverson's "Blacktail Trophy tactics2" Buy/read it
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rain and wind can be your friend
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I second the advice about the boyd iverson trophy tactics. Look on amazon as i found a copy there dirt cheap in paperback. It is something everyone should study not just read. I am new to bowhunting and hunting in general as well. If ya want to team up sometime after the season is done to scout for next year shoot me a pm.
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Walk like a deer feeding. Two steps, then wait.....chew, swallow....listen, wait...then one step. I have walked right up to deer many many times by walking incredibly slow.....like a deer.
:tup: That's good advice.
Dad's advice when I was young: Once you are in good area with good sign, imagine the deer is armed as you are, kill or be killed, first one to spot and shoot wins. I've been killed alot :yike:
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Trail cam.... that is prob the best scouting tool in the history or ever... I own a ton of them and its like xmas each time I check them..... I never hunt a area without knowing what is in it and when they are..... hunting should be done well before the season.... hang a few cams.. then decide where you can place a blind or stand... I am a big fan of baiting as well.. get some apples and you will really see what numbers and type of deer that area holds.....
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Hey,
It's my first season hunting as well. I am hoping on getting out for Late Archery for deer. I am looking on linking up with some fellow hunters and get some range time in and hopefully find some hunting partners. If interested let me know or PM me..
-V
Oct 20th is having a 3d shoot one day $10 bucks http://www.gfsclub.com/ (http://www.gfsclub.com/)
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Trail cam.... that is prob the best scouting tool in the history or ever... I own a ton of them and its like xmas each time I check them..... I never hunt a area without knowing what is in it and when they are..... hunting should be done well before the season.... hang a few cams.. then decide where you can place a blind or stand... I am a big fan of baiting as well.. get some apples and you will really see what numbers and type of deer that area holds.....
i swear bait pulls to many bear in, and bear+ bait is never good. Cool you get the pictures but now something you could have shot if it walked through but now off limits. many in places where bear are not common this helps, but in my area bear are to common to try this.
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Boyd Iverson's "Blacktail Trophy tactics2" Buy/read it
:yeah:
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:tup:
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Boyd Iverson's book, Trophy Tactics 2 is the best blacktail book ever! This is my fourth season hunting blacktail with a bow, and none yet. I messed up on one at fifty yards, but lost the blood trail. My own fault, though. Shouldn't have tried at fifty yards. Shot too far over and hit the shoulder blade. Trailed him for a mile, then the blood trail stopped. :( :bash:
I hate sitting there too. I like bringing a phone to play with, sometimes a quiet book. An e-reader would be perfect! I like watching the squirrels and birds while waiting for the deer. Takes my mind off everything. :IBCOOL:
