I have mentioned this before but I want to point it out for new users. My cardinal rule for saddle hunting is to spot the deer before they have the chance to spot me. This goes counter to what everyone has been trained their entire lives, but I am constantly in motion. "Head on a swivel". In addition to my head on a swivel, I may slowly sway side to side if I need to in order to view 360 degrees around me. By doing this I am able to get hidden by the tree or in position to get a shot before the deer gets a chance to spot me. This is a huge advantage of the saddle!!
Last night I got beat. The ground was holding moisture and it was very quiet. I was in a new spot where it was very thick and the deer could appear from anywhere at any time. At 6:30 I had a doe with a fawn come from my right and cross through some thick stuff in front of me without a shot opportunity. I started paying extra attention to that direction and then at 7:00 I hear a twig break behind me to my left. I turn my head to the left and there is a doe 15 yards away. Here I am on the exposed side of the tree and she is too close for me to move. BUSTED. She bounced off and rubbed it in by woofing at me.
For the most part situations like this where the ground is so quiet are the only times I get busted. The only way I can prevent this is to be vigilante and keep looking in all directions constantly.
Last night I got beat. The ground was holding moisture and it was very quiet. I was in a new spot where it was very thick and the deer could appear from anywhere at any time. At 6:30 I had a doe with a fawn come from my right and cross through some thick stuff in front of me without a shot opportunity. I started paying extra attention to that direction and then at 7:00 I hear a twig break behind me to my left. I turn my head to the left and there is a doe 15 yards away. Here I am on the exposed side of the tree and she is too close for me to move. BUSTED. She bounced off and rubbed it in by woofing at me.
For the most part situations like this where the ground is so quiet are the only times I get busted. The only way I can prevent this is to be vigilante and keep looking in all directions constantly.