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Caught with your “pants down”? Awkward yet successful hunts.

weekender21

weekender21

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2018
Messages
1,553
Location
Hawaii and North Carolina
February 28, 2020

This is definitely one of the most awkward shooting positions I’ve ever found myself in. Definitely not one I’ve practiced.

I was 25’ off the ground on an SRT ascent and had just place my platform on the tree. Luckily I was tied off to me saddle for this hands free placement.

The winds were gusting to 35 but somehow I noticed movement 30 yards away, a doe headed my way. At this point my bow is on the ground.

With nothing to loose I pulled up my bow, disconnected the cord, knocked an arrow, straddled and squeezed my platform and the tree, and came to full draw as she entered my shooting lane at 12 yards.

Had to take a picture post shot. Notice the pile of paracord (pull up rope) on my platform.

72f3d48d3bdcec0f19f1d4390b1d1e32.jpg


The shot was executed well and an awesome blood trail led to a nice Hawaii Axis doe.

40241a8577887f4d7dc87f4bade0dbcb.jpg

07ef1512f0e5e621b633d29fbf0d0018.plist

602edd0e5066e4538bf74155a5498d8c.jpg




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Last edited:
Weldabeast said:
I got busted by another hunter while wearing underwear, blaze orange ball cap, and saddle... I had fallen in the water and stripped down to allow clothes to dry....I know I was cracking up....I'm sure he was too
Click to expand...

I’ve had to hang up close to dry on a hunt before as well.

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Two come to mind....both bucks that I killed during the 2017 season. The first I was at the top of my second stick in a tiny tree when the buck comes walking in at 30 yards. I still had my lineman’s belt on and it was super low because I had reached a branch and hadn’t run my second rope above it to unhook the first one. To top it off the tree was really leaning hard and all my weight was on my left leg so it was super super awkward lol. Somehow I got my bow pulled up and an arrow knocked and the buck bedded down at 24 yards at my 6o clock position. So here I am twisted in the worst way, bow in hand ready to draw with my lineman’s rope about knee height and all my weight on my left leg. The buck stayed bedded for about 25 minutes and let me tell ya, every part of my body was screaming to just finish setting up and let the opportunity go but I held out.....when he stood up I was ready and ran an arrow through him.

The second was the buck in my avatar, still my best bow buck. I was setup expecting deer movement in front of me and of course he comes out behind me heading for my 3 o clock. So I pivot to the left side of the platorm with my bow over the bridge. At the last second he decides he’s going back to my left toward my 5 o clock so at this point I don’t have time to take the bow back over the bridge so I kept pushing off the corner of the platform until my left foot was the only thing on the corner of the platform with my right leg hanging out in space. To top it off I came to full draw TWICE on him and he stopped short of any lane both times. He was starting to get nervous and I had to draw a third time. This time I had a small window and double lunged him with only one foot on the platform pushed around the left side of the tree as far as I could possible go!


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flinginairos said:
Two come to mind....both bucks that I killed during the 2017 season. The first I was at the top of my second stick in a tiny tree when the buck comes walking in at 30 yards. I still had my lineman’s belt on and it was super low because I had reached a branch and hadn’t run my second rope above it to unhook the first one. To top it off the tree was really leaning hard and all my weight was on my left leg so it was super super awkward lol. Somehow I got my bow pulled up and an arrow knocked and the buck bedded down at 24 yards at my 6o clock position. So here I am twisted in the worst way, bow in hand ready to draw with my lineman’s rope about knee height and all my weight on my left leg. The buck stayed bedded for about 25 minutes and let me tell ya, every part of my body was screaming to just finish setting up and let the opportunity go but I held out.....when he stood up I was ready and ran an arrow through him.

The second was the buck in my avatar, still my best bow buck. I was setup expecting deer movement in front of me and of course he comes out behind me heading for my 3 o clock. So I pivot to the left side of the platorm with my bow over the bridge. At the last second he decides he’s going back to my left toward my 5 o clock so at this point I don’t have time to take the bow back over the bridge so I kept pushing off the corner of the platform until my left foot was the only thing on the corner of the platform with my right leg hanging out in space. To top it off I came to full draw TWICE on him and he stopped short of any lane both times. He was starting to get nervous and I had to draw a third time. This time I had a small window and double lunged him with only one foot on the platform pushed around the left side of the tree as far as I could possible go!


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Click to expand...

Awesome! Awkward positions make the best stories! This is the second time I was caught not quite ready on this same tree! Back to back hunts, last time was in December. I didn’t even have my platform on the tree when the first deer walked by. Just got my tether on, one practice draw, and bow on hanger when the next deer showed up. The ten minute hunts can be fun!


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I have a couple.
My second buck with a bow came in the mid seventies before I owned (or had even heard of) a treestand. I was standing on a branch in a maple along the edge of field. No platform or tie in of any kind, just perched on a branch. A buck walked across the field to me but was on my off hand side. I ended up turning around on the branch and leaning out with my forehead pressed against a head high branch. That was the only thing holding me in the tree as I drew my bow and shot the buck. It still amazes me it worked out and I didn't fall out of the tree while at full draw. Looking back I was pretty lucky I didn't break my neck in those days.

I'll try to tell the next story as delicately as I can.

Many, many years ago while rifle hunting from a ground blind I apparently had one too many cups of coffee and needed to step up out of my blind for a few minutes. I walked up the ridge behind it for about 30-40 yds and started to take care of the task at hand. Well I had just started when I saw a buck sneaking down the opposite hill toward my blind. I was exposed to view (literally I guess :)) and afraid to move too much so, without time to properly finish (or even begin to finish for that matter) I picked up my rifle from where it leaned against a nearby tree and shot the buck dropping him on the spot. I was then able to compose myself enough to walk over and gut him out.
 
@boyne bowhunter I have a similar on to your second...It was NOV 5th of '18 and a morning hunt in a lock on. It was about 11am and hadn't had much action. Was hunting on a hillside down a little from the crest which wasn't ideal because the deer were almost eye level coming over the hill even tho I was 30 feet up. So I stand up to relieve myself facing up hill. Just as I'm about to start, I catch a glimpse of antlers coming my way. I immediately "drop" what I'm doing and grab my bow. The buck cruises by at 15 yards broadside and I smoked him as he was making a scrape. 145" 5x5 and my best archery buck. Luckily I just unzipped my fly and didn't take off my belt or I literally would have been caught with my pants down.
 
2014 second week of gun season I'm sitting 25 feet up in my self climber facing into a Michigan blizzard when mother nature decides my bladder is full. I stand up and turn sideways and dig thru multiple layers to take care of business when I look down and to my right and realized there was a doe moving thru some thick stuff at about 30 yards. So I grabbed my rifle, shot the doe while trying not to urinate on myself and 5 layers of clothes.
 
My very first archery deer. I had just gotten back into hunting and everything I had was borrowed. I had my dad's old Bear Magnum Hunter compound bow that I shot with fingers because the draw length was 29" and I shoot at 28". I had a pair of my buddy's size 13 rubber boots ( I wear size 10). Anyway, I am up in that same buddy's hang on stand. I was cold (no real hunting clothes) and I was bored. I see a squirrel and decide it's time to shoot something. So, I replaced my broadhead equipped arrow with one that had a field tip on it. I start to draw when a large doe comes in from behind me to the right. She spots me but doesn't spook. She does however, keep a very watchful eye on me. The next 20 minutes consisted of me moving in super-slow motion and her looking up at me every few seconds. I was able to get the field point arrow out of the whisker biscuit rest and put it in my boot. I then had to reach behind me to get the broadhead arrow and get it ready. All of this under the watchful eye of the doe. Somehow, I was able to get the shot off, shaking like a leaf, with the arrow sticking out the top of the rubber boots. It ended up being a pretty good shot and she only went about 50 yds. I still have that bow.
 
flinginairos said:
Two come to mind....both bucks that I killed during the 2017 season. The first I was at the top of my second stick in a tiny tree when the buck comes walking in at 30 yards. I still had my lineman’s belt on and it was super low because I had reached a branch and hadn’t run my second rope above it to unhook the first one. To top it off the tree was really leaning hard and all my weight was on my left leg so it was super super awkward lol. Somehow I got my bow pulled up and an arrow knocked and the buck bedded down at 24 yards at my 6o clock position. So here I am twisted in the worst way, bow in hand ready to draw with my lineman’s rope about knee height and all my weight on my left leg. The buck stayed bedded for about 25 minutes and let me tell ya, every part of my body was screaming to just finish setting up and let the opportunity go but I held out.....when he stood up I was ready and ran an arrow through him.

The second was the buck in my avatar, still my best bow buck. I was setup expecting deer movement in front of me and of course he comes out behind me heading for my 3 o clock. So I pivot to the left side of the platorm with my bow over the bridge. At the last second he decides he’s going back to my left toward my 5 o clock so at this point I don’t have time to take the bow back over the bridge so I kept pushing off the corner of the platform until my left foot was the only thing on the corner of the platform with my right leg hanging out in space. To top it off I came to full draw TWICE on him and he stopped short of any lane both times. He was starting to get nervous and I had to draw a third time. This time I had a small window and double lunged him with only one foot on the platform pushed around the left side of the tree as far as I could possible go!


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Click to expand...
So fellas when your practicing out of your saddle remember these scenarios. I like to put myself in awkward positions and hold the draw. Engage your core.
 
Kurt said:
So fellas when your practicing out of your saddle remember these scenarios. I like to put myself in awkward positions and hold the draw. Engage your core.
Click to expand...

Yep! Another great thing to practice is drawing your bow then resting your cam on your leg. You can hold like that for several minutes without much effort.
 
Solid foundational practice in general will help you with these scenarios. I’ve killed more deer in awkward positions than I have standing, kneeling or some other traditional stance you might use at the range. If you can get into a solid shooting position from your waist up, you can execute a perfect shot.


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Ive posted this before, but i cannot find where i typed it all out, so ill repost it. Not literally with my "pants down" but i was definitely caught unaware.

it was 30 Oct 19, and the wife and I had just got done arguing because "I went out hunting, yet again" so by the time i got out to the woods, I was not really feeling too much like hunting that day. I got to my spot and set up and hung out for about an hour or so, and I figured that i would just call it a night at that point, and go home and get stuff ready for Halloween the next night.

I put everything away in my saddle and bag, attached the tow rope to my bow, and lowered it to the ground. Go to grab the gear hanger off the tree, now that my bow isnt on it, and put it away. Over my left shoulder i see 3 does, a full grown doe and 2 yr olds, in the field to the north coming my way. I audibly say "you gotta be kidding me" and quietly raise my bow back up the tree, and silently as i can, nock an arrow. the biggest doe came into the clearing, much farther away than i would have liked, i judged the distance to be around 60yds, it was closer to 75, but it didnt matter because my arrow hit a branch when i shot and deflected away into the woods.

I figured that I blew my chance for the evening, and now would be a good time to call it. I put everything else away now, and re-lower my bow to the ground, and at my 7 o'clock a flicker of motion catches my eye as soon as its on the ground. another Doe is about 35yds from me, and closing quick. I audibly again say "damn it, you got to be ****ing kidding me". I managed to pull my bow up completely silently, only to hear a loud click as i pull an arrow out of the quiver. She looks right up at me from about 15yds now, but luckily i had some brush to block me. she continues to check me out to see what i am, and i carefully pick my moment between her checking me out to nock the arrow and raise my bow. She finally walks out into a shooting lane, stops again to check me out, right as i fling an arrow into her. I gave up twice that day, and still managed to come home with a doe for the freezer
 
weekender21 said:
February 28, 2020

This is definitely one of the most awkward shooting positions I’ve ever found myself in. Definitely not one I’ve practiced.

I was 25’ off the ground on an SRT ascent and had just place my platform on the tree. Luckily I was tied off to me saddle for this hands free placement.

The winds were gusting to 35 but somehow I noticed movement 30 yards away, a doe headed my way. At this point my bow is on the ground.

With nothing to loose I pulled up my bow, disconnected the cord, knocked an arrow, straddled and squeezed my platform and the tree, and came to full draw as she entered my shooting lane at 12 yards.

Had to take a picture post shot. Notice the pile of paracord (pull up rope) on my platform.

72f3d48d3bdcec0f19f1d4390b1d1e32.jpg


The shot was executed well and an awesome blood trail led to a nice Hawaii Axis doe.

40241a8577887f4d7dc87f4bade0dbcb.jpg

07ef1512f0e5e621b633d29fbf0d0018.plist

602edd0e5066e4538bf74155a5498d8c.jpg




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Great job. Is that a Rage puncture wound?
 
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