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Feeling defeated

T

Tim Tripoli

Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2016
Messages
56
Need some advice, feeling bad because I blew it big time. Hurt my arm last week so it was difficult to pull the bow back, so I borrow my son in laws crossbow. Seemed like the logical thing to do. My tree choosing logic is pick a big tree because I am a little on the plump side and just nervous with the saddle thing yet. Plus I move around a lot. Only my second season saddle hunting. Its Friday morning here in Central Pa about 7:30 I can look down both sides of the tree where I am expect the deer to come from. For what ever reason I decide to stand up on Predator Platform to move, adjust, or what ever it was. At the same time out of no where is a beautiful 8 point right next to my tree. Like 5 yards, must have been walking right to me in the blind spot of the tree. So here I am standing on the platform hands on the tether, afraid to let go. When I realize I have no idea how to unhook the crossbow shoulder it and try and shoot with a deer that close. Never practiced with a crossbow from the saddle was first mistake. Even if it would have been my bow, not sure I would have know how to do it without spooking him, he was so close to my tree. So how do you guys handle a situation in close proximity when you are caught off guard? Was only about 14 feet up at my feet, any higher was to many limbs in the way.

So now the rest of the story I guess in the dark I did not get as high up in the tree as I did when I prep the area (16 feet to platform), so now I was too low in my back cover to get a shot off as the buck moved away. That deer never knew I was there, but it was like he had esp cause he pick the perfect path just outside of my shooting lane. He was moving with a purpose at a steady pace not doing the typical deer walk back to his bed. Maybe he smelled a hot doe I never saw. I think the whole experience last like 10 seconds. He got about 40 or so yard behind me and caught my scent, snorted a few times stomped his foot and took off. Not sure if I will ever see him in that area again. Do I keep the stand or should I look for different spot in the same general area? Feeling defeated.

Tim
 
What state? In Michigan, not likely to get a second chance from the same tree you just got busted from. In the situation you were in, weapon didnt matter much. You were afraid in the saddle from the sound of it. You need to be comfortable knowing you arent going to fall to perform some of the shots like away from the tree. I would of let him get out about 20yds and turned slowly and shot him. Its important to see the deer before they are that close. Its why we always say "head on a swivel". Good luck, hope you connect.
 
What do I do when I see a deer in close proximity-
Depends on the situation. If he is still I would wait for him to look away or have his head blocked and then make a move.
If he is on the move and about to walk out of my life forever I'm going to take my chances and grab my bow draw and ready to be able to take a shot in one quick motion. If he catches me doing it well I was about to miss my opportunity anyways.
 
Not necessarily scared in the saddle, just not 100% confident yet. I think I was a little out of my element, different weapon and standing on tiny platform. I can honestly say I did not practice either scenarios, I was always in the saddle when I practiced shooting a bow. Plus my brain was running at war speed telling all the things I could do wrong at that moment and spook him. I will admit I do get a bit more nervous when the wind is blowing and tree is moving like an out of balance washing machine. Sometimes I just miss all the metal around me from my trusty old climber.

Red I guess you make a good point. That is why I am still kicking myself, because basically I let him walk. Definitely a missed opportunity. But as I said he was moving with a purpose and just stayed out of my clear shooting lane. I am making no excuses, I messed up.
 
Tim Tripoli said:
Not necessarily scared in the saddle, just not 100% confident yet. I think I was a little out of my element, different weapon and standing on tiny platform. I can honestly say I did not practice either scenarios, I was always in the saddle when I practiced shooting a bow. Plus my brain was running at war speed telling all the things I could do wrong at that moment and spook him. I will admit I do get a bit more nervous when the wind is blowing and tree is moving like an out of balance washing machine. Sometimes I just miss all the metal around me from my trusty old climber.

Red I guess you make a good point. That is why I am still kicking myself, because basically I let him walk. Definitely a missed opportunity. But as I said he was moving with a purpose and just stayed out of my clear shooting lane. I am making no excuses, I messed up.
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Hey, you were definitely out of your comfort zone. I'm a big proponent of having a system and sticking to it. Regardless of if I'm set up in a preset tree or on a mobile sit, my stuff is set up almost identically every time. I can go through most of the motions without looking at where I need to step or where my bow is. Just chalk it up to a learning experience and keep at it! You can't beat them every time. That is what makes it so sweet when you tag a big one! :)
 
You were doing the right things or the buck would not have been under you.

I would not hunt the same tree. I would move 15 or 20 yds. If hunting the same area.


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I do everything I can to avoid having to draw with a deer inside of 10 yards in late season or open big woods. It's just super low probability you'll pull it off without them seeing you. I try to draw in advance.

If I have proper cover at deer's eye level - no big deal, you should be able to draw.

If I can't draw in advance of the deer arriving in the circle of death, I take stock of the situation, and make my best guess at which direction the deer will run when he sees me draw. I then draw hoping he freezes and looks at me. If he does, he's dead. If he bolts, I stay calm and patient. In my experience if you keep them in your sights and track their movement slowly, they will almost always check up within range. I have killed two deer that stopped at 30-35 yards to see what they thought they saw. But it took a few times of drawing, deer bolting, me letting down, them stopping, me drawing, them running to get the message.

With a crossbow, it should only be better - they're going to check up 9 times out of 10. And you have a much faster weapon to fling a bolt at a wired deer.
 
Well I'd say this is a good news bad news story, great job on getting that close to a nice 8! I had the same thing happen to me last year, except it was a bunch of doe's and I wasn't ready for the shot because I hadn't practiced a shot in that one direction and it caught me off guard because I hadn't gone through the motions before I just sat there watching them walk away and it was 8 doe at 25 yards on opening day and I would have happily taken any of them! Crossbow is even easier than a bow in my opinion, I hunt with both and it's hard to beat a crossbow. I would get into a saddle somewhere that you can shoot a target, don't have to be very high, probably ground height would work and move the target a full 360 and take shots at every angle, but start from a normal sitting position, grab your bow, move and shoot. Practice in my opinion is where you get the most benefit from. Good luck!
 
I would just find the edge habitat or bedding where the buck came from and sneak in and set up closer. Even if it's only 20 yards away. Dont sit in the same tree. You're burned there. Dont get your panties in a bunch. I almost cracked this year when I shouldered the buck I ended up shooting and it didnt blow through due to an issue with my Not-quality archery designs drop away and a resulting loss of energy. Took a couple weeks of persistence and altering my strategy, but I got another opportunity. First time I wounded a deer. I can say without a doubt I would rather miss or not get a shot at all than wound and lose one. That's the **** feeling in the world to me. You'll get another opportunity. Long story short I threw on a whisker biscuit and ordered a hamskea, and I'll be so much more vigilant from here on out.

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Thanks Guys for the advice. Just needed a little pick up. Going to go over to area on Sat and scout for a new tree.
 
I would go back and pick a tree maybe 20-30 yds away with an entry exit of not crossing where he walked



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I'm deathly afraid of heights, I'm talking sprawled out clinging for dear life if I have to go up on a roof.

One of the first things that was suggested to me was to attach my saddle at ground level and try to fall out of it. Twist turn, lay back, fall sideways any direction you think you could fall. Then I realized I couldn't fall out of it, huge confidence boost.

As far as deer being close I try to let them give me the opportunity to move, head down, looking away , behind a branch ex. If that isn't an option sometimes you have to be quiet and confident enough that your fast enough to get it done.
Things don't always work out. Monday I sat in a pine tree, thinking about how smart I was to be so concealed. It was the last night I could bow hunt and had a doe come to my off side. That's when I realized I should've cut the branch above my head because there was no room to get the bow to that side of the tree. Branches didn't allow me to walk around the tree so there I was stuck. I ended up taking the arrow off my bow and fishing it through. By that time she was quartering to me to much for a clean shot so I passed. It happens, I learned, life moves on.

The thing I think you should be proud of is you were within distance of a nice buck.
 
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