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Getting busted from behind

Bowtech12

Bowtech12

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2017
Messages
393
Location
Western New York
I just want some honest opinions here. I got busted from a doe that came up behind this year. It was one of my only hang ups about not having my back to the tree in a saddle

who else has this happened too and does anyone have any tips to minimize this from happening?
 
I’ve had that happen several times and I asked the same question on here. Lots of different responses. For me it’s the weakness of a saddle and I just have to accept it. In a stand if a deer comes in from behind, the tree is blocking my movement. It’s my only gripe about a saddle. I hate being blind behind me and so exposed to try and turn to see. I think the pros still outweigh that con for me though.
 
I set up with the wind in my face. I don’t often have deer behind me I expect to be able to shoot.

If the deer is going to bust you from behind without you moving, the deer was going to bust you in a hang on too - because they saw the big blob in the tree. If they busted you because you moved to see them, they busted you because you moved. If you moved in a hang on, they’d bust you too. What you’re left with is the tiny sliver of opportunities where you MUST move while the deer is behind you and looking in your general direction when you move, and the amount of movement of turning around in your saddle gets you busted over just drawing or raising your gun in a hang on.

If deer come from behind you, don’t move. I hunt quite a few places where deer wander rather than follow trails. It’s incredibly difficult to avoid deer coming from behind you in those places sometimes. But usually I’m smelt long before I’m seent in these situations.

I think once some math is applied to the discussion, it becomes much less of a concern. But everyone has an anecdote or three.
 
If deer come from behind, my first question is are you set up correctly for that spot?
I put my offside to be where I know I can't shoot to begin with.(as much as possible)
Its hard to reply to this because I don't want to come across in a bad way or imply you don't know anything.
What I can say is the temptation to look is great but the gamble is a losing proposition in many cases.
First of all, you are out of position for a shot.
Second, if you need to look, the deer is held up and moving is the last thing in your best interest.
Third, the chances of silent methodical motion are slim.
Fourth, if a deer is there, exercise patience and it may show.

Even with a tree to my back, I tell my sons and grandkids to be very still and quiet when they suspect an approach and when a deer is verified, be still and listen hard for other deer.
You think you have a slam dunk and on your flank, bingo! Your busted.

My philosophy is make the best set, get comfortable and be still as possible.

Lots of variables to cover.

Good luck to you.
 
This was my first year in the saddle and on one of my hunts something told me to check behind me, as i turned there was a doe staring at me i froze for a moment, she put her head to the ground and continued browsing i slowly turned got my bow turned back around and drew but by then she walked off and i couldn't get a good shot. So she never busted me i believe it was because my movement during all this was slow and minimal or it was just sheer luck either way it made me love the saddle even more!!
 
Setting up with the wind in your face only helps when the wind is blowing and blowing consistently. If a deer approaches from behind you in this scenario, you theoretically wouldn’t expect the deer to close the distance for a bow shot (unless you’re Eberhart).
However, when evening thermals begin to take over—which usually happens when these crepuscular creatures tend to most often move—deer may very well approach you from behind. In these situations, I disagree with the idea that you’re just as likely to get busted from a stand as you are in a saddle. If a sizable tree trunk is between you and the deer, it helps conceal your outline—regardless of whether you’re in a stand or a saddle.
And regardless of how you orient in regards to the wind with a saddle, you always have an exposed back to one direction. Options to fix that are to either setup with cover directly behind you or hunt from a tree stand. Problem with having cover behind you is that now you’re sandwiched between a tree trunk and another obstacle to work around for a shot.
I personally like running a hang-on and wearing a saddle—a hybrid setup with more versatility.
 
HappyChappy said:
Setting up with the wind in your face only helps when the wind is blowing and blowing consistently. If a deer approaches from behind you in this scenario, you theoretically wouldn’t expect the deer to close the distance for a bow shot (unless you’re Eberhart).
However, when evening thermals begin to take over—which usually happens when these crepuscular creatures tend to most often move—deer may very well approach you from behind. In these situations, I disagree with the idea that you’re just as likely to get busted from a stand as you are in a saddle. If a sizable tree trunk is between you and the deer, it helps conceal your outline—regardless of whether you’re in a stand or a saddle.
And regardless of how you orient in regards to the wind with a saddle, you always have an exposed back to one direction. Options to fix that are to either setup with cover directly behind you or hunt from a tree stand. Problem with having cover behind you is that now you’re sandwiched between a tree trunk and another obstacle to work around for a shot.
I personally like running a hang-on and wearing a saddle—a hybrid setup with more versatility.
Click to expand...

yep, i contend it is a tree stand advantage to have your blind spot (behind tree) and their blind spot for seeing you to be in the same direction

no one can setup so that they are 100 percent sure a deer won't approach from behind

nothing is perfect and the saddle overall provides more advantages to make up for this

@Nutterbuster suggested the hat mirror i linked above

it works extremely well, i have mine mounted on a heavy binder clip so i can easily move it from hat to hat

i'm just concerned about flashing deer in certain lighting conditions
 
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This why I hunt from a Platform. If they just come in from behind there's a good chance I can simply stand and shoot.Especially if I see them coming 1st and have time to react. If your busted or going to get busted then you have to be patient. You might get still get the shot. There are lot's of variables when setting up in a tree. Setting up with your back to the LEAST likely direction for a deer to come from is never a bad idea. Sometimes it can't always be done. Then you have to keep your head on a swivel or you'll get busted.
 
You're going to get busted from time to time no matter. For me far less in a saddle. When picking your trees try and see things from the deer's view. Keep your movements slow and do not get suckered into a quick look because of a noise.
 
Mike Curtis said:
You're going to get busted from time to time no matter. For me far less in a saddle. When picking your trees try and see things from the deer's view. Keep your movements slow and do not get suckered into a quick look because of a noise.
Click to expand...

one sit this year, i had a bunch of noise behind me suddenly

i resisted the urge to look behind me but was preparing to grab the bow, and my heart rate picked up

several minutes later, a wiener dog and a collie walked by wagging their tails
 
Yeah
I was set up correctly
As correctly as I could be based on where deer come from and where they go

it’s the blind side in the back
No wind that day either
It’s a weak part of saddle hunting IMO but the pros overall are decent for saddle hunting
 
A hunting spot is never going to be 360 safe. There is alway going to be that time when you get burned. If it is happening often then you need to rethink the tree you are in.
 
Bowtech12 said:
I just want some honest opinions here. I got busted from a doe that came up behind this year. It was one of my only hang ups about not having my back to the tree in a saddle

who else has this happened too and does anyone have any tips to minimize this from happening?
Click to expand...
I’ve only had a few encounters, but they’ve all come from behind me….I move a lot, but they never saw me. Now the only time I did get busted, she came from in front and I was in a leaner stand.
 
Obviously u won't be able to find in ever situation but I look for trees that I can hide in amongst branches or the tops of shorter trees.... u really don't need a big hole to hide in...keep some kind of cordage on u so u can tie back branches or cut if allowed to do that....a deer coming from behind me should have some kind of bush/tree/shrubbery between it and me.... I have been busted when a pole tree was my only option but I wouldn't blame it on being in a saddle....I also have had deer inside of bow range while I was 6ft off the ground in a limbless palm tree....keep still and have good cover around u... If u have deer behind u can sit side saddle with ur hip to the tree so can can sit still and keep an eye on them without constantly having to rotate ur head side to side

I move a lot when I'm hanging in a tree....I wish I didn't but I just except it and work around it...with the right cover u can get away with a lot of movement
 
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