When do you maneuver in your saddle?

[putt4doe]

One of the things that I have found in the last couple years of saddle hunting, was that with the new found ability to move all around the tree to shoot deer, I kept getting busted. I later realized it was because I was trying to move into position when the deer were 40-50 yards out anticipating where they'd be around 20-30 yards for the shot. It took me a while to realize that deer's eyesight is set up to pick up movement at that 30-50 yard range - so anytime I'd make any movement to get into position, they'd see me and spook.

I later learned that if an adjustment was needed, I had to try and get into position when the deer was a couple hundred yards out, or better yet, wait until the deer was already where I wanted to shoot it before I had to slowly move around the tree, draw and shoot. This seems counter-intuitive to me because as a stand hunter, I would just be still until it was time to draw, but that's also because I wasn't able to move around the tree like I can now.

I'm curious if y'all have found the same thing - and when you guys have found the best time to move into position to take the shot has been.

 

[redsquirrel]

I have found something similar. I move into position the moment I see the deer if I feel it is far enough that I can get away with it, or I will be patient and play the situation out and either make small movements as things develop to get into position or make a bigger movement as I am about to make the shot. The second 2 options are situational and I would always prefer to be in the position I think I need to be in before the deer gets close.

 

[fawnzy]

This is a great thread. I'd like to hear what this season brings for this topic.


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[fawnzy]

So many factors, how a deers eyes are designed, amount of light, terrain, cover, background, ambient noise......only in a saddle


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[jhicks54]

I'm a right handed shooter:

Lately, I've been setting up so that I would anticipate deer traveling into a zone between my 6 and 11 o'clock and limit myself to only shooting in this anticipated zone. I also try to find a tree which has good thick/tight cover on my right side. This minimizes my movement, minimizes my setup, and makes me a more patient and selective hunter. It also allows me to be in position with very minimal movement until I draw my bow. My feet barely move. In fact, I could probably hunt using just the top of my Muddy climbing stick.

I briefly went through a time when I was always trying to set up to be able to shoot 360°. What I realized was that I was getting busted more, and typically hunting on telephone poles wondering why I hadn't just used a lightweight hand climber....

 

[redsquirrel]

I'm a right handed shooter:

Lately, I've been setting up so that I would anticipate deer traveling into a zone between my 6 and 11 o'clock and limit myself to only shooting in this anticipated zone. I also try to find a tree which has good thick/tight cover on my right side. This minimizes my movement, minimizes my setup, and makes me a more patient and selective hunter. It also allows me to be in position with very minimal movement until I draw my bow. My feet barely move. In fact, I could probably hunt using just the top of my Muddy climbing stick.

I briefly went through a time when I was always trying to set up to be able to shoot 360°. What I realized was that I was getting busted more, and typically hunting on telephone poles wondering why I hadn't just used a lightweight hand climber....

I completely agree with you. As much as I want to be able to shoot 360, I think sometimes your setup can be much more effective in situations where you can't. This is where scouting and prep comes into play!

 

[putt4doe]

I'm a right handed shooter:

Lately, I've been setting up so that I would anticipate deer traveling into a zone between my 6 and 11 o'clock and limit myself to only shooting in this anticipated zone. I also try to find a tree which has good thick/tight cover on my right side. This minimizes my movement, minimizes my setup, and makes me a more patient and selective hunter. It also allows me to be in position with very minimal movement until I draw my bow. My feet barely move. In fact, I could probably hunt using just the top of my Muddy climbing stick.

I briefly went through a time when I was always trying to set up to be able to shoot 360°. What I realized was that I was getting busted more, and typically hunting on telephone poles wondering why I hadn't just used a lightweight hand climber....

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I try and find the same type of cover. If I can find a split tree and get up in the crotch of it with lots of cover I find it to be PERFECT. Also I completely agree with the 6-11:00 shooting lane. It makes for much better hunting!