NEED Advice I keep spooking the DEER!

[joshheat25]

So this was my 4th time out this year in my stand and I spooked the deer before I could take a shot.

I got out to my stand at 3:30 Saw a 4 point buck at about 5:00 then 7 deer eased thier way into the area. I have a 30" high burlap going around my stand I stood up to take the shot because I cannot pull the bow back in my chair.

two questions 1. should I use like a bucket or something that is more easily manuverable. INstead of using a folding chair?

2. do you guys take your shots witha bow sitting down?

any advice would help. thanx

[AlabamaHunter]

If your hunting from the ground it would be kinda hard not to be noticed while standing up. I'd suggest a change in seats if you can't draw back in that chair. And practice shooting from a sitting position.

[backwoodsman]

I shoot from the sitting position alot. To do that you have to practice though. Are you on the ground or in a stand? 5 gallon buckets work but they are rough on your rear. The swivels like boat seats have work good. You want the teflon, plastic etc. Metal ones are too loud. If your on the ground you can cut/leave gaps in the blind material to shoot thru so you dont have to stand up. Easier to hunt on the ground in the pop up blinds ie: doghouse etc.

[DocHolladay]

If you are hunting from the ground in a lawn chair, lose it and find a dove hunting chair with a swivel. If you are in a tree stand and using a lawn chair, lose it and build a seat, thats dangerous.

I would also suggest practicing from a sitting position so that you can do it the next time a deer walks out. Also, if you cant even get the bow back easily the first time, chances are, you are drawing to much weight to begin with.

[Whitetail Assassin]

If you are hunting from the ground in a lawn chair, lose it and find a dove hunting chair with a swivel. If you are in a tree stand and using a lawn chair, lose it and build a seat, thats dangerous.

I would also suggest practicing from a sitting position so that you can do it the next time a deer walks out. Also, if you cant even get the bow back easily the first time, chances are, you are drawing to much weight to begin with.

I shoot 98% of my deer setting down.If you can't draw from a seated position without raising bow above your head to draw you need to turn the pounds down.You should beable to hold bow straight out in front of you an draw it back.Standing up raising bow above your head to draw are all very good ways not to fill a deer tag.If you have been spooking the deer like that in your area I would recommend moving the stand also now that deer know it is there you will see less an less movement by it.The ones that due move by it will check it out first.

[backwoodsman]

Most guys pull too much weight. I shoot 48lbs, good sharp broadheads that's plenty of weight. If your going to hunt on the ground you have to be able to draw your bow and shoot it from several different postiions. You never know when on the ground what shot's will present themselves.

[bjk7444]

This is the first year I have tried it and have yet to take a shot, but I am trying to transition into shooting from the sitting position. Two of my stands have great lanes from the shooting position, and I figure, why take a chance in making noise while standing up when you can do the same thing from sitting down. I have taken some shots from sitting down and was still on, but I probably should practice it more then I have.

[backwoodsman]

I rarely stand to shoot from tree stands either, whether its gun or bow. Sitting while shooting is inherently more accurate.

[Brow Tine]

The folding chair is more comfortable but a bucket or hunter’s seat that swivels seems to work better for me. I also try to keep my bow across my lap so that I limit my movement when a deer comes into view

Most of my shots have been while sitting down or on a knee.
Thats also how I practice.

[joshheat25]

Thanx for all the input! I am in a Stand. A large tree stand! lol my buddy called it a hotel. but anyway. yea I need to make a seat or use one that I can be seated so I can draw my bow. I can draw my bow back while sitting down just not in the chairs I have out there. they are the type that fold up and fit in a round bag. you can get them pretty cheap most places. I just wondered how other people hunted.

[backwoodsman]

I use alot of those "tube" chairs. Ones without the arms are better for bowhunting. The fancier ones with arms and cupholders work fine for gun hunting but I can shoot a gun either hand and in alot more odd/awkward positions then a bow.

[DouglasSpear]

I stand the entire time in my permanent wood tree stand. Sitting is for gun season. I just put my chest to the tree, hands in pocket, and lean against it and only have to move my head from left to right to look. Having to stand every time you see a deer or shooter is too much movement and possible missed opportunities to shoot or opportunities to make more noise. <-- In my opinion of course. There is no wrong way. (edit)

[backwoodsman]

If standing keeps you confident and alert good luck. I hunt to escape and maybe god willing have a little luck. I rarely stand, seems I can be more still and quiet that way. During the rut we try to hunt all day, after walking in and hunting sunup to sundown I'd rather rest my rear. Theres no right or wrong way, just do whatever works for you. Ask 100 hunters how to stay on stand and you'll probably get 100 different answers.

[joshheat25]

If standing keeps you confident and alert good luck. I hunt to escape and maybe god willing have a little luck. I rarely stand, seems I can be more still and quiet that way. During the rut we try to hunt all day, after walking in and hunting sunup to sundown I'd rather rest my rear. Theres no right or wrong way, just do whatever works for you. Ask 100 hunters how to stay on stand and you'll probably get 100 different answers.

Guess thers is always more than one way to skin a Cat! LOL

[vmthtr]

I sit in a climber and shotmy deer sitting this year, my first archery kill. When in my popup I use this chair, very comfortable and quiet.
Mike

[DouglasSpear]

If standing keeps you confident and alert good luck. I hunt to escape and maybe god willing have a little luck. I rarely stand, seems I can be more still and quiet that way. During the rut we try to hunt all day, after walking in and hunting sunup to sundown I'd rather rest my rear. Theres no right or wrong way, just do whatever works for you. Ask 100 hunters how to stay on stand and you'll probably get 100 different answers.

I sit at work all day in a cube so it's nice to stand when in the stand. I'm sure if I could have a seat in the permenant wood stand then I would sit but I don't really have the room or the option with the floor of the stand being 2x4s screwed to the supports. So I guess I've just learned to cope and enjoy it nonetheless.

[IndianaBBD]

Hello, hopefully I can help you with this, as I had a buddy with the same problem, but we got him corrected now.
First of all, sometimes you are going to spook deer an unfortunate fact of the sport. However here are a few things to consider. My experience with this is either moving too quickly, or moving when the deer are too close.

1. Definitely learn to shoot from a sitting position (practice,practice,practice)

2. All of your motions need to be slow and methodical, meaning you have your bow at arms reach and are able to make the least amount of movements to draw and execute a shot.

3. If you see the deer out at 50+ yards and have good cover in your stand...Stand up (slowly), grab your bow, hook on your release and be ready before he gets too close. If I even think I hear a deer coming and don't see it, I am standing with bow in hand and release on string.

4. Wait for the opportune time. Too many times I see guys drawing their bow when a deer is walking right to them. You have to either wait until the deer has his head behind a tree or personally, I will let the deer walk past me 15 or 20 yards if I am not ready. This will give you time to draw, stop the deer, pick a spot and follow through with the added advantage of a slightly quartering away shot. When you make a grunt to stop the deer your pin is already settled in his vitals.

5. Hang your stand with cover. I know in the videos guys are hunting deer in a wide open field edges, in in particular terrain or properties you can have success with this but the reality is these are very light pressured properties. You have to be methodical

6. Finally and most important. Once in your stand, before deer ever come your way, pick all the places you have a shot that are ideal. If you have a range finder shoot those spots and know the yardage so that you only concentrate on settling that pin in the vitals.
There are a dozen things a bowhunter has to make a shot such as hitting anchor points, bending at the waist, stopping the deer, making sure there are no obstructions in the shot lane. The more you prepare before a shot the more prepared you are for a shot.

Hope this was helpful, take care and God bless.

[StickThrower]

I tried one of those swivel seats that you strap on to the tree but I put it at a height where I am just about standing and my bow hangs in front of me so I dont have to move far to get ready for the shot some people keep it hanging almost right against the tree but I find myself making alot of unecessary turning to get set up. The seat is cool because you can remount it at a height in which you are comfortable.