shots better not taken

well on the 26th i had a shot at a mature buck but decided it was just too far and was partially obstructed by a bush , 60 yards is just a bit out of my comfort zone and he was partially behind a bush so i passed on the shot ,since he was in an archery only area i will go back and try and get him when I can get a bit closer 40 yards i might have given it a try , at 30 I'm very confident , i was walking up the hill to get into my blind and he came bouncing down the hill in front of me and i was caught in the wide open but he didn't bolt and i was able to get into some cover but he wouldn't come the rest of the way down the hill

 

That's hunting. Good call not taking a shot you aren't comfortable with. I wish more hunters would hold off during the moment of question.

 

Good call hope you get another chance at him

 

You made the right call. My max is 50 yards on deer and 40 on elk. That brush will deflect your arrow big time. Good luck on the next time you see him.

I had the same thing on some elk this year. It was the last day and just as it got dark some elk came in and I didn't feel comfortable shooting at them so I let them pass. Like Cablebob said "That's hunting"

 

I am pretty sure i will see him again , we are between archery and general season here and he is in an archery only area , we will meet again , and maybe this time he wont have the advantage....

 

Mature call on a mature buck. Hope you get a better shot next time.

 

Anyone applying for lake Sonoma archery only permits? I'm looking for someone to go with in November or December ?


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You shoot further at deer than elk?

Sent from my soup can and string

 

Penetration factor involved there. Up to 50 yards on deer I still get a pass thru. On elk I can usually get my broad-head to hit the other side of the ribcage out to 40 yards. I have taken one elk at 51 yards and only got one lung and after about half a mile the arrow stayed in and got to his liver. That was a few years ago so I learned my lesson.

 

How do you practice? Do you shoot out past 50 yards in practice?

 

I practice shooting out to 60 yards. To be honest I don't feel consistent enough to shoot an animal at that range.

 

I've got my range set up to go out to 80 yards, but not enough pins or enough confidence to shoot that far. I'll probably try out to 60 yards now that I've got the hay bales set back up.

 

At 60 yards that Buck would be throttled...but then again, that is a judgement call by the one at Full Draw.

Live with your choices and do the best you can to make the right ones.

 

Good idea. Passed up shots like that as well.

 

I've had to pass on a mature buck like that before, it's tough but wounding it would have been unfair. It will pay off for you that you passed on him. You might see him and shoot him or he will breed your does and spread the good genes