I hunt on a hillside on private property, simply because there are deer there and its available. There are no other spots to hunt on this particular piece of land. Problem is that because of the slope, deer bust me either walking uphill or downhill, almost always on the draw. I can get them in range, but whenever I draw on them they bust me. I'm in a stand 20 feet up, on a small clearing on the hillside, but I'm awfully exposed basically sticking out like a sore thumb on the side of a tree. What can I do to help with the situation?
Try and find a tree that has a good backdrop. Stand down where you would expect to shoot the deer, look up and see what you see. If you see daylight, you need to find a better spot. If you have a good backdrop, they just won't see you unless you are moving a bunch. Also, if you are in a tree right on the edge, see if you can back into the timber a few yards on a different tree. Your easy to spot in a tree on the very edge of an opening, but if you can get back into the timber just a little, you will be much more concealed.
See my comment if none of this is possible...I made a bad choice and assumed this all had been thought of.
is it possible that your draw weight needs to be adjusted? I know that when I have attempted to increase my draw weight, i end up doing a wind up (or "sky draw") of sorts that would certainly not help to hide my position. Mark's recent article Draw Weight: How Much Is Too Much? | Bowhunting.com Blog outlines some good tests to confirm that you are drawing at an appropriate amount.
Golden rule: If you gotta move your arm holding your bow to draw your bow you have too high of a draw weight...in my opinion. Obviously a very small elevated point with that arm I think happens naturally but you should be able to simply draw back, otherwise you're just trying to be macho.
Just buy a crossbow, I've heard that will solve this exact problem and turns average bowhunters into above average almost instantly
I hunt almost exclusively from the ground and I do not have trouble with being busted on the draw. I do not use a ground blind either. I do wear 3D “leafy” type camo with gloves and face mask and I always choose spots where I have cover behind me like a small cedar tree or a downed treetop. I also watch the deer closely and draw only when their head goes behind a bush or tree. Depending on how fast the deer are traveling, the window of opportunity to draw may be very small and if I don’t think I can do it without spooking the deer then I let that deer pass. If you are too obvious in the tree, could you find a better concealed position on the ground?
I have a stand on the edge in a oak tree and feel the sticking out like a sore thumb I hang my back pack off to one side 90 deg to the stand.I also set up in the shade of the tree for the afternoon hunt. When I am in that stand I sit extra tight. I have considered making a background out of camo cloth or pine branches at stand elevation. As said I plan the draw so far so good. Most of the time I try to set ladder stands in Beach trees they keep leaves longer and give good branch cover the oaks are bare the beach are just turning colors good luck
Try hanging camo burlap around your stand. This will conceal some of your leg movement; other than that I would go with the wait for the quartering away shot!
If they follow a certain pattern, ie coming from your left in the morning, returning from the right in the evening. Move your stand to the backside of the tree and use it as a blind.
I think he wants to remain a bowhunter. Certainly quiting bowhunting and taking up crossbowing is an option but its overcoming these sorts of challenges that makes bowhunting so satisfying compared to shoulder discharged weapons. OP, lowering the draw weight and drawing earlier may be an option.
Get a ratchet strap, cut some limbs preferably cedar / pine etc. Strap the limbs in a fashion that will provide you some cover / back cover in the stand.
This works but its best do that days to weeks in advance so the deer get use to a clump of crap in the tree.
Since you stick out so much, buy a pack of these. 4 - Pk. Tree Stand Branch Holders - 140031, Tree Stand Accessories at Sportsman's Guide Use a branch that holds onto its leaves the longest, this will really help conceal your body outline and movement
