Long story short, I had a big buck come near my stand this weekend. When I noticed he was walking away and never going to get close enough for a shot, I did a bleet with my "Trophy Grunter". Im positive I did it right, after watching the "How to" videos and reading up on it. The Buck responded by changing course and coming some-what towards me...albeit really slowly. He started walking off again, again I bleeted and he came back. He kept "Coming back" but never once got any closer than 45 yards. The last attempt, i had a magnificent broadside shot at 45 yards, so I took it (missed...OF COURSE!!!) and have been feeling sick for missing that damned shot ever since. But as far as the call...he was responding, just not coming close. Any ideas? Is it too early for bleets?
45 yards??? and you shot anyways???? I passed up two large bucks at 35 yards Saturday because I know without a doubt that I will hit my mark at 25 yards and 30 yds. I didn't shoot because I didn't feel comfortable with the shot and I knew that if I missed it would ruin my chances of ever seeing either one of them again. I'm not trying to attack you, I'm just saying that you probably ruin any chance at ever seeing this buck again and that’s a very low percent success shot in my mind. Back to your question, I too tried grunting lightly, but it didn't have any effect of these deer. I would suggest getting a decoy and see if it helps. The Rut is just starting to kick off, but not every deer is the same. Most Bucks aren't getting that aggressive as of yet. The first week of November he would have most likely ran under your stand and attacked you if he could have. 99113
The buck was probably looking for the doe that made the bleats. In order for doe bleats or grunts to be effective with a close range deer, you need a decoy. He was coming back to look for the doe but when he didn't see what he thought he heard. That is why he turned and headed away. If you don't have a decoy, let him get a little farther away before calling and try to make it sound like the call is coming from the other side of you. This may pull the deer closer to your stand to see what is past you. The less sure of the source the target is, the closer you will pull him in as he tries to locate the source. Hope this helps.
^^I'm with this guy. Direct the sound from the bleat to the opposite direction versus directly towards him. I do agee that a decoy might also work....never used one before so can't speak confidently though.
Sounds like you got your answer. As for the 45 yard shot if you don't practice it don't do it. If you do practice it and you missed you need more practice IMO
It helps to wait until the deer walks behind a large bush or just out of sight before you try any grunts or bleets. If they have a clear line of sight to the sound and cannot see anything, they won't come close. Deer have the ability, just like humans, to judge distance by sound.
Agree with post 3, 4 and 7 but as far as 7 goes, you calling was working however, like mentioned, he hung up when he couldn't see the source of the calling. When he locked up at 45 yards, it's time to throw your voice (call) to try to make the buck (deer) close the distance. This doesn't always work but it's worth the opportunity.. you didn't get him otherwise. A friend of mine was once in amazement when I called a doe down a hill in a zig zag pattern, I kept changing the direction of the call and she kept changing directions to the calling until she was in range for the shot. (Turn your head and use your hands at the end of the call to "throw" the voice of the call in that direction.
I never thought to "throw" the sound in the opposite direction...very good advice! Thank you all for that. As for the 45 yard shot, it's absolutely a shot i'm comfortable with. When I practice I'm always shooting with my 4 and 5 pin (40 and 50) thats why im so pissed off that I missed the shot. It's not a shot i'm used to missing...I don't know if it was nerves or just chalk it up to "my luck" =) Obviously I wanted a closer shot, but this is the quint-essential scenario that I spent all spring & summer training for. That "long shot" you take when you don't have any thing closer. Unfortunately...it just didnt work for me this time
