Hello, I'm new to bow hunting. I use a crossbow, as I can't draw a regular bow due to an injury. I took a shot last night on one of my fields. A nice buck came in, not in the direction I wanted, and a bit further out than I wanted. He ended up being about 52 yards, and I was prepared to make a 40 yard shot. He was also at a really bad angle...regardless, I made a bad shot and missed him. I'm curious how long should I wait to hunt this spot again? It's my own property, 44 acres. My neighbors, mostly Amish, don't hunt really hard. I don't want to put too much pressure on these deer, but there are a decent number coming through. I'm in the middle of Kentucky, and there are tons of deer. Only a couple groups of really good bucks, and I took a shot at one of two last night. Two different groups. Anyway, any suggestions on how long to leave it so that I don't pressure them too hard? Thanks.
First off, welcome to the site! Secondly, "pressure" is different for every property so it can be hard to tell for sure. Having said that, my brother has killed a buck that was sniffing the gut pile from a buck he shot the night before. If the conditions are right, go for it. Thirdly, I know it's hard in the moment, but if you give yourself a limit, like 40 yards and under, stick to it. There's a reason you did so, and it seems you proved to yourself why. Stick to it, otherwise don't even bother telling yourself what the limit is. (to be clear, you 100% should have a limit)
Thanks, great advice. I appreciate it. I setup a longer range the next day. I'm extending my range to 55... well I'm working on it.
If you didnt let your presence be known after a bad MISSED shot that buck most likely summed it up to a tree limp fall, something natural. Your wording makes me think your not using a scope? Which if the case, that's just beyond me why. If you are they are usually set at the factory. Mine was set at 20/30/40. A relative low end Wickeded Ridge Worrior, 170# draw as I recall, it's over 10 yrs old. 40 is it's limit for a good penetration. Can it shoot farther yes , should it no. It's not shot distance to hit a target, it's shot distance to penetrate the target. Good luck this season. Oh....this stuck out to me. Amish neighbors " They don't hunt much" ????? Hhhmmmm
He was looking in my direction when I shot. I hunt from a power wheelchair, so I have to hunt ground level. I had a pretty good blind built up out of natural foliage. Two does were about 40 yards away from me for 30 mins prior, and never spotted me. The buck seemed to spot me, but I think he winded me, and didn't actually see me. I took my shot as he was staring, but I didn't move much. He also shot out of there like lightning as the bold passed right under him. He was pretty rattled. Thanks for the advice on the crossbow. I bought it used, and tried to sight it in, but haven't had much luck with the scope. Windage adjusts just fine, but elevation won't adjust for me at all. That being said, I know where the bolts hit (reliably) on the two upper crosshairs (never tried to use the 3rd). At 30 it's 2 inches high, at 40 it's two inches low. I guessed the distance when I made my bad shot, because I didn't have time to range him...stupid. I do appreciate your point about penetration at certain distances. Based on my practice range, I should have plenty of penetration at 50, but I really would be stepping into being irresponsible much beyond that... My question would be, should I buy a better scope? Do certain scopes go to certain crossbows? Can you just buy any crossbow scope and expect the different range crosses to work correctly? Like I said, I'm super new to all of this, and just getting my feet wet.
I actually can not address different scopes I literal purchased this cross bow only because at the time I lifted it in the store and got a perfect "sight picture". Do not ask me why for Everyone is clueless on this , but it is the only scope I've looked through and gotten that. I've had professionals try helping me with my rifle scope to no avail. I have a rem. 243 with a Leopold scope I've only hunted with 2 times in 17 yrs because I just can not sight in, though no one else has issues. It's been mounted and remounted sighted in by others but dang if I can hit the broad side of a barn at 50 yrds with it let alone any distance. It's why my guns are shot with bead sights with great accuracy for many years.
Me too. That would be quite the exception rather than the rule. Great advice regarding shooting at too far a distance for good penetration.
The guy I bought my house from had 15 kids, and they took 12 + deer a year... Since I took over, my neighbors only hunt during rifle season, so I have bow all to myself, which is pretty incredible.
My suggestion is to get the deer closer and not rely on taking long shots. Your in Kentucky, so your allowed to bait. Just dump a bag of corn at 20 yards and sit still. Let them relax and eat before you shoot. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk
One of my old teammates on here strictly hunted on the ground for similar reasons. He even killed some nice deer with a recurve. Crossbows are pretty loud and at those distances the deer will have time to react to the shot. Try to limit your shots to closer ranges <40yards especially being new to the game. You don’t need the added frustration of tracking a poorly hit deer. Give yourself some room to grow. Enjoy the process. We are rooting for you. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
