What would you say the % is of the times you have a deer in range that you intend to shoot, but can't get a shot off for whatever reason? I took my climber to one of my remote late season spots last night. Got up and was "so//so" with the setup. Meaning I had limited shootable lanes. Especially behind me which would've had to be the perfect situation. But a very cool productive late season spot. Sure enough doezilla comes in and gets behind me. I couldn't for the life of me manuever around to get a shot off at her. She was hanging around for awhile and didn't know I was there, I just couldn't find a hole. When she was in a window I was battling myself and the tree to get drawn so I watched her walk away. I got thinking that it's not very often that I want to shoot a deer and simply can't get one off. How often does it happen to you (aside from passing on deer you don't want to shoot)?
I rarely have this happen. I put my stands up well in advance of the season and have my shots pretty well planned out. In the last 10 or more years I have only had it happen twice.
I make sure I have shooting lanes.. I can't afford to NOT get a shot off when often I get only 1 or 2 shots a season here at home on a good buck. I own a 16 foot pruning saw ... and many of my stands are set up well in advance of season. Rarely do I not get a shot when onc comes in. I'd say 75% or higher I get the shot ..
Yeah I was figuring about 2-5% of the time for me. My stands are up (some for years), trimmed and plenty of shot opportunities all around. I dont' often just take my climber and jump in a setup like I did with this one without knowing what I'll have when I'm up there. I just felt like hunting this area and never really had anything setup there. Maybe time for a hang on or two or three in the off season. Oh well.
Used to honestly be about 0 %... until I had those two twins come in from behind me this year and walk up the bank while I was in the lollipop tree on the field edge with no back cover...
Depends. I've started running and gunning the last 2 years a lot more, hunting the same day I make a set. I've had this problem more often with these sets simply because I don't want to disturb everything trying to trim perfect lanes everywhere.
Probably 50% of the time here but that's because I hunt from the ground in open country. It's tough getting into position to draw on them without getting busted. I err on the side of not getting busted rather than trying to push the issue. If I don't blow them out of the country there's always another stalk to be made.
Explanation: 1. I can't hunt as high as I used to. 2. Sometimes I get fooled on the exact direction they come in (hell sometimes I get COMPLETELY fooled) 3. Sometimes I get caught sitting and KNOW I can't stand up. 4. Sometimes I have them in range and can't draw my bow. 5. Sometimes I don't have the right shot angle, while they're in range. 6. I can't hold my bow at full draw as long as you guys can. The list could go on..... Luckily, it's never happened on a buck I wanted to take. But it happens a lot with does....and there's not a damned thing I could or would WANT to do about it. It's part (inherently) of the allure (for me) to my way of hunting. So if I read the question correctly.....some of you guys get a shot at nearly EVERY DEER that comes into range? They all offer shots/shot angles? That's incredible, to me.
I can't cut shooting lanes on the public land. So I do have deer that pass by in the thick stuff that I can't get a shot at. Not a lot, but some. I do get some that are too head-on or heading away that I have to pass up too. My range limitation is the biggest reason I don't shoot at deer that come around. I rarely shoot at a deer beyond 20 yards.
Most of my pre-hung stands Jeff are setup based on past years and knowing where they are coming from. As long as you don't get caught sleeping, or totally off guard, I don't tend to have problems with shot angle, direction they come with, and I'm usually high enough to be able to turn and get setup without being detected. Now my same day sets, where I'm in typically in new spots.........I have almost all the same problems you do.
Looks like im high in the percentage If last year had numbers for shooter bucks it would be very high I get shots at Does every year, and only take one by choice, but smething about those big bucks that usually leave me tied up in a not.
I ended up with a LOT of shooter bucks this year that were just out of range, seriously like 5 different 3.5+ y/o bucks that were in that 50-70 yard range and just wouldn't come in for anything. That was VERY frustrating............... I saw more good ones from the tree this year then in the last 3 years combined. Just not in range...........
Couldn't honestly say on every deer. But on bucks I am targeting.. it's right around 80% over the past few years. I look at it like I may only get 1 or 2 shots at a shooter (in my eyes) all season.. so it better count.
Can't really say if I put a percentage on it. I will say the majority of the deer that come into range at one point as they pass through, they offer a shot. Doesn't mean I will always shoot, though.
Probably 30/40% of the time I have issues.(Due to where I hunt, ie., THICK) I do believe and have experienced that you can get away with a lot more on "certain" Doe than most people think. I have literally drawn on them looking almost straight at me, and got the shot off as well. jmo
Your not alone Jeff, been the case with me as well many times!! This year was just one of many with not being able to draw my bow back and wait when my wounded buck came through, ain't happening with my 62lb recurve. I'd say this Is probably one of the biggest disadvantages of shooting a traditional bow. All In all I'd say 70% of the time I can get the shot off. How many times has It happened to me with nice bucks?? A few to many times!!
Since my shoulder went bad. I can't hold my bow back either. I just wait and draw when the deer is in a shooting situation. Mostly it works. Mostly...
