Just like in football or baseball for me, once the game begins practice is over. The only time I draw my bow in stand other than to shoot is on real cold days just to keep limber. I also do it first thing in stand in the dark.
I've done it in the past, especially when I was younger and was susceptible to "buck fever". It's a good way to practice keeping your head together when the moment comes. Now that I know I'm going to be ice cold when that moment comes I don't feel the need to do it anymore.
I used to just go through the motions of drawing. Everything but the bow. Not exactly the same scenario of having the bow, but Imagining that everything is there, then going through all the motions... Yearlings are great practice! They don't usually care, but they do spot you all the same... at least the ones in MN... IDK about here, I haven't had many ops with them.
I have Not done this in quite a while, but I have in the past. Nothing like real practice at getting drawn back on a Deer just for the experience and learning what you can or can Not get away with before you learn on a Deer you really want to tag. I hardly worry about my Bow going off unless I want it to, and regardless I am pointing it at a Deer. Not a Human ;-) Dan
When uncertain if I'm taking the shot I have and I will draw. If I know it's not legal or I'm not going to shoot it I won't risking giving away my position.
When I first started archery hunting I did it a few times just to get a feel for what I could get away with eg.. draw, positioning, let down with an animal close. I can't say I've done it for a few years but I've encouraged my wife and son to do it while hunting with them for the same reason. I understand the concerns and that things can go wrong but if your setup is that iffy at full draw I'm not sure I would be in a tree with that bow. Any sportsman knows a bow is a deadly weapon and just like any other weapon you only point at things you are willing to take. The process is simply practicing in a pressure situation, if you are mindful it can only help your skills when the chance of a lifetime presents itself. IMHO
Anydeer i am not going to shoot is a decoy and a scent bomb all rapped up in one package, the longer they stay the better. i dont want to get picked off by a bad move or letting the bow down, i keep that luck good or bad for my shooter deer. this may raise a eyebrow or two but i dont shoot does with my bow, i only hunt for mature bucks and chose not to tip the deer off in my troughy bow spots and the stands in this area may only get hunted two or three times a season. i have some low productive spots i can use if the wind is bad and i just want a change in scenery. there i can practice all i want.
I have done it in the past but its been awhile. I can understand doing it in the early stages of bowhunting to get a "feel" for the process. Beyond that it just kind of seems like showboating to me. Besides, getting drawn on a deer that you have no intention of taking is entirely different than drawing on a once in a lifetime animal!
I may draw on a deer I don't plan on shooting, but I'd never settle the pin. This year I was hunting a new set and drawing from different positions to familiarize myself and get comfortable with all shot opportunities and CRACK.. I accidentally bumped the release and shot into the ground
Wouldn't you Want to settle the pin...? What if something does happen (i.e. the trigger is tripped?) I'm just sayin', you shouldn't draw on something, and just aim towards it. If I draw on a deer, I'm aiming. I may not shoot, but I am aiming... At least that way, if that small chance, something goes awry, it wont be a F'ed up deer running through the woods. I'm not attacking you, I'm just adding to the conversation.
I have done it in the past but just never put the pin on it.. It was more for practicing drawing in close quarters. I dont do it anymore
I've done it 5 times over the years but each time I was debating whether or not I would be happy with the buck with the exception of one buck that was injured. It wasn't for practice and the pin was on the vitals. Slightly injured mid 120's 4x5. late season mid 120's 4x4 badly guesstimated high 130's 4x5 that went high 140's according to the sheds. Regret passing that one. late season mid 130's 5x5 mid to high 130's old 4x4 this past fall Tim
Like i said I do. Not just for the draw, but for the lrt down. Plus I just get bored and sometimes it breaks the day up. Trust me the last thing I worry about is ,y bow just going off.
When I said "work out any issues" I was not talking about the bow. More along the lines of shooting lanes, limbs you decide you should cut in those lanes or in the tree near you, how your harness teather is hanging, etc...Believe me, I am very maticulous with my gear, there is nothing "iffy" about that.
I have done this a couple of times in the past. I won't do it again though, as I have nothing to prove to myself anymore.
Well I would and I said it. I am fairly new to bow hunting and wanted to give my self the knowledge that with all my gear on and in the stand I could do it without spooking the deer. I wanted that confidence before I encountered a big buck. I was not planning on putting the pin on it just practicing the motion of picking up the bow and drawing back undetected.
I've never done it, but if I did I would never put my pin on the animal. At the end of a hunt, if there is some light left I always draw my bow back and shoot at a cow patty or a pile of dirt just to ensure my distances are okay and that my clothing isn't too bulky to shoot with. I just wouldn't feel right holding my pin on a animal that I wasn't planning on killing.
