Why are deer so da** smart! How do they know my weaknesses??? Despite the weather reports for the area, and what we were getting here in the cities, I couldn't sleep last night. So, I went hunting this morning. Low and behold, the weather could not have been better. it was mostly cloudy, 24 degrees, with winds from 0 to a mouse fart. There was 6 inches of snow on the ground, and I got there just after sunrise. I really havent had the chance to (ever) go hunting by myself, I know, I know, I am kind of old to say that, but really, every time I have ever gone, someone else has always been there with me (Dad, Uncle mostly) We don't hunt next to each other or anything, just like going hunting with people. Someone to talk to durring coffee breaks, and what not. So, this was kindof a first for me. Anyway, back to the story... I went out for a "Quick" morning hunt. I had to work tonight, so I thought I would sneak one in, maybe check my stand over for tomorrow. See if my new place was anything worth going to. I got there, got all set up, comfy, and cozy in them pines! About 10 mins past, and I was surrounded by at least 40 Nuthatches, funny little birds. Then came the Blue Jays, annoying, but still fun to watch. I had a Cooper's hawk swoop through, and some turkeys, struttin' by. Can't complain, really, how much fun would hunting be without seeing all of this stuff??? I told myself that I would be on the trail at 1130, and on the road at 1200, on my way home. Wouldn't you know it. 1125, I look to my 3 (North of me) and see a medium size doe, walking parallel to me. I already had my bow in hand, but there was no way that she would turn 90 whole degrees, and walk my way. She was going to the field in front of me.... NOT. She stepped just past the row of pines in front of me, and pivoted. Right to me! Here is where I messed up. I could not figure this out. Why am I only seeing one??? This does not happen to me. I spent the whole time trying to listen for another one, maybe coming around behind me?? IDK. The bad thing about this whole deal, is that the direction she was coming from is the ONLY one I don't have a plan for, I don't have ANY cover, and I was not prepared for it. I was able to get her to stop with her head behind a tree, by shuush-ing her (like you would use to tell someone to be quiet ) but, again, I was trying to tell if there was one behind me, that would bust me, and I missed my open window for a draw. Two steps later, and she was at a perfect, wide open, broadside 7 yards :huh: . Why was I not drawing back??? I don't know. There was a couple things wrong with the whole pic. Some with the deer that are still confusing me. Like, why was she orange still? Like the color they get in the spring/summer. It was creepy. She stuck out really bad in the white background. I called my dad, and told him that his son was the biggest dumb@$$ in the woods. I told him the story, and he said he would have just drawn anyways. Even if they are so close...they would only do two things...one, run, two, stand there. So what did I have to loose? I don't know, that is why I will be back out there tommorow. Giver another whack. Sorry for the long post. I needed to vent, and my wife doesn't help. She just said that my sub-consious was telling me to wait for a bigger deer. (I have two tags dag-nabbit)
Yeah, they are amazing. With it that close, it's hard to say if they hear you or not. I always try to draw as soon as I can and wait for them to come in. My Tribue has 80% let off, so I can hold for quite some time. It's hard to say, if only you didn't listen to your brain and reason things out. Let instinct take over & you'd have shot her w/o even blinking. I find that at times I able to do that & move quickly w/o hesitation & execute the shot. Other times I'm kicking my self for trying to out smart the deer and end up w/tag soup. Good luck if you go out tomorrow.
you'll get her! i know what you mean about asking yourself questions and kicking yourself later... all too well! how is your set up in the pines? did you have to cut a bunch of libs????? sounds cool!
No, I did not "cut" anyhting. Everything from ten feet down is dead in there. Jus t pulled on them a bit, they snapped off. I did get a chance today at A REPLAY!!!! That was even more wicked than yesterdays epesod though. I do really want to talk about it. (with jonny law!) I lost my deer to legal reasons. For the recored. it was Nothing I did against the law. I lost her because I didn't think she would get that far. (She boudned into the widlefie refuge. ((sucked watching that, BIGTYME))) I beat myeself up 2 times for this. one time last year, and one this year. It just kills me to loose something that is my fault. I would be happy to miss a deer, instead of hit, and not retrieve. I would call DNR, but from what i hear, they wont let you retrieve unless you know exactly where the deer is down. I could not say if the deer went down or if it did, within the given timeframe. I know it's sad, I have my reason why, but i would rather not say.
I remember once I was hunting from the ground and I had a doe get so close that I was sure that she saw me blink, then she ran. But other times I feel as though they know I am there from a hundred yards out???????????? Their instinct is amazing.
