Have a deer "surprise you" and show up without much time to think about getting situated, drawing, shooting etc.... or Be able to watch a deer from a distance slowly working its way to you where you have more time to get prepared. I'm 50/50 on this for a couple reasons. Seems like when they appear out of noplace and you have to react it becomes second nature and there is no time for nerves or over thinking. You just do what you do by instinct. The downside (got me thinking with the letting bucks walk thread) is you dont' have as much time to determine if it's a buck you really want to shoot. Happened to me more than once and I've kicked myself more than once. With the deer approaching where you have a lot of time, you can really evaluate your gameplan and probably draw at the perfect time. You almost have a picture in your head of how it's going to happen. The downside is (for me anyway) I tend to over think and I also tend to get more nervous the closer he gets. Almost like you have too much time to think about it.
I would always rather have plenty of time to watch and study the deer. Gives me a chance to have an idea of age and size. Every "mistake" I have made on shooting a deer I should have let go has been a "surprise" that forced too quick of decision.
I had both situations happen this year on two does. The first situation, I watched a little family of does for nearly an hour just browsing around about 50-60 yards out. Then finally, the largest of the bunch finally came within 30 yards.. but still wouldn't give me a shot. I drew on her 3 different times, only to have her to do something to cover up her vitals, or not give me the shot I thought she was going to. Finally, after another half hour, she walks 20 yards in front of my stand and I miss The second situation happened much more quickly with a doe. I'm sitting in my stand, here a branch snap, look behind me and here comes a good lookin' doe walking down the trail that will ultimately lead her by my stand, in oh, about, 3 seconds. I grab my bow off the hook, draw when she walks behind a tree, she stops, I release, and doe down! Whole thing took probably a little over a minute.
I hunt brushy funnels and bedding areas so I don't often get much time to think about it. I like it that way, the few times I've had more time ended up with me getting rattled.
Boy I like to enjoy seeing deer but when its one I want to shoot get it over then enjoy......make sense. I dont want to have too much time to think about it.
Doesn't really matter to me. Many times where I hunt its so thick, things happen quickly. But on the occasions where I've agonizingly waited on the deer, nothing adverse happened, I didn't get over excited.
I'm 50/50 on this. If I see a deer I want to shoot coming from a distance, I have time to play the scenario all out. Get ready, talk myself into staying calm, and make the shot. However, the jolt of excitement I get from looking over my shoulder and seeing a shooter buck standing 15 yards away is an unbelievable rush. Either way I'm good, but if I had it my way I would still choose having the time to get ready.
I'd prefer to see him for a long time, then disappear. Then surprise the hell out of me when he came back. Hasn't happened yet. :D
The more time the better. We're out there to enjoy every aspect of deer hunting and I think watching them is a big part of it! This extra time gives you a better idea as to wether you "really" want to shoot a given deer, or not. I think the more time you have to watch an approaching deer, the more time you have to "get used to" it's presence. Allowing your nerves to settle. This gives you more confidence. JMHO
I like to see them workin their way in. Like "Early In" the more time to see the rack the better to make an informed decision. Plus I love the drama unfolding it adds to the big picture and memories.
