Had an opportunity last year but passed. He was 23yds. I tried to get him up but he bolted. I am sure I could have made a good shot but was always advised not to shoot at bedded deer. Anyone here ever took the shot?
Never had the chance. If the opportunity presented itself, and I knew I would be able to put it in the boiler room..you bet I would!
Last year I shot a bedded deer that was already wounded from a friend who shot him. I got with In 12 yards of this very big doe and shot her. I hit to far forward and went through both shoulder blades but still got both lungs. Surprisingly my arrow did make 2 holes (barely). Most times when you shoot at a bedded animal you will not get very good penetration. I can't figure out why this Is either. It's gotta have something to do with their muscles I'm guessing.
I may do it again, but I didn't get penetration the one time I did. Hit the shoulder blade and sounded as though I shot a tree. When she stood up to run I could plainly see my arrow didnt get through her shoulder blade. I never found that deer after alot of searching and one trickle of blood about three hundred yards from where I shot her. When a deer lays down it seems there front shoulder blades move back to cover there vitals. I would attemt the shot again if the angle was right. In this case she was laying perfectly broadside. The shot I did take was not a great one though my sights must have been off a little, even still the arrow only hit about three inches off of my POA. A deer laying down makes for a smaller margin of error. The equipment I was using was an old compound and I ranged her by eye...this was back before I realised the need for a range finder. Lessons learned.
IMO if the deer is quartered away it will be a safe shot to take. Before a shot like this though I would do my best to make out the outline of the shoulder blade. That shoulder blade isn't going to cover all its vitals, again smaller margin of error. With the monster i shoot now I have no doubts of its penatrating abilities.
The biggest doe I have ever shot was bedded down. I was walking a trail and happened to look to my right and there she was bedded down 10 yards from me. She was quartering away and was looking at me. I just aimed for the opposite shoulder and the arrow entered around the last rib and broke the opposite leg. She only ran 60 yards. I would take it again if I had the opportunity.
Had a friend shoot a bedded deer with a bow at about 20 yards and didn't make a very good shot, hit back by the leg. Watched him dart off, found a small amount of blood and realized that we were not going to find this buck.
All about the angle but I have and would again. Much easier from the ground level than a tree stand angle though
probably would go for it but you have to realize if you're shooting at a bedded deer, their front leg muscles will be all bunched up so it will be harder to get to the vitals. it all depends on range & shot angles.
I would if the angle was right, but my 11 year old seems to insist, so he spent his hard earned money on a bedded 3D. He is all about the shot and I think he will be successful. I think he is actually gonna seek out a bedded deer and shoot it! The joy of kids. Lol!
I personally would wait. If the deer is calm and is not showing signs of nervousness, let him get up on his own. I don't like to rush any type of shot if i don't have to. This also gives you time to get some great footage if you film your hunts.
Never had a good chance with a bow so I suppose it depends. I have with a rifle and M/L several times but that’s a different ball game.
Shooting a bedded deer isn't fair chase? Bedded under the machine shed 10 yards from the road....ok. But just plain bedded. Completely fair game and I'll shake their hand every time. If deer is bedded you either stalked up on him (mad props) or he happened by your stand. (same as walking by) Where's the problem?
