Archery Shot at Bedded Game

[MTBullhunter70]

Anyone have any experience/insight on taking an archery shot at a bedded animal? What are the tactics here? Should you wait him out for a standing shot? If you shoot while he's bedded, whats the best aim point? Any other nuances to be aware of?

thanks

 

[BigPig]

If at all possible wait for him to stand.

 

[Big_D]

if he is bedded 2 things might happen.

#1 Internal organs are much harder to visualize -- ie it's much easier to make a bad shot because you might mistakenly think you know where those organs are.

#2 Arrow penetration is pretty likely to be stopped by the ground. This can sometimes be an issue. I prefer total penetration (arrow clean through the animal) than having an animal run off with the arrow. The arrow can partially block the hole, and impede good bleeding. That said - I have recovered several animals that didn't have full arrow penetration.

just my thoughts,

Big D

 

[ICMDEER]

Most of the muley bucks we shoot are bedded in the shade of a big rock pile. We sneak to a big rock above them above them and shoot down if we can. We sometimes wait for them to stand or do the "throw a rock over them" routine to try to get them to stand (not recommended).

I've seen a number of laying-down bucks shot from above. It's usually close - less than 10 yards; sometimes very close - like 3 yards. You need to practice those shots and be sure of your arrow trajectory and placement. But the vitals are still there and you can do well shooting a bedded buck. I've seen bedded bucks run less than 25 yards after getting shot before dropping dead. Others have made it farther and some have been missed. But it is doable.

Judgement is always the key. Good angles, confidence in your shot and good arrow placement are important, just like all archery shots.