Was it the right choice?

Hawkk33 · Sep 2, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Sep-02-07 AT 10:49PM (MST)[p]Ok, fellas help me out here.

This morning I went out for a am hunt and I found 2 bucks headed into the hills (from about 3/4 mile away). I got the spotter out and one of them was a BIG buck. I watched them for about an hour and they finally bedded down by a juniper.

So I decided to go after them and as I got close to where they bedded I slipped off the boots and put on these kool stalking socks I made and proceeded to hunt into the wind towards them.

I finally got about 30 yards from their last position and I was out in the open with no cover around. I picked up a small rock and tossed it into the juniper bush at which time both bucks lept from their beds and gave no shot.

The larger buck, a 4X3 looked at me like he was trying to figure out what I was, he then stepped around a bush towards me then stopped. I was at full draw and he was at 30 yards but all I could see what the top 1/3 of his body. I thought about shooting him in the spine for a brief second but ended up letting the bow down and spooking him.

Both bucks trotted off and I spent the rest of the day second guessing my decision. The only reason I was second guessing is this is my first year bowhunting deer and aside from the young 3x3 I stalked into last week. Todays buck may be the best I will see this season or any season.

With that said my questions are, 1. what would you all have done different and 2. would you have taken the shot? 3. Do you ever get a case of the if only's or the what if's?

Flatlandr · Sep 2, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Sep-02-07 AT 11:13PM (MST)[p]>LAST EDITED ON Sep-02-07
>AT 10:49?PM (MST)
>
Do you ever
>get a case of the
>if only's or the what
>if's?

Only every time I want to take a shot & don't... Really drives me nuts when I have a couple of long days driving back home to ponder the if's.

Sounds like your shot opportunity wasn't good and you didn't take it so I think you made the best decision.

Mark

Bambistew · Sep 3, 2007

Every situation is diffrent, but I've learned the best thing to do while bow hunting is to be patient. Throwing the rock to get them to stand up IMO would not be considered being patient. ;-)

Second guessing yourself is part of hunting. Personally if every thing worked out perfectly every time out it wouldn't be much fun.

elkchaserreturns · Sep 3, 2007

Hello there Hawkk33,
As was said already, we all second guess the decisions we make, , ,especially when hunting! If it is any consolation, I think you made the right choice. I have learned the hard way to trust my first instinct. If the shot does not feel "right", don't shoot. You would feel much worse if you had taken that shot and only wounded that deer.
I have been an avid hunter for over 35 years now and I have wounded and lost three different animals in that time. I AM NOT PROUD OF THAT! When I looked back on those losses, I was able to identify the mistakes I made, learn from them, AND NOT REPEAT THEM!
I think I can speak for many people here on this forum when I tell you that we have a lot more respect for the person that goes home empty rather take "iffy" shots and fills his tag.
Good luck on the next one and be proud of your decision.

Elkchaser

springbear · Sep 3, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Sep-03-07 AT 08:41AM (MST)[p]Not taking a shot at a critter is easy to forget. you may second guess it for a few days, but after awhile it will just be one more encounter that you remember with a smile... i assume you are pretty good with your bow, to even think about a spine shot. I assume you would have at least hit him. I would think you would second guess a lost wounded buck for a lot longer time then you would have with what happened..
The only thing about your situation that "I" would be second guessing is the rock throwing... To me that is the only real decision or action that you did. (not shooting seems like a common sense moment). It is possible that they would have winded you if the wind switched... Throwing the rock could have worked out, they just as easily could have jumped up and came at you offering a perfect shot opportunity.
Sounds to me that you are doing fine for your first year. It is not easy to get 30 yards from a big old buck, let alone ground stalking.!!! Good Job. Hold out for the "good" shot. Try to shoot him in the top of the heart instead of both lungs if you are looking for a challenging shot!!

Hawkk33 · Sep 3, 2007

Thanks for all the feedback people it was really helpful.

Bambistew- the rock throwing worked in the hunting videos...LOL I guess life doesn't really imitate art huh?

Hawkk

khensley · Sep 3, 2007

The best advice I got from a guide here in Reno....get to where you think you want to be, and STAY PUT. Last month; I probably would've done the exact same thing you did; it's so tough to have that patience when you're that close. But, after talking to Sean Shea (theheadmaster.com), and relating my experiences, he said everyone goes through the same thing, and his best weapon is to get within a comfortable range, and sit tight.

Worked for me Last week

I know the only reason I got my buck is I stayed put.

As for not taking the shot....good call, IMHO.

My .02, for what it's worth.

kh

Hawkk33 · Sep 3, 2007

Khensley- Great story you posted. And great advice from the fella in Reno. I don't know why I had to create the action instead of letting things run their course.

A few days ago I spotted 3 bucks (1/2 mile or so away)and I watched them bed and had to backtrack a few ridges to get out of their line of sight and in good position to stalk.

Put the sneaky socks on and got 20 yards above them only to second guess my reference point and make noise setting my bow down. Next thing I knew BAM.. 3 bucks on the run straight downhill.

I will get it right sooner or later.

Thanks for your advice

Hawkk

JohnnyLegend · Sep 3, 2007

If any doubt in the shot, then don't shoot, you made the right call in my opinion. Good job on the stalk and the ole rock trick works sometimes and not so good others, but sounds like you done a good job getting in on them with the sneak. You will score very shortly, keep hunt'n hard.

Johnny

NMHUNTNUTT1 · Sep 4, 2007

Congrats on a pretty good stalk. If you didn't feel 100% certain you could place your arrow in the area needed to cleanly take this buck , well I feel you did the best thing. I must say congrats on that as most new acrhers would have just chanced it. I can speak from this experiance. When I was new into archery hunting I took a very bad forward angle shot on an elk. I paunch shot the elk through the gut , my arrow passed through , I figured MONEY THE ELK IS MINE....NOT SO! I simply went against all I was ever tought and all the shooting and practice sessions , because I wasn't willing to wait for a better shot , I had for a split second lost all respect and thought about just myself and finally killing an archery elk.I lost that elk , and I can tell you I still remember the sick feeling , as I type this my stomach turns. I don't wish that feeling on anyone, but I did learn a hard lesson. Now I respect the hunt and will not touch my release unless I'm sure in my ability to thread the needle.
I commend you on your maturity to pass on a shot for a big buck , because you were not certain of the shot outcome. Congrats...I sure hope you can get back on those deer and you get your shot . Many can learn from your words and this hunt , and those that know or think they know , well your words are a reminder to do the right thing , even if it means no buck tagged...Best of luck and thanks for sharing it here...Larry

FAB · Sep 4, 2007

IMO the only time you should push a buck to stand is when the wind starts to act fickle. If you've got a steady wind and your in range you should always wait a deer out (or anything else for that matter). Too likely they will come out of their bed like a jackrabbit if you disturb them with a rock or "mooing" like a cow or other tricks. It can work but usually doesnt give you a good bow shot. Wait patiently and when they start shaking their heads side to side get ready, they often do that right before they stand.

utahheadgear · Sep 4, 2007

You made the right decision. Way to go.

With that said, I have a couple of thoughts....

I've tried the rock throwing thing and it never seems to pan out for me. As has been stated, if the wind is steady wait them out. If not, you're hooped either way so you may as well try the rock trick, or just back out.

My other thought was where the brush blocking your shot was in relation to the deer. If it was half way between you and the deer there is a good chance your arrow would have cleared the brush and dropped right into the vitals. I shot my antelope buck this year in montana right over the top of a wire fence (no, he wasn't penned in). I was aiming right through the fence when I shot, but because the fence was about 30 yards from the buck I knew my arrow would fly well clear of the fence and drop right into the kill zone, which it did. My buck went 50 yards and toppled.

A good way to tell if your arrow will clear an obstacle between you and an animal is to estimate the distance to that oblstacle and while aiming to shoot the animal check the sight pin for the distance you estimate the obstacle. If that pin is on the problem bush or branch, you can't make the shot, but if it is clear you will also clear that branch when you shoot, and kill your buck. For example: Buck at 40 yards, obstacle (branch) at 30 yards. When aiming at the buck with your 40 yard pin take a quick check of your 30 yard pin. If it is on the branch you will hit the branch. If it's clear you are good to go.

Hope that helps a bit.

Good luck with the rest of the season.

eastwind · Sep 4, 2007

Good decision.

BrianID · Sep 6, 2007

You made a good choice by not taking the shot. I think throwing a rock should still be consider in certain situations. I wasn't there so I don't know but maybe you should have thrown a smaller rock. Here is some I wrote in response to a similar question on another thread.

"I like to throw the rock over top of the deer so they are looking the other way. The trick is to have the rock to make just enough noise to get their attention. Sometimes it takes 2, 3 or more small rocks before they get up. Make sure you wait at least a minute or two between throwing each rock. I've had deer get up to stretch over a minute after the rock landed. Throwing a rock hasn't failed me yet but I've only tried it a handful of times. If you can handle waiting for the deer to get up on his own that is the best option. I wouldn't mind waiting an hour or two for a deer to get up but if I think I will have to wait 5 or 6 hours, I'm likely going to chuck a rock."

Hawkk33 · Sep 15, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Sep-15-07 AT 11:07PM (MST)[p]Update- Since my post questioning my choice I have been hard at it. Since that day I have seen a total of 41 bucks.

I have stalked or made attempts on 7 occasions. Called in 2 cow elk at 5 yards or less, found myself 30 yards from 2 more cow elk. Took a picture instead of launching an arrow. (apparently they are legal in the unit I hunt in) I took this pic about 4 yards uphill from her as she came in.

Videotaped and took pics of 40+ elk a hundred yards or so from me. There was one bull and 5 spikes in the bunch. Had I been 5 minutes sooner and 60 yards closer I could have set up and got a shot (maybe)

Took pics of 3 deer I tried to stalk. The one I wanted was a heavy forked horn. They refused to bed and I got tired of sitting the sun.

and finally, tonight took pics of a buck I ALMOST got a shot at but Murphy's Law kicked in and some spooked deer a couple hundred yards away turned this guy around and he bailed. I swear a few more steps and I would have had a clear 30 yard shot at him.

On the positive- I have found a few places the are holding a ton of deer. Tonight my nephew and I saw 20 bucks (8= me and 12 = him)

I have a little over a week to make things happen but I feel positive about my chances. But it would be helpful if the rut would hurry up and kick in.