Buck Bed advice

[Deerhunter47]

So I was scouting/still hunting Saturday late morning. Wind and conditions looked perfect for one of my spots but I woke up to turn on coffee pot, flipped the alarm off and didn't wake back up till 9, got out to woods about 11. Figured I'd maybe pull a card or two and scout a little but I brought my bow and still hunted my way around just in case they were still moving with the cold front that had moved in. Leaves were damp and I could get around really quiet and super slow. I'd take a few steps and stop and look and listen for a few minutes, then when the wind picked up I'd take a couple more etc......

I spotted 3 bucks bedding 40 yards away in the woods off of a field corner where the woods drop into a draw. I was on the woods side, down hill from them. The wind was in my favor, and at this point it was just as big a risk sneaking out, so I snuck in up the draw. It took me an hour to move the last ten yards, until I got within 20 yards and a buck stood up and I felt really good about the shot but I bricked the shot!!! I was shaking with buck fever and maybe not standing totally straight. After all that work, I don't know what happened. Pretty sure I was death gripping the bow and maybe I pulled it. Or maybe it hit a small branch or leaf. Hard to get a clear shot still hunting this time of year. It made a really a loud SMACK. I thought I hit a tree or maybe the scapula and bounced off. I looked all around for the arrow and for blood. Found the arrow, no blood, no wood on it either. The bucks obviously ran off but I don't think they knew what I was. They definitely never winded me. Since I had already walked through their area, I went ahead and made a mock scrape on a trail going into the beds and hung a camera way up high angling down over it.

It was never my intention to do this, but I've got to say I'm thrilled by it and surprised that I could sneak up on 3 deer looking all different directions. I mean I would step so carefully and quietly but only when a gust of wind blew or a squirrel made noise, and even then, only when deer weren't looking right at me or when they were chewing cuds and looked relaxed. If I made a sound, I froze for several minutes until the deer stopped looking and listening in my direction. My legs were falling asleep and having to just stay frozen while they looked right at me. SO INTENSE!!! I am still sore from the tension. Also cool to watch the way they bed. Every now and then one would get up and walk around a little then sit back down. They never laid their heads down and never appeared to be all the way asleep. The bigger older buck that I'm after was in the back and I couldn't get an angle on him even though I circled around, so I took my shot at #2 after he got up and moved sort of in my direction but turned broadside uphill from me.

My question is: Will these bucks return to this spot? I went out today mid day because the wind looked right, but the leaves were way too dry and I pulled out quickly due to the noise I was going to make going in. I've read about guys who take bucks on beds and their "bump and dump" method, claiming a buck will return to its bed after being bumped once. I am totally into this thrilling way of hunting, but I wonder if since I walked through there, they'll know I was there and not return. I used a ton of scent control. I'm thinking I'll wait for another rain and the right wind, and hopefully a cold front and try it again before the group breaks up. any thoughts? sorry for the ramble. I'm just so excited to know I can stalk in like that and what a thrill it is. I'd like to connect before muzzleloader. This is the second time I've taken a shot with a bow on a buck, I've only been hunting 2 years. last year my big deer came up on me during the rut and I missed him too at 20. I've got a bad case of buck fever for sure and I know I need to down one with a bow before it calms. Experience is what I need. If I can take a buck off a bed still hunting like that, I'm pretty sure I'll be confident going forward.

 

[cbhunter]

Sounds like an awesome experience! Congrats!

I am lucky to lay eyes on any particular "shooter" once in a season. Almost never have I seen the same mature buck more than once through a season. I do jump around to diff farms a lot though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Deerhunter47]

Thank you for the kind words. To be congratulated on a situation I couldn't close is a bit dubious, but I really appreciate it. While I was disappointed in my shot, I walked away with much more positive feelings than negative. It was a learning experience and I see that you understand that. I've learned a Ton from this forum and continue to learn as much as I can about this amazing sport. I haven't contributed much to this board as of yet, but as I grow and learn I'll share what I've learned with others the way it was shared with me. :super:

 

[tree_ghost]

Deerhunter I'm going to tell you the truth here and you may, or more likely may not believe me. What took place on that hunt was a HUGE success! You are a relatively new hunter. Many of us who have been hunting for a very long time still haven't stalked up on a mature buck in the eastern timber. The reason being....it is down right hard! You did 95% of everything right. You miffed a shot with archery gear due to buck fever. IT HAPPENS!!!! Bet cha their ain't a bow hunter on this forum who hasn't done the same thing, and that's from a tree stand, much less ground level at 20 yards after an hour long stalk...to answer your OP if they didn't get your wind and you didn't scare the holybejesus out of them then there's a good chance they will go back and bed in that area. However with each day that passes at this time of year the bucks get less and less tolerant of one another and soon will disperse until after the breeding season. Congratulations on your stalk and best of luck with your continued pursuit!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Snake]

What you did is really hard to do even though you didn't deal the deal it was an accomplishment !

 

[catman529]

Well I'd say you got stillhunting figured out. Won't hurt to go back again in the right conditions. There's no guarantee they'd bed there every day whether you were in there or not. But it's definitely worth a try. Good luck!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Smo]

Practice,Practice,Practice.....

Congrats on a great hunt, sneaking up on one is great!
Sneaking up on three is superb!

But you won't never kill one until you can control your nerves.
You may shoot a few or maybe get lucky and get a spine shot!

Not a good sight....

How's your accuracy on targets? How much do you shoot?

My reason for asking is 40 years ago I was in your shoes!

I could always get close on deer usually from a tree or a ground blind .

But several while still hunting, which I was taught while squirrel hunting as a kid.


I completely missed the first three deer I shot at....

I was in a ground blind along side a turnip planted plot on a local WMA.

It was a cold November evening when a couple hours or so before dark a doe and two yearlings appear.

They feed into the plot from the pine thicket across the dirt road , entering the field 50 yards up wind of my hide out.

As the nibble away and the cold settles in , and the shakes begin!

I shook so hard as they came closer I thought surly they would see me and run away.

After what seemed like forever,..., I regained my composure and the shaking subsides as the doe nears my 20 yard mark.

I wait until the yearlings are facing the other direction and the doe's head is down for a nibble.

Then I slowly rise up on both knees drawing the bow as I rise, the doe's head pops up and I let the arrow go.

My bow, a Robin Hood "Little John", which was one of the quickest compounds on the market at the time sent the XX 75 2018 arrow quietly and quickly on its way straight at the doe's 10 ring!

As the arrow reached the kill zone, she drops 6" and the arrow flies straight over her back!

This scenario plays out two more times that afternoon before dark!

Same three deer , two more complete misses....

One more over her back and one I swear I thought shaved hair across her brisket...


I swore too myself the afternoon that would never happen again.

I didn't bow hunt anymore that season but keep shooting.

I shot so much that by the next season , when the young buck strolled under my stand at 15 yards
It happened...I drilled him !

Now I'm not going too tell you I never missed another deer or that I never had another one jump the string, or that I've never got the shakes from being cold ... because I have.

But I still practice a lot, not as much as back then but shot quite often still and I've learned to control the shakes .

Cold or not if you put the work in when the deer arrives , it's game on!

Just follow your usual routine..... slowly and quietly pick your spot.


By the way, stalk / still hunting deer is some of the most rewarding hunting I've ever done.

Nothing like making a successful stalk on any deer , much less a good buck.

But it's also some of the most frustrating hunting I've done..

Congrats again on your hunt , the bucks could be there again... who knows.

But as you said what until conditions or in your favor before you see ..... until then, practice,practice,practice.

FYI: The bow I referred too above was designed in NY by an individual, who later sold out too a Company named Darton.
The XX 75 arrows were Easton aluminum 31 1/2" 2018 shafts with straight fletching , some of the toughest shafts ever made.
The heads were three bore Sattelite with replaceable blades.

 

[Deerhunter47]

I appreciate the insight from all y'all. To answer your question: I've only been shooting a bow since last summer, but I practice a lot. I had a clear 40 yd. shot on him but didn't feel comfortable on a live deer at that range yet so I kept working in on him. in hindsight, I might have been better off taking the 40 because my adrenalin was not pumping nearly as hard as it was as i got in closer. but i'm still not comfy that far yet. I had to draw twice too because he didn't pop around from behind a tree like i'd anticipated, and by the end of all that drama my nerves must have just been fried. on that second draw in rapid succession i think i was death gripping the thing.

thanks a lot for being encouraging guys! It really means a lot. I definitely drove away feeling more like I'd had a breakthrough than an epic fail. Well, felt a little of both, but I learned a TON that day. Now I know much more about what deer will and won't notice, and I know what I need to overcome. BUCK FEVER!!!! But I think i'll keep still hunting. I love that rush. You're just absolutely locked into their situation. Sorry I'm long winded, I get excited just recalling it.

 

[MUP]

Deerhunter I'm going to tell you the truth here and you may, or more likely may not believe me. What took place on that hunt was a HUGE success! You are a relatively new hunter. Many of us who have been hunting for a very long time still haven't stalked up on a mature buck in the eastern timber. The reason being....it is down right hard! You did 95% of everything right. You miffed a shot with archery gear due to buck fever. IT HAPPENS!!!! Bet cha their ain't a bow hunter on this forum who hasn't done the same thing, and that's from a tree stand, much less ground level at 20 yards after an hour long stalk...to answer your OP if they didn't get your wind and you didn't scare the holybejesus out of them then there's a good chance they will go back and bed in that area. However with each day that passes at this time of year the bucks get less and less tolerant of one another and soon will disperse until after the breeding season. Congratulations on your stalk and best of luck with your continued pursuit!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What tree ghost said, every bit of it! That was an awesome encounter that very few hunters will ever experience! Count yourself very fortunate to have had that experience! :super:

 

[Smo]

I appreciate the insight from all y'all. To answer your question: I've only been shooting a bow since last summer, but I practice a lot. I had a clear 40 yd. shot on him but didn't feel comfortable on a live deer at that range yet so I kept working in on him. in hindsight, I might have been better off taking the 40 because my adrenalin was not pumping nearly as hard as it was as i got in closer. but i'm still not comfy that far yet. I had to draw twice too because he didn't pop around from behind a tree like i'd anticipated, and by the end of all that drama my nerves must have just been fried. on that second draw in rapid succession i think i was death gripping the thing.

thanks a lot for being encouraging guys! It really means a lot. I definitely drove away feeling more like I'd had a breakthrough than an epic fail. Well, felt a little of both, but I learned a TON that day. Now I know much more about what deer will and won't notice, and I know what I need to overcome. BUCK FEVER!!!! But I think i'll keep still hunting. I love that rush. You're just absolutely locked into their situation. Sorry I'm long winded, I get excited just recalling it.

Keep after em' your time will come.

 

[Mike Belt]

Sounds like an exciting hunt. Just remember this... you can learn something from every hunt and almost every deer you encounter while hunting. You may even learn something about yourself. Sounds like you have your problem figured out and I'm sure you'll work it out. There's nothing to worry about when you get freaked out around a deer. That feeling is what takes most of us back to the woods time and time again.

As far as bucks bedding in the same area goes... I've seen more evidence they don't frequent the same exact bedding area daily but they may use the same area; especially if cover or security is limited. You never know 100% for sure though. I'd give them another shot.

 

[megalomaniac]

It's a fun way to hunt. No doubt.

I wish my neighbors would do more of it, as chances for success are very low, and chances they will push the deer onto me are very high.

I have fewer bucks during ML season now because they have backed off bowhunting.

You do you, have fun while doing it! But just realize you may be doing more harm than good in the long run.

Sent from my SM-G970U1 using Tapatalk