Hill Country Hunter
Well-Known Member
First the weapon: Matthews DXT, 26.5" draw length, 70 lb draw weight, GoldTip XT 55/70 shafts, Blazer vanes, 100 gr NAP Spitfire broadheads. Never chrono'd it, but it's fast by my standards. I can stack shafts at 30 yards and am good out to 40. This setup has killed 7 deer over four seasons, and none have ever ducked a shot from this bow.
Second, the context: A family/friend lives in the suburbs and has a deer problem--killing shrubs, stunting vegetables, injuring treees. So, they begged me to dispatch a few and used burlap to convert their back porch into a blind. Porch rail in front, picture windows behind me. I can sit with my computer online and work while I wait on the deer. It's not hunting in my book, but it's no less ethical than slaughtering beef, and I can use the venison.
Third, the problem: I have had three shot opportunties, one doe at 22 yards, the same doe at 13 yards, and a yearling at 21 yards. All three times, the deer jumped the string and ducked under the arrow. All clean misses. One of those days, I killed two squirrels and a groundhog at 15-25 yards, all headshots, while sitting in that same chair--so I am confident that the deer are moving and I am not shooting high. The last deer, I even aimed for a low, low heart shot hoping to counteract any ducking at the shot. Arrow floated right above its back.
Now, the QUESTION: Why are these deer jumping the string, and what can I do to stop it? A rifle is not an option due to neighbors. I am wondering if the sound of the bow releasing is echoing off the windows behind me, making the sound louder than in a tree with lots of leaves to muffle the shot. Or are yard deer just jumpier? Any ideas at all (besides inviting other bowhunters
)? The homeowners really want to get rid of some of these pests.
Second, the context: A family/friend lives in the suburbs and has a deer problem--killing shrubs, stunting vegetables, injuring treees. So, they begged me to dispatch a few and used burlap to convert their back porch into a blind. Porch rail in front, picture windows behind me. I can sit with my computer online and work while I wait on the deer. It's not hunting in my book, but it's no less ethical than slaughtering beef, and I can use the venison.
Third, the problem: I have had three shot opportunties, one doe at 22 yards, the same doe at 13 yards, and a yearling at 21 yards. All three times, the deer jumped the string and ducked under the arrow. All clean misses. One of those days, I killed two squirrels and a groundhog at 15-25 yards, all headshots, while sitting in that same chair--so I am confident that the deer are moving and I am not shooting high. The last deer, I even aimed for a low, low heart shot hoping to counteract any ducking at the shot. Arrow floated right above its back.
Now, the QUESTION: Why are these deer jumping the string, and what can I do to stop it? A rifle is not an option due to neighbors. I am wondering if the sound of the bow releasing is echoing off the windows behind me, making the sound louder than in a tree with lots of leaves to muffle the shot. Or are yard deer just jumpier? Any ideas at all (besides inviting other bowhunters
)? The homeowners really want to get rid of some of these pests.
They were on the ground, feeding in the same spots as the deer.
