Deer jumping the string?

Inventry
Tennessee Deer Sporting & Deer Hunting Community Forum

Help Support TNDeer | Tennessee Deer:

H

Hill Country Hunter

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2004
Messages
2,618
City & State/Province
Chattanooga, TN
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.
 
chubacabra said:
Aim lower
Click to expand...

On that last shot, I aimed only two inches or so above the deer's belly/chest line. Any lower, and I will be aiming at air.

Are you suggesting aiming completely below the deer so that it drops into the arrow's path?
 
infoman jr. said:
I'm guessing they're a little more on-edge in someone's back yard.
Click to expand...

I think this is it.
A keyed up/anxious deer is just WAITING for something to scare them.
Classic example is a doe that has been chased during rut. Takes nothing to set her off.
 
Even a keyed up deer, at 21 yards, would have to do some serious ducking to get COMPLETELY out of the way of an arrow traveling 300 fps (probably what you bow is shooting), from a bow 21 yards away. Especially if you actually aimed low.
 
Weber Hickory Wood Chunks Outdoor Cooking Fuel, 4 lb – Premium BBQ Smoking & Grilling Chips for Rich, Subtly Sweet Flavor – Ideal for Beef, Lamb, Poultry & Pork – Long Lasting
See price on Amazon
Weber Hickory Wood Chunks Outdoor Cooking Fuel, 4 lb – Premium BBQ Smoking & Grilling Chips for Rich, Subtly Sweet Flavor – Ideal for Beef, Lamb, Poultry & Pork – Long Lasting
Old Potters Smoker Wood Chunks 13-16 lbs for Grilling, Smoking, and Wood Fire Cooking ~ 2 x 3 Inches, (Hickory, 790 Cu in.)
See price on Amazon
Old Potters Smoker Wood Chunks 13-16 lbs for Grilling, Smoking, and Wood Fire Cooking ~ 2 x 3 Inches, (Hickory, 790 Cu in.)
Hickory Pizza Oven Wood 6 Inch, 15 lbs Box – Kiln Dried & Bark-Free Firewood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ Smoking & Grilling – Premium Hickory Wood Logs for Ooni, Gozney, Solo Stove, Bertello
See price on Amazon
Hickory Pizza Oven Wood 6 Inch, 15 lbs Box – Kiln Dried & Bark-Free Firewood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ Smoking & Grilling – Premium Hickory Wood Logs for Ooni, Gozney, Solo Stove, Bertello
Firewood Central Kiln-Dried PA Hickory – 8” Splits (Approx 39.5 lb) – Bold Smoking Wood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ & Fire Pits – Easy Light, Low Smoke, USA Sourced
See price on Amazon
Firewood Central Kiln-Dried PA Hickory – 8” Splits (Approx 39.5 lb) – Bold Smoking Wood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ & Fire Pits – Easy Light, Low Smoke, USA Sourced
Firewood Central Kiln-Dried PA Hickory – 6” Splits (Approx. 42 lb) – Bold Smoking Wood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ & Fire Pits – Easy Light, Low Smoke, USA Sourced
See price on Amazon
Firewood Central Kiln-Dried PA Hickory – 6” Splits (Approx. 42 lb) – Bold Smoking Wood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ & Fire Pits – Easy Light, Low Smoke, USA Sourced
Greenworks 24V 6in BL Pruning Saw w/Auto Oiler, Tool Only
See price on Amazon
Greenworks 24V 6in BL Pruning Saw w/Auto Oiler, Tool Only
Old Potters Kiln Dried Firewood - Cherry, 1100 Cu. in, 16-18 Logs ~ 8" x 2.5" Logs. Solo Stove and Cooking Wood for Grilling, Smoking, and Firepits, Cherry.
See price on Amazon
Old Potters Kiln Dried Firewood - Cherry, 1100 Cu. in, 16-18 Logs ~ 8" x 2.5" Logs. Solo Stove and Cooking Wood for Grilling, Smoking, and Firepits, Cherry.
Heritage Smoke Wood Hickory Pizza Oven Wood with Fire Starter - Kiln Dried Firewood 6" Hardwood Logs for Brick Fire Pizza Ovens & Grills, 6 lb, Low Smoke, High Heat, Competition-Grade Clean Burn
See price on Amazon
Heritage Smoke Wood Hickory Pizza Oven Wood with Fire Starter - Kiln Dried Firewood 6" Hardwood Logs for Brick Fire Pizza Ovens & Grills, 6 lb, Low Smoke, High Heat, Competition-Grade Clean Burn
39" Fire Pits with Wood Storage for Outside, Large Wood Burning Outdoor Fireplace with Chimney, Mesh Spark Screen & Fire Poker, Idea for Backyard, Patio, Party, Camping, Picnic
See price on Amazon
39" Fire Pits with Wood Storage for Outside, Large Wood Burning Outdoor Fireplace with Chimney, Mesh Spark Screen & Fire Poker, Idea for Backyard, Patio, Party, Camping, Picnic
Smoak Firewood Cooking Wood Mini Splits - USDA Certified Kiln Dried Pizza Oven Wood, Grilling Wood, Smoking Wood, BBQing Wood (8inch Pieces, 25-30lbs 1728 Cubic in - Hickory)
See price on Amazon
Smoak Firewood Cooking Wood Mini Splits - USDA Certified Kiln Dried Pizza Oven Wood, Grilling Wood, Smoking Wood, BBQing Wood (8inch Pieces, 25-30lbs 1728 Cubic in - Hickory)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.
Southern Sportsman said:
Even a keyed up deer, at 21 yards, would have to do some serious ducking to get COMPLETELY out of the way of an arrow traveling 300 fps (probably what you bow is shooting), from a bow 21 yards away. Especially if you actually aimed low.
Click to expand...

I thought this too until I had a mature buck duck me. 25 Yards and I think he hit the ground before the arrow was even released. He seemed to defy physics.
 
It's gotta be the sound or speed.. I mean it could be there more jumpy but at 20 yrds they've got about .2 seconds to react.. I can't see three deer getting that lucky are all of them duck it or are some duck/turning causing u to miss to the left or right as we'll. also u sure of your yardages? Maybe they know your there...
 
You're just making bad shots. Those are too close of distances for a bow of that speed for the deer to be ducking. I would guess that there is a railing you are shooting over that has you holding your bow differently than normal. Were the squirrel head shots higher up in the air (tree)? This would account for your aim being back on with proper technique and hold. I would suggest that you stand closer to the railing when shooting. If you're sitting then this would certainly become a hinderance if trying to shoot over the back decks railing. Be sure your peep sight and sight housing are lining up properly when you draw back the next time you hunt there. I would guess you're shooting 8-10 inches higher than you do when you practice on flat ground. Bend at the waist, don't just lower your arm when adjusting for steeper angles.
 
I am not at all above admitting when I have buck fever--hey, when I no longer feel anything while hunting, it will be time to hang up the bow. At first, I chalked the first miss up to buck fever. But I am sure about my follow-through on the next two shots, and I even checked where the arrow hit the ground on the far side of the deer and confirmed that I did not aim too high.

If you have never seen a deer duck an arrow from a modern bow, take a look at these examples: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_B9yrgee5o

I have checked my yardages and my sights, so I will just aim as low as possible while staying on the deer, and I'll wait until they are looking away and relaxed.
 
The porch is only 18 inches above the yard, so I am not elevated like when I shoot from my treestand. I was sitting for the first two shots, though, whereas I normally stand to shoot in the treestand. I did stand for the last shot, though.

No, the squirrels and groundhog were not up in the air. :) They were on the ground, feeding in the same spots as the deer.
 
You might want to take a target to your hunting area, and put it exactly where the deer were. Then, sit in your makeshift blind, and shoot just to make sure everything is on.
 
All kinds of things going on here. First of all, double check your sights if you haven't already�sounds like you have. Here we go...you're probably not shooting as fast as you think you are�and it doesn't sound like you care, which I can very much appreciate. With your numbers you are shooting around 255-260fps, but that really isn't the point. Secondly, and most importantly, it sounds like you are shooting deer that are somewhat "spooky" and a little on edge� it's also not helping that your shooting next to the house, but I'll cover that in a second. A deer can completely load its legs and roll its body out of the way very quickly�8" down and away in under 1/4 of a second, around .15-.20 to be exact. As far as sound goes, you're equipment (DXT) is relatively quite; however, shooting where you are is going to amplify any sound coming from bow and that, I believe, is probably your leading factor to this problem�sound is bouncing right off the house behind you and also bouncing around from objects on the deck right to the deer, and they obviously are reacting to it....you don't have that situation of reflective sound in the woods. This is also different from shooting in a blind where the sound will be somewhat contained inside the blind, and doesn't reflect off as much. Shooting from sitting positions should be practiced, as the results of the shot can be different from shooting while standing. Combine the length of time it takes to get that arrow there, with the time it is taking the deer to react to the sound, along with possibly some deer fever, and you get the result you're getting. Hope this helps.

It also doesn't help if you're shooting at smaller bodied deer�smaller area=less room for margin of error
 
Yep, that's not a steep angle your dealing with. Maybe you just jerked a little, easy to do that's for sure. Hope you get it worked out and help your friends and your freezer out with some good ole venison.
 
It's a function of arrow speed, the speed of sound and the deer's reaction. The deer don't know they are ducking an arrow, they are responding reflexively to the sound. I have seen the numbers ginned up but I don't remember the exact distance, I believe it is historically 25 yards, under which a deer doesn't have time to reflexivley jump the string. If they are already moving at the time of the shot, that's a different story. By limiting my shots to under 30 yards....I have not an issue with it in many years, with many dozens of shots at deer. Back when I shot a slower bow and would shoot out to 40+ yards, it was a frequent problem.
 
That 25 yard rule is a myth. A deer can easily "jump" a string in a shot under 25yds�given they have time to react, they can lower their bodies 6"-8" in under .20 seconds. Do the math....260fps (the approx. speed of his arrow) divided by 4 (.25sec) is 65ft, divide that by 3 and you come to 21.6 yards�that is how long it is taking that arrow to get there. A deer can easily react to that given the fact that the speed of sound at his elevation is around 1100ft/s�the deer are hearing an almost instantaneous "abnormal" sound reflecting, and amplifying off the surroundings and they are reacting to it, and have time, with change, to do it. In the woods that "sound" will not be amplified near as much as it is in the environment set forth by the original poster, therefore it will be a different situation as the surroundings are vastly different.
 
20% of the speed of sound is offset by the arrow speed. That leaves no more than .2 second to hear, react and drop 6+ inches. If it can happen, surely somebody must have it on video somewhere. I would be shocked though. I have never had one drop and under 30 yards. Really it was always closer to 40 in my experience.
 
I had a doe at 10y that busted me & was on alert,I already had the xbow on her & at the trip of the trigger she went forward enuf that it ended up being a gut shot,lost her & put it in the file to never take another shot at 1 that knew I was there.also put it up for the year.I would never have dreamed 1 could move that quick but a heart shot turned into a gut shot with a 345fps bolt.
 
Hill Country Hunter said:
If you have never seen a deer duck an arrow from a modern bow, take a look at these examples: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_B9yrgee5o
Click to expand...

It's difficult to evaluate a 3d scenario with a poor quality 2d video. If I were going to judge this, I'd say those shots were going to miss the deer even if it hadn't ducked.
 
Well if you are shooting 260 fps and the deer in 25 yards away, then it would take .288 seconds to reach the deer. One comment said a deer can jump 6-8 inches in .2 seconds, so it is possible. Even if you are in a 20 ft treestand and take a shot at a deer that is 25 yds away,the bow's velocity would only be 260.4 fps. So I guess it can happen.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top