TRIGGER
Well-Known Member
Didn't want to hijack BSK's post. Read a couple good stories on mature buck behavior to escape. Would like to read more odd mature deer behavior.
Mature deer observations?
- Thread starter TRIGGER
- Start date
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
Have you ever jumped a group of deer, then watched them run off, then you went on your way?
Sometimes, mature deer are more likely to just remain bedded as other deer all around them take off running. I've seen this several times, and when they are most likely to "flush" (if at all) is AFTER you've walked by them.
They seem much more "reserved" and will typically be the last deer in a group going from heavier cover to more open habitat. Then they are often the first deer in a group to go from more open habitat into heavier cover.
Sometimes, mature deer are more likely to just remain bedded as other deer all around them take off running. I've seen this several times, and when they are most likely to "flush" (if at all) is AFTER you've walked by them.
They seem much more "reserved" and will typically be the last deer in a group going from heavier cover to more open habitat. Then they are often the first deer in a group to go from more open habitat into heavier cover.
barkscaler
Well-Known Member
Hey guys,new to the site but would like to share this story.Three years ago my uncle and I were shooting our bows in his yard which is surrounded by woods.Our target was on the woodline.We both shot three sets,and had been at it for thirty min or so.We walked up to the target for the fourth time and I bend down to pull the arrows and there is a nice 120 or so eight pointer bedded down fifteen yards behind the target.He didn't move a muscle.We decided to carry on as if we didn't know he was there.So we went and shot another group,and when we went to pull the arrows he was gone.That deer had been there the whole time,and when I made eye contact with him he knew
It was over.One of the craziest things i have ever seen.
It was over.One of the craziest things i have ever seen.
barkscaler
Well-Known Member
Oh yeah,looked to be at least 4.5 and never seen him again.
catman529
Well-Known Member
^ That's pretty cool. They will mind their own business till you go inside their comfort zone.
Reminds me of something that comes to mind pretty often. I made a mistake and a buck made a mistake one day last winter.... I left my bow in the woods to look for a doe I had shot and wounded. Leaving the bow was my mistake... walking from tall grass into briar thicket, I jumped 2 deer off the bed by the sound of it, and one of them made his mistake, and backtracked into the tall grass behind me, and I watched a nice 8 pt look around for a couple minutes, before he came back up the same trail I was standing on, and he came to within about 8 yards, stared at me, turned around and ran. Could have shot him if I had brought my bow.... now I am wondering if he will show up again, maybe love stricken during the rut, or if he will make another mistake on his own. Sure he won't make that mistake again if jumped off the bed.
Reminds me of something that comes to mind pretty often. I made a mistake and a buck made a mistake one day last winter.... I left my bow in the woods to look for a doe I had shot and wounded. Leaving the bow was my mistake... walking from tall grass into briar thicket, I jumped 2 deer off the bed by the sound of it, and one of them made his mistake, and backtracked into the tall grass behind me, and I watched a nice 8 pt look around for a couple minutes, before he came back up the same trail I was standing on, and he came to within about 8 yards, stared at me, turned around and ran. Could have shot him if I had brought my bow.... now I am wondering if he will show up again, maybe love stricken during the rut, or if he will make another mistake on his own. Sure he won't make that mistake again if jumped off the bed.
On my lease toward the end of the year we sometimes do drives if we need to fill some doe tags. A while back several years ago when big bucks were scarce me and a buddy walked out a thicket for another buddy. We zig zagged it and walked pretty much all of it. A doe was shot and we had turned around to collect the doe and there 50 yards behind was a big buck crawling out the back side. Unbelievable. Literally he was sliding on his belly. It worked he got away. Ha Ha
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
One thing I want to emphasize with many of these "chance" encounters is there is typically very low odds on getting a high-probability shot, especially with a bow.
But did you have a good high-probability shot, i.e. broadside double-lung? I've had similar experiences many times, but seldom offered a shot I would take. I've also taken what appeared to be good high-probability shots (deer in perfect position) when a deer was looking at me, only to have him jump and/or rotate, not from the sound, but from seeing the sudden movement of bow limbs. I'd rather just enjoy the view than take a low-probability shot, then work on actually HUNTING that specific buck.catman529 said:
Bayou Buck
Well-Known Member
I walked right by a mature buck last years during muzzleloader. I was walking on a trail and though I heard a limb crack behind me. I hesitated a second thinking that a small branch must have fallen in the tree. Well then I look back and there goes a 4.5+ buck trotting up the hill behind me from trail I was just on. Then he stopped and looked at me and my muzzy mis fired. I had to have been within 5 yards of him when I walked by.
Winchester
Well-Known Member
Mature bucks definitely have way more Grit than other deer! I have been lucky enough to see them try to hide vs fleeing many times, actually sinking to the ground and laying as flat as possible with neck outstretched and their chin flat on the ground! I promise you walk by way more than you ever imagined!!
barkscaler
Well-Known Member
Winchester said:
catman529
Well-Known Member
the best shot I would have had was a head-on heart shot between the shoulders. High probability shot, no, but I'd be lying to say I wouldn't have shot him if I had my bow with me.Wes Parrish said:
