MUP's tip for the entire season

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MUP

MUP

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I was reminded of this the other day on a hunting show, yea I know.... But, this has happened to me more times than I want to remember. After all the other practicing, scouting, stand setting and preparation...when you know the buck you're after is coming into view, take the FIRST ethical, clear shot that presents itself, or you'll likely be talking about how you wished you had. Definitely been there and done that. Good luck to all!
 
Yep been there and done that myself. Opening morning of early mz in Ky, believe it was 07. I could barely see good in the field. He stepped out at about 125ish and started heading me way. I thought ill just let him come on in because hes moving at me and quickly. He gets to about 75 and all in one motion dipped back in the woods on another highly used trail. He ended up coming in behind me at 30 yds in the woods but it was so thick i couldnt shoot.
 
I've had it happen about 4 times I believe. Once last season on a 115" 8 pt...how do I know it was 115" you ask? B/C my cousin kilt it the following day. :cry: I thought I was gonna be all "outdoor show" and grunt at him to stop as he came trotting by, wide open at 40 yds, in the only opening I could have a clear shot thru...he didn't read the script and kept on charging toward the little doe, that was being chased by the little spike, and I never got another clean opportunity at him. The other most memorable one involved a 140 class 10 pt... and yet another on a big 8 that would have gone into the 130's I'm pretty sure. I really love watching them, but I have to make a conscience effort to make myself shoot if I've decided the buck I see is what I'm after, as soon as I get an opening, otherwise, he's liable to make a turn and be gone.
 
I think hunting shows have made people think, at least subliminally, they should wait on the "camera shot."

People are especially bad with turkeys, too.

Good advice. Shoot as soon as you are cleanly able!
 
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Great advice! Like others, I too have suffered from not following this simple rule. My problem is I like to wait until I'm confident nothing better is going to show up and they end up under my stand and busting me.
 
"My" bucks almost always appear already running with no promise of a better opportunity so I shoot them just as fast as I can get on them. I did have one that I let get away though waiting on a better shot. I had been stomping around looking for a buck I had shot at earlier and finally decided that I must have missed him. I was walking back to the house making no effort at all to be quiet in the dry oak leaves. Suddenly a nice 8 point charged into the woods apparently thinking I was another deer. We stood staring at each other from 50 feet away for a few seconds then he started to trot away at an angle. Unfortunately he headed sraight towards the house so I couldn't shoot then. As he veered off to the side, I still didn't shoot waiting for him to pause. I was thinking, "He's mine - this is going to be an easy shot" when he suddenly turned sharply and slipped into some thick brush never to be seen again. :(

Oh, it was very lucky for me since I did go back a while later and found the 1st buck shot right behind the shoulder where I had aimed. He had fallen in some brush and the bright sun had blinded me when searching for him earlier. Thank goodness I didn't shoot the 2nd buck or I would have been in violation of the game laws.
 
I can see both sides of this topic. Don't want to wait too long but don't want to rush the shot either. Had a buddy this weekend miss because he just could not wait for a doe to come closer. He took the shot even though she was on a path to come right next to him broadside at 20 yds.
 
Now I'm a staunch believer that a bow shot should be almost perfect, but a rifle or ML can get the job done with a less than ideal shot. Not saying take an unethical, low percentage, shot at all, just take the shot when it's presented, without hesitation. ;)
 
A tip I read in a hunting book last year that I also used opening day last year with great success is...Grunting at a buck in the early season. I know it sounds dumb; I never used to use my grunt call til at least the end of Oct. But the chapter I read said deer just out of velvet and breaking away from their bachelor groups are trying to figure our their territory and dominance, and will come into a grunt call to show their dominance. I'm sure this wont work great on younger bucks, but opening day last year I had a great 10pt come through about 100 yds off feeding on acorns; not a care in the world. He by no means was going to make his way to me, so I said what the heck Ill grunt at him. No sooner I grunted at him, he ran full spead to my stand; like a buck would do in Nov. I barely had time to grab my bow. Bad thing is I freaked and slung an arrow right over his back. I like to think he ducked it, but Ill never know. Hopefully this will help someone this weekend!
 
TRIGGER said:
I always feel like I rush the shot. Maybe not.
Click to expand...

i feel like i rush to. I guess if the buck falls you dont rush the shot to much but it seems like every deer i kill, i shoot within 10 seconds of seeing him. most of my bucks have appeared out of thick cover and been in my face before i ever knew they were there.
 

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