Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Shooting and Hunting => Topic started by: burtonridr on July 11, 2018, 12:48:29 pm
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Just read another thread about the longest shot people are comfortable taking while hunting. Most are in the 10-20yd range, it has me curious about the hunting style people on the forum are using. Are you setting up ambush locations? Are you spot and stalking? How successful are you each season with your style of hunting?
Thanks!
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When I regularly hunted I mostly hunted from tree stand in areas where you probably couldn't shoot 20 yards or more.
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I use tree stands along trails and heavily traveled areas. Last year I killed 2 deer with a traditional bow in the first 4.5 hours on stand. My hunting seasons don't always go that well ;)
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I hunt in factory built tree stands 10-15 feet off the ground along game trails or areas the deer frequent. The areas I hunt are all farm ground or directly adjacent to farm ground. I used to shoot plenty of deer when I was younger, now I'm mostly a spectator an enjoy just watching them do what deer do. I have enjoyed teaching my boys and watching them become independent and successful hunters. I still try to shoot "at" a deer every 2-3 years so I dont forget how :)
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I set up with ambush locations. My hunting grounds is a very large old growth forest with thin ridges and deep ditches and some of the areas have been logged . all have shelfs on the side of the steep hill sides that deer use. but when you find an area where the deer are crossing from ridge to ridge the ground will look like a cattle trail. And where two trails come together is good too. So I set up on ambush locations and after about two or three evenings and mornings, I'll get good shots. Only issue hunting on the ground with ambush opportunities is sometimes the deer come up behind you on the wrong side. I have had deer within 10 ft of me on the wrong side many times with no shot opportunity. That's what I love, the closer the better.
Good luck in your hunting but I love hunting off the ground at ambush points these days.
DBar
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Ground hunter here, in Southern Arizona, recently wearing ASAT (seems to work). I will spot them, or find the area they use from scouting and previous seasons. Then I egress in there, use natural concealment, move super slow (like real super slow...meaning raise the binos real slow, arrow often ready, move eyes before head kinda slow). I experience what Danzn Bar does, deer approaching wrong side, or does blocking the bucks. I try to keep the bows I make on the shorter side, as that helps me shoot from awkward positions.
I started killing when I started believing that the deer "were right there", and when I get in an area, I act like that, looking into every bush.
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Spot and stalk in the Black Hills National Forest, usually in areas close to well travelled roads where the deer sometimes just ignore someone walking along! LOL, walked right within 15 yard of my first deer while she watched me!
Rattling antlers during the rut has worked, too.
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I started killing when I started believing that the deer "were right there", and when I get in an area, I act like that, looking into every bush.
This makes me chuckle because its so true, with elk as well. Growing up, a couple times, as soon as I let my guard down and decided it was time to get out of "hunting mode" and into "hiking mode" to get back to the road, within 20 yds of making this decision I would hear an animal blow out of the canyon. Now, I constantly remind myself "there are animals, right here, right now, watching and listening for me to make a mistake".
But then I remember the times I've walked right through an area, stopped at the next ridge, looked back and see deer looking at me from where I just went through. One time in open sage brush, I swear a doe and fawn were bedded down no more than 10yds from where I walked right by them. I've been blown away a few times by how well deer blend into their surroundings.
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That is so true. They are like ghost. They can appear out of thin air. I've almost stepped on them before and they laid right there until I made eye contact. Then they exited stage left. I'm convinced if I hadn't made eye contact I they would have stayed right there.
I still have a lot to learn about bow hunting. I have taken one buck with my selfbow. It was from the ground. I was standing behind my tree stand, unable to climb into it because deer were already out. I watched a four point buck walk out of the woods and down the trail I was standing next to. He was looking all around but it was like I was totally invisible. I waited for him to walk past me and shoot him from nine paces. I also hunt from tree stands but don't feel as comfortable. I have learned though that all tree stands are not created equal. I just bought one I e been waiting for a year to come on sale. I feel much more comfortable in this one. It has a seat that flips up and a larger platform. It seems to me that many of the stands are more suitable to gun or crossbow hunting. It is also different shooting from elevated platform. If I don't bend my upper body at waist and square it up to target I shoot high. Way high. Also your angle makes sweet spot smaller. I've shot at two from stands. First was directly under my stand and poor angle. I hit a little forward in shoulder with very little penetration. The second everything was perfect except me. I calmly drew to my anchor, concentrated on my spot and watched my arrow sail a couple inches over his back. I forgot to bend my upper body to square up with my target. I do really enjoy sitting in a tree though and it's great fun to watch the animals and much easier to not be detected. I've been less than five yards from them on the ground, but it's harder to get a shot that close on the ground than from a stand. That's when it's nice to have them keep on walking. The most surprising thing I've learned is how much I enjoy this type of hunting.
Bjrogg
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I like tall grass hunting. I find an ambush spot with high grass nearby. Then root around laying the grass in the middle down and turn over the soil. The grass is high enough i can curl up in my little man nest, and never be seen. Cleaned of sticks, leaves, and grass in the middle i can fidget without a sound. I hunt with my ears. I stay low until i hear something. Then peek up usually to see an armadillo.
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I like tall grass hunting. I find an ambush spot with high grass nearby. Then root around laying the grass in the middle down and turn over the soil. The grass is high enough i can curl up in my little man nest, and never be seen. Cleaned of sticks, leaves, and grass in the middle i can fidget without a sound. I hunt with my ears. I stay low until i hear something. Then peek up usually to see an armadillo.
"I hunt with my ears." I know with turkey hunting I often sit as still as possible and pour as much concentration into listening as I possibly can. Especially if the bird is coming in from behind me. The more you try to see things, the more you move. Your movement will bust you more times than than not.
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Don't be afraid to try some calls too. I've gotten shooting at does using a predator calls. Just be ready to defend yourself as they come running to see what's there or help the distressed I'm not sure. I use this from the ground when up close to them. Bucks don't want anything to do with this calling.
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Don't be afraid to try some calls too. I've gotten shooting at does using a predator calls. Just be ready to defend yourself as they come running to see what's there or help the distressed I'm not sure. I use this from the ground when up close to them. Bucks don't want anything to do with this calling.
Crazy never heard of that before, so like a fawn bleat? OR dying rabbit?
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"I hunt with my ears." I know with turkey hunting I often sit as still as possible and pour as much concentration into listening as I possibly can. Especially if the bird is coming in from behind me. The more you try to see things, the more you move. Your movement will bust you more times than than not.
Really good point, and I wonder if this ever happens to anyone else. Have you ever been out in the quiet so long, and become so concentrated on every sound that you start to hear slight squeaks or rasp in your breath? I'm talking sounds you would never hear otherwise. Where you have to hold your breath just to be sure it wasnt leaves or brush rustling off in the distant. When Im out hunting with a rifle, this starts to happen to me about day 3 or 4.
I'm really hoping I can get something with a bow this year, I'm going to keep all this tactics in mind and try them out.
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Don't be afraid to try some calls too. I've gotten shooting at does using a predator calls. Just be ready to defend yourself as they come running to see what's there or help the distressed I'm not sure. I use this from the ground when up close to them. Bucks don't want anything to do with this calling.
Twice I've had nice bucks come into me at close range while predator calling. I was using a old Johnny Stewart rabbit in distress call. I know my brother has had them come into his electronic call while predator calling to. I've never actually tried it though while deer hunting.
Bjrogg
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I read somewhere about using turkey calls to bring in deer. Deer use turkey as danger alarms, and if a turkey is in the area, it must be safe.
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Last year I had five Jake turkeys that everytime they showed up about a minute later three little bucks would appear.
Bjrogg
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The biggest part of success is know the areas you hunt. I spend all year in the areas i hunt. In the summer i take hikes in my areas. I spend time set up in the woods glassing the deer/turkeys from a distance and see what areas they frequent. what trails they use and when. I have a tablet i keep notes in of old rub areas/old scrapes/where the oaks are and other feed/browse. I also mark in each areas the predominant wind directions. I also utilize trail cameras.(i know some in the primitive world) would frown apon using such a modern device. They are a great toll for success and can let you learn a lot about whats going on in a given area when you are not able to be there. Another big part of finding high percentage sets is to find out where the deer are bedding/turkeys are roosting. Just like us when they wake up they are going to look for breakfast. My favorite sets are between bedding areas and feeding areas. This is the best spot to set up hands down. During the rut hunt where the does are. most likely they will be close to feeding areas.I have found that they change there bedding areas also to avoid being bugged by love sick bucks. I find all of these areas by still hunting/stalking. walk slowly (only if conditions are in your favor) no dry leaves,swirling winds,keep the wind in your face,and use cover. doing this is how you find these areas. besides stalking i use tree stands place in those areas i talked previously about. In between bedding and feeding areas. i also set up on the ground when there are no trees big enough to tree stand hunt. Big logs,a small rise or cliff overlooking these trails.bushes,there are so many good spots on the ground. after season my hunting doesnt stop. I am in there looking for antler sheds to see what bucks made it.It is also easier to see the trails they are using and of coarse i mark these in my note book. Getting permission to hunt private land can be hard to obtain here where i live in PA. All of my hunting takes place on the Game Lands. There is plenty of good hunting in them but you cant just hunt by the parking areas. you need to get back in there where others are not as willing to venture. A good deer cart can haul stands in and deer out readily. well that was a lot more long winded than i planned but thats what i do.also good luck to every one this upcoming season and above all have fun.
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How successful am I with my style of hunting ? ???
Not... :-[
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Don't be afraid to try some calls too. I've gotten shooting at does using a predator calls. Just be ready to defend yourself as they come running to see what's there or help the distressed I'm not sure. I use this from the ground when up close to them. Bucks don't want anything to do with this calling.
Crazy never heard of that before, so like a fawn bleat? OR dying rabbit?
Yeah I'm not what I use. I don't know that it makes a lot of difference. I don't know if they come to protect the dying or i-d the predator. I have called a cow with a calf in also. Ed
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Fawn distress calls early in the season will often get does to literally charge to the sound with eyes wide open and ears straight up. One problem, they are so alert its very difficult to draw and shoot a bow. It was much easier with a compound as I could draw and hold for a minute or so. I use my mouth for all deer vocalizations, sounds better than any plastic call will make. But it takes a lot of practice and of course your throat and sinuses have to be totally clear.
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I was sitting next to a very large long leaf yellow pine blowing a fawn distress call one day. After about 30 minutes and nothing happened I went to get up and the big old doe that had sneaked up behind me blew and I almost soiled myself. :o She was so close to me I could feel her snort on my neck.
When does come in to a fawn distress call they come to fight and are very alert. I think it would be hard to get an arrow in one.
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I use tree stand and ground blinds where I can but 95% of my hunting is spot and stalk.
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I hunt old growth hardwoods and cypress swamps in south Alabama. It is family property so I have ladder stands that are never taken down. I also hunt on the ground about half the time. There is lots of good advice in the above posts by some really accomplished hunters. Hunting into the wind and leaving an area undisturbed for most of the year are high on my list of tactics. My tree stand hunting is never over about twelve feet high. My ground hunting is usually from a folding stool and wearing one of those leafy suits. I like trail intersections and well used routes between feeding and bedding areas. October - I set up around white oaks where they are popping acorns and where I find fresh droppings. My success rates went up when I started setting up with my back to where the deer are coming from. I want to hear them coming rather than see them. Learning to stop moving your head around and sit still until the deer passes you by and gives you that quartering away shot, to me is the most important thing. I don't fool with deodorizing spray, calls, unscented detergent, ozonics, or really any of the snake oil that is being marketed to hunters. If the wind is wrong, you won't win. I have venison in my freezer just about all the time, but I measure success differently than some folks. If I end the season having had a few encounters with mature deer that were under twenty yards away and unaware of my presence, then it was a successful year. I can't wait for October!
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When you set up so the deer are coming from behind how do you orient yourself to the wind? A cross wind?
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It takes some planning. Setting up the ambush is the best part of the hunt. You have to think about your scent and where it is being blown. You have to think about your entire approach to the general area as well as your stand placement in terms of a deer's sense of smell. It is his best defense. I move up to a stand location with the wind in my face. My usual set up is with deer moving in a cross wind out of a bedding area and into a stand of white oaks. Waiting on deer to settle down and begin feeding on acorns while I am part of the woods, just a few yards away is one of the most exciting things I can think of. I love being so close to them that I can hear them munching on acorns and the little quiet sounds they make between mama and babies. I can't think of anything I like better than hunting deer with a bow in my lap on an October morning.
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How much does your scent spread as it goes downwind of you? Is it a narrow "V" or fairly wide?
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Not real sure. I have heard of it referred to as a "scent cone" so I think it gets wider and less concentrated as it gets further downwind. We have lots of wild hogs around here and their noses seem to be keener than the deer. I have watched hogs coming single file, raising hell as usual, towards my stand on a bit of a crosswind and when they cut my scent cone a hundred yards downwind of me, come to an abrupt halt, all quit squealing and grunting, pause a second and then haul ass in the direction they had come from. Hogs are great fun to stalk, but their nose is second to none. One whiff of you and they are history.
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Yeah, that's what I was wondering about. I wonder if it(the angle) depends on wind speed. Like maybe the angle is narrower if the wind is up. I can Google it now that i know what it'd called.
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Here's a good site. http:// ww.vsrda.org/how-scent-and-airflow-works Insert missing "W". It's about tracking dogs but the theory is the same. It's not just a straight cone. There's back eddies and such to throw a wrench into the works.
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Ive been a stalk hunter for close to 25 years. This year however i built a tree saddle and plan to use it. My old knees will thank me
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I really enjoyed reading this thread. I personally spot-and-stalk for mule deer and call/ambush for elk, but I have yet to kill either with a bow. Many, many close calls, though--I think I'm doing it right; I just need to do everything slightly better. For rabbits and grouse, I use the tried and true "wander around likely looking country and shoot 'em when I see 'em" tactic.
I've never tried using a predator call for cervids, but on a couple occasions I have seen a doe mulie take in after a coyote and (literally) kick its butt. So I could sure see how it would work. I've never tried deer calling, either. Mulies aren't as vocal as white tails, but they do talk to each other a bit. After last Saturday, after once again running out of light belly crawling through the sagebrush toward five nice bucks that were completely unapproachable anyway, I'm considering giving it a try.
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Here's a good site. http:// ww.vsrda.org/how-scent-and-airflow-works Insert missing "W". It's about tracking dogs but the theory is the same. It's not just a straight cone. There's back eddies and such to throw a wrench into the works.
Now that you mention it, assuming scent moves with the air, it would flow downwind similar to the way water flows down a river. Just imagine a river flowing slowly through a forest, the eddies would be everywhere.