Speaking from experience there, Gamer?

Yes, last year. I would hate to tell the story again but that just was not cool. I’ve only been bow hunting the last couple of years and this is one of the “learning” experiences you always remember. Or maybe this could be the tip of the week.

I was trying to find this public land for a couple of years but didn't know how to get to it. I finally found the road that brought me to the land. It was down somebody’s private driveway and would never have guessed. But anyway, it was the first time up in that tree and didn't get a chance to clear out all of the little sticks/branches. I tried early in the morning before daylight to try to get as much of the branches out of the way as I could when sitting. I thought I was good to go.

So as daylight approaches I hear crunch, crunch and then nothing for like 10 minutes. So I was like, no big deal. Then I heard crunch, crunch, crunch and I peaked over my shoulder behind me and saw this buck coming where I though no way would one come from there but I guess that’s what big deer do. So its coming fast with its head down and all I see is it's white antlers about 15-20 yards and like I said coming fast. So I quickly yet slowly stand up and move my bow so I could get a shot. Well, my arrow fell off of my drop away and went clang, clang, clang. The buck runs about 20 yards back and then stops. I can still see its outline but couldn't see much more then that. I thought great, he's going to go around me now. About 5 minutes later he comes back but on the other side of the tree. So I put my finger on my arrow so IT WILL NOT FALL OFF AGAIN and attempt to move my bow to the other side of the tree. Well, I hit a different branch and went twang, twang, twang. That time the buck just stared at me and didn't move. I didn't make direct eye contact but I could still see him out of the corner of my eye. He stared at me for like 1/2 hour, well more like 2-3 minutes and didn't see me move so he continued on. I had time to pull back my bow and wait for him to get past the thick brush. Well he didn’t get past the thick brush. He just stuck out his nose into the field and walked the other direction behind me. Well I said he has to come back because the only other way to get past me is through the open field. There's no way he's going to do that right? So as soon as he was out of my site, my cell phone RANG and of course it's in the bottom of my pack. Well, a guy from work is trying to get a hold of me (nobody was supposed to take vacation because of our workload but my boss was nice enough to let me go because I recently had twin girls and was not going rifle hunting by International falls this year). Well, let’s just say rather than walking by me, he traveled right through the middle of the field showing off his Tall, wide, symmetrical, Tall (did I mention that?) 10-point rack glowing in the morning sun in the middle of the field. I grunted a few times and he did come closer but then ran away. I think the cell phone might have thrown him off a little.

So this tip of the week is, do not have your cell phone on loud. Trust me.

I'm sure (or I hope) we have all had days like this.

Not sure I would have shared that story myself...well I probably would have.

I made the mistake of climbing into the stand with muddy boots. The mud dried while in the stand, of course the mud fell off my boot while moving to draw. I was like someone had dropped a big rock from 15 feet. Stupid

Now there's a tip that I didn't expect to hear...great point.

Nice tip Gamer, sorry you didn't get him. I was just curious to which drop away rest you have on your bow. It sounds like one we all might want to stay away from.

Put a piece of carpet on your platform and you wont regret it!!! Make sure to turn the phone off or on silent Gamer.

Sounds like your way overbowed too me. Obviously had a hard time making a smooth draw at crunch time. All too common of a problem in the archery world. Faster isn't always better Hitting your target is though!

Unless it rains/freezes, but otherwise yes. Zip tie it down so it doesn't slide out or fall off. Kicking your boots off before you climb is also a safety thing.

Good point fishinmajishin!!!

Archery tip of the week - Moment of Truth...
I had a chat with my dad before comming up with this weeks tip. We were talking about how well a friend does at 3-D competitions and the like but almost never seals the deal come hunting season. My father used to shoot alot of competitive archery and was fairly succesfull. Hunting wise he could be considered very succesfull - last season he harvested his 88th and 89th deer with archery gear. (yes all legal, he hunted NY and PA, usually takeing a buck in both states)
2 big things stand out as the deal breaker or maker at that final moment...
1) Being mentally ready. He always drilled into me when I was younger to be always thinking while on stand. ie, "if a deer comes down that trail and gives me a shot there im gonna take it." "but no need to rush it, I can still shoot here or stop him with a soft bleat in the next opening". The more I do this with each possible shot chance the less excited and paniky I get when something pops up unexpected...
2) Dont rush that final second. Sometime shot oppourtunities happen fast but always take that extra second to "settle the pin". When im at full draw and I have remembered to bend at the waist, set all three anchor points - tip of nose on string, thumb on right part of jaw bone, my minni kisser button(a few wraps of thread) is right in the corner of my mouth. I always say to myself "settle". Which brings my pin right to where I want it, top of the heart. Almost any time I have messed up and not made that perfect shot, undoubtedly I rushed the shot...

Great tip Dark Cloud!!! I think these things are easily overlooked at crunch time. This hits home for me because I remember when I had that first deer in front of me at 10 yds I completely butchered it just because back then I didn't know any better and now when a shot presents itself I do exactly what you do. I go through that mental checklist when I come to full draw minus the kisser button detail (don't use one)but especially pay close attention to bending at the hips.

Okay here's the one for Monday, 9/8. Then it will be up Monday right away instead of 11:00 when I remember...

9/8/08 Archery Tip of the Week

Figure out what type of hunter you are and what you want out of your season. What will make your season a successful season? If the only thing that will do it is a Booner or a P and Y buck, you probably better be pretty experienced and ready to deal with a high likelihood of disappointment. That’s fine if it is, just make sure you’re ready for that mentality. For some it adds so much stress to their season it takes almost all the fun out of it. Is that what you really want?

Don’t just say, I’m a trophy hunter and I’m only going to shoot a buck that scores at least XX”. Think about where you hunt, how many really good spots you have, what you’re likely to see, what your experience and skill levels are, etc. Decide if it will be a successful season if you pass on a couple of deer and don’t get one, or you’d be kicking yourself all off season if you let a nice doe walk on October 10th, or a decent 8 pointer on September 28th, or whatever your scenario is. For most hunters it’s a progression. It won’t necessarily change from season to season, more likely from one kill to the next.

For me I know I’m a dyed in the wool meat hunter that’s my core way of thinking. My wife told me a few days ago she didn’t see me ever really being a true trophy hunter, it’s just not in my makeup. It doesn’t mean I shoot the first buck that walks in range or that I have to shoot a buck every year, it did until I’d shot a few with my bow, then that started to change. It does mean I really want to get at least one deer every year with my bow. I’d really like it not to be a fawn or a buck less than 3 ½ years-old, but if I’m having a tough season & that marginal sized deer gives me a great shot say after Halloween, I might be shooting, that needs to be okay. Make sure you let yourself enjoy your season. If you’re mad because the big one didn’t come & you could have shot something else, you might need to change something, whether it’s expectations, locations, or sports is up to you…

It’s everyone’s personal decision, don’t let someone else make that call for you. You decide what you want to shoot & what makes your season.

Have a great hunt everybody.

Good post and also good perspective to look at hunting. If your not going to take the time during the season to enjoy it, then what is the point of going, just to get a trophy? yeah everyone would love to take a trophy but it's not the whole point of hunting. Thanks Rodd

I sometimes put alot of pressure on myself to harvest a book buck every year but i don't really get to upset if this does not happen. I harvest my does to eat and have a good time doing it.

A trophy buck is the bonus.