Great Stalk and Hunt

[sm1morgan]

So yesterday, Sunday afternoon, I was in the stand and started to shoot a deer from my stand. I drew back and released the arrow. As it was in flight, because of the underbrush it hit a limb and I missed the doe completely, and as you I am sure have seen, the white tail flips up and off she goes.

A couple of hours later it started to get darker and I heard two bucks sparring in the field behind me. I climbed out of my stand and worked my way to the field keeping in mind that the wind was now at my back and not at my face. I worked around the side of the field so that the wind was in my favor and the bucks were gone but about 150 yards away were 6 does bedding down in wheat that was about 3-4 ft high. I stalked very quietly around through the fringe of the woods to within 60 yards of the doe. As I was walking I saw a head pop up and I paused completely hoping not to be seen. When the doe went back to grazing I started to belly crawl the other 30 yards to get a good shot. When I was within 30 yards or so I went to my knees and full draw. I stood to my feet and whisted trying to get the deer to stand. When the deer finally saw me she stood up but was facing directly to me and I didn't have a shot. So I began to walk slowly toward her hoping to get a quarter away shot. Sadly after about 5 mins she turned quickly and ran off... I never got the shot but I have never been more excited as a hunter, to be that close to the deer and have my adrenaline pump that hard. Next time she will be mine. But I am so excited for next time. Happy hunting.

If there was a better way to stalk this deer please let me know. I would be happy to hear I could have done this better.

[buckfever]

Sounds like a heart thumper. Its cool being that close to wild game.

Im not a stalker so keep that in mind when you read my thoughts on maybe what you could have done different. Hopefully we have some pro stalkers on here that will tell you how to react in that situation.

The only thing I would probably do different would be to try and wait on the deer to stand up on its own. Instead of trying to get it to stand up because the deer seen you. I would try to wait until it was standing and looking another way so I could ease up slowly and draw. This could be tough if all the deer were standing. Especially if there were 6 does in that close of an area.

[Hunting Man]

That was a great night of hunting. I couldn't add much as what you might have done. Possibly withdrew and set a stand in an area they are coming from for another chance. If the deer are there you should be able to set up for them. Patience if the fading light conditions wasn't a factor may have help. You did the best you could went with your gut feelings and the deer won that round. That's hunting! I hope you left with a smile on your face that night, just from the experience.

[BruceBruce1959]

I think your only mistake may have been the whistle. next time try to blat at them like a baby goat not loud just a soft blat,
It's a more natural sound to them practice it and the next time you see some deer in a field pull over to practice, try blatting to them.
You'll be amazed at how the deer react to your blatting.

A couple years ago a good friend of mine witnessed me calling a doe to within 15 yards and to this day he still can't believe what he saw.
It doesn't go that well all the time BUT sometimes it will, Doe's are very curious.

[Whitetail_Freak_Hunter]

But think about this great story now. You got within closing distance even though you could not take the shot. I can talk about hunts like that because some others actually saw me do it while showing them stalking, and belly crawling to within the zone.

Not all things while hunting is tripping your release or pulling the trigger. Sometimes it's just a great memory of what you saw and experienced.

[buckfever]

Originally Posted by Whitetail_Freak_Hunter

Not all things while hunting is tripping your release or pulling the trigger. Sometimes it's just a great memory of what you saw and experienced.

Very well said..

[joel the signman]

Originally Posted by Whitetail_Freak_Hunter

But think about this great story now. You got within closing distance even though you could not take the shot. I can talk about hunts like that because some others actually saw me do it while showing them stalking, and belly crawling to within the zone.

Not all things while hunting is tripping your release or pulling the trigger. Sometimes it's just a great memory of what you saw and experienced.

yup i would say that was a great hunt