Core

I wish I had waited to see if it would come in closer, but it seemed about to go back. I can reliably hit vital area at 50 yards at the range, but wouldn't try that in the woods yet, however I felt okay with 40 (what I thought was 40). Didn't feel like a hail Mary. But, obviously I got it wrong, so my avatar stays with a broadhead in a tree. This time the broadhead entered mud and was an easy retrieval. I just confirmed again I think that's what happened because I drew my bow back and pressing on the bottom string while the bow is drawn tries to bring the lower cam closer (because essentially string distance between nock and cam is now decreased) and the upper away from the body. The way to correct this is to counter that torque by pressing harder with the palm of the hand and or pulling down on the nock. If I did this to even a small degree that may have resulted in the shot going higher than the yardage otherwise explains. I thought about my tips but they are within 1/10th of a gram of my field points and when looking at total arrow weight my field tip vs broadheads are within 1% of each other. Also, they are mechanical so not likely to upset flight. I only tested that a few times and they hit where they should have. Will of course confirm my bow isn't out of spec since Friday but otherwise going to consider this major shooting error in the field #2. Hopefully there isn't a number 3 before I get a deer. Overall not a bad day, though. The new spot has great potential, i think and I got to see what it looks like when a buck grunts while sniffing a path 20 yards away, oblivious to me even though I was upwind of it on the ground!

It wasn't the limb, though; the bow was completely unobstructed except for the pressing on the string between the nock and the limb...

I was shooting from a stand to my left. I didn't need to bend to maintain good form because although I was 15' up the deer was on a slope, so the downward angle was pretty mild. It was textbook opportunity, I couldn't have asked for better (though I could have for closer). I'm sure I didn't peek, I kept it in my mind before the shot after working on that specifically this weak. I am 0 for 2, but I really am not getting too worked up with these and flicking wildly or anything! The bottom string did--I think--press on the handle of the climbing stand while I was drawing it, thus bending it basically right in the middle of the nock and the cam due to me not leaning far enough over the side of the stand. So string press below nock = higher arrow and press above nock in the manner described = low? I'm glad you've found the same to happen (or at least can confirm it). I put a ton of time in at the range and the only time I miss this badly is rarely, and I know immediately after shooting that I flinched.

Four weeks ago I missed a good shot, so bought a range finder. Today I finally have another nice shot. Broadside. I ranged one deer at 35, but the second was further away and I figured 40, so took a shot. Was to my left of the stand and just Friday I confirmed I am pretty darn accurate at 40 yards. Deer was not moving. I was calm, I didn't flinch, the arrow released and careened well over its back. I ranged again, it was 35 yards, not 40. However, that's no more than 5" and this arrow went stupid. I went through the motions again and I believe what happened is that I confirmed I was clear to my left with no bow obstructions. I drew the bow, but then I almost certainly had the string below the nock resting slightly on the climber handles as I anchored it. Although I don't think that appreciably changed the arrow's trajectory, when I got home I drew my bow and had my kid press in the same spot, and what it did was force the peep higher (string above nock giving a little more to the bottom to even things out), which meant I raised the housing to compensate, and therefore shot over it. Does that make sense? Terrible, I've spent four weeks working for another shot and this happens! I'm less upset than the first time for some reason, though.

My spot died down today, got bored at 2:30 and left. Wish I had done that 5 hours earlier. Going to be there at sunrise tomorrow but only for two hours. This day sit stuff is for the birds. I am wondering if people who have any kind of time constraints just do not bother with all day sits except during the rut? Because I tried waiting, I tried some calling, absolutely nothing and I know deer are in the area.

Goodluck with the trail. --- I don't know how I am expected to nap with all these squirrels rustling the leaves. Reviewers were not lying about how comfortable these viper tree stands are. I do now believe my miss earlier was primarily result of drawing bow and while anchoring pulling the string in against the rail of the stand so the bottom cam was being pulled slightly harder. I hope that could account for a good 6" too high at 35 yards above aim point. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I am thinking deer basically just ignore noise that is far away even if loud. I hope so...on public land heard tons of gunfire earlier from the water, and some far off talking.But yes I agree with your sentiment. I hear about people who see deer all the time in their private stands and get to pick and choose. I am currently averaging 20+ hours in the woods per shot opportunity and those on doe. I am building some nice personal maps of these areas on google maps though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Waiting. Spot I found yesterday I decided against today because the wind sucks so I thought I would try one other area I hadn't before. It is a pain to get to, but really not so bad. When I got here I saw three deer on the way in past a fence on private land then as soon as I got to the spot I scared one doe away. Subsequently a small buck walked by me at 20 before I could nock, then a fawn at 60 yards after that; then just now a doe and a fawn giving me my second broadside of the season. Which I missed cleanly with another over its back. I ranged it a few yards off (no excuse this time as I have a range finder) and I believe I also hit the string in the tree stand and that caused the arrow to shoot high somehow. Or not, who knows: I tear the 40 yard up at the range, and I wasn't nervous as I shot. I am two for two shooting high this year. The doe ran off but it was it severely spooked so maybe more will be back. This is the first deer I have seen in my stand though and these things do seem to rock. I was fiddling around with them 35 yards off they looked up at me never cared. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

wow, even I could hit that one.I found another site and prices are based on the antler size: http://www.wildernesswhitetails.com/prices One of the first links on Google when you look up farm deer claims a 99.8% success rate on its 3 day hunts. Honestly you might as well go to the local slaughter house and ask if you can shoot at the cattle while they are being corralled to their deaths. I liken it to paying for a high end escort and then posting pics of the hottie you picked up on Facebook.

Super lame! Keeping a deer population artificially high in a fenced in compound, if that is what his deer is the result of, is not hunting. It is just grocery shopping. Immortan Joe would not be impressed!

Must be the rut cause that is one horny doe!

Focused on the most important thing in a stand IMO. This state land stuff is a drag. I am no longer even spooking deer. Not seeing them anywhere: think they are sick of us. I did find a new spot today quite far in and plan on sitting it tomorrow morning. It is dare I say a gem. When I came upon it I felt like I had entered a dungeon full to the ceiling of gold. Tracks everywhere, fresh scat on the path, and slots of heavy crappy brush but also a few nice climbing trees to get above it. Hopefully it's is worth something and I do think most people here wouldn't bother going so deep. On the way in today was happy to run into another guy parking who planned on sitting exactly where I have been going. 10 min walk or less. Helped convince me to give that spot up. Too many people spooking deer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice! If you're around the Rochester area let me know when I should show up for our hunt

I bought a Flextone extractor from Walmart. Has a slider for buck down to fawn. It sounds good based on comparing it to videos on youtube. It also has the snort wheeze tube. I have no idea what I'm doing with hunting, but on youtube all of these things basically sound the same. I don't get the point of the cans because you need to have multiple ones (although if you turn a bunch over in the store at once it sounds cooL), so an all in one seems like a good idea to me.

Almost wish I had this problem at the state land I'm on. 50% is swamp/marsh that requires a boat. 40% is disgusting thorny cover that you cannot get through without gasoline and matches, and 10% is decent land all surrounded by the other 90%. It is all knarly as heck. Not mature, but I have a picture I took in August of a button buck sniffing my arm while walking around Old Forge, NY, its head taking up half the frame. I got its actual nose goobers on my forearm. It was just walking around the houses. Funny how the ones out in the woods don't treat me the same way, though! There is no doubt that changing habitat affects the animals that live there. Everyone knows this and the more trails and access to people you have the more the animals will change their behavior. That said, animals that are used to the status quo will certainly not be continually spooked by it. Case in point the deer I mentioned above. I also have video of my three year old chasing a doe across somebody's yard on the same night. Doe didn't start trotting away (not spooked) until my kid was 5-10 yards away. They get used to that. Doing that in the middle of the woods is certainly impossible.

Neat trick. I don't think it's possible with the viper unfortunately. I really think the less time jerking around fiddling with rubbish the better. I know a few minutes doesn't add up, but I'd rather walk 30 minutes to a spot and spend 5 minutes getting the stand ready than 10 min to a spot and 20 min getting it ready. The lone wolf climber folds tight, but then you need to manipulate it further before it goes on the tree. I really was tempted with the open shot and would have one if my time in the hang on minus a back rest wasn't so uncomfortable. Even the side arm rests on the open shot or any other climber would be nice, though, and help moving around the stand with something to push off/hang on to. If you're on a hand climber and the bottom falls out how screwed are you? Even with the umbilical cord, I cannot imagine hanging on with your upper body while fumbling down below for the bottom half is enjoyable in the least. With a sit and climb you can still sit there with your weight completely taken by the top.

I find it much worse at dusk because you know that if you get stuck in the dark it will be dark until morning. First time I did that a few weeks ago I heard a snarl in the woods at dusk and looked over and saw a black bear. I was wondering exactly what to do. I wasn't going to just stand there by my tree as it came near me, so I either had to try and shoot it or dash through the woods to the road. But, the bear wasn't moving. At all. I used the range finder and with a better glimpse found out it was just a tree stump that looked a lot like a small black bear. No idea what the grunty snarl sound was, probably nothing at all.

DST so stupid, really wish we could stop it.

Might stop into Heritage this week. Seems to be getting rave reviews from everyone. I know Mike isn't always in there (wasn't on Saturday), but is this week. Still having some issues with my peep sight twisting and being a general pain in the butt!

Got the climber out today. Not yet as fast as I want it to be but I liked it. No back pain to speak of because I can keep shifting position and it has the back rest. Also the bar on the front is extremely compelling.i know it could in theory get in the way of a bow shot but I felt very stable and it was something to help grab onto while moving around, rest the bow on, etc.

Thanks for the responses. I found one other place--Archery Solutions in Williamson, NY. Also it was exactly on the way to somewhere else I had to be and when I called the guy seemed open to me spending some time there. I went in, and he was; for under $40 he spent a while setting my bow up again getting everything aligned and had it on the press a couple of times. Gave some pointers on form and then his co-worker spent over a half hour with me. I felt it was a good use of money. The shop itself doesn't have a lot of stock, but the service was definitely good!

Traditions. I went in there but although it was empty just got the impression the guy was more interested in doing something else to be honest.I had heard of the phelps place and their website makes Mike the owner sound pretty good. He isn't there today but they explicitly advertise archery instruction which is what I want so I may go in this week when e is there--they will take an appointment.

Basically I'm looking for somebody to take the time to make sure my bow is properly setup for me and give pointers on shooting form. Ideally I'd pay for one on one attention for an hour or so on short notice (Saturday afternoon is my only window). This is the kind of thing you get when you buy a bow, and I got that a little, but the problem with doing it at a big box is I don't know how good they really are, and they are shuffling work with other customers anyway. I've narrowed down to Bullzeye Archery in Bloomfield, Guerin-teed in Marion, NY (this one is closest to me), and Jim's Pro Shop in Shortsville. There are two other dedicated stores in Rochester I won't name right now, but one didn't have stunning reviews online, and the other one also close to me when I went I didn't get a huge warm and fuzzy.

I hunt public land because I don't have permission next door. All of this public land is surrounded in close proximity to private land. I clearly cannot get permission from landowners beforehand or else I would be there to begin with

I think I'm more surprised by stands close to everything. I saw a beautiful new ladder stand in what I consider to be a quite populated bit of state land recently, very easy to see. I would leave a $40 hang on, without any steps, but a fully accessible stand like that takes some guts