I Blew It !!!

[nybuckboy]

I blew it!!  I was in a new stand I set up this year just outside the old apple orchard where I took a nice 8 pt in 2007. I "always" see deer in the orchard but a heavy snow early last season caved in many of the apple trees and the visibilty is terrible now even though I did cut a wide shooting lane.

Anyway, I have set this stand a few times. There is a cross road trail that leads across a ravine and creek. I have set up a 2 mock scrapes at the crossing and they have been well attended. I knew it was just a matter of time. Last night at 5pm or so I hear breaking branches in the apples. About 5 minutes later I hear more and it's closer. I get the bow down from the hanger and I wait about 3 -4 minutes expecting a deer to come out.

NOTE TO SELF AND OTHERS - My Impatience gets the best of me and I decide to try to coax the animal out, expecting it is a deer. I let out a doe bleat. I no sooner bleat and then all I see is a big white rack moving thru the trees and he moved on out away from me.  BUMMED OUT!!!

[Culvercreek hunt club]

If he wasn't sppoked and didn't make you in the stand...He'll be back...bummer. and good luck.

[nybuckboy]

I don't think he was spooked b/c he just walked away and no noise. I last saw him at about 50 to 60 yards thru the branches.

[20ftupatree]

Ya sorry to hear that! 

  I bring a multi bleat and grunt tube with me, my father in law HATES it! "Leave at thing at home" he'll say "all that thing does is scare the deer AWAY", I don't know but I've had so little success with it that I often think he's right. Last year I had shot a doe that I swear I called in, Maybe it was perfect timing maybe it was pure dumb luck but whatever I shot it hitting a bleat. Then there are guys who swear by it, grunt big bucks in every day. T.v obviously makes it look easy and VERY effective.

  Needless to say I don't use them often at all, I very reluctant to use mine, maybe for the best I don't know.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

I don't touch mine anymore unless it is obvious the deer is heading for the back 40 and not coming by me. I have spooked some too. But did grunt an 8 in during bow for my first bow buck...came running right across open meadow. but again...for me ...last option