My first stalk

[rigutierrez]

First year taking on an archery hunt. I decided to go out and set up a blind today for a week of hunting. I planned on beginning the 18th. I was going after work and the sun just started to go down faster than I thought it was. There was no way I was going to make it to my scouted honey hole. I was already on the road all packed but so I decided to stop way short of my spot and decided to go to a watering tank just to take a look. I had my tag and my bow so I said what the heck it won’t hurt. I pull up about ½ a mile from the hole and get off my truck. I look back and see what appears to be a deer but pay no attention to it. I just got off my truck and thought there was no way I just saw deer and I don’t even have my pack or bow with me. I put on my pack and look back towards the same area and still the object deer was standing there. I thought it was just a bush or tree looking at my direction. Then the tree moved down! Take out the binos and WOW a doe. I decide to just glass for a while and there it was a buck! I counted six points but there could have been more….or less. All I knew is that there was an antlered deer in front of me. I begin a stalk on my hands and knees. They were approximately 300 yards away. After an hour I was within sixty or so yards. My heart was pumping.

 

I was behind a lot of brushed and knocked an arrow. I imagined the shot and waited for the right moment. I felt I needed to get closer. I began to move. Then the wind came. A doe that had fallen behind and I did not see was downwind from me and spooked them all immediately. My first stalk blown! The hopes of having such luck and the possibility of having meat in the freezer gone. But that was a great time. It was well worth it and the adrenalin rush was like no other. This wasn’t my first rodeo and adrenalin has been there but not like this. It was different. Like a huge reward was on its way.

 

By the way my apologies on a long write on an unsuccessful outing. Yeah no pics either, Sorry. But if you already read up to here might as well continue.

I did learn a couple of things I knew already but did not think of them once the chase was on. First, Tunnel Vission what if that doe would have been another buck. A bigger buck. Or a lion pissed cause I was taking his dinner. Second, scent control. I was going out just to put up a blind but took my bow just in case. Maybe I should have at least sprayed myself down once. If I was going out to play then I should be ready to play. Third, I need a rangefinder. I thought it over and over again as to why I was afraid to take a 60 yard shot. I got home and stood at the 60 yard line of my home range and told myself I need to work on my estimations I think I may have been closer than I thought I was. A rangefinder would of taken care of that either during the stalk or when I was out scouting I could of practiced estimations with the help of a range finder.

 

Well first stalk was not but was a success. I may be new at this and I know a lot of people think new guys are going to go out there and fling arrows at any moving thing; but this is one new guy that will play his cards right and will take the shot only when I am ready to take the shot. I will keep my next post short. Hopefully it says “Here is my buck” and the picture itself will tell the story.

 

[bonecollector]

Good write up thanks for sharing your stalk. Good for you not taking the shot you were not comfortable taking. Too many people out there just fling arrows like you said. Also when I head out to hang cameras or blinds I always spray down. I don't want to leave my scent around the area I want to hunt. Good luck.

[coues hunter]

It sounds like you're on the right track. I would definatly recommend getting a rangefinder. I've missed bucks before by misjudging yardage. Anymore, I make absolute sure that I have the exact range to the animal. Theres nothing worse then watching a perfectly released arrow drop an extra foot at the last moment. The difference between 60 and 65 yards can be kill or clean miss. Looking forward to reading your next post. Best of luck out there.