Stalk in open country? How?

[apache12]

Ok so I'm new to bow hunting and I knew it wouldn't be easy but wow is this tough

I have an area that I am having good luck glossing bucks but I am getting busted every time. It's fun I admit and I'm learning but still can't see how spot and stalk works.

 

My last bust was a bedded 3x3 that was 1/3 from the top of the ridge and the approach from across the canyon was wide open. I came from back side so I would be from top down but the changed and was blowing down to him. So I came in at an angle at it was so fun arrow nocked heart pounding got to 30 yards and sun was dropping he wouldn't get up. Finally I either made noise or he got wind and stood up and kept the mesquite between us and took off

 

I have had two other stalks and they are pretty similar outcomes. Ant tricks of the trade for open country stalks? I was thinking I should have tossed a pebble on the other side to see if he would push to me but it would still be a tough shot on the move which I'm not skilled enough to take

 

Two more weeks

[out2hunt]

Took me 7 years and tons of blown stalks before it all came together. stay at it and keep the wind at your face. Be patient, most people devise and attack long before they should, let him make the mistake. Good Luck

[cmbbulldog]

Go slower. When you think you are going to slow, slow down even more.

 

Watch your shadow.

 

Once you get close (could be 200 yards in open country) get on your butt, with your feet in front of you. You can lay your bow across your lap. Lean back so you are low to the ground. Use your elbows to inch forward. You can keep your head looking forward, so you when you move. This process can take an hour or 2 to move the last 50-100 yards, but you can usually get within range.

[khmer6]

/>Go slower. When you think you are going to slow, slow down even more.

 

Watch your shadow.

 

Once you get close (could be 200 yards in open country) get on your butt, with your feet in front of you. You can lay your bow across your lap. Lean back so you are low to the ground. Use your elbows to inch forward. You can keep your head looking forward, so you when you move. This process can take an hour or 2 to move the last 50-100 yards, but you can usually get within range.

Are you challenging to a butt dragging race? In all seriousness though, the last 100 yards or so might be pretty brutal. Get low and drag yourself over some unforgiven terrain. Like he said It might be an hour or two for the last few yards to get into range.

[apache12]

Wow. Based on what you guys are saying i was almost sprinting in there. Never thought about my shadow but remember looking at it and thinking how long it was. Like the butt race idea so if light is fading. Best to bed it and try in the am? Or does that depend on moon and if they will feed at night

 

I need to slow down and enjoy this a bit more and practice shooting off knees. I'm always thrilled when i take an animal with my rifle but how ever many years it takes to take an animal with a bow is going to be a entirely different emotion

 

Thanks for the pointers.

[cmbbulldog]

Practice shooting off your butt...

 

If light is fading, got to move faster of course. Dont waste opportunities (unless your in the high country of Colorado in August, then maybe back out and wait for a better spot).

[Xnt]

Wow. Based on what you guys are saying i was almost sprinting in there. Never thought about my shadow but remember looking at it and thinking how long it was. Like the butt race idea so if light is fading. Best to bed it and try in the am? Or does that depend on moon and if they will feed at night

 

I spot a lot of the bucks I wind up killing between 10am and 2pm when its a full moon out. Mainly talking rifle hunting but just sayin'.

[BOHNTR]

Some good info shared here.....I'll just add a few.

 

• Learn deer behavior and their alert tendencies (it helps)
• Use bears feet or Carlton Cat Paws to quiet your boots if you are not removing your boots on final approach (100 yards less)
• Be patient. The only that is going to scare the buck off is YOU
• Plan the correct route (wind permitting) and always allow proper shooting lanes
• Remember, even with some of the best bowhunters out West, probably 2 out of 10 stalks are successful. That means they fail 80% of the time.

I just got back from AZ, hunting the end of December and into January. Stalks just seemed to work out this trip.....I was three for three on stalks (2 deer, javelina).......that has never happened in over 35 years of bowhunting.

[Crotklauberi]

Finding single bucks is a good start! Does will get you everytime it seems, there are always more than you think!

[Guest 300ultramag.]

I've learned to cover ground when you can- if you get a gust of wind that will make it harder for them to hear you walking...than you need to move quickly... even sprint!!!!- as you get closer get lower or plan on ending up in some cover so you can wait them out if they are bedded... Always take a break before you close that last distance... Your hearts pumping even if your sliding on your butt- I don't do a butt slide- I will crawl... If you get busted by a buck and only a buck no does you can sometimes get away with it if you just move like your not closing in on them... If a doe sees you game over

[Guest 300ultramag.]

Also remember- cattle, elk, deer, squirrels are all noisy so if you make a noise i.e. step on a branch or rustle leaves.... And you know they heard the noise... Keep making as if your something nearby rummaging or even grazing... I've had a buck put his head back down and gave me another 5 yds

[Scooter]

I saw the 2 out of 10 statistic and now I don't feel so bad... Good luck, we're in the same boat!

[HUNTnTAT2]

I've had about 10 stalks this rut season. One shot that ricochet off the back of a nice 3x. The rest were blown by does I didn't see. Wind shift. Or being too aggressive on a stalk. Not to mention the beast I missed on my rifle hunt back in November, which will haunt me even after I die. If u stay consistently spotting deer it'll align for you. Just a matter of time. I'm in the same boat. I'm on deer every outting. Every stalk is a learning experience. And I am grateful for each opportunity. Here is a buck I blew a stalk on last week. Just to keep the moral up!

[GJMauro12]

I think if you made it to 30 yards then just keep doing what you're doing. Even when you make it in range, there are still so many things that have to go right to make the shot and make it count. Just keep putting on the stalks and eventually the stars will align and a buck will make that fatal move for you to capitalize on.

[Scooter]

The thing about spot-and-stalk hunting that I've found the most interesting is the fact that now I actually enjoy WATCHING deer through the glass more than I do actually stalking them. I get way more out of watching a big buck fending off other bucks or watching does get run down for hundreds of yards. I don't know how I will ever be able to sit still in a treestand of ground blind again when I go back to Texas. It will bore the living daylights out of me.