Spot n' stalk

[TATAat27]

Thought it might be fun to see different tactics one might use in a given situation.

The senario: It's early afternoon about 12:30, you glass up a buck on a south facing slope. You decide he's a shooter, but he is partially behind a jumping cactus and no shot is possible from your current location. You are currently 480 yds away a little southeast of him on a north facing slope with a little cover between you and the buck. The wind is blowing South east towards you at 5 to 10 mph. There is a cut in the hill the buck is on about 500 yds to the east of him which would enable you to come around and over the top of him putting you about 80-100 yds from him (its pretty thick though). To the west of your location, is a major drop down into a wash and would be hard to get to without alerting the deer of your location. There is a plateau between you and the buck which would put you at 250 yds away, but as i said earlier there is little cover. Using a bow or a rifle, what would you do? By the way the buck does not know you're there and he's facing slightly away from you.

 

I hope this senario gives you a good enough picture, if not use your imagination a little.

[COUESAZ]

I would move down the hill out onto the plateau and take the 250 yard shot. I have also just waited the buck out so the cactus was not in the way and taken the shot from the ridge i was on as well.

[azryan]

for me it all depends if the season is almost over or just begun. If it had just begun I probably would not go for him yet. I would keep my eyes on him but I would not want to spook him out of the area. If it were the last day or second to last...I would go for him without a doubt. Since there is less cover, i would just be on my belly crawling taking my time....moving very slowly. Trying my best to use what cover is available and keep the wind in my favor....if it does not work out...O well at least I tried...still considered success in my eyes

[chillcouesmaniac]

Thought it might be fun to see different tactics one might use in a given situation.

The senario: It's early afternoon about 12:30, you glass up a buck on a south facing slope. You decide he's a shooter, but he is partially behind a jumping cactus and no shot is possible from your current location. You are currently 480 yds away a little southeast of him on a north facing slope with a little cover between you and the buck. The wind is blowing South east towards you at 5 to 10 mph. There is a cut in the hill the buck is on about 500 yds to the east of him which would enable you to come around and over the top of him putting you about 80-100 yds from him (its pretty thick though). To the west of your location, is a major drop down into a wash and would be hard to get to without alerting the deer of your location. There is a plateau between you and the buck which would put you at 250 yds away, but as i said earlier there is little cover. Using a bow or a rifle, what would you do? By the way the buck does not know you're there and he's facing slightly away from you.

 

I hope this senario gives you a good enough picture, if not use your imagination a little.

I would work to the plateau slowly making sure he remained bedded which he probably would do because he thinks he is safe I would then wait him out for the best possible shot. CM

[az4life]

Too much thinking in this scenario, I would just get in the best position possible and shoot him!

[missedagain]

Even with that detailed of a description there is still a lot of variables left to the imagination

 

Archery- I would try and use that cut and the thick vegetation to my advantage

 

Rifle- Probably try and get on that plateau for the 250 yard shot.

 

This early in the afternoon you still have lots of time so I would be going extra slow and if the buck is not spooked chances are he will not wonder very far

[bullwidgeon]

Call in an airstrike on him. It is nice to have a helicopter in camp.

 

Bret M.

[coueshunter]

Just move straight towards him till you are in the 300 - 350 yard range and shoot him. Wind is in your favor and as long as you stay around 300 yards away, his comfort zone is not infringed upon and he shouldnt spook. If the cholla is still in the way or you dont have a good shot due to him being bedded, wait him out. He will stand up soon being on the south facing slope, the sun is on him and he will have to re-bed soon.........Allen Taylor..........

[coues4x4]

Off the rock,off the cholla,off the mesquite,off the barrel cactus,Bamn! there's your buck.

[redneck74]

i would shoot him from right there. 480 no problem with a good rest

[hunt4horns]

Get to the 250 or closest and maybe he may get up and move a little, he won't stay down long but if he get's nervous let the lead roll............

[mikep35]

I would definitely get to that plateau and wait him out. When he stands up, let er rip!

[Coues Sniper]

Well it kinda depends. If I'm by myself, I'd probably set up where I'm at and try to wait him out. I'm confident enough in my rifle to make that shot if i could get into a prone position. If i had a guy to watch him, and i thought he'd stay put for awhile, I'd try to get a little closer and have my buddy talk me in on a radio. I'm confident, but not stupid.