Stoping deer

[PredatorTC]

I think you could say that ita a guessing game to shoot while walking, but its even more of a guessing game to shoot at one alert. Its just my opinion but, you dont know if that deer will react when you shoot, so do you wanna maybe aim low? But if your leading it while its walking and you have practiced, its not such a guessing game...

For practice, we take an old tire and put a piece of cardboard in it. Then we have someone roll it all different speeds and we shoot at it. At first i could never hit it but eventually you get the hang of it. Its pretty sweet.

[Southern Man]

I don't stop them, but I shoot quick. No reason to give them something else to think about when they're coming in.

[Black Squirrel]

Good idea with the tire, Predator. You just need to practice and believe in yourself.

[Sam Ubl]

I use a mouth bleat, "BaaAP", when they need to be stopped, but half the time it doesn't become necessary.

As far as shooting at a walking deer, I too, have shot at a walking deer - a confident move on my part based on a number of considerations (walking speed, distance, shooting lanes, angle, etc.) Understandably, there are considerations to take into account when considering loosing an arrow at a moving target, so I would assume Dan takes them all into account as you would before taking the shot...

[AC Rider]

I stop almost all my deer. Yes, they do get intense but most are within 20 yards and I've not had a problem. I'm leary of stopping them past 20 yards though.

[PredatorTC]

I use a mouth bleat, "BaaAP", when they need to be stopped, but half the time it doesn't become necessary.

As far as shooting at a walking deer, I too, have shot at a walking deer - a confident move on my part based on a number of considerations (walking speed, distance, shooting lanes, angle, etc.) Understandably, there are considerations to take into account when considering loosing an arrow at a moving target, so I would assume Dan takes them all into account as you would before taking the shot...

Very good point!! I would never dare shoot at a walking deer quarting forward. That would be asking for a gut shot.

[martin peters]

How a deer reacts to the sound a hunter makes can depend on many things.#1 How old is the buck / How much hunting pressure has he had = how educated the buck is. The speed the animal is traveling, the ability of the archer. How far out of his bedding area the mature buck is. How loud you bleat/shot distance. I hunt high pressured bucks. I would opt for not trying to stop the buck even if he is running through or chasing a doe,So many times they will be back through that same area, esp. during the rut. I do not try to stop a buck when the shot is close. Last fall I took a fast walking buck @ 6 yds. The kill zone looks pretty large on a 250 lb buck at 6 yds= no need to stop him and risk sending him running.

[Singing Bridge]

Welcome to the forum, Martin! I hope I get a six yard shot with the bow on a nice buck this year.

[PredatorTC]

Welcome martin!! Lets see some pics of that buck!!

[PLB]

I've had good luck stopping them with a MAAAAAAAAAA!

[NatureBoy]

I had a specific scenario in mind when I said I'd prefer to "take a chance" trying a stop call. Sometimes, the window of shooting opportunity is so narrow that without the deer stopping, it's nearly impossible to get off an ethical shot. Unexpected entry direction, heavy winds, thick brush etc can all play a role. Of course in a more open shot window scenario with perfect conditions, taking a walking shot is much more do-able.

[Singing Bridge]

Welcome martin!! Lets see some pics of that buck!!

Glad to provide an assist, looks like we've got another serious whitetail hunter on our hands! Here's Martin's buck:

[PredatorTC]

Congrats!! Thats awesome!!

[Slider1005]

Nice buck Martin, Welcome to the beast

[martin peters]

Thanks for the welcome! This hunt was esp. sweet for me because my 8 y/o son was in the stand when I took this buck on Oct. 18th 2009. The future bow hunter really enjoyed this hunt.