Western Bowhunter Needs Advice

  • Thread starter PotatoWhisperer
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PotatoWhisperer

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Ok, here's the deal. I'm leaving Oct 26th to Illinois. I have an archery hunt out there and my question is:

Is there anything special I need to do or know to sight my bow in cause more then likely I'll be in a tree stand. I've never hunted this way and was curious to know for those who hunt from elevated poistions what to expect for my first time shooting from a tree. Thanks...

Scott G.
 
The best thing to do is to practice shooting from an elevated position, especially another tree stand. Since I am personally afraid of heights I have a heck of a time feeling comfortable in a tree stand let alone shooting from one. Just keep in mind you are actually shooting a horizontal distance with respect to the yardage distance of the shot, not the angled distance which is obviously a little more. Make sure you are tied off. Good luck.
ArizonaGriz.
 
First of all do they make tree stands big enough for you? You know i grew up hunting whitetails back in westbygod virgina. Anyway it has already been mentioned. shoot from an elevated place. I know there isnt that many trees out there on the farm so try the barn or something. Remember when your shooting bend at the waiste to keep proper anchor point. if you catch your self shooting high you arnt bending right. Shot angle is also a big factor. The closer you are the harder it gets. Ive missed more deer at 15 yards than i care to remember. Only to bust them at 35. You shouldnt need to practice out as far as we do here in the west. Before i moved out here i never shot a deer past 35 yards. I would practice out to 45 just incase. i probably could wear this topic out but i suck at typing. So give me a call if you have anymore questions ill pm you my #. Good Luck Gary
 
I grew up back there in the Mizzurah Ozarks. No jokes about all the moon faced relatives, k?

I have 2 arrows that I stump shoot with and I shoot me a couple of ranging shots once I get up and situated. Usually near where I expect to have deer approach. Of course that just means the deer will come from the other direction I'm not watching like the turkeys always do. You can range with a laser rangefinder if you have one but for me, adjusting for how steep of an angle is just a lot of practice.

I practice here by getting on the roof of buddy's house. My neighbors freak when I do it at my house. *L*

Use a "full body" safety harness and have it on as soon as you start climbing. Let someone know where you're at just in case you do fall. I've never fallen but I've seen two guys take some bad headers out of big oak trees.

Get some screw in steps or screw in hangers to hang you gear on once you're up, it gets old holding it and you don't want to drop anything.

Take at least two blunts too. No, they're not for the rude hunters but for the darn squirrels that will drive you crazy playing in the oak leaves or barking at you for an hour or two. They can save you also if a stray coon tries to join you in your treestand. Had that happen twice.

Some guys take a pee bottle and some just whiz off the stand. For dooting you're on your own there.

Good luck. I'll be back there Friday, right across the river from IL. Hannibal. Mark Twain country.

~spectr17

http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/
 
PW, Don't underestimate "whitey's" ability to spot you in a treestand. You have to move just as cautiously when you get ready to make the shot,as you do on the ground. It pays to aim just a tad lower then usual when shooting outta a stand. A couple of old arrows to take a "practice shot" or two outta the stand is a good idea. Your hunt'in a state with big bucks, be alittle picky. Good luck and let us know how ya do!!! :D
 
I REALLY appreciate the info. This is my first time hunting in the mid-west. I am excited about the hunt. I leave Sunday Oct 26th and will be hunting the whole week. The outfit I'm hunting with says that this time of year the bucks are just coming into the rut (pre-rut) and the action should be intense. Lots of big bucks...I called MANY references and they all had good things to say. One guy told be he wasn't going back, and when I asked why, he replied, "How many big bucks can one take from the same place?" Sounds pretty good...
I am very appreciateive of the infomation.
Mountaineer- I'll call you in a bit...

Thanks again guys, and I'll post pics and have a story for all on Nov 3rd...

Scott G.
 
God I wish I could remember the site I was lookin at ><
It had a sight that adjusts on a pivet to your angle. It is for western hunters who hunt tree stands. It is dead on out to 60 yards they say and it adjusts to how ever far you are leaning.
Good luck PW



-Cass
 
Well, I practied and found that's it's no big deal...my bow is dead on from the ground and from 15 feet. Thanks for your help everyone! I'm good to go!

SCott G.
 
PW, You've gotten some good advice from some guys who've obviously done it. Unlike them, I USED to hunt exclusively from the ground, NOW I hunt almost exclusively from a tree. (Moved back East from AZ 8 years ago, but I'm working on it...) Shooting from a treestand, if you haven't done it a lot, can shake your confidence. Like the other guys said, practice from an elevated position to help build that confidence, although the exaggerated down angle of shots is not as big a deal as you might be led to believe. To further build that confidence, put one arrow with a judo point in your quiver. When you get to Illinois and get into a tree, put a couple of drops of doe or buck pee on it and shoot it at a small target (a specific leaf) with a soft background (so you don't destroy your arrow). That will really boost your confidence. Finally, big whiteys (like they have in Illinois) don't just wander around carelessly; they are constantly checking the wind for stray scents (READ: US). Young does and small bucks will seem to be pretty stupid, mature bucks are definitely not, so pay particular attention to scent control; you'll be hunting them up close and personal. Best of luck, shoot a big 'un and post some pics.

Venado muy grande!
 
I've never hunted from a tree stand in my life.
I've thought about it.. But in nevada I can't find a sage brush big enough to put one in.


-Cass
 
Randy-

Thanks for the great advise...I have pracitced more from an elevated position (from a forklift) and feel confident out to 60 yards...even thou I probably won't get a shot that far from what I hear. I plan on taking a judo tip like you suggested, that sounds like a good thing to do. I am excited about this hunt, and I will definately post a story and pics when I get back. I also have my AZ coues deer hunt this Fri and Sat...then Sun I leave for Illinois. A double header...I'll let you know. Again, thank you very much, you've helped me out a lot...all you guys have. Muchos gracias...

Scott G.
 

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