VanIsleCam
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Hey guys:
I am new to hunting but making up for lost time. I muffed a shot on the biggest Island buck I have seen to date the other day. It really irked me. I got over it but here are two mistakes I made.
First, I over-used the bleat can. I was sitting and rolling the thing over repeatedly for several days and the big fella came close but turned away without presenting a decent shot. Of course, that didn't stop a randy buck fawn from coming in... this was the consolation prize.
However, my mentor buddy IronNoggin advised me that the bucks will soon figure out its you and associate the bleats with you and not think it is a super horny and vocal doe. This was also confirmed in Outdoor Canada West Big Game edition (on newstands now) in the Whitetail Academy Pt. 22. So I stowed the bleat can and went with a wait and see approach as the doe in question was still hanging around and had kicked out her fawn. No, not the one in the above pic.
Sure enough, two nights later, the doe came back through a second small gate I had opened with the 3x right behind her! They were within ten yards and I had a straight on shot at the buck with the crossbow as I sat partly obscured amongst three big firs. The doe headed to my right and Mr. B turned slightly for a quartering shot. Then my son came out of the house and yells from 50 yards away "Hey Dad! The buck is right there!". That got the bucks attention and he turned again to face on then a small quartering shot again and I fired and missed. The twang sent the doe crashing off behind me while character just turned and headed back through the gate. They were within 10 yards when I fired and as such violated Pt. 24 that "Bucks deserve excellent marksmanship".
Now there was a lot going on with my son coming out, the buck within 10 yards and me forgetting to keep my thumb below the rail (not high enough to rip it off just a stinger with blood blister to prove it). Also, can't say I practice with the bow within 10 yards either but there you go. By the way, 30 minutes later the 3x was back in through the main gate with the doe.
A combination of unfortunate events and so be it. But the question I keep asking myself is why not just use the 870 as I know buckshot will fold him up like a cheap tent? Live and learn. That solution does not cure my over use of the bleat can, nor does it guarantee a hit.
That aside, I still love every minute that I get to hunt. There is absolutely nothing like sitting and watching the light rise or fall with the forest alive around you.
Heed my words fellow Noobs and good hunting!
I am new to hunting but making up for lost time. I muffed a shot on the biggest Island buck I have seen to date the other day. It really irked me. I got over it but here are two mistakes I made.
First, I over-used the bleat can. I was sitting and rolling the thing over repeatedly for several days and the big fella came close but turned away without presenting a decent shot. Of course, that didn't stop a randy buck fawn from coming in... this was the consolation prize.
However, my mentor buddy IronNoggin advised me that the bucks will soon figure out its you and associate the bleats with you and not think it is a super horny and vocal doe. This was also confirmed in Outdoor Canada West Big Game edition (on newstands now) in the Whitetail Academy Pt. 22. So I stowed the bleat can and went with a wait and see approach as the doe in question was still hanging around and had kicked out her fawn. No, not the one in the above pic.
Sure enough, two nights later, the doe came back through a second small gate I had opened with the 3x right behind her! They were within ten yards and I had a straight on shot at the buck with the crossbow as I sat partly obscured amongst three big firs. The doe headed to my right and Mr. B turned slightly for a quartering shot. Then my son came out of the house and yells from 50 yards away "Hey Dad! The buck is right there!". That got the bucks attention and he turned again to face on then a small quartering shot again and I fired and missed. The twang sent the doe crashing off behind me while character just turned and headed back through the gate. They were within 10 yards when I fired and as such violated Pt. 24 that "Bucks deserve excellent marksmanship".
Now there was a lot going on with my son coming out, the buck within 10 yards and me forgetting to keep my thumb below the rail (not high enough to rip it off just a stinger with blood blister to prove it). Also, can't say I practice with the bow within 10 yards either but there you go. By the way, 30 minutes later the 3x was back in through the main gate with the doe.
A combination of unfortunate events and so be it. But the question I keep asking myself is why not just use the 870 as I know buckshot will fold him up like a cheap tent? Live and learn. That solution does not cure my over use of the bleat can, nor does it guarantee a hit.
That aside, I still love every minute that I get to hunt. There is absolutely nothing like sitting and watching the light rise or fall with the forest alive around you.
Heed my words fellow Noobs and good hunting!
