I am getting frustrated!!

[Huntin Addict]

I don’t know what to do any more. I have been trying very hard to kill my first deer with a bow. I was sitting in a ground blind that I made out of some fallen down trees that were laying around at first. I was able to see anything that came in to my area however, they could also see me. I never could get drawn. So I went and bought a pop-up blind and brushed it in. I have had only one doe really look at it like she knew it wasn’t supposed to be there. I can get drawn but I can’t get settled into my anchor point with out the deer busting out of there. I have tried several times and waiting until the deer was looking in another direction. So, this past weekend I climbed a tree and stood there the entire evening I was about 12 ft off the ground. When the does came in I was ready, I waited until they were at 15 yards and looking away from me and drew. I was settling into my anchor position and they all blew out of there. I am so frustrated what am I doing wrong? How can I increase my chances of sealing the deal?

[txtimetravler]

Can you get uo into a tree? This is my first year, and it is amazing that the deer don't seem to look up for danger

[ssmacdaddy]

i had that happen to me a few times, but i was using a lite, your not using a lite are you? if so BINGO!!

[bowmeaux]

Maybe its the wind? Are they smelling you? Just a thought.

[Bowhuntamistad]

Could be you're walking in the trail they're using or where they're standing when they bust you. Don't give up,don't rush either. I didn't shoot a deer my first year bowhunting. Just relax, take you're time and be extra careful. Be a freak about everything. Try hunting the trail they're using to come into that area.

[Johnny Hydro]

LOL!!!!! Sorry.

You'll be fine, don't give up. It just takes some time and knowledge. Guess you can now tell all your friends how different the hunting styles change from gun to bow. It's alot different, allot of the fundamentals are the same but the stealth part is a world of difference.

Stand position:
what direction our your deer travelling?
Sun rises East to West, Do you silhouette yourself? Morning/Night?
Wind direction? Is your stand upwind or downwind of travel direction? Neither?

Do you pass up your feeder to get to your stand? If so, why?...... try not to.
do you mask your scent when travelling to the stand? cedars, cow dung, sprays?
is your tree stand camoflauged? what do you use? cedars?

All of these things plus many more can play a factor. there are simple ways to overcome these obstacles.

I'd always step in cow dung on my way to my stand to cover my path, never walk on deer trails.

I'd also put up some rope from tree to tree or limb to limb around my tree stand or ground blind, then I would cut some cedars and hang them all around my stand to cover up my personal scent. the deer could possibly still smell ya but it makes it allot more difficult to decipher the scent plus it's a natural camoflauge.

Just hang in there, take your time, and try not to get buck fever. Plus, check your cam and limbs to make sure the noise is as minimal as possible.

Keep us posted.

[Trykonshooter]

Patience! Patience! Patience! Hunt the wind and cover your scent. Endeavor to persevere!

[ken]

If they are only busting you when you draw maybe your bow is making noise. Have a friend stand by you when you draw and see if they can hear anything.
If they can try to isolate the sound.

[Buckey07]

As listed above be a freak about your scent. cover scents, scent free clothes and showers. Never wear leather boots into the woods only rubber ones. Also you will notice that as the season goes on deer get wise to your stand locations so you may have to make a mid season change and move your ground blind to another location where you have never hunted before. I had to do that once to kill a nice buck that skirted the tree I was using everytime he came through my set up. He knew I where I was so I moved my stand over 20 yds and the first time I hunted it I busted him. also I'm sure you don't do this but never raise your bow up and draw over your head. Hold your bow out aimed at the deer and draw straight back. Over the head is too much movement and can leave moving shadows on the ground. Don't panick, be patient and enjoy the challenge. thats what its all about.

[Chunky]

You are getting some good advice. If the deer are looking away and when you draw, they blast out of there....I am with Ken, maybe you are making some noise. This would also make sense for your ground blind. Stand in a dark quiet room and draw your bow with an arrow on the rest. Listen for any noise. Be careful not to accidently release...but if you do, post pics

Something is spooking them. If they are 15 yards and looking away, you should be able to make a smooth quiet draw. Once you are back, you should have plenty of time to get settled. Something is wrong, and not being there, we can only guess by what you have told us.

One last thing to remember when you are getting frustrated....it is suppose to be hard, we bowhunt because it is difficult and challenging. It makes the success so much sweeter.

[kgwalke2]

If the bow is not making any noise on draw back maybe you are making noise getting settled. So when you get in that dark quiet room have your hunting gear on. Sounds like you are doing everything right to that point. I would think your scent control is fine if the deer are coming in. Also if the sun is at your back they may see the shadow on the ground. Keep trying you will get there. Good Luck

[EASY]

My guess would be noise also. From the bow or just your jacket or shirt rustling when you draw it does not take much.
Hang in there. It was my 3rd season before I sealed the deal.
There is a lot of good advise posted here so far. Learn from each trip out.

[samsdad]

One other thing. Are you sky drawing??By that I mean do you have to aim your arrow at the sky in order to pull back? I Have seen MANY newbies who are overbowed and have to skydraw to get back, espcially in a hunting situation and the deer pick them off with the movement. You have to be able to put your bow out, and pull straight back without moving your aiming point. It seems easy drawing that 70lb bow while practicing, but with a deer in front of you, and cold, and being tired, you may have trouble drawing 55lbs Heres a quick test Sit on your butt on the ground indian style, and try to draw your bow back. If you can't do it without raising your bow, you're overbowed. Crank your bow down reset your pins, and try again.

[hog slayer 05]

dont give up! it will all come together!

[AtTheWall]

If you don't have a quiet draw as mentioned, your going to get busted. The pop-up should have sealed the deal for you. What type of rest and arrow are you using? Maybe the sound of your arrow going back on the draw is the culprit? A good drop away with a layer of camo fleece placed over the arrow rest will quiet your draw. Prong rests with bare metal are no good. You need a good layer of teflon coating to get things quiet. Your arrow composition may be rough causing a noise that doesn't sound too loud to you but loud enough for them to scatter. As mentioned, scent control but it seems to me your pop-up had that covered good enough till you drew the bow?