Tominator Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Scenario: You have a plump doe at about 15 yards, broadside, milling around slowly. You have a Mathews Switchback XT set at 70 lbs., GoldTip XT 7595 tipped with a Muzzy 3 blade 100 gr. broadhead. The doe's vitals never come in the clear; always being covered by very small branches. The branches are maybe an 1/8" in diameter. Do you shoot through the branches? Oh, btw--Mathews vs. Hoyt comments and the like will be deleted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shorty785 Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 i wouldnt shoot through the branches due to the risk of only injuring the deer and not killing it and who knows where those branches are gonna send that arrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Depends on a few factors for me... At 15yds theres some questions I'll ask: How consistent are you at hitting targets at that range? How calm/relaxed were you at the time? How close was the deer to the small branches/twigs? I will shoot through small branches providing the deer is very close to me and very,very close the small branches. If theres any deflection it will still hit in the death zone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HUNTINGMAN Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Hold off on the shot and hope for a better angle that is clear.If the shot happens it happens,tags dont taste that bad when you have to eat them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 (edited) My better half sets up shots through brush, leaves and grass when I practice and all I know is that if you hit any of them your arrow goes off course. She picks the spots I have to shoot from which is my handicap so she can beat me sometimes.:rolleyes: If you aren't sure you'll miss all the trash don't try it. Mark Edited January 25, 2009 by m gardner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted January 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 How consistent are you at hitting targets at that range? Very consistent How calm/relaxed were you at the time? Very calm How close was the deer to the small branches/twigs? The branches are about half way between you and the deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 (edited) Very consistent:cool: Very calm:cool: :eek:The branches are about half way between you and the deer. Sorry...IMHO that last one disqualifies the shot as being valid with a good chance of success. The arrow has way too many chances to go somewhere you dont want it to. If the branches were within a foot of the deer it is still a makeable shot. I have actually practiced this shot scenario on a 3-D target @ 20yds. I have confidence in making this shot because of that practice and knowledge that the closeness of the limbs to the animal makes a world of difference. I refuse to take the shot when the branches are more than 1 foot away from the animal. I'll still shoot for a small opening in the branches but I'm not worried about the deflection at that range. Confidence is the key...if you dont practice the shot you should Never Attempt it. Edited January 25, 2009 by GWSmith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Best thing to do is set your 3-D target behind some similar trash and try to shoot through it. The results should be enlightening. If nothing else you'll become skilled at shooting through the little holes in it. First hand experience always beats first hand opinion.:D Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Don't know Chris .. I'd have to be the shooter on the spot here .. :confused: Just honestly can't say if I would or wouldn't without being there on the spot like you were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Best thing to do is set your 3-D target behind some similar trash and try to shoot through it. The results should be enlightening. If nothing else you'll become skilled at shooting through the little holes in it. First hand experience always beats first hand opinion.:D Mark Cement blocks are good for that kind of practice...they require total commitment:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted January 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Just honestly can't say if I would or wouldn't without being there on the spot like you were. Who said this was me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiobucks Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 You always miss 100% of the shots you don't take. In your case last night, you missed 100% of the shots you did AND didn't attempt to take. ----> <---- Really hard to say, unless we could see what you saw. You're experienced enough to make the right decision. I say you did good by passing the shot if you wern't comfortable with the scenario. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiobucks Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 During shotgun season, Michael would ask any hunter that shot and missed, "So, were you scaring does or educating bucks?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 (edited) Who said this was me? Touché' ... I guess we all know where the word ASSumption comes from .. Guess, I'll learn to keep my comments to myself from now on .. Edited January 25, 2009 by VermontHunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sskybnd Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 well if it was me, but i would take shots that others would never attempt, but like gw said it depends on how you have praticed, and haveing confidece in you shotting ability, i had the same type thing happen to me this year at 34 yards the deer would never give me a shot at the vitals, but was calm and eating, so i took the only shot i had, which was the neck, i but the rage breadhead through his jugular vain and he ran maybe 5 yards and was dead, some might say a unethical shot but i say its bcouse of the ability to make the shot, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted January 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Touché' ... I guess we all know where the word ASSumption comes from .. Guess, I'll learn to keep my comments to myself from now on .. Don't be so sensitive...lol. It was me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Well if it looks like she'll be stepping into a more open area, I'll wait, but also depends on how far apart the branches are because I made a shot this year between two trees with just a couple inches inbetween and at 15 yards hit right smack where I wanted to on the deer. If I'm confident I can make a good, lethal shot, I'll take it. If I'm doubtful though, I'll hold off and wait for a better shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 When my wife began making up new rules so she would have an edge on me shooting 3-D. I shot through lots of seemingly impossible brush. The "slots" are easiest to shoot through as long as you don't look at anything but what you want to hit. If you look at the little tree you want to slide the arrow past you'll surely hit it. The horizontal obstacles are the hardest because you need to know how far away they are and know the trajectory of the arrow. I use my rangefinder to range the target and obstacle. If I range the target at 30 and the obstacle at 20 and when I put my 30 yard pin on the target and the 20 is covering the obstacle, guess what? I'll hit the obstacle. If nothing else these games are fun on the course. They may prove priceless in the field though. I also shoot as close as 3 yards so I know where the arrow goes at close range. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvantageTimberLou Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 I pass on the shot until a clear view is allowed. If she don't allow one, she wins the chess match. Always next time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkV Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 If the branches were closer to the doe I would take the shot, but half way there I would not take the shot. There is just too much of a deflection chance in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 given the branches are half way between,.. hold off..next to the animal, were eatin backstraps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodnottygy Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Oneida man.... DITTO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slughunter Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 To be honest I would take the shot. I feel that any modern bow such as a mathews at 70 pounds will launch that arrow out so fast and powerul that those little braches wont affect the arrow flight much for a 15 yard shot. And seeing that im calm and consistent, that gives me more confidence. -shane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Pass..tomorrow is another day... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Depends on a few factors for me... At 15yds theres some questions I'll ask: How consistent are you at hitting targets at that range? How calm/relaxed were you at the time? How close was the deer to the small branches/twigs? I will shoot through small branches providing the deer is very close to me and very,very close the small branches. If theres any deflection it will still hit in the death zone. I agree with Gary, otherwise, I'd pass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.