Day four dawned partly cloudy and breezy. Left the truck at 5:45 and by the time I got into the deer country, the wind was blowing about 30 mph on the ridges. I’ve found on average I see fewer deer when the wind is blowing. Sure enough, by 8:30 I’d seen only one buck where opening day I’d seen over 15. Probably a combination of the wind and the fact they’re still feeling the pressure I put on them. Bucks, especially those four years and older, won’t put up with much pressure. To my knowledge, I’m the only hunter in this area this year.
However, I did see one buck feeding in the same draw where I ambushed the big herd on opening day. The sun was not yet up and the wind was howling too much to get any use out of the spotting scope. I could see through my 8x Swarovski ELs that he was big in the body and I could see tall antlers, so I was sure he’d make the grade. In faith I peeled around the mountain and headed for the saddle at the top of the draw I’d seen him in. It took about 20 minutes to get around there.
I made it about 50 yards farther down the hill than I did on opening day and was in perfect postion with all probable shots being between 41 and 70 yards according to my ELs. The wind wasn’t in my face and I’d have to circle the basin to accomplish that, but there wasn’t time, so I hoped for the best. About then a doe and twin fawns appeared from below the horizon in front of me. She was nervous and quickly made her way through the basin. I sat for 20 minutes but he never showed. I hunted for an hour slowly around the hill. I’ll never know if he winded me, was spooked by the nervous doe, or just left the basin where I couldn’t see him. That’s deer hunting.
As far as sitting saddles, which I call ambush hunting and wrote a whole chapter on it in my new book, it can be an effective technique. However, when archery hunting, I usually only utilize it if I’ve confirmed bucks are in the immediate area and there is a high chance they’ll head for the saddle. It’s best used for archery in country you know very well and have patterned bucks using the saddles or seen their sign there. I took a few pictures this morning to show you what I look for when selecting possible saddles to set an ambush in. These pictures are just a few hours old:
Above is the top of the basin and the “saddle” I’m referring to. Really it’s just a low spot on the ridge but through scouting and hunting, I’ve determined it is a high probability area for deer to move through. The lead photo of the bucks shows them in that saddle opening day (see Huntin’ the Pockets- Day 1 if you missed it.)
You have to look close to find the trail, but it’s there. Not every deer that goes through a saddle will walk on the trail and is why ambush hunting with a bow is hard. I look at trails as a higher probability of where a buck will come through but not a guarantee.
It only took a few minutes to find a buck track in that saddle.
This spot needs a rest so I’m going to back out and try another “pocket” I know in a completely different unit. Lord willin’ the next time you see me I’ll be hunting some aspen/conifer habitat where I recently saw one of the best 3-point main-frame bucks I’ve seen in a few years. He was there last year, too, but has really come on this year. I estimate he’s four or five years old.
I’ll also be stopping and picking up my hunting partner. He only weighs 80lbs and makes quite a bit of noise in the woods but has been asking to go bowhunting, so tomorrow is his day.
Finally, as I leave the 90-degree temps of this desert country, I wanted to give you my thoughts on the Kryptek Hyperion shirt I’ve been testing. For you long time subscribers, you’re probably wondering where my “invisible shirt” has been? Well, this Hyperion sheds the heat so well, I haven’t had to go shirtless yet (for you newbies, I’ve been known to hunt half-naked as I’ve found it very efficient in the thermo regulation department.) The Hyperioin lets moisture through very well and drys quickly. I can honestly say I hardly realize I have it on. I’ve also hunted four days without a shower and it doesn’t stink. Seems to be performing very well.
See you tomorrow.
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