Russell alway remember it's not where the arrow hits the deer it's where it goes after that. Where to aim changes with different angles. I always just imagine where the arrow is going to pass through.
Also shooting from elevated stand is different than shooting from the ground. I find I need to bend at my waist and square my upper body to my target. If I don't do this I shoot a foot high. If I do I can shoot like I do from the ground. I'm still working on this trying to make it automatic.
I like a quartering away shoot. It opens up the kill zone and gets the front shoulder out of the way. It also usually gives you a better chance of get a shot off without being seen.
Use as sharp as you can get them points. If you have arrows that fly good from your bow that have glue on points, get glue on broadheads the same weight. It is important to get good arrow flight. You want your arrow to straighten out quick to get good penetration.
Practice and practice. I personally would rather shoot one arrow several times through the day then several arrows once a day. Try shooting from different positions. To your right, straight forward and to your left. Right handed its easier to shoot to the left. Remember what shoots you like best when sitting up you hunting spot.
Hunting from a tree stand has the advantages of easier to see animals coming and getting a shot off without being seen. Disadvantage of not being able to move to a different location as easily. Also angles of shots can get more difficult. I'm still not use to hunting from a tree. I have found a stand I do like better now. I feel more comfortable and it's platform is big enough for me to maneuver around a bit. I do really enjoy watching everything from a tree stand.
Hunting from ground is more portable. You really don't need a blind. You need something to break up your silhouette. I have many times been very close to deer. Five yards even and they were looking all around. Looking right through me like I was totally invisible. Make the slightest move or make eye contact and they are gone. Ryan Gills once wrote that he believes deer notice someone sitting more than standing. I tend to agree with him. Getting close is the easy part, getting a shot off without being seen when your that close is the hard part. Especially on the ground.
It is possible to stalk or still hunt. Some people do it regularly. There's a difference between the two. Stalking you know where a deer is. I've had some luck stalking. Still hunting you know a area where deer are. Either way you need to see the deer before they see you. It's more difficult when you don't know exactly where the deer are.
It's nice to see lots of deer, but it's much easier to get a good shot off without being seen when you only have one deer to worry about. Honestly I think old does with a couple yearling fawns have a sixth sense. Some of these does are just plain skittish.
Remember hunting is different than shooting at a target. It's normally hours of distractions and seconds of pure adrenaline. How a person handles those seconds makes all the difference. You need everything to just be automatic. You don't want to have to think about anything.
The more you understand the animals your after the better situation you can put yourself in. Try to learn as much as you can about them. I sometimes like to sit somewhere I can see a large area but don't have to worry about being seen. I'm not trying to get a shot, just trying to see where I can sit up for a good shot.
Remember hunting is hunting. Don't expect to get a shot every time you go out. Try to enjoy it. Many of my favorite Hunts I never even drew my bow. If you just want to take a animal and don't enjoy the rest of the hunt, you'll probably become discouraged.
Good Luck and Happy Hunting
Bjrogg
