What would you all say that your percentages are for 1. seeing deer when you go out 2. Getting close enough for a shot. I have been keeping records for a few years and have found that about 50% of the time I am in the field I see deer, and 1 in every 9 times I am close enough for a shot. I am blessed to have very good places to hunt, and was just wonder what others encounter, or if anyone else collected such data.

Well...

In the overpopulated part of the state, I don’t believe I’ve ever failed to see (or at least hear) a deer as long as I was out for at least 2 hours... except once in January.

With a scoped Rifle, that means I had a safe shot within range probably 90% of the time. Safety being the issue, rather than range.

With irons on the .45/70 or the .54, probably 60% of all of those hunts would have offered at least one shot.

Bowhunting distances accounted for all but 3 or 4 of the deer I’ve killed out here, so probably about 50% or a little more of all of my hunts down here have offered a good shot opportunity.

In the sparsely populated part of the state, I think I’ve SEEN deer on 2 out of about 8 FULL days, and on one of those occasions I even had a shot offered with respectable shooting light available.

My percentages are way down where I hunt. Maybe only 10% to see deer and whatever 1 shot a season adds up to these days. But my fun and anticipation is still running about 95% . :) Love to be in the woods!

I'm lucky for sure, having always had relative's, or my own ranches to hunt. See deer every time I hunt, and have shots every hunt, just very selective when hunting mature bucks. When it comes to meat hunting, just have to decide on the healthiest looking doe. I shoot either axis or blackbuck does for meat. The mature bucks go to Hunters for the Hungry, as well as does that are overpopulated in our areas. Percentages are way up for sightings and shots during my normal hunts.

varrys here

sometimes see everywhere and many shot opportunities then other times they disappear (guess moving at night)

once the deer hound hunters start only see if being pushed

1. Probably see deer close to 90-95% of the time.

2. Probably close enough for a shot 50% of the time.

3. Not asked, but probably only 10% on actual shot opportunities if I decided to shoot.

I have never kept long term records so I can only comment on this year.

I have made 5 hunts this year.

I have seen deer on 4 or the hunts this year.

I have been close enough for shots 3 times this year.

I have taken 1 shot this year and taken 1 buck.

Man! It sounds like you Texas Boys are covered up in deer!

I see deer usually every time out. Get shots about every 4 sits

JimBob, it depends on what part of the state you hunt. Most all of the state has deer but some areas have a lot of deer. I am fortunate enough to hunt in one of those areas but ours are really small. You guys have the really big deer. Takes two of ours to equal the size of one of yours. There are a few areas of the state with big deer but not as a general rule.

Rarely ever sit a morning or evening without seeing deer. Rifle shot would be 90% +. A bow shot,inside 20 yards,able to draw undetected,and get the right angle,maybe 20%. I am pretty choosy. That is considering both buck and doe,both legal. The one I want where and when I want it 4 or 5 times the whole three month season. Usually 2 bucks the rest does.>>>>-----> Ken

I would say 100% for me in my areas generally because I am where the animals are because I set up for the shot and found the animals to get on them. Percentage of shots 100% usually now on any deer but if you have a certain target animal then now this is where the percentages move the dial. But then once you move on the animal it can go back to 100% shot opportunity the animal is dead unless you mis or you wound?

Remember variables. If your not in animals then move and find them so you are. You can't shoot if they aren't there and your in line for a shot.

Now there are times when animals don't move or they move late and it gets dark and you mis them also as well as the rut and they are in a different set of woods that you are in so there's always variables. I don't think you can accurately log days afield like this on percentages because in the bush it can change and if you don't change with it then we can loose out.

Last season it was like 50 bucks turned down either no shot or smaller than I was wanting to shoot. My scale was 8 points and 18 wide that was my standard last season. I didn't shoot a buck so I shot 4 does for meat.

This year who knows what I am going to encounter. I'm fighting issues so maybe I should just feel blessed if I get out and see a deer let alone shoot one without a lot of help.

Arizona Coues whitetail, online, bow hunters report about 1 out of 10 stalks result in shot opportunity. I think it is much lower for trad and primitive, obviously. However, I find trad/primitive,myself included, often get in the cable bow range, but the last 15-20 yards are tough.

Knowing an area and ambushing is proving the adage "move a lot, see lots of deer, sit a lot, kill one."

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