How many get busted taking that last step

[wtpops]

Man i wish i would quit taking that last step or three. Yesterday i got onto a hog with about ten minuets of shooting light left. I was about 50 yards out when i spotted him. He was busy routing, and i was able to close the distance fairly quick. I was ready to shoot and took that last step and up popped his head and zip, gone in a flash. I stepped off from where i was to where his stood,18 yards. I could have stopped 3 steps earlier and center punched him, no doubt in my mind, but no i had to have that last step or two. O well had a blast stalking him.

[Ragnarok Forge]

I had the same thing happen with a big doe this year.  I was waist deep in a river sneaking up the side of an island.  I could pop up a bit and see three does moving along the other side of some brush.  I was close enough to shoot and stopped to let them move closer.  At the last second I took three steps closer.  The big doe I was focused on saw the water moving and bolted out of there.

[YORNOC]

HUGE woodland caribou bull in Newfoundland. I was set up on a game trail with the whole herd coming by, the herd bull in front. I was 20 yards and waiting, I saw a small flat opening just ahead and decided I had to get there to stabilize my footing better. About a step and a half.
Made the step...okay...the half and BLAM,  busted. Whole herd charged off.
I was fine, didn't HAVE to move initially but tried to and lost.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

My guess is, its always the last step that spooked them    

I think it was RC that said, if you need one more step, you are close enough.  Its not word for word but makes sense, not that I have had the opportunity to employ the theory!

[rick7]

it has happened to the best of us

[LongStick64]

Always, but sometimes it does work in your favor when you spook a few of them together. Sometimes one always goes the wrong way from the pack and sometimes either the pack or the lone deer try to regroup. If you plan it right, you sometimes have them circle back to you, especially if they really can't identify what spooked them. Doesn't happen often but you need to be ready when it does.

[30coupe]

Originally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
My guess is, its always the last step that spooked them        

 

That's just what I was thinking. Kind of like I always find the tool I'm looking for in the last place I look for it.    

[Bill Carlsen]

The next to last year Maine had a Spring bear hunt I was walking into my bait when I realized I had a nice one already at the bait. My bait was just off an old logging trail and it was a fairly easy stalk on the bare roadway. I got to about 12 yards and he was totally unaware of my presence. I raised my Assenheimer bow to shoot and  one of the feathers in the bow quiver slightly brushed a small twig. That small sound was all it took for the bear to bolt. He never even gave me a "courtesy" look as I was already to release the arrow. I went back the next Spring and got my revenge.

[Lamey]

my problem is getting busted on the "FIRST" step!

[Pat B]

It was only the last step cause I got busted! d;^)

[FerretWYO]

I have done that if i can just get to right there thing way to many times.

[rdoggsilva]

More they I care to count.

[Terry Green]

I have to say the animal has NOT taken the last step to give me a shot more than ME taking one more and blowing it.

I have also WAITED on a better shot that never came either....not many of them do I regret....but I do remember a few I did.

[wvtradbow]

I think you remember those (what if moments) more than the actual kill in most cases..A few years ago elk hunting,I was in great position but actually backed up a few yards trying to guess a bulls movements,if I would've stayed put maybe a 10 yd shot,those few yards took me out of the game...  

[Bill Carlsen]

You would think that after all these years I would have learned by now but one habit I have that i do automatically is reach for my bow on the bow hanger as soon as an animal is in the vicinity. I forger to "find" them and evaluate the situation before I make the first move. Just because i can't see them doesn't mean they can't see or sense my movement. Happened to me twice last year.

[Charlie Lamb]

If I'd have killed every animal at 25 yards that I spooked trying to get to 20 Chuck Adams would be calling me for advice!
   

[twitchstick]

I have been an inch away my whole life.  

[mark land]

Man that is the story of my life!  I always try to get that extra few steps or 5yds instead of just taking the shot that I know is inside my effective range, but I always seem to assure myself I can get a little closer as the hog is feeding or does not see me or I have this tree in front, etc.  Yeah well you know what usually happens, the "sure" thing ends up with no shot at all.  1 day I swear I will just get inside 20yds and shoot, well at least that is my story now!  LOL