Less Than Pleasant Experience Today

[SELFBOW19953]

Went out this morning to sit in my ladder stand for a while.  When I was about 50 yards from it, I heard big wings and looked up expecting an eagle or turkey, it was neither.  It was a vulture that had been sitting in my tree, along with 6 or 7 of his buddies in or near that tree.  They all flew off and I went to my stand.  About a half hour later, I heard something above me scrape the bark, Mr. Vulture was back.  

I waved at him to get him to leave-I wasn't interested in having vulture droppings on me.  His response was to start puking rotten meat at me.  It was hitting 4 or 5 feet away-way, way too close!!!  I waved both arms and he finally got the message and left.  Being downwind of buzzard barf is most fowl-I wouldn't recommend it as cover scent!!  I spent the rest of the morning looking for vultures more than deer.

[TradBrewSC]

Oh wow, no fun!

But at least it didnt hit you!

[aim small...release]

That sounds awful. I would say your title of this post is right on

[fnshtr]

I've heard they puke as their "defense system", but had never actually experienced it myself.

Something like that could definitely spoil my day.

Good luck with that in the future... (I've also noticed they seem to always return to their roosting places.) You may have to move your stand.

[Looper]

I had one puke on the front of my truck once. Disgusting. Seriously disgusting. If you think a dead possum stinks, wait until you get a whiff of one that's been percolating in a vulture's gut for a spell.

Buzzards are nasty creatures!

Bisch

[KyStickbow]

I have had several bad experiences with buzzards! They r a very foul creature thats for sure!!

[2treks]

WOW.
Funny,
but WOW.

[huntnmuleys]

that's hysterical but gross!

[maineac]

At least he missed.

[kennyb]

I do not mean to laugh, but that is a funny story! I would either move the stand or buy a sling shot! Good luck in your hunting!

Kenny    

[SELFBOW19953]

It happened about 9 a.m., so I don't think it's a roost-I certainly hope not.  I've shot 3 deer in 3 years from that stand, I don't want to move it.  

It is funny.  I was trying to figure how I was going to strip while standing on a tree stand and wearing a safety harness in the event the buzzard's aim improved.

Here's one of the reasons I don't want to move the stand.  He seems to have a pattern of sorts, multiple visits, usually midday.  One of the reasons I showed up so late.

 

[stillhunter]

Look at it this way maybe that buzzard got a lot of faith in you to provide him a gut pile.

[nineworlds9]

       

That buck will be worth it...right?  

[sheepdogreno]

Wow can't say I've heard a story like that before!

[BDann]

Better you than me, brother!

[ChuckC]

A friend had a similar issue with a porcupine that was above him in the tree.  Thing was climbing down, he was in the way and after waving and talking to the critter, the thing just peed on him from above.

According to the movie "Escanaba in Da Moonlight" dousing yourself in porshapine pish is a sure way to call in da big bucks.  But my friend was not so enthused.

ChuckC

[Krex1010]

Never had vultures puke at me, I did once walk up on a blue heron when I was trout fishing. He spooked and as he was starting to fly away he burped up 5 trout that were all between 12"-15" he was a better angler than I on that day

[SELFBOW19953]

Did you keep the trout, Krex??

[sweeney3]

A couple of my favorite spots have buzzard roosts near them.  You can smell them well before you arrive.