Whitetail deer are notorious for “jumping the string.” That is, ducking an arrow by crouching low and allowing the shaft to pass harmlessly over its back. As bows have become faster and quieter over the years, this problem isn’t as prevalent as it used to be. Research has shown that a deer can be feeding with its head down and still see movement from a hunter in a tree stand. This means that they also can see a glint of an arrow upon release, especially if the launch sound focuses their attention to that spot. This video shows the situation graphically and can be a huge help at the moment of truth.

Are these deer jumping the string? Or would you chalk up these misses to user error? Watch the video and sound off. Tell us what you think in the comments section below.