There are a lot of things that go into being a successful bowhunter. Apart from the obvious need for deer in your area, you must spend hours scouting, your stand must be in the right place, and you have to be a good shot.

But hunters don’t always think about shooting lanes.

Don’t be a hunter that spends hours in a tree waiting for a buck to show itself, only to let the deer slip off because you didn’t cut shooting lanes and didn’t have a good shot.

The late John Trout, Jr. shared some good advice with Deer & Deer Hunting.

“The arrow hit a limb.” It’s the oldest excuse in the book of bowhunting when we miss but also the most legitimate. Limbs have saved many whitetails, not to mention allowing some bucks to grow old. A deflected arrow or crossbow bolt also causes a domino effect. A deer could become educated and might hesitate before walking past your tree stand another day. You will find yourself down and out, possibly with a costly damaged arrow and broadhead… [continued]

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