(Though this article is based on elk, I wanted to note that it is mainly about a mindset that a hunter takes into the field. That mindset, when paired with knowledge of your quarries habits, will  work for any hunt.)
Most bowhunters that have hunted elk can tell you story after story about the bull that they were right on top of, but just couldn't get the shot. Or, they got caught while drawing and the bull froze behind a tree with the kill zone covered. Even worse, the bull was in full sight and they were not able to draw and just watched the bull walk away.
Sure, you need to find the elk first, but in my experience plenty of hunters are finding the elk but only a small percentage of them are getting into position and finishing with a killing shot. They are just not closing the deal.
Here are my top tips to help you in “closing the deal”:
Never beat yourself. Be aggressive – In the situation described above, the hunter had the bull up close in full sight and didn't draw because he/she didn't want to spook the bull. So the option was to let the bull walk off? Why? If you don't draw, you don't have a chance. The hunter actually beat him or herself.
Here is the way I look at it...if I don't draw, what are the odds of taking the bull? Zero. (Yes I hear the arguments about a second chance later...or recalling the bull back in. But let me tell you, in over 35 years of hunting elk, that will seldom be the case. A bird in the hand....well you know the rest.) But if you draw on the bull, here are the possible things that could happen; 1) He spooks and blows out of there. Same result. 2) He spooks, runs off a few yards for clearance and then stops to see what moved or your guide stops him with a call. Hmmm, better situation. 3) He just stops where he is at and turns to see the movement. Ding, ding , ding......Dead Bull! Always, always, ALWAYS put yourself on the best situation for a shot. Be aggressive. Lock and Load. Don't get caught with your pants down - This has two different applications for rifle and bow hunters. With rifle hunters some guides, for safety and piece of mind, prefer to tell their hunters when to chamber. But for bowhunters, as soon as you even have an inkling, as soon as anything smells like, sounds like or FEELS like something is about to happen, you need to nock an arrow...and I mean RIGHT NOW. Don't wait until the animal is in sight or in close proximity to choose to add another movement to the situation. Set up for clearance – Remember above...Always, always, ALWAYS put yourself on the best situation for a shot. In setting up for a bull, that means giving yourself every shooting lane possible. Set up IN FRONT of brush and trees, never behind them. It will break up your outline, and I have actually had elk look around me to search out danger. I prefer to be on my knees, low to the ground with my bow already out in front of me in position. I position myself ready for the shot opportunity most to my right, knowing that it is easier to twist left without loosing shooting form. In the kneeling position I can also move left or right with very little movement. As soon as I get to my knees, I am scanning and checking shooting lanes. I will shift forward, left, right..etc to get the best lanes. Now, I am in killing position. So, when do I draw? - Okay, you are in great position and the bull is coming into close quarters. Your heart is pounding out your mouth and you have to decide what to do next...when do I draw? In this situation and from what I have said before, we know one thing for sure...you ARE going to draw.
So with that mindset, we need to create the best odds for the situation and the situation will be different each time, except for one fact; we have to have a clear shot at the kill zone (I define the kill zone as a broadside shot behind the shoulder. No Texas heart shots, no neck shots, no femoral artery. It's the boiler room or nothing). Here are a few ways I handle the closing shot;
A) If the bull is close in and in clear view AND I am not drawn, I will draw and bugle with a mouth call at the same time. When I am guiding, I instruct my hunter to draw as soon as he has the clear shot and I will cover the draw with a bugle.
B) If the bull is TOTALLY screened and moving towards a shooting lane, and I KNOW my equipment and draw is totally silent, I will come to draw and wait till he steps out.
C) Here is the big difference between me and most hunters and it comes from a tough teacher...experience. If the bull is moving behind a tree and his head will be obscured for a second, even though it is tempting, I will not draw. I don't have enough fingers and toes to count the times that I have drawn in this situation, only to have the bull catch some of the movement or sound and freeze, staring at me while at full draw, with the kill zone totally covered by the tree that I thought was going to be my friend. Wait again until the kill zone is in the clear and then call and draw as before.
In all of these situations, draw smooth, deliberate and straight back. Don't bring the bow up above or down below the line of your shot. Once drawn and on target, let it fly. Don't give the situation time to change.
In hunting, there is a time to be patient and a time to be aggressive. When it comes to moving in on an animal and closing the deal, aggressiveness is the key. Don't beat yourself. Keep a positive mindset and put yourself in the best position for success. If the animal beats you, that's one thing and what the challenge is about. So prepare for the challenge, give it your best shot and live for the memory.
Hope to see you on the mountain. "Where there is a will, there is a way."
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