1.) Jon - 09/19/2013

Hey guys, our season started on Sept 2nd and as usual I've been out as much as possible trying to get a good kill on video. I've been self filming as well as bringing my wife out with me to video when she can go.
This past Tuesday, the farmer on one of my favorite farms cut about 300 acres of corn. I really like being out when the combines are cutting but I missed him by a few hours. The weather was right and wind was perfect to sit on the edge of the cut corn in a double stand setup with my wife filming.
We had a doe come out from behind us and feed into the first few rows of cut corn, she was a little skittish but I didn't get overly concerned because she was feeding and very close. After waiting for what I thought was a perfect opportunity, I shot and completely missed at 19 yards. The arrow went right over her back. I thought I did something wrong BUT the video shows exactly what happened and I can say that this has never happened to me in 30 years of bowhunting. Watch this video, it's amazing what a deer's reaction time is. My bow is very quiet but obviously not quiet enough for this doe........

[url]http://youtu.be/_r40Py1k7fU[/url]

2.) bluecat - 09/19/2013

Thanks for the video Jon. She was quick, no doubt about it.

3.) Triton Rich - 09/19/2013

[B]Amazing. Now, if you'da aimed a foot under her. . .
[/B]

4.) Jon - 09/19/2013

Now you know the next one I'll shoot under and she won't duck!

5.) DParker - 09/19/2013

Wow, no kidding she was quick. I kept wondering why I couldn' see the arrow passing over her back, and it wasn't until the last ultra-slow-motion replay that I was even able to see it come into the picture, but which time she was already practically on her belly. Only 19 yards? Again...wow.

6.) Jon - 09/19/2013

I tried doing the math......my bow shoots just under 300ft/second so at 19 yds (lets call it 60') it gets from me to her in 1/5 of a second.......the camera shoots 100 frames a second, in slow motion, it shoots 10 frames a second so it's showing the reaction of the deer at 1/10th of a second. She moves those 12" down in half the time it takes for the arrow to get to her. How did she process the noise that travels at 1126 f/s and then react, all in half the time it took for the arrow to travel 60'?? Nature is awesome

7.) Hunter - 09/19/2013

Unbelievable! But, great video, Jon.

I also wonder how they know to drop and not just spring forward or turn and run?

8.) Hunter - 09/19/2013

... Also, that would have been 100 points for our team!

9.) bluecat - 09/19/2013

[QUOTE=Hunter;10836]Unbelievable! But, great video, Jon.

I also wonder how they know to drop and not just spring forward or turn and run?[/QUOTE]

I've wondered that too and am going to guess. My guess is that they don't know they are ducking to avoid something so much as just gaining a physiological advantage by crouching, getting their legs under them so they can make a quick exit. Think about a sprinter. Their best start is from a crouched position.

10.) DParker - 09/19/2013

[QUOTE=bluecat;10840]I've wondered that too and am going to guess. My guess is that they don't know they are ducking to avoid something so much as just gaining a physiological advantage by crouching, getting their legs under them so they can make a quick exit. Think about a sprinter. Their best start is from a crouched position.[/QUOTE]

This. Dropping into a position that allows them to spring into a run is just an automatic part of the flight reflex that is triggered by a sudden alarming noise.

11.) bluecat - 09/19/2013

Also, you can make faster turns if you lower your center of gravity. By doing this instinctively, they can decide which way to whip their body and head into the opposite direction from danger.

12.) DParker - 09/19/2013

[QUOTE=bluecat;10843]Also, you can make faster turns if you lower your center of gravity.[/QUOTE]

I [I]know[/I] you're not talking to me...because when I lower my center of gravity I just end up taking a nap.