Whitetail reflexes (traditional archery)

[okie archer]

I have only killed 4 deer with trad archery. It's been awhile so I'm trying again this year. I have already missed two does. This morning I literally watched a doe duck at the sound of the shot. I watched the arrow fly about 4" over her back as she ducked to launch. I'm hunting out of a ground blind. She was relaxed when I shot. Shot was 17ish yards.
Thinking about aiming 9"-10" low to compensate for the lightning fast reflexes but then maybe the next one won't duck.

 

[Dougfirtree]

Just curious: How quiet is your bow (and your arrows)? I do think aiming a little low is reasonable, given how fast their reflexes are, but your specifics make me wonder if you could quiet your setup down a bit.

 

[pabearhunter]

Was the doe relaxed by eating or looking away at something ?

 

[Flatbrimmer]

I’ve been wondering the same thing. These Midwest guys make shooting whitetail with an arrow look easy but they always duck way farther than I’d like to “intentionally” aim at.

 

[okie archer]

Was the doe relaxed by eating or looking away at something ?

Relaxed head down eating.

 

[okie archer]

Just curious: How quiet is your bow (and your arrows)? I do think aiming a little low is reasonable, given how fast their reflexes are, but your specifics make me wonder if you could quiet your setup down a bit.

I shoot a black widow. I have limb silencers as well as 4 string silencers.