The rut is going on hot and heavy here today. I saw about ten deer including 5 bucks within 60 yards of me. It rained this morning and I was pretty wet and kneeling in mud behind my burlap ground blind. A smallish doe came at me and circled around at about 15 yards. She stopped. I shot. I missed. Still circling me, she jumped ahead about 10 yards and stopped again. I shot again. I missed again. I supposed I could blame the weather. That is why I like traditional archery, though. I missed becaused I did one or more things wrong. Can't blame the equipment. A little later, an 8-pointer trotted past me at about 5-6 yards, but never slowed for a shot. I'm going back out this afternoon. I hope I score, but with this poor shooting, maybe somebody else deserves those deer this year.
Hang in there, you will connect. Everyone has their moments.
been there and done that so your not alone
Hey Scott....It's days like this that keep us going back man.....anyone saying they haven't missed shots aren't telling the truth, or they haven't shot at many deer. Hang in there....maybe you've gotten over the jitters, and you'll be ready when the next one comes by.
Billy
Dont let it get you down you are just paying your dues. Just remember to pick a spot. Everybody misses.
You learned more from that doe and two misses than the next five deer harvested...
If trad was that easy like shooting a wheely, they would have named this site Primgang instead of Tradgang.
Some times in life the more the work the greater the reward....and Trad is a reward..
Join the club. This is hard for me to say, but I am 0-7 this season, including 2 shots on 1 deer, and 3 misses in one day...for 7 days of hunting... All shots inside of 18 yards, 1 at 10 yds, and one at 5 yds.
Its a rush, isn't it?
Keep going.
At least you're seeing them. :(
PICK A SPOT I know something about this issue, believe me.
Good Luck
ChuckC
At least your bow is quiet.
Hang in there Scotty boy!! Don't be afraid to give 'em a bleat to get 'em to stop as you are coming to full draw!!
Hey I miss at least one a year and some years thats the only shot opportunity I get! But that hunting! What would you rather be doing?
Stay focused! I missed a huge doe last Saturday. She must have weighed 200 or better. There was a 1 1/2 year old buck chasing her, and she made him look like a midget. At 14 yards, I shot right in front of her!
Sunday another doe (not quite as big) gave me a shot at 18-19 yards. That one's in the locker!
The difference? I stared at the spot (not the whole deer), kept my head down, kept my bow arm steady, and made a good release. Double lung, lots of blood, and a short track.
You can do it too!
Don't give up! You are a good hunter because you are putting yourself in the right place at the right time. I haven't even seen a deer to miss! :biglaugh:
OK not being mean just honest. Scott we all miss trick is to learn from your misses and then put in the range time to correct the problem.
BobW
Respectfully stop hunting and spend some time at a 3D range! You aren't able to make a clean humane kill at the ranges you've been hunting. 0-7, Learn your effective range before you wound a deer and it suffers needlessly.
BTW I've missed twice on big game hunts....in 30 years of hunting. 3 if you count "jumping the string".
Hang in there,your getting chances and thats good. Any body that says they don't miss either never shot or is a liar...lol. Keep at it it will happen. good luck.......ron w
On the positive side, a clean miss is better than a bad hit. Hang in there and best of luck next time!
Don't feel bad. Just regroup and try again staying focused on picking a spot.
I won't mentioned the day a few years back when I missed 3 (count'em 3!) different eight pointers in one day.
Come on Scott! Ive seen you shoot, regroup and go gettem'.
30 Coupe is right, aim small. I cant count the critters I have missed until I remembered to pick the spot, it get's pretty exciting out there and sometimes the simple things like that are easily overlooked.
Good luck Scott, you can do it!
Dont feel bad Bro! I missed the same deer twice then got her on the third. First missed at about 15 yards. Shot right under her. She bounded off and turned and just looked around. After an hour or so she fed back to me twenty yards broad side. I tried to shoot over a limb and WHACK, hit the limb, I couldnt believe it. The deer jumped up straight in the air 4-5 feet. My arrow was deflected straight down some how. I reached into my quiver still watching the deer, and pulled out a judo pt!! CRAP!! Trying to move as little as possible, I balanced the arrow across the front of my stand. Took a look at my quiver this time, cause I didnt want to grab the other judo I had with me. After what seemed like forever, I finally got another broadhead nocked. To my total amazement she had moved away from where the 2nd arrow was in the ground and actually gotten closer to my tree. Oh was I fired up! Bored a hole through her this time with no obstructions, party over. Sat back down and just kinda giggled. Stick with it, you will probably look back on your hunt with a big laugh!!
Missed a buck three times in a row my second year. Join the club, then pick a spot and drill one. Good Hunting!
Brother, I hope you read these posts and take em to heart. We have all been there and some of are right there with you now. Take me for instance. I take pride in being the local deer slayer hence the name "heydeerman". I am 1 in 5 this year. One of em was the biggest buck I ever shot at :banghead: . I have only missed one deer in the last 9 years. Frustration is part of the business. Hang in there and keep pluggin away. You'll connect and feel great when you do.
OK got several PM's on my post so let me elaborate. Bob and possibly Scott as well. seems you have some possible "Buck fever" issues. Best way to fight this is spend lots of time watching deer or other large animals. The better acquainted with there habits the better prepared and more comfortable you'll be when the moment of truth presents its self. Even time spent at a zoo will help calm that jittery feeling and help you stay on target. Also several folks have mentioned picking a spot, a tuft of off color hair or a bug bite in the right spot. Great advice you'll never connect looking at the whole critter. Also I have found lots of folks get in the field and there form goes completely to hell, think back were your shots consistently high and left? Don't forget to cant the bow.
However no one will be getting a apology from me on this and if the subject comes up again I'll say the same. Part of being a responsible hunter is admitting when your out of your element and being man enough to stay out of the field and put in the time and training necessary to be an effective hunter. Nothing destroys the reputation of archers faster than a wounded animal. In fact there will never be a archery hunt in the Anchorage area because of an archer who wounded a moose so all of Alaska could watch it slowly die on the evening news. We have a responsibility to the archery community, the animals we chase and society as a whole to maintain the highest personal and moral standards. Also candy coating the facts helps no one and further demeans our way of life.
In short the reputation of the archery community, the prevention of needless suffering and the preservation of the hunting lifestyle are more important than your, my or anyone else's feelings!
It can happen to anyone. I went many years without a miss until this year. I just plain shot over a buck this morning, and then had the same buck duck the arrow a little later. I had a branch get in the way earlier in the year. All you can do is keep at it, and remember to pick a spot.
I missed a P&Y buck on Monday morning, then again on Thursday afternoon - same big pig of a buck.
Makes you feel very humbled doesn't it ?
Rick P - you are not alone.
Steve
Thanks Steve I really needed to hear that.