Quite easily it appears. Only my second time out this year. Very nice set up in spot I killed one with shotgun last year just 50 yds from my house. I'm spoiled, that's why taking my time hunting them. The older toms seemed to be more responsive to my amateur calling this time last year. Also a casual 8:00 hunt time seems to work great to. Anyway, no excuses, I blew the shot, I am almost regretting letting him in so close. I was quite sore from a lot of practice and a lot of digging and raking in the yard this week. I was inside a worn out old blind with no roof, so still pretty visible through window especially when he is in your lap! So, I drew much slower than usual and kind of hit a wall, tried to really kick in the back muscles but didn't feel like I was really in good alignment. I still felt pretty good, had settled nerves because he took forever sneaking in, and had a spot picked out. Maybe lost concentration for a split second worrying about how draw felt, but its only 5 yds right. Got a good surprise release. Right over him I think. He just walked away and hung out at 25 yds for awhile, but I wasn't up for a follow up. Get him tomorrow.
Spent too much time practicing farther out. I did purposely practice a few in close and do tend to err high if all is not just right. Oh well, such is hunting. At least not a wounded, lost bird, and he sure was acting and looked like a younger, subordinate, so hopefully tomorrow he or the big boss will show up, and I'll close the deal. Just a rush to have my setup unfold perfectly otherwise. Good luck everyone.
I missed a boar hog at 4 yds one time. When the guys in camp asked how I did that. I told them I thought it was 5.
Mike
I missed my javis with gatorgar (alex) at 10 maybe 11 yards....I am pissed at myself but oh well it happens obviuosly.
I think if you have an opportunity to hunt live animals lots that goes away.
For me I know I get excited when I finally get a shot and then I over think it and miss.
Jer Bear
That's Funny Wingnut! :laughing: * It's real easy to miss the close in shots... No such thing as a gimmie.
... mike ...
The closer it is the easier to miss-why? We don't practice close shots-why bother-right?
No difference between 3 and 23 steps if you don't focus and concentrate.... I missed a Javelina at 6 steps...
Lots of grouse I have shot at have lived another day within the 10 yrd mark. Like John3 said, you don't think focus and concentration are needed at that close of range...It really rather easy to miss, I happen to be very good at it at any distance.
I missed a big tom at 7 steps the other day. Just clipped the feathers off top of his back. He was trotting by, but I make that shot 99 out of 100. Guess it was the one time. the only way to never miss is never shoot. At least I finally know what it feels like. LOL. DB
I learned something very valuable from Ray Hammond some years ago: "Pick THE spot." Not "a" spot, "THE" spot. Imagine there is only one single, tiny spot where you can kill the animal you are shooting at...it will make a difference in your shooting.
Welcome to the club, this thread would go on for months with folks chiming in on close "gimmies" that turned into "what was that!" shots.
i missed a six point whitetail at five yards one time as it slowly walked by my blind. as the saying goes in golf, there are no three foot tap-ins.
I knew I'd be in good company and certainly not looking for pity, but it is reassurring to hear others stories and maybe learn something. It keeps the fire alive to get back out there. All the sweeter when it does happen. thanks for the support.
dont feel so bad, I missed a big tom opening daythis season, no blind, at 9 feet. as I came to full draw my facemask slid to cover my right eye, wich caused me to miss.
better luck next time!!! :D
Yup- missed a tom at about 8 yds a few weeks ago. Right over his back- rushed, brush, some distraction. . . ah crap- I just shot at his whole body.
If I could only have back a couple of 160"+ deer I did that with at under 15!! :banghead:
Good hunting
Dan in KS
My guess. You don't practice at 5 yards enough.
I missed the deer of a life time at Ossabow Island several years ago.For the life of me I can`t remember what to call`m but it had a lot of white sploched all over it.More white than brown. I saw it scouting. Had a first day of the hunt setup on it and it went by at about 25 yards. I did`nt shoot and two days later I moved on it and shot over its back at....4 steps.
Killed two bucks in three minutes that evening at 18 and 16 yards. Both double lung shots.RC
I missed a turkey at about 15 feet. It took a while for me to accept that one.
SL
Been there myself...just so overconfident it is easier to do than you'd think.
"piebald" is the word I was trying to think of a while ago.RC
-been there, done that. Down at Greg Campbells in early March for hogs, my son arrows two, I have a "meat in the freezer", 7 yard shot broadside at a big black boar. Perfect shot behind the shoulder, only an inch over his back.
DOH!!!
Missed a 6x6 elk in NM at 7 yds, if it wasn't for the misses the hits wouldn't be near as good!
Hey Kurt, got your voicemail but it's too late to be calling so I'll talk to you tomorrow. Just getting that bird that close was the hard part---he probably heard your heart beating and "jumped the string".
QuoteOriginally posted by highPlains:
Been there myself...just so overconfident it is easier to do than you'd think.
Exactly, been there :(
I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!
QuoteOriginally posted by joe ashton:
I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!
haha, great idea - let's change the subject :rolleyes:
I have also missed turkeys at 5 yards, give or take a yard.Actualy I made it look quite easy.I guess its a talent I have. :bigsmyl:
Bill
I have noticed that if they get close, have large racks, a beard, fur or feathers, they tend to attract large amounts of air all around them. This air just sucks up arrows, bullets, shot, spears, rocks and thrown pocket knives. I thought it was just me. Bill
Missed my first and only chance at 4 yds under my tree this past fall at a 4 point.First year with a recurve,right over his back.Drew back nice,anchored nice,but dont remember picking a spot...can't wait for this season to redeem myself.....
I figured I was the only one who ever missed a deer at 4 yards. Years ago I had one right below me and as I drew back and lowered the bow the bottom limb hit a branch. In a split second my mind said it's so close it won't matter and you can't miss, and I let fly. It did and I did.
I missed a Fallow deer at 10 yards and a pig at (about) 5-6 feet.
An those are just the two that still haunt me.
Turkeys are real small.
Now days I do practice at very close range.
Easily!
I comfort myself knowing that Bill Negley missed an elephant at ten yards!
I missed a buck of a lifetime at a slam dunk distance. you miss at 5 yds the same way you miss at 20.I will say this the closer you are the more it hurts.for me right before the shot you an your mind are having this conversation about you cant belive how this monster just got with in 5 yds of you an he dosent even know your there.when in fact you should be picking a spot.the closer the shot the more you stress.this takes our mind out of the game. most of my shots are 12-18 yds witch is still very close but 3-4 or 5 yds is just so in your face.what I tell myself is a good bow hunter will work these things out.no pain no gain .another monster WILL walk by.
p.S Its O.K to cry when this happens
Easy let me show ya!!!
Feel your pain brother, I missed a big Kentucky Gobbler last year at 10 yards. Never drew a feather. The worst part about it my brother (who is a compound shooter and always ribbing me about why in the heck would I want to shoot a stickbow) was in the blind with me filming. Oh boy I still hear about that one.
I did the same thing and drew real slow and had to hold it for a few seconds (which I never do). Keep after them that's why we choose to hunt this way. No shot is ever a sure thing.
A sure thing will often lead to not picking a spot and head up at release. Been there done that. More often then not the shot is high. :banghead:
You are now a fellow bowhunter.
Seriously - To be successful at closer yardage ,I find myself having to intentionally conentrate on 'the spot' more intently.
I have felt your pain trad brother!!!
Easy to miss. It's called nerves. Did the same last week. I am a better hunter for it, and assume you will be as well. Just gives me more drive. Good luck.
I know a fellow that is a very good shot that missed an elk at 5 yds...PR
Not hard to do at all. For me it has happened if I don't pick a spot properly.
I was told that if you miss at 5 yrds, the first thing you do is kill any witnesses. :bigsmyl:
This past fall was my first yr to shoot a stickbow.
The fist day of the season i had a nice 8 pointer walk by me at 8 yds and i shot 4 feet over his back.
I don't remember picking a spot or anything for that matter.
The next weekend i killed a nice 8 pointer at 25 yds. I do remember picking a spot on that shot.
easily
Pretty easy actually. :eek: I did it just this evening. Shot at the whole pig, missed the whole pig. I think the really close shots are tougher to make..........