finally see deer... been hunting hard. big doe and 2 big yearlings under the stand at 815 this morning. i had to wait for the big doe to show herself I could hear her back down the trail a bit. when she caught up with the last one in front of her, they started to fight up on their back legs pawing each other! I had never seen that in person before, very entertaining, but all the while making me wait even more and get more nervous as I was afraid I wouldn't get a shot at all.
things finally calmed down, when she put her head down, i was already standing, with bow out front, 15 feet up, 10 yards away, and proceeded to 'not' pick a spot, 'not' come to full draw, and partially i think because at about 3/4 draw she catches my movement and stares right at me. so i think i rushed the shot trying to get the shot before she bolted.
I got the shot off before she moved, but it went right over her back.
very disappointed, around here, i sometimes only see one deer a year, so i may well have had my chance for a while. i blew it.
came home, put the foam doe at 10 yards and put 2 arrows w/in 2" in vitals, then I was even more disappointed.
this is harder than it looks.
maybe tomorrow.
thanks, david
It happens man. Nothing makes you better like experience. I still have problems calming down (Especially on pigs. Missed a lot.) Keep at it and pick a spot. Good luck.
Never, never, never give up!
I know it stinks but a Miss is better than a wounded animal any day. Count your blessings and Better luck next time.
I know pros that have missed chip shots, it happens, Glad you had a great encounter!
Man, that is wild! At least you got a shot off! Glad it was a miss instead of a wounded animal. I know it will happen for you so, just keep at it. :thumbsup:
Just think, I've never seen two deer sparring with each other so, that in itself made it a successful hunt in my book. :D
First off congrats on getting a shot.
I've taken a few deer with trad gear this will cheer you up.
Last year clean misses on 2different small bucks
12 yards
9 yards
I did not pick a spot and similarly more worried of being seen than concentrating on my spot. Like Charlie said clean misses are better. I'm getting good at clean misses :scared: :scared:
I don't say this because I'm proud of it... But I gummed a hog up 3 weeks ago, 22 yards, walking shot, and I rushed it. Straight salad shot...
I then missed a 6 point the very next morning, 20 yards... Broadside, standing still... Chip shot.
Something I forgot was the length of time it takes the arrow to get there over a wheelie bow! The buck ducked the arrow, and it went literally hairs over his back.
It sucked, but as days went by and I continued to hunt, I reflected on the whole hunt and how awesome my encounters have been this year. Btw, I'm in Fl! So I know exactly what your talking about opportunities seeing deer.
Hang in there
Keep your chin up!!!...and stay after them!!!
The most difficult thing a traditional archer has to over come is to realize that, one we have more time than we think, two if it doesn't happen on this hunt that's OK, and never stop looking at the target. The spot the impact point. What ever you want to call it. Pick a target and focus on that spot, if the deer gets spooked its over, if you can't keep you concentration level at its most high that's OK. Relax, take your time enjoy the moment, if you try to force yourself into not making a mistake you will make one. Just let it happen, it will all come together. Its got to feel right, and for that to happen you have to be collected and relaxed. the rest will fall into play.
Good points, Bruce.
Also, in my experience, you are in for a challenge if the deer catches your movement and looks at you.
It may work, but you are likely to experience a "Matrix" like scene, with your arrow flying in slow motion toward your spot, and the deer dropping as if it were dodging j-u-s-t around the arrow. Leaves you with a great memory, but no venison!
But you saw a deer, that's why you were there!
Been there many many many, did i mention many, times!
If it was easy everyone would do it. there is so many variables that come into play for a traditional bowhunter. Every one of us has been or will be in the same situation you were and will do the exct same thing.
Next time you do put one in the freezer if will be that much sweeter.
It's hunting man. Sounds like a great time to me!
Keep at it. I think I missed 5 or 6 in a row before I finally connected.
You'll learn that you have to stay "in the shot" rather than focusing on the outcome. If you run your shot. it'll happen. If you get to thinking about how NOT to screw it up, your mind will screw it up every time!
Good luck!
keep at it. we've all been there. anybody that says they haven't is fibbin'. it will happen again. but if you stick with it, goods things will happen.
Only person that doesn't miss doesn't shoot! Keep at em man, it'll happen
Don't give up it will happen for you. Now you broke the ice with a shot, next time you will get one.
Tom
Been there! Bummer, but you did everything else right so just remember to pick spot next time!
every miss can be a lesson and shooting hair is way harder than shoot'n foam ... I have proven that time and time again :banghead:
you'll get it, keep the faith and study why you missed
A clean miss is better than a bad hit, any day!
Look at it this way - you got to have all the fun with none of the work.
Keep after them and it will happen for you!
Bisch
Sometimes you learn a lot more from the misses then the hits. Practice from a stand if you can shooting over is a common miss if you shoot mostly from the ground during practice.
Now get back out and bring one home.
Mike
X2 on what Bisch said! In my book, anytime I see something I've never seen before, I consider it a successful day in the woods. Doesn't matter if it's deer or a species of woodpecker I haven't seen up close before. Obviously you're doing something right to experience what you did, keep at it, it will happen. That's what I keep telling myself anyway. I have yet to loose an arrow from my trad equipment at a deer, but I will, it's just a matter of time.
Happens to all of us. The feller that claims of no misses hasn't been doing this very long.
Been there! Keep at it, and pick a spot!!!!!
Been at this round 30 years still happens I have had 5 deer under ten yards this year only killed one. Keep after them it's worth it!
Don't beat yourself up, it happens. the only people who have never missed are either liars or people who have never tried. Just try to learn from the experience and be thankful for the encounter.
Missed a turkey this morning. You are now in a not so exclusive club.
I'm with ya Brother missed the same Red hog 2x, Sat eve. 1st. shot High 27 yds.
2nd shot High 23yds. was sick! Sun morn.
I had a fruitbasket Buck @18yds. Picked a spot hit Full Anchor ..... Then realized he was illegal (horns weren't wide enough). KNEW he was going home w/ me till he looked at me and I realized what ALMOST was.. But I MADE SURE I picked a SPOT that time!! (He never realized how close he came).. :pray: Checked later and Brace Height had dropped 1/4 in. (hot weather). STILL TRYING !!
Enjoy the experience. This is my third season and I've missed. I loved every experience though.
It's so hard to shoot by feel when you are so worked up with adrenalin you don't feel anything.
It makes it that much better when it all comes together.
Keep at it and enjoy the small things during the hunt.
+1 for a clean miss instead of a wounded animal. We've all been there pardner, so don't kick yourself too hard.
If it was easy they'd call it killing, not hunting.
God bless,
AJ
Keep after it! Shoot man, I have missed a deer that I could have spit on.... twice! :thumbsup: