I missed a dandy of an 8-point at dusk last night. The shot was a long one for me -- over 20 yards. But with all of the pussy-footing around the buck had done when he was closer, the first clear shot was the one I took. I had been at 3/4 draw when he was at about 12 yards and perfectly broadside, but a doe behind me let out a bark that made him turn his head in my direction, so I froze.
Well, by the time he offered another opportunity he was over 20 yards away and almost behind my tree stand to the right. I missed him high and left.
When I took the shot I was twisted around to my right about as far as my body could twist. I shoot right handed.
So, today I set up the same shot with a target and twisted as far as I was twisted last night. I took some shots. They were all the same as last night's shot -- high and left.
Here is what I learned from the recreation of the shot: I was so far into a twisted position that I was short drawing the bow. So the shaft was too stiff for the amount of draw, thus the left sailing of the arrow. In addition, when I was twisted that far I was placing so much torque into the string with my string hand that I forced the shot to go a bit high.
Lesson learned. I am not as flexible as I used to be when I was younger and the ability to twist my body a lot and maintain any form to make a good, or even decent, shot is something that is way way in my past.
Luckily, my shot did't spook the buck very much. I expect that if I give him a week or so to forget the noise of the arrow hitting the leaves and dirt near him, I'll see him again and get another opportunity.
I am glad that I took the time to reproduce the shot and find out what went wrong. In the future, if a decently shootable deer gets behind me I will wait for it to get far enough in front for me to have reliable form. If that doesn't happen the critter gets to walk away quietly without knowing I'm anywhere around.
It's always a good thing when we can figure out, and learn from our mistakes. Glad you got that one solved, and good luck on your buck!
Bisch
Smokin Joe, there was another aspect at play here, one that many clays shooters are either unaware of or with which they struggle.
When you are twisted to your maximum, much like a spring, your body and mind are focused on holding that spring tension.
The split second you then pull the trigger your mind and body instantly change the focus from holding that spring tension and much like a spring the tension releases, in your case immediately pulling your body back to the left and up as well if you were also torqued downward.
Just my $.02.
Better luck next time Joe.
Basstar: That really makes sense. That could have compounded the issue. Thanks for the info. My experiment taught me that the twisting shot is one I should not take in the future because my body doesn't have the youthful flexibility it use to have. Whether it is the shortened draw or the spring-back effect, or a combination of factors, that shot needs to be avoided in the future.
Some guys are just better at that contortionist shooting than others.... you ever watch Terry Green do that upside down and backwards shooting in some of his videos?
It requires a lot of practice keeping your alignment solid while bending and twisting at the waist. Makes my back hurt just watching.....I'm still pretty limber at 60 years old, but i can't do that extreme stuff any more...
I do better getting to full draw first and get my alignment set before bending or twisting at the waist.... But....in hunting conditions that don't work so well sometimes....
Nice post Joe....it gets the best of us!!!
The wildest shot I ever took was pheasant hunting....but I'll have to let Curt Cabrera tell that story.
Anyhow....hang in there....and I got your text...we'll chat this week.....I'm taking Alvin to my lease this weekend. Got to get him his 1st trad kill!!!
Look forward to you posting soon with a hero pic my friend......if not...we'll go make sure you get one! The lease is HOT at the moment.
Great info. to think about. For now I'll try to stay out of that situation.
Like your attitude Joe.
Too often I hear "it happens - laugh it off and keep flinging".
Personally I want to figure out way I missed so I can do everything I can to correct it. Lot of deer between a clean miss and a solid kill - I don't want to hit any of it because I just keep flinging.