I have hunted less this year than my entire life. You guys have been there  Not cool!  It's been due to a number of factors. But I was able to make it out tonight. I had to drive 2.5 hours to hunt this public land place but I didn't mind. I've got a tree on this land that is the best tree I have ever picked out. I can tell you guys that there for sure is a best tree on any property. I found that tree in this place. But unfortunately the wind was wrong to hunt it. So knowing where the deer normally bed I picked another tree in the vicinity that was better for the wind and climbed. It was warm. But I knew I would have action. I always do when I am lucky enough to hunt this spot. At about 4:00 pm I heard a stick break.  She caught me off guard. It was still early and I was not yet expecting any movement especially on an over hunted piece of public ground. Not only that but she came from an unexpected direction. It kinda hurts my feelings when they do that. Now I was rattled. I needed the meat and I was in a difficult position. I felt like a fool with my bow still on the hanger and a deer at forty yards and closing fast. It was also dead calm out so movement would be an issue as I tried to get into position. It looked like she was gonna pass by my tree at about ten yards. I liked that. But as so often happens she veered off. I noticed a couple more doe s and a fawn coming from behind her and became a bit distracted. Finally the original doe was suddenly in front of me. I focused on her. She was standing there looking the other way. But it was so quiet out I really wanted her to start walking again to avoid string jumping. I figured she was around twenty yards. She started walking again and I drew anchored and shot right underneath her!  Now I'm not the best shot out there but I'm not the worst. I can shoot at my target at twenty yards with my eyes closed and never miss the whole target!  Its funny how that works out when you really wanna send a good arrow!  It's all in fun but I hate it when I miss a gimmie shot like that. It's like I'm waiting for a ref to jump out from behind a tree, call foul and give me a do-over!  Good luck out there guys!

I feel your pain!  How long is your season?  hopefully you can get back out before its all over!

Sorry to hear that Jon.  Personally, I can remember each and every miss I have had as if it just happened.  Funny how those stick in your memory.

Yeah it happens to all of us just put it this way at least it wasn't a BOONER!!!KEEP AT IT

Sorry for your miss.  I've done it myself.  Just be thankful for the opportunity to be out in God's creation.

I had been on a good run and then missed twice this year. One was a really good buck and as I replay it my mind I still feel like everything was right. The other was a small buck and had my Granddad's 1962 Kodiak that morning. I was so excited to have a shot with that bow I didn't pick a spot       ............next year it will work out   :D

It's all part of the fun guys. Wouldn't be fun if we got 'em Everytime!

Yep, did the same thing from -15 yards earlier this year.  I can't remember the last time I mmmmissed one before that.  Oh well, just part of the game we all love!  Keep at 'em.

tell me about it! I missed a 2 times this year!

A clean miss is almost as good as a clean kill!

Yeah, I know what you are saying. I missed the same deer twice, standing in essentially the same spot. This was on 2 separate days. One shot went under and one over. Never did get a chance to see if the third try would be the charm. But it was still a fun season.

44charlie is right.Youll get them next time Jon.You got out there and got the shot,so still a success in my book.

I know it hurts. But I'd rather miss than make a bad shot any day. Get back out there lol

QuoteOriginally posted by 44charlie:
A clean miss is almost as good as a clean kill!

x2

I don't miss often, but I haven't always killed what I hit...that sticks in the head longer than a miss by far.

X3  I missed a big fat nanny at 10 yards last evening...3 inches over her back...What's crazy is that I shot two rabbits this week at 10 and 25 yards, both in the head...moral to the story...PICK A SPOT .....DUH

Been there many times myself, and will surely be there again. There are two kinds of bowhunters, those that miss, and those that lie about it.

He (or she) whom hasn't missed hasn't hunted long enough.

Two years in a row now I've missed a buck. This season I shot about 2 inches over a 2 1/2 year old nine-pointer at 17 yards. Last season I shot barely over a mature 6-pointer as well. The previous two seasons I went 2 for 2 and killed a buck and a doe, both going down within 40 yards. Thought I was invincible with a trad bow, only to be humbled the next two consecutive seasons with the two misses.

Missing SUCKS!

Yup! Sit for hours and days waiting for the one trophy animal. . .  and you choke the shot.  What a year!  No more comment.    

Jon, I hope you get some more time in the woods.    

Keep your head up