This morning, I had a clueless spike feeding without a care in the world about 15 yards from the Boogie Man. I drew on him, stared a hole in a spot on his chest, and let down. I find this to be good practice, and is good for the nerves when a critter comes along that you want to drop the string on. It also gives an idea of what you can get away with when the real moment of truth comes.
Does anybody else do this type of mental exercise when you are close to animals that you aren't going to shoot?

My fingers usually don't cooperate with my mentality and the string falls away. Im always happy with the results though. A legal deer is a good deer to me, especially when Im hungry.  

I used to then I remembered the number one rule of gun and archery safety.  Never point your gun/bow at something that you don't want to destroy.

I do that a bunch also, Pat...for the very reasons you stated.   It's also a good exercise for those who combat target panic....myself included.

I tried that twice and my fingers overruled my brain and I shot two does ... I stopped doing that

fortunately both times does were legal

Never done it, have thought about it many times. Always with the same fear that elkken and izzy stated, my mind and fingers disagreeing. Calgarychef also brings up a great point, I was taught this rule from the first time I saw a weapon...

These days anytime I see a deer I know I'm not going to shoot I grab my camera. I also don't want to risk getting busted in a hot spot.

I like drawing on all animals-pets not included.

I've done it before....but my self control is too lacking to make a habit of it!

I think it's good sport counting coupe on an animal like that. i do it every chance i get. except.... i don't pick a spot... once i've got a lock on a tiny spot at anchor, everything goes on auto pilot from there...

In one of my favorite hunting places here in Okie, I get into the elk herd pretty often. We can't hunt them but I will occasionally draw on one for the stated purpose. Its like kissing your sister.

I drew twice on a doe at 5 yards last Sunday to make sure my clothes and arrow rest were totally silent.  they were.  this helps build my confidence for when a nice buck is standing that close.  at 5 yards on a real still evening i really need quiet clothes and a quiet arrow rest.
I also really need to concentrate as I have got two turkeys doing that when I hadn't planned on getting a turkey.
bill

I did it for the first time this morning on a button buck. Felt great and held steady at anchor HUGE confidence builder going into the Iowa rut and my 4 day vacation starting Thursday!!

Been doing that a lot this year.

Its OK

CHuckC

Do it all the time - call it "catch and release" archery hunting!!!

I draw on an animal every chance I get. It will show Your flaws.
In a tree stand with a Bull tag and draw on a cow that comes in....no better practice. once an Antelope came to water while in stand, made a beautiful shot, cept' never loosed an arrow.

QuoteOriginally posted by pamike:
Do it all the time - call it "catch and release" archery hunting!!!

X2  and for all the reasons mentioned above, confidence, good practice, etc.  But I take a real deep hook so as not to let fly accidentally...done that on a few leaves just warming up!

I have did that in the past, results have been two deer and a black bear, none of which I really wanted to shoot!    

Yep, I do it and have done it. I don't do it if there is a chance the deer will sense or see me.

I go through the motions,but not draw the bow.