Its so easy to clip a branch or something in the way to small to recognize,it happenend to me once, two shots missed clipped small branches both times, kept calm whole time thought the day might be over than a few minutes later same buck arrived even closer and I double lunged him, a most memorable hunt. If I would of went home empty handed I still would of been happy with the experience.

It happens. Keep going. Misses usually result from failing to "pick a spot" ( for me at least).

Missed a big PA 6 pointer 3 times....he didn't run after the third shot but I only had 3 arrows with me...at least I know my bow is quiet.....

It's funny how the fever can get you one moment then you can control the shot the next time around    
I'm sure that's why I love this so much

Yeah misses are part of bowhunting.

In my case after missing a very nice 140ish buck at 22 yards I did a bit of an inventory of my shooting style, aiming method and practice routine.

Doing that helped a lot.

Everyone misses. It's the nature of this sport

Rifle, compound, trad... it makes no difference. It's human nature to not be perfect.

You can only do your best and take ethical shots. The rest is up to chance

Shoot you ain't done nuthin till you shoot outta arrows--completely empty quiver--then you know you done did some good huntin--you in the right spot--that's really the hard part for alot of people...

Hey, Rick, not only did I shoot out of arrows, I went back to town and got some more. Killed a deer later that day. Even an ignorant guy gets lucky sometimes.

Hang tough... this is not an easy way to hunt... persistence and patience.  Good luck and get back out there.

I remember when Byron Ferguson talked about missing a bear at 8yds!!!!

don't be frustrated because a clean miss is a GOOD miss and every miss is educational..... I missed a doe a few weeks ago at about 10yds,, I can't explain how I missed to me it dropped under the arrow in lightening speed.   I thanked that deer out loud for the awesome memory and had something new to think about for the next week or two.

I'm jealous you get to hunt.  With 3 little ones at home, demanding career, and even more demanding wife I hardly remember what it's like.

I missed 14 shots this year, didn't draw a drop of blood on any of them (thank goodness).  Then shot a real nice buck.  It happens, and when it does we all should hope for clean misses

I can't tell you why you missed, but I can tell you why I miss....If I start think "beyond the shot"....as in "I can't wait to drive this buck over to LaClairs house and show off"...I will miss.

I have to maintain focus ONLY ON THE SHOT before and during the shot.

I have taken 2 shots in 3 years of hunting with traditional gear (could have killed several during that time with a wheel bow). 1 shot I made the common mistake of looking at the whole deer - decent 8pt. - instead of concentrating on a spot; right over top. Second was a no go either but it was due to an upper limb failure. I guarantee you I will be out next bow season with a recurve again. I believe I will get it done and if you stay after it I believe you will too. You are not alone.

I missed the only shot I took so far this year.  Actually, the arrow went where I wanted it to, the buck wasn't there any more.,