So I have recently switched entirely from wheelie bows to traditional archery. I spent several days in the stand or in the ground blind with a Whizzy longbow.

After several weeks I was able to get an arrow into a mature buck, but When I got to where it had fallen I noticed it seemed bloated and stinky. It had been hit by a car, and the coyotes had already begun the feast. the meat was ruined and i am not sure how the buck was even able to open its eyes, much less run away.

It was sickening for my first trad deer kill, nothing like what i had dreamed of, but at least i was able to end its suffering.

You killed it..... Seems to me you did a real good thing. Good shooting!!

Good thing...  It happens

you done that animal a faver!! no shame in that i would be just as proud if not more of that deer    !!! we do need to see pics thou!!
 

Nothing to be bummed about.  You got your first trad kill which was a mature buck, you stopped an animal from suffering, and you got to spend time in the woods.  Sounds like a great trip to me.  

Sometimes it's not our choice to do what is right.........sometimes it chooses us.

You stepped up to the plate and did what was right, I'd expect you to do the same for me if I were suffering and being eaten alive.

As I would do for you.

That's a real bummer for you....sorry!  I have had a similar experience as well.  Your next one will be a beautiful healthy (edible) buck!

Good Luck!

Kris

I guess I'm like as some have said. I still haven't taken my first deer of any kind and would have been just as thrilled to take that one as opposed to any other. I can't stand to see an animal suffer if there's something I can do about it.

You did good for your first trad kill in my book. At least you have taken game in some other manner.    I refuse to do it any other way than with my trad bow.

I'm sure it wasn't your dream, but you did a good thing by ending its suffering.

Good work anyway.  Hope the next one is better though that obviously could have happened with your wheel bow.  It just wouldn't have been nearly as cool.

 

You have nothing to be bummed about.  You have fullfiled your obligation as a steward of the environment.
Best of luck to you.

I am happy that I was able to end its suffering, mother nature can be extremely cruel at times. and it was a touching experience, very hard to explain the actual emotions when i saw my arrow hit home. I can honestly say that I will never go back to wheels, that I have never experienced the same level of enjoyement or the same emotions when hunting with any other weapon and i can not wait until I am able to get back in the woods next year

You did a good thing , be proud and congratulations

You did good and should feel good about it.Good job.

Congrats on your first harvest. You should be able to revalidate you tag through you Fish and Game Dept.

Take care,

Paul

congradulations on your first deer with traditional gear.and a buck at that.im still waiting to get one with my longbow.Ross

Incredible what they can survive. Time to hunt again, good luck

you did just fine - and remember, even the 'yotes and other predators gotta eat.

Was it hit by a car after you shot it? Was it an over night recovery? Either way, you took your 1st traditional bow deer.

I made a terrible shot on a buck this year and waited till morning to look for him. It was 62 degrees out when we found him and he was spoiled. I was/am bummed that I had wasted such a beautiful animal.

After all, it's not the kill, but the hunt that matters. Don't be too bummed out. Things happen that are beyond your control.

It all happened before the shot, i put the sneak on it while it was laying down. after the shot it jumped up and ran off, i watched it go down, and when i got to it i noticed everything.