My shooting was tremendous today...

[beyondmyken]

unfortunately, I did not see a single deer.

But I nailed everything I was shooting at today.  Even made a shot on a 6 inch knot on a fallen tree at 46 paces!

Now how did I put an arrow over a doe's back at 12 yards a month ago?   :confused:

[Night Wing]

Arrowing a wooden knot at 46 paces is easy since it isn't a live animal.

When your arrow sails over the back of the doe's back at 12 yards, it's probably due to excitement or target panic (some call it buck fever here in Texas) where you subconsciously "look" at the entire deer instead of picking out (concentrating on) a small spot on the animal to shoot at.

[Over&Under]

Alan

I have been there brother...hit every log, bush, stump and dirt mound I aim at no matter the distance....then say to myself if only I could get a deer in front of me it would be game over!

About that time a deer steps out at 18 yds and over his back I go...  

[stujay]

How? The added excitment. But ...you know your capable, and should have confidence that you can do it!

[Steve Clandinin]

Stujay,The mind is a funny thing,YOU think you picked a spot,BUT...... LOL Welcome to bowhunting and the uncertain !

[Butts2]

You were relaxed and doing YOUR shooting routine. Always do Your routine. We have ALL been there.  

[Zradix]

Originally posted by beyondmyken:
unfortunately, I did not see a single deer.

But I nailed everything I was shooting at today.  Even made a shot on a 6 inch knot on a fallen tree at 46 paces!

Now how did I put an arrow over a doe's back at 12 yards a month ago?    :confused:  

Were you in a stand when you missed?
It's pretty common to shoot high if you haven't practiced much from elevation.

Also, things are different when you're shooting for blood....makes it harder to concentrate.

Good luck!

[fmscan]

Seems like my poor shooting days are the days where I'm shooting at deer!!! Wonder if there is a connection...

[Shedrock]

Tell me about it. I missed not one, but 2 BULL ELK today. One standing broadside at 25 yards or less, shot over the top of him. Then I make a 3 hour stalk in the wide open terrain, and shoot low on a bedded bull at 20 yards.    

I came home totaly disgusted in myself, shot twice in my target at 20 yards, and put them both right in the bullseye. I don't understand my problem with elk.  :confused:

[Zradix]

Dude!
You made a 3 hr stalk on got within 20 yds in open terrain?!

That's awesome!

[jsweka]

Originally posted by beyondmyken:
unfortunately, I did not see a single deer.

Maybe that was because you were making too much noise flinging arrows at everything        

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Seriously though, I know the feeling.  This fall I was shooting my longbow better than I had ever shot it before, but never had a shot opportunity on a deer.  (I did pass up a shot at a fawn that still had spots.)

[Big Ed]

Been there!!  

[Stiks-n-Strings]

I always shoot off when I get the smell of fresh backstraps in the skillet.

I still ain't figured out who's cookin' in the woods every time I see a deer LOL

[daveycrockett]

quote:Originally posted by Shedrock:
Tell me about it. I missed not one, but 2 BULL ELK today. One standing broadside at 25 yards or less, shot over the top of him. Then I make a 3 hour stalk in the wide open terrain, and shoot low on a bedded bull at 20 yards.    Just funnin. Been there to many times myself.

[Pepper]

oin the crowd, it has happened to all of us at one time or another, and sometimes more than once.

[Chortdraw]

Could be your pounding heart lifted your bow arm up  

[beyondmyken]

Thanks for all the comments guys,  I actually meant this statement to be ironic but yeah, I have put a few arrows over the backs of deer in my time.

[b.glass]

It doesn't help when the deer jump out of the way!!