Can't believe I didn't shoot...

Oliverstacy · May 14, 2008, 02:09:00 AM

As it often happens I'm out shooting after work, I get off work at midnight so I shoot by the flood lights of my garage.

Anyway as I release my last arrow from the bow I spot the raccoon that has torn my garbage to shreds on several occasions. Now since all my arrows are in my target I run up to retrieve them and get them back in the quiver. I nock an arrow and wait to see if he'll come around my garage and sure enough the does...matter of fact I'm 6-7 feet from him at full draw and he could care less. I focused on the spot between his eyes and for some reason didn't let it fly.

All I could think about was the field point on the end of my arrow and if it would have done the job. So I watch him for a minute to see what he's going to do and he just starts walking around my back yard. So I go inside and grab a broadhead and head back outside. You guessed it he's gone. I've practiced this way for months and this is the first time I've ever seen this stinking thing.

I'm going to start putting a G5 S.G.H. in my pocket from now on.

Just can't believe I let him walk, guess it was just his luck day.

Josh

Gerardo · May 14, 2008, 02:21:00 AM

It was his lucky day!!!!!

I think these has happen to all of us thinking if the animal gives a better shot and always thinking before you release , my archery mentor always said

"if you are going to kill a deer you have to shoot some arrows,"

I always wait for the deer to be closer , for it to be an easier shot, but sometimes I have waited to long or have been thinking to much that I don`t even shot ,

shoot the arrow!!!!! enjoy

Apex Predator · May 14, 2008, 05:11:00 AM

Electing not to shoot a field point into a critter is always a good choice.

Mark 507 · May 14, 2008, 05:56:00 AM

It's better to regret not taking the shot,than to regret taking the shot.

Whip · May 14, 2008, 07:03:00 AM

Sounds like a good choice to me. I dislike coons as much as the next guy, but they are wild animals and don't deserve a terrible death. A field point to the brain itself would have done the job, but the brain is tiny, and anything less could have gotten very ugly before you could finish it.
He'll be back. And you'll be better prepared!

Killdeer · May 14, 2008, 07:37:00 AM

Gerardo, the biggest buck I ever saw in the wild walked away from me like that!

But I am in favor of erring on the prudent side rather than the rash. In my early years, I gained the experience needed to adopt that philosophy!

Killdeer

wislnwings · May 14, 2008, 08:11:00 AM

You made the right choice. Coons can be a tough critter. I've always used broadheads to take them.

Ron LaClair · May 14, 2008, 08:23:00 AM

Your instincts made the right decision.
The chance that you would have made a quick and merciful kill was slim and not worth the risk of making an animal suffer. You done good.

vermonster13 · May 14, 2008, 08:29:00 AM

Field points are for targets not critters. You made the right choice.

Lost Arra · May 14, 2008, 09:15:00 AM

Someone told me there are two shots you regret:

Those you take and those you don't take. Stick with the latter and you'll sleep better.

Oliverstacy · May 14, 2008, 10:23:00 AM

I feel better now...I just couldn't bring myself to shoot something with a field point. I was practicing with my broadheads two nights before go figure.

He showed no fear of me at all...could have cared less that I was there. I even yelled at him and he took 3 steps and stopped.

I can tell you one thing I'll have a broadhead/small game arrow around for sure from now on.

Will a G5 Small game head kill him? Just wondering since they would fit nice in my pocket.

Josh

vermonster13 · May 14, 2008, 11:32:00 AM

Use a broadhead. Coons are tough and can be big.

Bard1 · May 14, 2008, 11:55:00 AM

lets not forget they are pointed on 5 out of 6 ends. You don't want a pissed off wounded coon around. Use a braod head.

Ron LaClair · May 14, 2008, 11:55:00 AM

A broadhead through the lights is the only thing you should use on a coon.

tradtusker · May 14, 2008, 12:06:00 PM

you made the right choice i reckon.

i always keep a broadhead on one of my arrows or in my quiver, iv missed to many opportunity's not having one when i need it.

clear · May 14, 2008, 12:23:00 PM

Wise choice. Coons put the T in tough. A broadhead is the only way take that sucker out.I have shot my G5 SGH at other small critters and your better off with a sharp head(pass thru is better it getting stuck in it and taking off with your arrow).

TRAP · May 14, 2008, 12:45:00 PM

If you're in an urban area I'd refrain from shooting it with a bow at all. Just think about the worse case scenario. Archery goose hunters have been on the news in the past due to errant arrows.

It would be a heck of alot less risky to use a cage trap and then once the raccoon is caught you can dispatch it.

Trap

Brian Krebs · May 14, 2008, 01:54:00 PM

Make sure the season is open too!

Your in Livonia; I don't know how it works there; but in Ann Arbor when I worked for the sheriffs department; two 'garbage men' got into trouble over a coon.

They were going to dump a dumpster in their truck; when they discovered a coon in it; and so they took a stick and clobbered it over the head; and one guy took it home to eat it.

But they were seen killing the coon.

They were convicted of killing a coon out of season and in the City limits- and got over a month in jail apiece; plus a big fine.

I met those guys and they were both nice guys; not 'criminals'; but it made the paper that way!

If that coon had taken off with an arrow sticking out of its head.. you would not have scored one for bowhunting. Use a broadhead; and make sure its legal season for coons. If its a green light for shooting it; I would put an open can of cat food: where things are to your advantage...

2-BIG · May 14, 2008, 02:14:00 PM

Good choice! I had a similar incident when I was a youngster that really had an impact about shooting at game, even small game with a field point. I vowed to never do it again!

Oliverstacy · May 14, 2008, 02:15:00 PM

I checked the regulations.

Per the regulations on Michigan DNR...looks like a no go.

Raccoon(Regular) Oct. 1 -Jan. 31 With dogs only. Firearm must be unloaded and arrows un-nocked except when taking raccoon in tree.

Raccoon(DamageControl) July 15 -Sept. 30andFeb. 1 -March 31 Only on private lands when doing or about to do damage; landowners and guests only; with dogs only. Firearm must be unloaded and arrows un-nocked except when taking raccoon in tree.

I'll be waiting for him this summer, looks like July 15th is the day I can get the little bugger. I'll have a big old 3 blade Snuffer waiting for him that is for sure.

You could tell he was a city coon because he had no fear of humans. I'll have a big old 3 blade Snuffer or a Magnus Stinger waiting for him to make the mistake again starting July 15th.

Josh