I missed and Im sick about it!

[frassettor]

I spend so much time shooting, and getting comfortable. I practice out of tree stands, at 10-20 yards and seem to do fine, some days are better then others, but for the most part I was  comfortable, in my range...That was until tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!           Im not a trophy hunter, and am grateful for anything, but tonight I am sick to my stomach. I did have a great time though but blew what should have been a "chip shot". About 15 min before the sun set I had a little buck come through at 10 yards (YES 10 YARDS) he stopped and I looked at the spot behind his shoulder and released. I missed      I didnt miss high or low, I completly missed by 2 1/2 feet in front of where I was aiming. It was so far in front of him Im still shaking my head. I think I dropped my bow arm to the left. I was shaking so bad and became TOTALLY UNGLUED! After the shot he had enough and blew, and bounded off. This was the first "big game" animal I shot at with traditional equipment, and despertaly wanted it to connect..On the flip side I did have a great time...But my confidence in my ability is down the tubes right now.

[northland archer]

Sounds like a night to remember.  One thing you can count on is that if you go back into the woods, there will be other chances.  We all miss and have our days.  Hang in there and keep making those memories.

[gregg dudley]

Outstanding!    :D    THat is one less miss you have to worry about.

Now that you have that out of your system, you can make the next shot.

[ishiwannabe]

I have yet to shoot at big game with trad gear too, but I missed enough with the wheelie to feel for ya. Sounds to me like you were too worried about seeing the impact. That was one of my huge issues...had to see the hit.
Get back out there and you will be fine. As a confidence booster, pick out the smallest leaf you can find and shoot it.
One other thing...a really bad MISS is way better than a really bad HIT that results in even worse sickness and a wounded animal.
Im sure you will do better next time. Good luck.

[bluegrassbowhunter]

A clean miss is always better than an ugly hit....Missing is just part of it...it happens to everybody  

[Danny Roberts]

Miss at 8 then come see ME. No big deal. There's a million more out there.

[SilverTip]

be glad you got the shot and you did it the Hard way- the Barta way.    all of us still have a few misses left in us. be thankful and turn it into a positive.

          Billy

[jfish]

I'm with Ishi,  a bad miss is better than a bad hit any day.  Many of us have been right there with you...  It only makes the ones that connect that much sweeter..

[Pointer]

Everybody misses......EVERYBODY....get back out there and don't let this miss sink into your head

[knobby]

Welcome to the Club. You're not the first, nor will you be the last to have that happen. I've missed clean at shorter distances. It happens. We all feel the same(lousy) when it happens, but give it a day or so, and you'll appreciate the experience and want more.
  Besides, it's early yet. There's lots of season left to make amends for tonight. Plus, you must have done a lot right to get to that point in the hunt.
  Good luck and enjoy yourself. The best is yet to come!

[Over&Under]

Aahh the joys of hunting.  I totalty feel for ya man, I missed a  very nice buck opening morinig afer stalking to within 25yds.  The weeks prior to that I won more stuff off my dad for hitting holes and knots in stumps, and I was shooting very well, in fact I remember telling my dad, just give me one chance at a deer I am pretty sure I will hit it.  

Well I had my chance and blew it.  I started by looking at a spot and before I released I was looking at the whole deer, missed him clean high.  

Well Said Knobby!!!!!!!

Hand in there next time you will be more relaxed with the first time out of your system.  The first time is always toughest.  I feel pretty confident you will connect next time.

Good luck!!

[Cherokee Scout]

At least you did not wound the deer. That is by far worse than a clean miss.

[Killdeer]

Hmm. I've done that. With a smokepole. Ya gotta be REALLY good to do it with a bow.

Killdeer        Join the club!

[Don Batten]

I belive it was Barry Wensel who said, "If you miss, deny it till the end". I think It was at the end of the october whitails video. Hey if the pros can yank a shot, you shouldn't feel too bad. I'm sure that most folks who hunt have missed a deer or 3. Just tighten up and drill the next one. I could write a short book about my misses. But I never will. Don't want my buddies to get on me too bad. DB

[pronghorn23]

I missed my first shot with traditional last year. A big doe at I think 8 yards. I did the old "fail to pick a spot" and also didn't follow through...too excited to see where the arrow was going to go..yep in the dirt dummy.

I did the exact same thing with my first shot with a compound about 14 years ago.

Chalked it up to excitement and the reason we're out there.

I felt bad too but realized there will be more opportunities down the road.

Plus a clean miss is better than a bad hit any day of the week in my book.

[wihill]

Who are you kidding, Rick, I've seen you shoot.   :D   :D   :D   (he's a great shot, don't let me fool ya)

Like I told you on the phone, now that you've got your practice miss out of the way, you're clear for that monster you've got on film.

The next one under your stand is going to be in big, big trouble...

[JCJ]

I just shot right over the back of small buck tonight at 12 yards. The deer was totally unaware of me until the arrow went zipping over his back. I was surprised that I blew a very easy shot but I figured what the heck I'm only three days in to a very long season.

[The Baron]

I agree a clean miss is easier to get over than a poor hit and lost game.  I am new to traditional archery as well, and I know my misses are coming (I missed about 20 tries at geese on Saturday... oh well   :rolleyes:   ).

Sorry to hear you missed, but don't let it dull your enthusiasm!

[mscampbell75]

I'm still waiting on my 1st miss w/ trag gear.  WAIT A MINUTE!! I'm actually still waiting on my 1st shot w/ trad gear.

You are ahead of the game compared to me.  I would still consider that a good hunt in book.  Especially, no wounded deer to be thinking about.

I bet your heart was POUNDING!!! Good Hunting!!!

[waknstak IL]

Just when you think ya got it all figured out, ya miss by 2 feet. Man I think I lived this story once.  Keep practicing and be thankful for a clean miss. Pick a spot, It will come.