Well I learned my lesson.

[Matthew Bolton]

After missing a doe on Saturday I thought I would redeem myself this morning hunting with a buddy of mine. Well that didn't happen. 2 bucks come in around 18 yards and the one I shoot at ducks the arrow. He circles around and comes to 8 yards. I shoot again and hit a limb sending my arrow through his backstraps. I thought I missed so I nocked my last arrow and turned to see a good 8 standing I'm the road. I drew on him, picked a spot and shot over his back as well.
    This lesson I learned was realizing I hadn't practiced like I should have been. I got nervous and took long shots and a risky shot that ended up wounding a deer. I just haven't MADE the time to practice because I'm living away from home for school. These past 2 hunts have just knocked the wind out of my sails as far as using my longbow goes. As much as I hate to do it I may have to go back to a compound just to get my feet under me until I'm in a position where I can shoot more. Learn from me guys, missing the biggest buck you've had a chance at after you unknowingly wound another buck isn't something you want to go through. 4 shots, 3 misses and a wounded deer isn't something to be proud of.

[NBK]

Matthew,
My first post since wounding "The Bear" that I wanted to kill a month ago.  Just didn't pick a spot hard enough.
That's coming off of last year's sending one over the back of "The Buck" that I was after.

It sucks but it happens.  Only you know what's good for you and if that means shooting your compound for the rest of the year, so be it, you won't be judged by this guy.

[DanielB89]

Originally posted by Matthew Bolton:
After missing a doe on Saturday I thought I would redeem myself this morning hunting with a buddy of mine. Well that didn't happen. 2 bucks come in around 18 yards and the one I shoot at ducks the arrow. He circles around and comes to 8 yards. I shoot again and hit a limb sending my arrow through his backstraps. I thought I missed so I nocked my last arrow and turned to see a good 8 standing I'm the road. I drew on him, picked a spot and shot over his back as well.
    This lesson I learned was realizing I hadn't practiced like I should have been. I got nervous and took long shots and a risky shot that ended up wounding a deer. I just haven't MADE the time to practice because I'm living away from home for school. These past 2 hunts have just knocked the wind out of my sails as far as using my longbow goes. As much as I hate to do it I may have to go back to a compound just to get my feet under me until I'm in a position where I can shoot more. Learn from me guys, missing the biggest buck you've had a chance at after you unknowingly wound another buck isn't something you want to go through. 4 shots, 3 misses and a wounded deer isn't something to be proud of.

Matthew,

I had a doe at around 30 yards this weekend that had me pinned(i was ground hunting).  And I KNOW I would have gotten her with a compound.  Frustrating to say the least.  When you work(or school) 5 days a week and only get one 1-2 days a week.  It is frustrating when things finally go your way and you don't get your prize.  I would be lying if I didn't think about what if I would have had my compound since that hunt.  

Is it all about "tradition" or is it about putting meat on the table?  I enjoy the "chase", but i enjoy eating my game a little more..

[H1tman7]

Focus on form.  

If I am panicky on a deer I force myself to draw and aim without shooting. Literally I will be repeating in my head "you are not going to shoot" over and over. I may even draw and let down. then once I get settled I will take a shot.

It really helps me if I'm not in the right place mentally on a deer.

[D.J. Carr]

I missed a doe at 6 yards on Sunday night, a gimmy shot, and I shot right over her back.  But you know what thats part of why I hunt traditional, every aspect of the hunt is a challenge.  At 8pm when I was shooting a couple dozens arrows from my platform at a block target with the light of the headlights from 2 cars, I was thinking if I had my wheel bow I would be putting the backstraps in the cooler by now, but you know what I wouldn't be shooting my bow with the the headlights of the car.  Its all part of the game.  Shoot traditional and your gonna miss.  Just keep your emotions in check and you'll be fine.

[don kauss]

I share D.J.'s sentiment...

Everyone has bad days/moments man...people who shoot every day have these same experiences...

The Lesson is "MAKE time" for the shooting...you don't even need to shoot your bow to practice your form regulary; Google "string bow for archery practice"...and if you don't understand it, or don't find it, PM me...

12 shots a day keeps Dr. Flinch away...shoot in your basement, or better yet, stumpshoot at the nearest (legal) open area...If it's important to you, you'll make time for it...

The Honor of hunting trad is not worth tossing away...IMHO

[Roadkill]

Yep, Don nailed it-a few shots-good shots/form a day.  Practice bendding at the waist while drawing a few times too.

[Diamond Paul]

You learned some lessons but don't beat yourself up over it.  I don't know any archers who have never missed on game.  Some people get nervous and all that practice goes out the window, even if life hadn't gotten in the way and kept them from practicing.  However, you are right:  if you don't have time to devote to practice, it's probably not a good idea to go into the woods with a bent stick.

[CoachBGriff]

I'm with Don on this one!  I'm not here to tell others how to hunt.

For me though, the reason I do hunt with trad gear is because "that buck would have been dead with my compound."  

I hunt with trad because I could stick my compound in the closet all summer and come out shooting lasers in the fall.

I hunt trad because I love to shoot my bow.  

I hunt trad because I love the challenge of getting that 10 yard broadside shot.

I hunt trad because sitting in the stand thinking, "How do I know I'm going to be able to make the shot if one presents itself?" keeps things interesting.

And when I do make that shot, it's all the more rewarding.

I'm sure not many here will judge you for shooting whatever you want.  Most of us do this because it's what we love!