A swing and a miss....first shot with the recurve

I had a plan all mapped out to hunt a certain place today based on the wind. I was going buck hunting. Well I show up to get on the location and it was shut down. So I quickly thought of a place and reserved the spot. I met Florida Marine and we marched in a good 1000 yards and set up on some good pinch points around 230pm. The wind was blowing like a demon for hours, but started to settle down around 530pm.

I picked out a tree that only allowed me to get 12 feet or so high. It was the best tree for the deer movement I predicted would happen come prime deer movement time. I had never hunted this place before but I thought the deer would come from a little trail on a tight 35 yard wide point. Sure enought at 6pm three doe ran past me at 25 yards, well out of my range with the recurve. They milled around at 25 yards downwind of me for a few minutes then decided to come back down and feed in the zone I had predicted. The lead doe caught my scent and moved in to investigate. She came down the hill and her and I literally went eye to eye at 10 yards. It was a real pain trying to figure out when to draw with one doe locked on me, while two other doe stood within 15 yards! I drew and released with good solid form as she stood tensed to the max, eyes locked on mine. The arrow looked perfect left to right but went right over top of her. I at first thought I hit her but that was not the case. A couple of things came to mind as I drove home tonight. I should have aimed lower because she was tense, but I had to hold a little high to get over some limbs. Therein was the cause of my miss. Lesson learned for future hunts.

I felt like a little kid looking to kill my first deer today as I shot that recurve. I was shaken and my god that is why I decided to give trad hunting a shot! I am hooked! Oh yeah, I also blew Florida Marines hunt because those doe were looking to walk right past him. So I not only messed up my hunt but ruined his chance at his first deer. Someone kick me in the groin.

 

hmmmmmm...no text .......

 

You both will get one soon enough

 

Good try. You'll get one.

 

Lol, my phone died in the woods about 5pm. I got home and the wife says, "did you get my texts?" I thought I was going to receive a gift or something. Then I opened the texts and it was like, take out the trash, the recycling, please do your laundry....hahahaha!

 

lol .... typical wife texts ....

 

VS Your still at the plate, cant strike out with just one you will make it happen!

 

Good story Brett. You will enjoy it more once it does happen with stuff like this in your review mirror. Keep at it my friend!

 

Thanks guys. I tried not to let it bother me when I was exiting the woods but on the drive home it kind of dug into me. I have practiced my butt off and to miss high on a chip shot just sucks.

 

A miss is better than a wound. Good job. Yes, aim lower than you think you need to. You will never hear of a trad guy shooting under a deer. Its always over the top. Hedge you bet and pick a lower spot next time.

P.S. thats the best part, there is always a next time to look forward to.

 

Brett, caca happens and you just have to fart it off and get back there. It's gonna happen brother!

 

I agree with picking a spot. I try to do that when I practice but for some reason tonight I had one eye on the doe I was looking to kill, the other eye on the two other doe, a third eye on the does eyes...I was all out of whack! haahahaha

 

I agree with Crick... you're still at the plate, Brett! Keep swinging bro... you'll connect next time! And I'd bet my bottom dollar that Florida Marine was happy to have the opportunity to just hunt with you and be a part of the action. It's all part of a REAL bowhunting education! : )

 

Thanks Josh and Crick, I will be back at it Friday. I will be practicing hard until then. I shot about 20+ shots before I left to go hunting today and was hitting solid all the way out to 20 yards. Ughhhhhh. I learned my lesson about trying to hold high over branches. It caused me to not completely follow through with my form.

 

Sounds vaguely familiar.....lol.

Great encounter. Hooked, huh?

 

Yes, yes it does.

The entire encounter kind of sums up why I chose to hunt with trad equipment. My senses were on full tilt and I loved every minute of it. I had to make sure those other doe were not looking at me, had to make sure the doe I was looking to kill was broadside, had to sense how spooked that doe was in terms of her getting ready to bolt. I took all those factors into account and released my arrow as best as I could. I just shot high. That doe locked eyes with me like Medusa and I just aimed big and missed instead of aiming small and killing her. Oh well, I hope I get another chance.

 

dude. the shaking is intense isn't it? that's all I do is hunt traditional. I missed another shot this time was a chip shot as well but I sailed it right over him. its the way to go. you have to account for so many things when hunting traditional that just makes it worth it in my oppinion. well good to hear that you got a shot at one. you will have another shot man

 

Brett, there was no ruin to my hunt.

Only God and those does know if they were coming my way. So get over that point. I'll get my deer when its meant to happen, I accept that. Wasn't meant to happen.

I was more bummed about the lost arrow then anything else! Will head over to the TA we scouted early last year, right down that funnel and hope its the highway it was then.

Thanks for letting me tag along last night, I learn just from hunting with ya and appreciate it!

Sean

 

Good luck Sean. Think, where are they bedding and where are they going based on the wind. Set up where you do not think they will see or smell you upon your entrance into the woods. AND good luck, I cannot wait to hear of your first deer!

 

The important thing is you had a great time! It's always best to hold off on an alert deer though.