Well, the good news is we found the buck. Bad news he was up and about. I shot him at 3:45 pm and I think the arrow hit a branch, deflected possibly gut/hind leg. Lot's of blood. We found his bed,again lot's of blood. Then tracked him right into some yards/homes. Drove to the area and saw him across the street behind a home. Standing walking etc. Duke will post some pics later, clearly showing the wound. I've had a very disappointing season. Drew blood three times. No deer. Wife says I suck and should quit. I know I'm done for the season. A lot of soul searching to do. I don't plan on quitting, but right now I'm really bummed. I feel I let all of you down. Sorry!
I know it's said so much that it's almost cliche', but that's all part of it. It sucks when it happens to you, but you just have to get back after it and make the best shots you can. Sorry to hear about the bad luck. Practice hard in the off season and come back strong next year.:D
Sorry to hear that! Look back at the shots, could you have done anything different? Is there anything to learn from those shots? That's the only thing you can about those deer now. 'Stuff' happens. Get back on the horse. Good luck.
I know you are down on yourself right now and there are a lot of people on here who wish you would have gotten a deer b/c they want you to succeed, but anyone on here, or anywhere for that matter, who are going to be upset at a guy who did his best and it just didn't work out aren't worth worrying about. Life is too short to worry about what other's may think. Your best is all you can give. If it doesn't go right then all we can do is learn how to improve ourselves. Without learning from failure, how does anyone ever really improve?
Andy, I am very sorry to hear of this...We have all been down in the dumps. Heck, it took me 3 years to kill my first deer with a bow. I actually shot at a beautiful 8 pointer my first season bowhunting and hit him in his antlers! Talk about wanting to shoot myself. Don't get down. You worked hard and you are better because of it. The hard work will pay off down the road.
Andy does not paint the vivid picture of the search for his buck. It was tracked nearly 3/4 of a mile before it was finally spotted. The snow makes it easy this time of year. The wound was superficial.. a leg wound. We knew that after only finding 1 bed nearly or greater than 1/4 mile from the place of impact. If they ain't bed within 250 yards.. they ain't likely mortal. Andy pressed on... with me tagging along. He's alive.. he's well.. he'll live to see another day. Andy gave it all he got... and thats everything you can do. The buck is okay. I don't see a reason to apologize Andy.
All of us have been there! A couple of years ago I thought I was cursed to not claim a buck. I shot and lost two. One of them was a Pope & Young and I found year a year later all ate up by yotes and the other another hunter killed a year later. I ended up shooting it in the shoulder and did not brake through. Hope it turns around for you like it did for me. The next year I killed four deer with one being a nice 9 pointer. Good luck and you will be able to pick up the pieces!
That's at least good news he'll survive it. I've been there myself and the whole things blows! Maybe next time I'll be able to make it for drinks Andy!:p
Sorry to hear Andy, I know you had your share of tough breaks this year. Good news is that this deer will be around next year
Sorry to hear that Andy. I drew blood once this year without finding the buck. Similar situation, only no blood and a half mile of tracking. It bums you out, but like has been said, need to get back on the horse. Good luck to you.
Sorry to hear that. Many have been there. Give it time. You will be back on the horse next season. Sounds like you did WAY more than what most would do as far as tracking is concerned.
Don't fret it Andy, I was getting down on myself for blowing a chance at a great buck after things started falling apart, and a buddy just look at me and said you know that is why we bowhunt because it isn't easy!!!!! And you know he is right!! It will just feel that much better when it all works out!!Walt
