I'm not real happy right now and though I appreciate some of the calls and txt's I been getting, I am not really in a social mood. While I was thinking how nuts I was yesterday, out in the weather, I had a great buck walk the ridge right below my stand at 4:00. The shot was steep. I was high (opposite side of the spine), but with my elevation above him, I tried to remain postive. I wanted to hit him in the same spot on the other side of the spine. After talking to Rob, I backed out without so much as a step towards the shot. He ran off with my arrow in him and maybe 6 inches of arrow in him. I tried to sleep last night, but was mostly unsuccessful. This morning, Rob, my friend Mike, and my father in law took up the trail. We really didn't think we would find a blood trail, but we did after about 100 yards. We then went uphill for a quarter to a half mile where we lost blood. We were all perplexed. We never found my arrow and the blood stopped at a really unexpected place. He never bedded. To say the least I am heartbroken and upset. Anyhow, I took my Challenge pics the other day cause I had to shave for work. Here's my Homer Simpson with the funky mushtache. Go easy on me, the wife doesn't let me have the good camera.
Don't know what to tell ya bud, been there this year as well. Just like many have told me, get back up on the horse and take her for another ride. Best of luck the rest of the season.
Sorry to hear that Ben..I really am....but the pics are great and glad you followed through. Now go get a nice buck, the action is heating up!
Dang Ben, I hate hearing this. I have been there and know what your feeling Hopefully for a laugh, you look like you could do a Marlboro comercial now :D
Yesterday when Ben hit him and called me immediately I gave up hunting and went over. After the shot explanation etc, it was time to leave it for the night. So I hurried to one of my treestands. Today, I told Ben that I have my doubts that this deer is dead. I believe him to be alive (even though Ben doesn't want to hear this) with the description of the shot and the lack of blood we followed for 1/2 or more mile. This buck never once laid down either and the lackadaisical meandering he did up the hill through the woods, I don't think he knows he was wounded. Dead deer just don't do what this deer did although there is always exceptions. At worst, it's a single lung hit and it's really hard to call. At best, flesh wound outside the body cavity through the opposite shoulder. Don't know. Ben, like I said in my truck, buddy been there, alot of us have and it sucks. One never knows but there is alot of season left.
I feel for ya Ben. When i got your text I was certainly bummed (surely not as much as you). Like I said on the phone last night if you didn't find him, it's very lekly that he's still alive. You getting back out at it again tomorrow?
Sorry to hear Ben. I know exactly how you are feeling right now cuz same exact thing happened to me Friday night. It is very difficult to deal with.
If everyone made a perfect shot every time they picked up the bow, a lot less people would shoot &/or hunt. It wouldn't be as fun. Keep your head up. BTW, nice mug shots. The first one needs an all white background and you holding up a few numbers.
Hey Ben, I had a really dissapointing weekend, a miss and a brisket shot on a spike, never found him, we're sure he's ok. I passed on a nice buck cuz I just couldn't bring myself to attempt the shot and wound him. Total loss of confidence. I will be back at it in a week and hope to work on my form until then. I've bben getting a real bad case of the nervous shakes when the deer are close and I draw. I just have to get that under control. I've been there more times than I would care to admit and I feel for ya. Get back on the horse and have at it again!
Ben, I have been there in my 20 yrs of bowhunting...I watched a great buck run off with my arrow stuck in his ham at 6 yds from my tree.....the deer was at least 125" 8 pt....he took a giant step forward upon my release...I never found him...I never truly got over it...that was 9 yrs ago...but I delt with it and kept hunting. i have had great success since then and you will too...we live for this stuff bro...it sucks, it's depressing, but it's a lesson learned in the life of a bowhunter. Get up and hunt and make the season turn out good!
Man, this crap seems to be going around. Sorry to hear about your buck, Ben. It really makes you wonder about your abilities. . . Does for me anyway. BUT, I'm in a tree right now trying to redeem myself from last week. Hope You'll do the same.
No, unfortunately PA hasn't got their heads out of their azz's yet and gotten proper legislation passed. It's really unfortunate that it's still illegal in PA. It's a shame that guys like Rob, who paid good money out on dogs to keep and train on the chance that the laws will get passed, can't use them to help with recoveries on deer. Don't get me wrong, they make great pets and I know Rob and his wife thoroughly enjoy the pup as a house pet.
Sorry to hear it Ben. Pretty much anyone that's ever been in the woods with a bow for any length of time has it happen. Does it ease the pain? NO! It will always stick in your head as a reminder of what can happen. Get back out there and put one on the ground!