Ok so well say this is my first real yr hunting. Went out couple times last year never saw nothing or motivated at that time so went out yesterday for a hunt. Got out late didn't get into stand till bout 1030am. Had a good wind calm day new spot on farm I set up at just off of a creek crossing they use. An hour after sitting I have a doe and yearling come trotting in from behind me. ( first time having deer come thru while I'm in the stand) Figured alright here we go but they never stopped just kept on moving thru. Couple seconds later another yearling coming running thru behind them. I turn around to look and theres a nice size 8pt standing there. Now according to camera shots he's the big boy for the area. He comes in grunting non stop. Walks out from behind me 20 yards out. I have the perfect broadside shot between 2 trees. I'm hidden he can't see me. I draw back still doesn't know I'm there. Next thing I know arrow is sent and I shot over his back. I blew the shot. Don't know how but I did. Worst feeling in world at that point. Only good thing was I completely missed and didn't just wound him. But just had to vent cuz rest my hunt and night were just horrible after that.. tha me for listening ha.
Keep getting out there. If he is moving on those does he will be in the area as long as they are and move alot. Good luck. It has happened to all of us
Don't beat yourself up too much with it. Just keep at it and have some patience. Believe me, it happens to everybody.
man, im sure we all feel your pain. i got into bowhunting three years ago, when i was twelve. i could hit a group so tight. over and over again, but i hunted a whole year and a half before even killing a deer with a bow! 3 misses..talk about destroyed my confidence. i refused to pick up a rifle every time my dad asked me if i wanted one of them. i was bound and determined. persistence pays off, trust me. after i shot my first deer with a bow, i will only pick up a rifle if i absolutely have to. there is nothing like it. it has taught me to be patient and forgiving towards myself. its just like baseball, man. if you make an error, be upset about it. however, shake it off as soon as the next pitch is thrown. wallow in your misery, and it will only affect the next play. clear your mind, learn from the experience, and get it done next go round. goodluck!
Believe me, everybody misses now and then. But really that's part of the sport. Keep at it, you'll get there. Blessings........Pastorjim
I've missed two and haven't shot a deer with my bow yet. Don't worry. I take off vanes when I'm shooting foam my groupings are so tight but nothing compares to shooting at a live target. It's part of the sport and that's the fun about it.
It's sucks bad when it happens. Your 100% right best to miss completely, then to hit poorly. Keep ur head up, hell you might get another shot at him. An when you do make it count, good luck.
Man, dont beat yourself over it,...you WILL do it again You probably hit right where you were aiming, and by the sound of it, it was most likely at those big ole antlers, and not that small spot behind his front shoulder...lol Once Ive determined its a deer I intend to shoot, I never look at his head again, I watch that spot on his body with my sight pin on him until he stops, then release,..never killed a monster like you guys up north see, but I have killed over 30 deer wih my bow (mostly bucks)over the years, and I got to tell you,...you'll miss again,..lol Good luck, chances are he didnt even know what happened,..
thanks guys....it just sucked for me was all...couldnt have asked for any better of a set up and ya..**** happens i guess...and I'm hoping to get another shot at hime this week...gonna go out every morning i can after work and see if i can get him back to that area...checked the trail cam pics again today and had him on photo few days ago cruising thru...first time I've seen this guy in area so he caught me off guard...and nickstuff, ur right he didn't know...this is first time this farm has been bow hunted, when i missed he stood there and looked at me like i was an idiot lol and just walked away after the doe...so hopefully ill get that second chance i want and can get him before this weekend when gun season starts here in wisco....keep ya all updated
and don't get me wrong it sucked i missed but the adrenaline and feeling having 4 come in at same time was awesome...u all know the feeling so i don't even have to try to explain...but explaining to anyone else, i don't see anything that compares...was just awesome still
ok another question to add to this.....do i hunt the same area i saw him in last time or move? where he was chasing was thru a creek and he had to have come in from behind where the does were bedding from what i believe...right now with the little scouting i was able to do this year on the new land i have a place by the creek i can sit which is where he came chasing thru, there is also a small food plot that has a path leading to it and an apple tree on another path...kinda set up like a left middle right....just don't know if hell come thru same area or if he would come in different
If the wind is right hunt the same setup, it's the rut. Draw and bring your sight up from below his chest, slight bend at the waist. Many newbs draw and bring sight block down from above the back and punch the release in excitement way before the pin is settled.
I think we've all been there. Just get back in the saddle and get back out there. Make sure you are bending at the waist to get your shot, not just moving your bow, that will throw you off. Also, once you see the antlers and decide he's a shooter, don't even look at the rack again, just focus on the kill zone. I find that not looking at the rack helps me not get the buck fever. I'm steady as a rock until after I release the arrow, then adrenaline takes over and I shake like crazy. If I let the adrenaline take over before i shoot by looking at the rack and getting all excited I am much less likely to make the shot I want. Good luck out there.
Another thing.... I had that buck I missed at 20yards 2 weeks later.... he didn't give me a shot... but he came back
I used to aim at the whole deer and I would miss. Now I aim just behind the elbow. Concentrate on the spot you choose to aim at.
oh ya i know i blew it..it was first time I've had deer come thru while i was in the stand in 2 years...adrenaline definitely took over no doubt...and i may not have wanted to release the arrow but i did unconsciously. and i do bed at waist that much I've learned from practice...just got overly excited...gonna go out rest this week after i get off work and try to put him down...hopefully he comes back into same area....reccommend using any lures or scents? idk for sure how many doe are in the area or where they actually bed yet...should i just hope or would putting some tinks out help at all??
I missed a deer for the first time this year as well. Just a doe, but still kinda bummed me out! The sooner you realize its gotta happen sometime the better off you will be. Keep getting out there and good luck! Hope you get another chance at a big one.
