last night got in the stand for the first time. it was about 1600 when two does were walking right toward me. grabbed my bow and wack, or so i thought. 18 yards was the first one didnt do anything weird and just walked off a bit to the right. thinking i've missed totally i knocked another arrow to get ready for the second doe. she never came in. i waited till about 1800, got down and looked at my arrow. really waxie and some white hair on it. also thin little traces of blood. got back in the stand hoping that she would circle back for another shot closer to dark. 1915 snuck out of the woods and getting ready to tackle a sleepless night..... got up this morn at about 0400 and made my way back to where i shot. oh did i mention that it rained all night last night too??? CRAP looked and looked until about 0800 with nothing, no blood nothing. i am very confident that i nicked this deer and she will go on and live. nothing like a bad shot to humble you. not a day goes by that i dont think about the doe i knicked 4 yrs ago and add this ole' girl to my not so fond thoughts of bow hunting. what did i learn? that no shot, not even an 18yd'er is a slam dunk, that it sucks telling your fam and friends that you missed or had a bad shot, that you look like a failure to those you are trying to bring along and introduce to bowhunting, that no matter what you owe that animal an exhausting effort to look for it and that you should not give up after one bad first sit of the year shot. sorry guys
Isaiah--don't stress. I am confident you are right on in your assessment of the arrow and what it meant. Doesn't sound like a kill shot, but rather a low glancing shot. Get back in the saddle and arrow one! We have all been there buddy. Also, "what did i learn? that no shot, not even an 18yd'er is a slam dunk, that it sucks telling your fam and friends that you missed or had a bad shot, that you look like a failure to those you are trying to bring along and introduce to bowhunting, that no matter what you owe that animal an exhausting effort to look for it and that you should not give up after one bad first sit of the year shot." I think it is honest and admirable to tell people about a miss or a low slight hit and a no kill. It is all part of the game and needs to be shared. Brett
As a new-comer to bow hunting, reading this has already helped me. It takes a little bit of that initial pressure off. To know that everyone will miss at one time or another...granted it is not what we want, but it happens. Even the best will miss. You learn from it. Its experiences like this, along with your many successes, that make you the amazing and passionate bow hunter that you are. Looking forward to getting out there with you next weekend.....we'll be bringing some meat home!!
