So I wrote this once but it didn't work so here it goes again. I'm 20 years old, I live in GA and i'm married. My father in law got me into hunting and shooting the bow last year. I haven't ever even thought about taking a liken to hunting before, so I was pretty pumped. Well this year was my first year hunting, and it's been a blast so far, haven't seen anything with a bow in my hand before tonight. My father in law and I, we both hunt recurves, not compounds as I should point out. But to the story now, So I get into the ladder stand, and i'm just chilling there, I got my bow all ready incase something comes. Well all of a sudden i look to my right and there is two deer, I didn't even hear the dang things. Ones a doe and the others a buck, the buck wasn't very old, maybe 2 years with a two little spikes. I let the buck go by my stand, (they are at about 25-30 yards away). It took me about 20 minutes to stand up, and about another 10 to turn the right way, or atleast it felt like that. My whole body is shaking from the adreneline rush that I got when I saw them. I'm trying my hardest to keep still, but my body is shaking like a washing machine. So finally the buck sees me and starts stomping, but i'm trying my hardest to stay still and it pays off. He goes back to feeding and keeps moving. So then the doe, which I was eyeing(I'm new to hunting, but I don't believe that I should kill a buck that isn't ready) the whole time. She gets into the window I wanted her in, and I shoot the arrow, and I made sure to aim lower to compensate for her drop. Well I aimed too low and it just barely missed her and they both took off running. I was a little bit bummed out at first that I missed it, but then I was thanking god that I even got the opportunity to hunt and a bunch of other things(I got all excited and you know ). So, anyways, I missed my first shot that I had on a deer, but I feel better that I got it. I know next time that I won't aim as low and maybe i'll do better. I'm somewhat new to this forum as well, so hello everyone. I just wanted to say thanks to Todd and Justin for the site and the forum, I've learned a lot from both which i'm thankful for. I hope my story didn't bore you guys too bad, I just had to tell someone besides my family. Happy Hunting!
Welcome! Thanks for sharing your story. No worries about the miss. It sounds like a great experience that you will always remember. Enjoy your time in the woods. Best wishes to you and yours. C
Congrats on a fun hunt. To me a clean miss is the second best result after shooting a arrow. If it's not a good kill I would rather have nothing but dirt or bark on my arrow. Also there is no other way to gain the type of experience that you gained from that first shot. Good luck with the rest of the season.
Michaelp, I am living in Lincolnton,GA right now, with family in Harlem. My father in law and I are planning a trip to Fort Stewart soon to go hog hunting, I can't wait. I keep thinking about that shot, and yeah the experience is really good. And I agree, I wouldn't want to wound the animal and let it suffer. Either a clean shot, or a clean miss.
I was going to ask the same question as Michael. Welcome to the site from another GA boy! I live in NW corner of the state, but have a lease not to far from you outside of Sparta. Your situation is similar to mine. I had no interest in hunting 5 years ago but was asked by a buddy to tag along on a trip and got hooked from there. I'm entering my 4th season and love it!
Deinhardt, do not worry about it man. Get back on the saddle and kill one the next time. From what I can remember, I missed my first two shots with my bow. And both shots were at 8 point bucks, nice bucks. It took me another 5-6 years to get another opportunity at an 8 point and I made the most of my opportunity. I suspect you will do the same, except in a much shorter order. GOOD luck.
10-4 on what everyone else is saying...keep practicing, and it will pay off. Experience like what you just got is priceless. I had an old Bear compound that I started hunting with...I think it was left in the barn on the property we had moved in. Anyway, the rest would fall about 3/4 of an inch every time it was angled down, like when I was up in the stand...I missed everything that year by about 4 feet until I realized what was going on, but I wouldn't trade those misses for anything. Good luck the rest of the year.
Maybe all us GA boys gotta get together sometime and go on a planned hunt somewhere. Sounds like it would be a fun thing to do. I am going to keep practicing and just hope that I get another shot. Thanks for all your helps guys, I appreciate it
