Took my 1st deer last night on my brother in law's new property around 5 pm, a decent sized doe. The shot was a little back, gut shot. I made the mistake of trying to track her early and pushed her. As it got darker I had to end tracking the blood trail. I resumed the tracking in the morning. Well I found her this AM and looks like the foxes and coyotes got to her. I am very disapointed at how things turned out and will learn from this. I called in my harvest to the DNR. I barely slept last night thinking about how badly my first bowkill went. Just wanted to share my experience. Deklin
Live and learn my friend! Its these moments that make us better! I have had that happen and when i think back i would have only waited a few hours on my deer and went to tracking again! Too many coyotes out there. But like I said learn and get better! Better a doe than a 180 I guess if you have to spin it into a positive? Either way good luck the rest of the season
You said it yourself, you learned from it! I almost pushed my first buck too hard last year, but got lucky and recovered him with all his meat still in tact. It happens and in the end you still found her.
Keep your head up! We all go through these learning experiences, especially as beginners. You gave it your best, and good work recovering her the next day. My first deer was under similar circumstances last week, but after 12+ hours of tracking I was not able to make the recovery. Lessons learned, and we'll be better for it later. Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk 2
Buddy of mine ended up making a bad shot too. We tracked it for 4 miles just to push it again, we watched it run right into the lake. There we were at 1 in the morning "borrowing" some guys paddle boat from a summer cabin to go and try to find it in the fog. We couldn't find it, even the next day we didn't see it. That was his first deer with a bow in eleven years. It could be worse my friend.
What happened that it hit far back? And what hunter education did you go through that didn't have written material and a test saying that if you hit far back, that you should wait a minimum of 8-12 hours if not over night?
You took the words right out of my mouth! My dog hates when I bring him a doe instead of a buck. 180" of antler would last him longer. He chews those things so damn fast!
Man it happens. Sucks so much but it does. You fed some wildlife, it didnt rut to nothing so thats a plus. Hold your head up and use what you learned!
Live and learn indeed My first deer was not a very clean kill, either. Fortunately she only went about 30 yards and died relatively quickly, but I learned to be more patient. I'd rather pass on a questionable shot and make a clean respectful kill some later day than take my chances. When you make mistakes be sure to pass on what you learn to someone else just starting out. They will appreciate the help, and although you couldn't harvest the meat as least the animal's death won't be wasted.
Just so things arent taken out of context as they do alot around here. If we are all so passioinate about eating deer meat then why dont we all kill does and no bucks! they taste better right? Either way yes is sucks losing a deer and especially the meat but i guarantee that damn near everyone on this site would be more sick if they lost a big buck as opposed to a doe.
did almost the same thing my first kill. shot my first buck in the sholder bone. got about 4'' penatration. didnt give him enough time (i was excited) and bumped him. luckly my brother was with me with his crossbow and made a 40 yard shot threw both lungs to finish him. Live and learn. dont give up. everyone makes mistakes
This coming from a first time bowhunter, nice!! Things happen, learn and move on. Good thing Vito's mom shares or I think his poor dog would starve.
I feel for you man... We all go through this at some point as bow hunters. It's how you react to the situation that makes you who you are as a hunter. It is very encouraging to hear that you are troubled by this, not that anyone would want you to be upset but it shows your passion for bowhunting and for the deer. Since you are reacting the way you are you will only become a better hunter for it!! Keep your head up and get back in the stand! Good Luck!
