So this afternoon/evening hunt finally gave me an opportunity on a doe. I am a new bow hunter this year. As I am in the stand, a squirrel barks behind me.....I turn around and look and this doe is already at 20 yards. She is on a mission it seems and is heading right for a nice opening giving me a 20 yard shot. She walks behind a big holly tree, I draw and wait for her to appear, only she doesn't. I wait for a few moments and relax the bow. She stayed behind the holly tree feeding. After nearly 30 minutes, she finally steps out and offers me a shot at 20 yards. I miss and she skips off and stops about 30 yards out, broad side. As she is looking back in my direction, I was able to knock another arrow and draw again! I settle my 30 yard pin on her and release. I hear the arrow smack a tree behind her and she skips off. I was trying to redeem myself thinking maybe I got a pass through on the first shot. By the time all this came to an end, it was time to climb out of the stand. I walk over to my first shot and retrieve the arrow. No blood what so ever on the arrow or any where else. I go check the area of my second shot and sure enough, my arrow with a G5 Montec is buried in a beech tree. Again no blood anywhere. I've been practicing heavy and shoot well practicing but I choked on these two shots. I was worked up even though it was just a doe and probably torqued the shot or punched the release. My hat goes off to you all who have killed deer with your bow, its definitely a whole different ball game then gun hunting or shooting at a block target.
Yep, calming your nerves is 90% of producing a good shot. Keep at it. I'm new to bow hunting as well, and I just got my first bow kill in Potomac MD on Saturday. Got a pass through, so I wasn't sure I hit until I went to retrieve the arrow and found it covered in blood. It was a really cool experience that I'm sure you'll have very soon
Hey keep your head up. You got the second best result you can have after taking a shot at a deer. Next to getting a clean kill I would rather a clean miss. I remember taking my first shot at a deer and how much I learned. Just keep practicing and remember when taking a shot at a deer to go through all the same pre shot routines that your used to. Also before drawing pick a small spot of hair to aim at and focus on that, don't just aim at the body. Good luck with the rest of your season.
Yea, I tried to keep focused on form and all. In fact, when I first drew back (when she didn't appear where I thought she would) and relaxed the bow, I realized my anchor point didn't feel right. I had my face mask on and I couldn't really feel my kisser. So I pulled the face mask down to prepare in case she gave me a shot. Well, she did and I still choked... Time to practice with full gear on. Should have been doing this, gloves and all.
I agree with Jay. A clean miss is the second best thing that can happen to a bow hunter-behind a perfect kill. You're doing something right. To have two shots on the same white-tailed deer is pretty amazing. Your cover is working, your bow is quiet, and your movement is going undetected. It's your shot placement that needs the work, but you know that. Get after it...connect all the dots! The next deer won't be so lucky! Best wishes!
This sounds WAY too familiar ... it was me last year and a little this year.... I have felt your pain, my friend ...
