For those of us who have missed deer or made a bad hit on deer (if you haven't congrats to you), why does it happen? I was seven years running of 3 deer per year without a wounded animal or a miss, and then I renewed my subscription on Sunday morning planting a broadhead squarely into the shoulder knuckle of a beautiful buck, zero penetration and he ran away laughing. But why did it happen, how can we shoot all year long, shoots group to write home about, increase our distance, build our confidence, and then when the moment of truth comes, blow it, whiff it, make a bad hit whatever, why? Leaving the deer out of this equation (no jumping the string, flinching, etc) what do you think the number one reason is that a bowhunter misses or makes a bad it? Give us something to think about when the next opportunity arrives.
Easy (for me anyways). Rushing the shot. I'm calm as can be shooting targets, but put a deer in front of me and I often come unglued. I straight up CLEAN missed a doe at 15yds this yr. I don't even remember anchoring, lining my peep, and I certainly punched the trigger like it was my job. Contrast that to my 9 point I shot from the same stand a week later. 37yds, calm as can be, came to full draw, anchored, lined up my peep, checked my level, and squeezed off the shot. Wasn't a perfect shot, but good.
lack of focus man....it happens a lot...it's really hard to have that focus with so much running through our minds and such a small amount of time....it's part of the experience and to tell the truth here, I rarely remember aiming at a deer...but I do it like it's second nature...sure, I make less than preferable shots and I even missed this year, first time in 5 yrs, but i can tell you that even the not so great shots, would have been shots that would have been even worse had I not practiced all year...I mean, even though the shots weren't perfect, they were lethal and if ya gonna be off, it's best to be a little off than a lot off, and the practice in the off season can make that difference...I strive for perfection, but fall short at times, we all do.
not practing with the gear on you have on in the treestand.. gloves, face mask.. heavier jacket.. do i think thats the most popular reason, nah.. but i think its one most people dont think about in the summer
I think we rush shots, peak, and everything else that comes with adrenaline. I put my pin on a very good buck 2 years ago, and just before I touched the trigger I realized I had the pin on the very front of his shoulder. I readjusted and centered the lungs. This was on a deer just over 20 yards that I stopped while at full draw and ready to kill. I almost rushed that shot, because in my mind it was a slam dunk and I wanted to get to the good part.
I think for me it is rushing the shot, or trying to make shot opportunities that aren't there. I am so afraid the deer will run off, so I try to draw or shoot before the time is right. I am so afraid of missing a chance to shoot I try to force it sometimes. I shot a doe Monday and everything was perfect. I took my time drew when I could not when I wanted to, it all came together just right. Wayne
I would say it is a toss-up betwen all the adrenaline our targets dont give us:D For the most part I think human tendancy makes us want to peek as as soon as the arrow is fired! Especially if it is a chipshot!!! One thing I do to cure this problem is give myself a little pep talk LOL:D It usually goes something like this "It is just another target and just take a deep breath and follow thru after the shot" and that helps me. All in all I would say it all has to do with adreneline or that thing called "BUCK FEVER"!!!!
"Buck fever". I can't tell you any one point in time where I was target shooting, and my legs were quivering so bad that I felt like I couldn't stand. Kinda makes it a bit hard to really focus and settle that pin. Thats why I practice shooting from a seated position!
My bad shot this year was due to lack of mental preparation. When I hunt from the treestand I mentally picture a deer in various locations in my shooting lanes and also picture where I will aim on the deer. It really helps when the deer shows up. This year I am in a ground blind, 3rd or 4th time-1st time seeing deer in it, and didn't do any of that. Consequently, I shot the deer like I was aiming from a treestand. Dumbass! Mental preparation, visualize the shot(s) and be prepared.
We miss because we feel we need to make the perfect shot, we think wounding a deer is the most aweful terrible thing to do in the world. I take my shooting, like the golf pros do on shots. It's not how good your great shots are, it's how good your misses are. If we could get rid of the perfect shot disease, life and shooting would be way easier.
I can relate, serious case of the jitters this year, when the deer approach! I gotta get this under control. Any suggestions?
Rushing the shot... When I practice, I always practice for very quick target acquisition. Draw, settle, release- very quickly. I started doing this because I was told, when I first started bow hunting, that a very "rutted up" buck will only stop for a second. Anyway, I've been in your shoes. I shot a beautiful, mature buck last year. He wouldnt have scored really high, but, his age alone was my reason for shooting. I knew he was on this property, and, given the chance, I was looking to shoot him. I hit him SQUARE in the shoulder knuckle...Like, perfectly in the worst spot ! Elements were at play. It was lower than freezing temps, icey rain and windy. I didnt "think" I rushed the shot, but, I obviously messed up.... It happens. Its part of bowhunting. Bowhunting isnt supossed to be easy...
I think another reason is because of rushing due to being overbowed and being afraid or too manly to admit it and do something about it....One thing alot of people overlook is the fact that your muscles stiffen up or tighten when its cold out and you are wearing layers and that restricts your ability to remain stable during your shot and in turn throwing that arrow one direction or the other....Just because you want that arrow GONE!!!.....SOme will disagree with me, but thats fine
I can attribute 90% of my misses to "counting my chickens before they're hatched". I thought it was a slam dunk and failed to lock down the anchor and focus on the correct pin.
Agree It took 25 years of bowhunting for It to happen to me (the wounding part). I've shot plenty of animals and have plenty of years Invested. It's all about preparation In the moment of truth and high percentage shots. You take them two out of the equation and you'll wound animals (lots of them). I wounded my buck this year because I didn't pick my spot the whole time. I picked It right away but lost focus on It before the arrow released. I lacked focus and preparation, It showed. Sorry to hear of your luck Craig. I hate to say It but so far this year the bowhunters that I know around where I live aren't having a very successful year In putting arrows where there suppose to be. I'm one of them, It sucks!
I would say rushing, taking shots which are beyond one's ability, aiming at the wrong spot on animals, and lack of practice are all common culprits of a miss or bad hit.
I agree and the best medicine is to get right back at it and smoke something right through the boiler room, Honestly though some guys are just better under pressure. Period.
