The subject we don't like to discuss . . bad shots

[Brian Krebs]

the first year I hunted with a gun I saw a hunter shoot at a herd of about 50 deer. He shot and shot and shot.. and after the deer ran off the 'hunter' turned and walked away. I asked him if he was going to look for blood trails; and he said 'kid- this is a 7mm - it will drop a deer in its tracks- and none fell'.

I went to where the deer had been and tracked down a half dozen deer to where they fell.

I do not know about miss rates- and hit and loss rates.

If a deer is out there 40 yards; and you shoot at it; the chances go down you will see a hit- compared to an up close shot. So; we are looking at most studies that do not number arrows and inspect them before and after a hunt.

So; we don't know if a person said he missed and actually hit an animal - and we only hear if they 'hit and lost' one.

Then too; for some it is better to hit and have the animal get away; than to miss.
     Even if they missed.

Point is we are not out there to miss or lose animals we shoot at. It happens- I am not an exception to the 'hit and loss reality'.

But I am not out there to wound; I am out there to kill an animal quickly. I think the vast majority of all hunters are.

Not every basketball goes through the hoop; not every football pass hits the target; not every golf shot is a hole in one.

Antihunters hit animals with their cars; and they had no intent to injure or kill- but they do.

For all of us; some days are diamond; and some days are stone.

[futuredoc]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I have to agree with PSEman that, I have my doubts about any studies conducted and the numbers that are quoted thereafter, especially in something that would have to be retrospective such as gathering data from different types of hunters with different weapons in uncontrolled conditions.  

Ray,

Thank you for your response.  I must say that this fellow, with his limited experience, is a good friend of mine; he does have limited experience with traditional archers also.  However, we all form opinions based on personal experiences no matter how limited.  If you are robbed in a parking deck you don't return 14 more times to the same spot to see if it happens again so that you can make informed decisions based on numerous trials; no you make an assumptions, limited as it may be, that you won't return to that spot if possible during an hour that puts you at risk.  I realize this situation is abstract, but I am sure you understand my point.

My friend is drawing conclusions based on his experience witnessing the shooting of several "accomplished" tradtional archers: one who has been very successful at traditional archery competitions and another who is a well-known writer in the traditional column of one of, if not the most, popular bowhunting magazines in the world.

Thanks to everyone for you help.

fd