Guys..I am struggling

[Morning Star]

Just a small update. I took the recurve and headed out to one of my stands last night after work. About 630 a nice doe came down my trail and offered a shot at 15 yards. I took the shot and trailed her for over 6 hours until 1 A.M.

We followed the blood trail, but it was very sparse. It went over a mile then was lost. I had about 7" of penetration but was unable to see where the shot was on her body. I did find the rest of the arrow, so I'm hoping she lives to see another day.

Just part of the game, but i hate losing an animal.  

Loosing that Doe is a tough one to swallow, there can be so many variables in what happened though.  Could possibly have been to no fault of yours. Arrow deflection, broadhead deflection, deer jumping the string....etc.   I know it sure don't help your confidence, but I will offer advice to not give up!  
I remember feeling somewhat the same as you the first year I switched from wheels.  Felt unsure, but I ended up killing 2 deer that season.  One thing I feel helped contribute to my success is keeping all my shots under 10 yards, even though I could group well at 15.  It was a range I had pure confidence in.  I think that really helped with my success off the bat, it sure did wonders for my confidence.

Don't let it get ya down for to long.  Loosing one is definetly a worse case senario for us all. In the big picture, if she dies, she will be used by critters that probably need the sustinence more than us.  That's definitely not an excuse for any bowhunter to take loosing an animal lightly, but it is the truth.

Use it as an excuse to continue and find perfection.  

If I could help, feel free to shoot me a PM or email.

Mike

[Altiman94]

We looked for at least 4 hours for this deer.  With the rain today washing away the blood trail, we wanted to make sure we did all we could to find her last night.  After over a mile tracking the blood, she had to have made it.

I don't enjoy losing the animal, in no way or form, so i hope she lives.  I will keep my limit 10 yards or under.

[vtmtnman]

Don't let it deter you bro.It happens,you tried for a recovery and did your part.Keep at it and learn from it.Good luck.

[JJA]

think process - not results and you will execute and get results. stay confident in your ability in your new effective range and stay within it and you will be fine.

[LCH]

I went through the same thing even though I practiced and was confident on the 3D range. One thing I did was to learn my effective range and set my hunting situations so I couldn't shoot an animal if he was further than that. This gave me more confidence and also shoot some does so you will be ready for that big buck when he comes out.LCH

[dragonheart]

Sounds like that doe is alive to me.  Been there done that.  In my case the deer was confirmed alive by another hunter 2 days later.  If you hit her with a mortal hit, that is an awful long ways for her to travel.  I believe you have a flesh wound based on your description.  

Remember to allow things to happen with your progress and shot execution at an animal.  There is far less conscious effort in shooting an animal with trad equipment than a compound.  All that exists is the small spot, I mean a hair you want to hit.  That is it.  That is the the only thought.  Only concentrate on aiming, no thought of the mechanics.  That is trained into prior to the going afield.

Maybe focussing on enjoyment of the experience and the hunt, rather than a concern over your weapon choice?

[nkw880]

dont do it i switched last year and second guessed myself until i shot a little button buck it was more of a rush than shooting my 132 incher the year before i was way more proud of my little button i even had my buddy mount it

[swampdrummer]

I'm there as well. My season closes tommorow, although I can still hunt till Jan. it becomes bucks only after tommorow.  5 clean misses and one lucky kill. After practicing all summer I'm putting arrows on a 6 inch circle at 20 yards, at 15 I'm arrows touching accurate. Put a deer in front of me and it falls apart.
My one kill, I really missed so bad that the arrow caught her in the neck, 6 inches behind her ear. Just pure luck that it picked up the artery. Wife didn't understand why I was so disgusted with that hit....

[Flatshooter]

Josh, try to find a buddy who enjoys trad shooting. Nothing like sharing this great sport and experience with someone who has the same interest. The older I get the more I realize it's not so about putting that big buck on the ground as it is enjoying every aspect of the experience of being out there. Sharing the experience with a buddy who has the same passion ... priceless.

[Altiman94]

Well guys...I've been sticking with it.  Went out this morning and tonight.  Didn't see any deer from the blind this morning.  Was out north of my place in a small slough.  We've seen good activity there on camera.

Tonight from a different stand had 3 does come in, but way out of shooting range.  At least I am still seeing deer.  The weather here has turned abnormally cold (30's).

[vtmtnman]

Seeing the deer is half the battle bro.Keep us posted and hopefully you'll have some hero pics for us soon.