How does everyone keep positive

[Plumber]

it is huntin season man ! missing is apart of the game.I have missed so many deer it aint funny I missed 3 just the other night.an yesterday Imissed 2 more an the ones I missed yesterday. I got up at1:30 am drove 3 hrs. an sat on stand all day with a small break at lunch. I missed one at 7: 50 am an one at 6:30pm .It aint no 3-d course An inspite of what I just told you I really aint a bad shot at all.Every hunt is a little differnt.every shot is a little differnt.An what I come to realize is your treestand will take you out of form almost every time.Ialready know somethings I am really going to work on this comming year.Istarted off with a 4 pt this yr.Anit has been tought every since.In closing I will say that any great hunter you know didnot get that way in one yr.or five yrs.there good because they stuck with it. an worked it out!!!!! now go get dressed an climb a darn tree.

[Dave Lay]

so much good advise above: I have been at it almost 40 years, and killed a buttload of critters, I had a really good streak goin till this year. I shot through the brisket on a nice 10 point early in season, then last weekend shot over a really nice buck, both were about 16-17 yds broadside. normally a slam dunk. the one this weekend was looking at me when I drew, and I really rushed the shot, not picking a spot,and shot over him. I know in my mind I was scared he was "gonna get away" it happens, I just have to realise what I did wrong and dont let it happen again..
if youve made the decision to shoot trad, then sell the wheel bow, dedicate your self to the stick and string. It will all come together. if your not confident enough to hunt trad this season, then hunt by whatever means and then practice all summer with your stickbow, and sell the compound then. Dont let it be a crutch.

[b.glass]

I sleep on it. Somehow, miraculously, the next day I have renewed hope. I tend to be an optimist anyway.

I missed an easy shot once so far this season and have yet to have another chance. I keep kicking myself for it because I should have been practicing from an treestand if I'm going to hunt from one and I hadn't shot from one in a couple of years. I didn't check the distance from certain markers and when the shot came I over shot. At least it was a clean miss.

[Paul WA]

RELAX and enjoy the scenery...PR

[hvyhitter]

One more thing to think about is that I have found that I miss more when I let the deer get too close to my tree. I then have a tendency to rush the shot and shoot over their back. I found that setting myself up for the 15 to 20 yd shot changed my shot angle and I take my time more and I then made more good hits........and that said I still miss at least once a year.

[Aeronut]

Originally posted by BUFF:
 Just look at the goof balls here that kill stuff all the time.
Buff

  or is it they just don't mention any misses........


The only thing in the woods that really fear me are the trees and dirt.  I seem to hit them without really trying.

Dennis

[bear1336]

I am just thankful I can get out and hunt and enjoy the woods. Missing is a part of bowhunting and connecting is the result of a lot of things coming together for you. Good Luck the rest of the season and just enjoy yourself.
Dave

[Raven]

I think they make a "Pill" for it!      :p  

 All good advice above!    

 Raven
 >>>>-------->

[T Folts]

I believe that  everyone that takes a shot at a deer that they can make in the back yard and misses, miss because they didnt pick a spot and i'll bet most shoot over the deer as I have. I think it is because the line on the top of the deer gets our focus, if we (I)dont concentrate on the spot, tuft of hair, whatever you can put 100% of your concentration on. I did it twice on the same doe, frustrated I went home climbed in my stand with my buddy watching and zip a arrow right where I was looking. Then I say OK maybe I didnt bend at the waist so I just drop my bow arm and hit about 3" low. So for me it was just  not picking a spot not my inability to make the shot. I not ever talking about other things that can go wrong like hitting your clothes with your string or a twig or branch that you didnt see or the deer being on high alert and moving. I just laugh it off and am having a great time in the woods this year no looking back for me.
Good luck and keep at it, keep a positive attitude and your season will be positive.
Terry

[lpcjon2]

focus like you did when you saw a girl you wanted,you would try harder when she blew you off.So try harder and relax!!!!!!!

[KentuckyTJ]

I highly disagree with just sitting back and thinking you are using equipment that isn't as effective as some others or you should just accept missing as part of the way we choose to do what we do. I think you aren't practicing enough or properly.

Are you practicing at home on dots on a target? I figured out a few years ago that is a bad thing to do and it doesn't carry over to the field on what we are trying to hit. No dots on deer to aim at. I shoot at my deer target or deer shaped cardboard a lot with not dot or aiming point. The cardboard deer should have necks and legs and of similar size to your local deer. That has helped me greatly in acquiring a target and a more appropriate sight picture on what it is we are trying to do.

You will know you have practiced enough when after you kill that first deer and you have no recollection of aiming, drawing or picking that spot. It just was routine from practice. Now go get 'em.

T.J.

[Guru]

Good post TJ!

 Yeah, we all goof up and miss at times, but missing 5-6-7+ times in a row? And accepting as part of the game?  

Naaa, no way....like TJ said, either not enough practice, or the wrong kind.

As a general statement.....from what I've seen at shoots and gatherings.....a lot of people that shoot trad equipment need a lot more practice before they hunt with a stickbow!

And I don't buy the "I stink at targets, but I'm a good shot at animals" claim either...

but that's just me....

[BOWMARKS]

I hang out at the local archery shop every day I can all year round shooting bow and bull. I am waiting for the end of July for a trip to Denton and October for archery season I do not let a little unproductive time in the woods get me down. You got to be in the woods to connect. So far this year nothing closer than about 75 yards but I know they are there . Still enjoy watching the other critters and the expectation of things to come! KEEP YOUR SPIRITS UP!!      

[Benha]

Don't put so much emphasis on killing something. Relax and enjoy the ride.