My season of awesome hunts and lots of MISSES

[Overspined]

This was a killer year hunting for me. I shot a 2 yr old 8pt, a doe on the run...but the misses and quality I ran into this year is notable.

I missed another really nice 8 in MI, the corn was all down so the bucks were much easier to see and hunt! Saw 4 nice bucks in about 3 hunts, very unusual for me here in Michigan. Called in 3 of them and shot at two...got one!

BUT, Indiana was unbelievable. I hunted 6 days on a couple smaller parcels with permission and saw 8 shooters, took 4 shots, and hit 3 limbs (misses)! I missed more big deer than I have ever seen in one season...Missed two 3yr old 10pts in Indiana, and a BOONER two times...the easy shot I didn't pick a spot(looked at the chest) and shot just over back (a rookie mistake I don't usually make), and another hit a limb! What a rush. To add insult to injury he didn't leave but I was out of arrows! I took cell pics of him with my iPhone for about 3 minutes and he was in range on and off for about 5 min! I had 3 broadhead arrows with me and had already missed one of the 10 pts chasing a doe...so I got to watch him for a long time. Really cool and HUGE.

I get a lot of folks asking me why I don't use a wheelie bow, and anyone here knows there are multiple reasons why I choose the longbow. I am very happy with the way my hunts went this year and have a lot of close calls and great memories!

I hope everyone feels that way whether an animal was taken or not!  Almost too much fun to be legal. I am not really a trophy hunter but sure saw them this year and I have pics on my phone to remember "the one that got away"! Or 4...

[Irish Archer]

Good for you. Glad you've had a great time.

[kennyb]

Matt-I think you have the right attitude! You do not need us to tell you what you did wrong, as you already know and next year will be even better! I did not get one yet this year with my recurve, but had one of the best years hunting so far. thanks and good luck.

[Overspined]

3 of the misses were limbs, small ones and because I hunt where the deer are it is often a little thick and I rarely use the same tree twice so I don't clear shooting lanes. I really messed up on two shots, but the 3 limb hits can be tough to avoid at times. Some years I don't miss, but this year was full of them! lol

[AMB]

I would carry more than 3 arrows next time!  

[greyghost]

Very positive thoughts and attitude. I respect that.

[Hopewell Tom]

It IS almost too much fun to be legal. I see in the latest TradBow Hunter mag that Hunter Images (Fred Asbell) is now offering a SEVEN arrow bow quiver...

[DannyBows]

Congrats on a great season!

[Overspined]

Yup, I have the 7 arrow GFA, but was carrying my older Great Northern 4 arrow bow quiver with 3 broadheads and a blunt for practicing. I spoke with another seasoned fellow longbow hunter and he said the same thing...carry about 5 broadhead arrows for whitetails and more for hunts deep into country. It can be common to miss now and then, and at times multiple times without spooking game so it is best to be prepared! Never thought I would run out of arrows shooting at big deer! Lesson learned.

[maineac]

Wow!!  Still waiitng to see one, so you had an awesome season!!!

[AMB]

If you would have had more arrows, you probably wouldn't have even seen the buck, you know how it goes.