I Missed - Feel like Worse Bowhunter Ever

[Russ Clagett]

Do not feel bad about this at all. I think a turkey is a really hard animal to hunt and kill with traditional equipment.......I can't explain why, but..........they just are.

I killed my first turkey this last year. A group of gobblers came in to the setup at about 10 yards. I picked one out and marvelled at how pretty he was and right away shot a perfectly tuned arrow just over his back......

They all ran away.

I was humbled and really upset at missing such an easy shot, I wanted to just walk away from the blind and leave my bow there forever. But at the same time I was blessed for the opportunity.

And they came back. Turkeys are not smart critters. I picked out another one at about 15 yards and shot right over his back too.

And the all ran away......again.

I have now missed two turkeys in a row, right over their backs, twice.

I have one arrow left. I do not deserve to hunt with traditional gear. I do not deserve to hunt turkeys.....

And they came back........for a third time. All within 10 minutes too.......

This time all the turkeys are out at 20 yards or so, and it looks like they're exchanging looks with each other, trying to figure out what the hecks going on.......

I have one arrow left...this is it. I picked the tip of the feather on the wing of the turkey and that is all that existed in my world for that minute.....I feel my back pull tight and then there are spinning yellow feathers in the air....

And i pin that turkey to the ground with a woodsman...........!!!  With my last arrow! After missing twice!

Now I know why Fred Eichler yells and busts out of those blinds..........I did too.....

IT WILL happen for you.....just don't ever quit...

And when it does....it will be all worth it, and you will not ever forget it.

Have a great day!

[Jim Rocole]

dont feel bad last week I missed a turkey 4 times at 10 yards.  ran out of arrows or I might have missed 5-10 times. laugh it off and on to the next adventure

[Mike Gerardi]

Originally posted by KentuckyTJ:
He who hasn't missed hasn't shot many arrows!

yep. Good luck with the rest of your season.

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

Misses are part of hunting, although many would like to pretend otherwise. It happens. What matters is how you respond afterwards. At least in your case you missed cleanly. Misses are what drive me to become a better shot. I have lost wounded animals before and it sucks far worse than missing cleanly. Get back after them and pick a spot!

[Geezer]

You guys are all GREAT and I love your kind responses.  Each one gave me a chuckle a have helped draw me out of my funk - I appreciate your kind thoughts.  

Really, I'm okay and more determined to work harder on next years bird (Yes, I'm going back to Nebraska!).  However, I think I do need (want?) a shorter bow just for turkey.  Great excuse, huh?

[ProArcher]

I have only taken a few shots at deer with my bow and every one of them where been center hits. (ON A SAPLING) LOL But that is why it is called hunting and not killing.

[Nosight]

Well what can one say that has not been said already.

Picture this 3 turkeys on the same day on the same trail over a 15 minute time frame.

3 misses at the same spot all three arrowswith in two inches of each other behind the birds.

This is when I learned how to shoot close 7 feet from the blind.

The next year same blind same spot same trail firstarrow filled the tag..

To me misses keep me going. remember the misses and BRAGG about the few hits..

Later....Buzz

[maineac]

Turkeys are the worst for me.  I always seem to shoot low.  I think they look so big my mind misjudges the distance.  At least you have a good attitude in te post.  Just some catch and release.

[Sam McMichael]

If missing a shot is the worst thing that happens to you while bowhunting, then you are doing O.K. After all, we call it bowhunting, not bowkilling, because there is no guarantee.

[jonsimoneau]

Turkeys are hard to hit. Been trying for years!  Been there done that. Keep trying. It will happen.

[Molson]

If a turkey's vitals were in his tail feathers I'd have done kilt a dozen by now.  So if you ever shoot one in Ohio with a nice Snuffer triangle punched out of his tail fan... now you know!!  

[Mojostick]

Don't feel bad. A few years ago I missed a gimmie 12 yard shot on a broadside doe that had no clue I was there. The arrow went harmlessly about 1" over her lungs/back.

Then she trotted off in a circle, only to double back on the same trail and stop again, 12 yards infront of me, broadside in the exact same opening except facing the other way...and I shot about 1" over her lungs/back.

Except this time, my ABS Grizzlystik Sitka tipped with a brand new $30 Silver Flame broadhead hit a branch in the background and ricocheted off over a hill, never to be found after several long searches. So a miss can get worse. LOL      :D

[razorsharptokill]

I shot 9 times before I connected with a turkey.

[Stump_pounder]

happens to all of us

[Converml]

Don't fret it ,our season opens may first so as of then you'll defiantly not be the worse. I probably won't even get near one

[elkbreath]

Happens to everyone!  There are some good stories on this thread!  Love hearing about the misses.  I missed year after year on spot and stalk antelope before finally getting it right.  My nemesis, I couldn't hit em laying down at ten yards!  Thank heavens that mess is over, for now.

I called in a bull for a buddy, woulda been his first bull, a limited draw unit.  That bull came in with all his cows, right behind them.  they went by us at 15 steps.  A BIG bull, woulda been a great first bull with a stick, The bull stopped perfect broadside, looked the other way, bugled, and let the arrow fly right over his back.  He busted, I got back on the calls, threw a log down the hill... and the bull came right back, stood in the exact same spot and it was like deja vu, right over his back.  The two arrow were buried in the dirt 30 yards down hill with in a couple of inches of each other.


keep your head up.  That worst hunters ever never get to shoot!

[tracker1]

Ok this is hard to admit, but I missed the same love sick longbeard 4 times in a row this morning.  Yes I said 4 times he was not even spooked until his hen came into the decoys and saw my bright yellow and white fletchings.  15 yard shot. I kept shooting 6 inches to the left of him.  The height looked good.  I praticed hard shooting out of my blind on a stool at 20 yards and was getting softball size groups.  I thought I was picking my spot???

[Roadkill]

Misses make memories.  You think you will ever forget it?  It will make you better

[RC]

I missed a hog two days ago at about 8 yards.Hit a limb. Just makes me more focused for next time.RC

[DEATHMASTER]

Happens to all.
The easy ones hurt.