Tough Day Yesterday.

[Caleb the bow breaker]

Thought I would tell this story to get it off my chest and so that maybe others can learn from my mistakes.  Warning, not a happy ending guys, but maybe some perspective and growing pains as a traditional bowhunter.
Sunday morning went out hunting and man it was full of ups and downs.  It was pretty cold and really haven’t been seeing that much so I had a really hard time making myself sit still in the cold when I knew my family was at home in the warm house. LOL.  About 9:00 AM I had a fawn come by but was too far and behind me anyway, but at least the deer were moving.  Not long after a buck came down the river bed downwind of me and as soon as he got in my scent he was out like a flash.  Man what a bummer!  But wait, he is circling around.  I am thinking “No Way!! This never happens”.  So he goes by me and I hit the grunt call and nothing (no surprise) then I hit the can call (which has never done anything but send deer the other way) and he comes in like a dog looking for scraps.  I wait till he is broadside, try hard to focus on a spot, hit my anchor, and BANG!!!!!  “What the Heck was that?”  And the arrow goes wide right and looks like it hits the buck in the hip.  Buck goes down and then back up and out of there before I can get my wits and another arrow together.  I see the buck stand a while and just sit down hoping for a little luck.

After a while I get down to assess the situation.  Well I got about 12 inch of penetration and the broadhead is gone in addition there appears to be pretty decent blood so I back out and go take a nap in the truck.  After two hours I take up the trail and am able to trail him about 250 yds to a bed.  There was a little blood in the bed but not looking good so I decide to go home and come back in the evening.  My wife, daughter and I took up the trail again about four in the evening and trailed the deer for about ½ mile before leaving the property.  At which time we decide to give up because the trail had pretty much run dry and it appeared that the buck was not dead and was not acting like he was going to expire any time soon.   There was very little blood and never another bed or even spot that looked like he spent much time at all.  We didn’t recover the Buck, and it was a definitely an emotional rollercoaster.

So what did I learn and why do I tell this story that has a less than happy ending??  I really don’t know but here are a few things.
1.    Don’t give up.  I was ready to hang it up and pull out the compound several times yesterday.
2.   Mistakes will happen.  Needless to say, I hit my stand with my lower limb and that is what caused the stray arrow.  There are tons of “what ifs” at this point but I can’t take that one back and I learned something that will hopefully prevent things like this in the future.
3.   Peroxide is awesome for tough blood trails.  I have read about this a lot but put it to use yesterday and I will never be without it again.

And finally, I have learned that my enjoyment of bowhunting does not need to be derived from harvesting animals.  I realized this season that bowhunting is losing its enjoyment because I don’t consider a hunt successful unless I take an animal or at least have one close.  And even then, if I get winded or busted it really ruins my day.  Maybe I need to relax and just enjoy sitting outside, quiet time, nature, time with friends and my girls.  I am not trying to make excuses for my mistake or saying it okay.  It’s not, and I am responsible for my mistake.  But, I am not going to carry it with me forever.  It is behind me now and I will do everything I can to not make the same mistake again.

Also, I understand if the Mods decide this needs to be removed.

Caleb

[Looper]

Man, that's tough. Don't get too down about it, though. What happened is more of an accident than outright negligence. You took a reasonable shot at a deer unaware of you, and one well within your ability and range. Your miss was due to some unforeseen obstacle. Sure, hindsight being what it is, you should have realized your lower limb might hit the stand, but now you do know, and it probably won't happen again.

I know it's of little consolation, but I'd bet every single one of us have had our limbs hit something unforeseen during a shot at game. A couple of seasons ago, I had my bow string hang up on a buckle on my pack, causing an errant shot. Fortunately, the arrow went under the deer, but it could have just as easily hit him anywhere. A couple of weeks ago, my upper limb hit a small branch in the ground blind. I missed high by a mile. Anyway, it happens.

One thing I want to commend you on is your willingness to exhaust your search. It shows great character.

[Caleb the bow breaker]

Thanks for the input and encouragement Looper.

C

Almost all of us that have hunted very much have learned similar lessons along our paths. It sucks when it happens, for sure. But now you know something to look out for when setting up your stands, and hopefully, that one will never happen to you again. If you keep hunting, it is not likely to be your last disappointment, either!

As far as changing the mindset of having to see or take critters to have fun, you were missing out on a very big part of the satisfaction of being in the woods by having that view! You are headed for a way more enjoyable time hunting if you do make that change.

Good luck in your future hunts!

Bisch

[ddauler]

Hang in there everyone who has been at this a while has had a similar experience. If anyone claims they haven't they are full of you know what. You did your part.

[knobby]

Way to hang in there on a tough tracking job. Stuff like that happens to all of us, but it still doesn't make it pleasant. Been there...

[buckeyebowhunter]

I feel your pain sir, I shot what would have been my biggest buck yet with any equipment earlier this year, I had a perfect broadside shot but hit him high in the shoulder. I never found a single drop of blood and after searching for nearly six hours I had to call it quits.

It is physically and mentally exhausting when these things happen,but like others have mentioned it happens to everyone. All you can do is get back at it and hope for the best. As long as your hunting and having fun thats all that matters. Enjoy your time in the woods and cherish each and every experience. Best of luck to ya the rest of this year.

[far rider]

Caleb,
Man I've been there. I have had more frustrating days than I can begin to relate. I was lucky enough to see the value of just being there right out of the gate.

Anyway bro, just hang in there and enjoy the serenity between the encounters.

[Altiman94]

Unfortunately it will happen to just about all of us at some point or another.  None of us like it but its part of hunting that we all have to go through.  

Hopefully the rest of your season is better.

[graybarkhunter]

Sorry for your misfortune .. Has happened to me also. On a side note, will you explain the peroxide / blood trail trick please? I've heard about it but never really figured out how to do it.. Thanks