Clean Miss!!

[mscampbell75]

I'm hunting a new piece of property this year.  It is takeing some time to pattern the deer.  Trying to do some low impact scouting.  I have been seeing lots of sign but, NO DEER!  

That changed tonight.  Found a new spot with a whole lota signs, just off a creek bed crossing.  Thicket on one low end of the creel and hardwoods @ the highend.  I got to the woods around 4:30 this afternoon.  

I just want to say it was a beautifull afternoon to be in the deer woods.  Temp was around 70 degrees.  Got settled in the lone wolf climber.  Lots of wildlife to see. Had a blue jay land on a branch no more that 4' in front of me.  Seen some cardinals flying around.  Squirrels meandering below me, never knew I was there.  

It started to get about "that time".  Anyone who deer hunts know what time I'm talking about.  The woods start to settle and everything gets quite.  And you know you are about to start seeing deer!

All of a sudden, I heard a deer running towrards me form the dirction of the creek.  The creeks has alot of brush on both side of it.  I couldn't actually see the creek from my stand,  I was about 20 yards from the creek.  Once I heard the deer run thru the creek I was certian he was headed in my direction.  

He came trotting out of the brush and stopping about 8 yrd from the bottom of my stand.  When he stopped, his vitals were behind a tree.  I noticed he was a small basket rack with what I think 7 points.  It all happend pretty quick.  He started trotting again and I came to full draw  .  As he came in my shooing lane,  no more of few feet from the origanlly stopped.  I grunted with my mouth to stop him.  As soon as he stopped,  I loosed the arrow.  I watched it sail JUST over his back and stick in the ground.  He jump and trotted off.  He never knew I was there, but he knew he didnt like what just happened.  

I NEVER PICKED MY SPOT!!!!!!!!     .  Especially guys like Lowbowben with that 178+" deer he just killed.  Talk about nerves of steel.

Thanks to all you quys on this site for keeping me inspired to keep with trad gear.

P.S.  Thank goodness I had a clean miss instead of tracking a wounded deer.  That is my worse fear.

[Wannabe1]

Man, sorry 'bout the luck but, what an experience! I am still waiting to take my first trad deer and first deer ever. Been at this for quite a few years now and still haven't had the taste of victory. But, have had some great hunts and time in the woods. Maybe he'll come back after he settles down in a day or two. Stay safe and shoot straight.

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Yep, a clean miss is a happy one! All the best with the rest of the season.

[Dr. Ed Ashby]

Been there; done that. It'll get better. It's all great fun, and that's what bowhunting is all about.

Ed
TGMM Family of the Bow

[Shaun]

2nd best place for your arrow to hit. Keep at it you will connect real soon.

[Richie Nell]

"That time" you're referring to is the

 "Red Zone".

[wingnut]

Heck one shot high doesn't mean a thing.  I went O-5 one weekend a few years ago, including two shots at the same deer in the same spot.  My second shot actually cut feathers off of the first.  Of course both were right over the back.

It helps if you practice out of a treestand.  Things look a lot different up there.

Mike

[blueslfb]

Better to have shot and missed than to not have shot at all.  Keep at it, it will happen.  Remember there is a alot of room around em.

[Mike Gerardi]

Did it last year twice.. I thought one was a sure hit until I found my arrow with no blood on it. The bad part was Just after the shot My buddy Doug.C. from Montana called and I was excited about the doe I just shot, or so I thought. He sounded real happy for me. It was tuff to call him back and inform him that I missed.  Still Love Bowhunting and all my Trad buddies.