WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME???

[Dustin Waters]

I missed way too many deer with my bow to count when I got started.  Then the gods sent a doe out front of me with a burr matted into her hair right in the sweet spot.  The burr caught my attention and the arrow cut the hair that burr was matted into.  That memory always burns a hole in my mind when i am drawing on a deer.  Accidents happen and not all shots are perfect, but if you get accustomed to shooting a matted burr in the sweet spot most shots will find their mark.  I am still working on finding that burr on every animal I shoot at and it has been 5 years for me with trad gear.  It takes time to get it burned into your brain.  If you ever draw on an animal and cant find the spot, just let up and refocus and try again.  If you draw again and still cant get yourself to see just a spot then maybe the animal isnt in your "wheel house".

[doubleo]

It took me 10 years before i shot my first deer.Used a compound for about 2 of them years without success. Shot my first deer a 6 pointer with my Hoyt Huntmaster. Since that first buck i've been filling tags more consistently. Keep at it and success will start happening for you. Good luck and don't ever give up.

doubleo

[dan ferguson]

Jcarter, don,t beat yourself up, If you read any older books on the greats they missed alot also. I have been at this game for a few years, since the sixties and missed a couple really good bucks last weekend, the first one was sharply below me bedded my bowhand came up then I started to think about the sharp downhill shot mentally pulled the bowhand down and guess what shot under him, watched a giant mulie bounce over the hill. knees were wobbly, heart rate way up, but when I finally get my act together there is nothing like it. The long hike back to the truck the same thoughts go through my head also, why not range finders, compounds etc. no one around my neck of the woods would think less of me, then I have to go back to why I,m out here to begin with, IT,S FUN

[Dozer]

You've chosen the road less traveled. Theres going to be bumps and potholes along the way but its a lot more fun then taking the easy road. Just think of how amped your going to be when you connect.

[Mudd]

I doubt that Blueline meant anything negative his comment "You know how to kill them Now it's time to learn to hunt!!!" I know for a fact that I don't when I find that I am in agreement with him. I use my mental video to re-play all of my shots on game whether its a hit or miss as a way of fixing or reinforcing what I did. I am assuming that all bowhunters have this same device. Mine hasn't missed a single event even after all the years gone by. My 1st shot is still as clear as my last but the 1st was way more funny...lol standing on an open field with me (the surprised hunter) and doe about 20 yards or less apart, a seemingly long cat and mouse thing going on that resulted in the launching of an arrow that came closer to looking like a shot that could have been made at the MoBoJam clout shoot.
Sorry about the long post but couldn't think of a better way of illustrating what I meant and how it works.
God bless and keep on with what you're doing because a lot of what you're doing is right on or you wouldn't be in a position to have a shot.

[Curveman]

Originally posted by Biggie Hoffman:
[QB] Isn't it great!  You got to hunt and shoot and not use your tags! Think how proud you will be when you do connect!

Now that is a great attitude to have!!!  

[LAR43]

I agree with Shawn.
Pick a spot & don't take your eyes off it until you see the arrow hit.
W/ a compound this isn't as crucial, but 3w/ a stick bow it is everything!!

Larry

[Kingwouldbe]

Originally posted by jcarter:
Hopefully i'm not the only one that this has happened to and I probably shouldn't admit this, but here goes!

I have recently became a trad hunter and am having a hard time connecting on my shots. I'm starting to DOUBT MY ABILITY!!!

I've missed two "mega deer" this year already, both 25-30 yds, with my compound, they would have been meat in the pot, but since my compound was at HOME IN ITS CASE, and my recurve was with me, they are still roaming the woods!

I'm doubting my ability, SEVERLY, I shoot at least 1/2 hr to an hour each day and am very consistent with my shooting.

Any advice, anybody willing to admit that they have had or have this kind of luck!

Mr. Cater, it's NOT the destination, it's the journey that matters most.

If it's ONLY about making meat grab the .270 and knock your self out.

We put limitations on our selves, we chose to do it the hard way, all you have experienced is, it's true, it is hard, nothing more & nothing less.


I like a gal with some warmth in her eyes, some curves and smoking lines.

 

Longbows and recurves have life in there limbs, they'll whisper to you if you'll listen.

There talking to you right now, it sound like there saying, if you want to date me, "it aint going to be no wam, bam thank you mam"

You have to dedicate your self to her, the more you two time on her, the farther she'll move away.

If you lover her and treat her with respect, she'll teach you amazing things, telling her you'll only leave her when the going gets tough, is a guaranty she'll treat you wrong.


Compounds have no soul in them, there cold & ugly, but they will get the job done, there just NOT a BOW

[loco_cacahuate]

VERY well said King

I'm tired of hearing people say " I coulda got made that shot with my compound" No they couldnt have, cause they werent hunting with a compound.
Learn from your mistakes and setbacks, you'll become a richer person.

[BRONZ]

Kingwouldbe, that's a sweet description, and I totally agree.

jcarter, if you're look'n for a slam dunk, take a gun.  If it's a HUNTING experience you're look'n for, keep your chin up and stick with the stickbows!

[Brian Krebs]

I once asked Fred Bear if he were be to remembered by any quote or saying; what would it be? I expected a philisophical response; one that would include the artistry of bowhunting.

 He simply said "Pick a spot."

At longer ranges its hard to pick a spot; the closer the easier to pick a hair or something; but the further away it seems the less we concentrate on perfection in the shot.

Try picking a spot    

And don't think at this point your even close to setting any records for missing ! Like Biggie said you still have a tag !! The guy who started me in bowhunting went 12 years before he got a deer with his bow... and that is not a record.

 don't give up - the best is yet to come      

[Kevin Bahr]

Josh, there's nothing wrong with you.  Doo Doo happens.  I talked to a buddy last night that has been bowhunting for several decades and he said he missed a nice buck one day and a big doe the next.  It happens.  Just don't get down on yourself.  The first time I went to Alaska I missed 8 shots at caribou in two weeks.  I've been doing this for awhile, too.  It will still happen twenty years from now. Believe me, it's WAY better to miss than to hit one bad and not find it.  The key is don't worry about it, get out there and keep on hunting.  Good luck!