Missed same deer twice--I don't deserve venison

[TNstickn]

Dont feel bad Bro! I missed the same deer twice then got her on the third.  First missed at about 15 yards. Shot right under her. She bounded off and turned and just looked around. After an hour or so she fed back to me twenty yards broad side. I tried to shoot over a limb and WHACK, hit the limb, I couldnt believe it. The deer jumped up straight in the air 4-5 feet. My arrow was deflected straight down some how. I reached into my quiver still watching the deer, and pulled out a judo pt!! CRAP!! Trying to move as little as possible, I balanced the arrow across the front of my stand. Took a look at my quiver this time, cause I didnt want to grab the other judo I had with me. After what seemed like forever, I finally got another broadhead nocked. To my total amazement she had moved away from where the 2nd arrow was in the ground and actually gotten closer to my tree. Oh was I fired up! Bored a hole through her this time with no obstructions, party over. Sat back down and just kinda giggled. Stick with it, you will probably look back on your hunt with a big laugh!!

[Shaun]

Missed a buck three times in a row my second year. Join the club, then pick a spot and drill one. Good Hunting!

[heydeerman]

Brother, I hope you read these posts and take em to heart. We have all been there and some of are right there with you now. Take me for instance. I take pride in being the local deer slayer hence the name "heydeerman". I am 1 in 5 this year. One of em was the biggest buck I ever shot at     . I have only missed one deer in the last 9 years. Frustration is part of the business. Hang in there and keep pluggin away. You'll connect and feel great when you do.

[Rick P]

OK got several PM's on my post so let me elaborate. Bob and possibly Scott as well. seems you have some possible "Buck fever" issues. Best way to fight this is spend lots of time watching deer or other large animals. The better acquainted with there habits the better prepared and more comfortable you'll be when the moment of truth presents its self. Even time spent at a zoo will help calm that jittery feeling and help you stay on target. Also several folks have mentioned picking a spot, a tuft of off color hair or a bug bite in the right spot. Great advice you'll never connect looking at the whole critter. Also I have found lots of folks get in the field and there form goes completely to hell, think back were your shots consistently high and left? Don't forget to cant the bow.

However no one will be getting a apology from me on this and if the subject comes up again I'll say the same. Part of being a responsible hunter is admitting when your out of your element and being man enough to stay out of the field and put in the time and training necessary to be an effective hunter. Nothing destroys the reputation of archers faster than a wounded animal. In fact there will never be a archery hunt in the Anchorage area because of an archer who wounded a moose so all of Alaska could watch it slowly die on the evening news. We have a responsibility to the archery community, the animals we chase and society as a whole to maintain the highest personal and moral standards. Also candy coating the facts helps no one and further demeans our way of life.

In short the reputation of the archery community, the prevention of needless suffering and the preservation of the hunting lifestyle are more important than your, my or anyone else's feelings!

[Chuck Jones]

It can happen to anyone. I went many years without a miss until this year. I just plain shot over a buck this morning, and then had the same buck duck the arrow a little later. I had a branch get in the way earlier in the year. All you can do is keep at it, and remember to pick a spot.

[BradLantz]

I missed a P&Y buck on Monday morning, then again on Thursday afternoon - same big pig of a buck.

Makes you feel very humbled doesn't it ?

[SteveB]

Rick P - you are not alone.

Steve

[Rick P]

Thanks Steve I really needed to hear that.