I'm really struggling, I need some help I think?

[bear bowman]

So far this season I've seen a lot of deer. I've gotten close to a few opportunities but haven't drawn the bow. Something doesn't feel right about the angle or their body language isn't what I want to see or the deer is too small.
This my second year of hunting with nothing but traditional tackle. I'm wondering if maybe I'm being too picky.
I want to shoot so bad but I don't want to force anything either. I practice religiously and I know I can shoot. I'm hoping that when I finally do get the opportunity I'm looking for it'll get me going in the right direction.
If this sounds confusing, it's even worse inside my head.

[Vesty]

Not really. Live animals are a whole different ballgame. Their unexpected movements along with adrenaline coursing through the hunters bloodstream can "freeze" a hunter sometimes. I have a habit that helps me. As soon as I spot a deer I start staring at a spot on it's ribcage and look at nothing else. When that "spot" comes into range and my shooting lane, it's green light.

[SC Bowhunter]

You're overthinking it.
You know you can make the shot.
You're worrying too much about making a good shot to take a shot at all.
Just talk yourself through the shot and let it rip.
Remember, any animal with traditional tackle is a trophy.
You can be picky after you get a couple under your belt.
Good luck!

[YosemiteSam]

Come to CA.  Our success rates are only about 10% in most zones.  Good for you for waiting for good shot angles & such.  I've heard that bowhunters make up the vast majority of unrecovered animals -- likely due to bad shots.  But passing up deer that are too small is something we rarely have the luxury of out here.  One person's "problem" is another person's dream come true.  Be grateful of the opportunities you have & enjoy your time afield.

[IndaTimber]

I believe your overthinking it as well; however, if a deer is too small for you that is obviously a personal limitation you have placed on yourself, much like using traditional tackle.

[ChuckC]

A suggestion..... shoot the first decent ( not baby) deer that comes by and offers a reasonable shot.  Get one or two under your belt before you get picky.  After that each choice is yours to make at the moment, but get a few under your belt.
ChuckC

[Michael Arnette]

Originally posted by SC Bowhunter:
You're overthinking it.
You know you can make the shot.
You're worrying too much about making a good shot to take a shot at all.
Just talk yourself through the shot and let it rip.
Remember, any animal with traditional tackle is a trophy.
You can be picky after you get a couple under your belt.
Good luck!

Tell yourself exactly where your arrow will go and then release

[bear bowman]

Thanks guys. Hopefully I'll be posting about my first shooting experience really soon

[Michael Arnette]

I have been in your shoes. You and I made a common mistake that many previous trophy hunters make when switching. They often think they will be able to be just as picky with a tradbow as they were with modern equipment...you can't be as picky and be successful right at first.  

For the first couple years I was picky and blew the only two opportunities I had at good bucks because I didn't have practice. I learned that I had to take some shots to develop confidence before I could be picky...ish
Plus I'm not that picky anyway and the emphasis for me and among this community is on the journey and not the "inches of antler"

[Sam McMichael]

Don't be a perfectionist to the point of absolutely no output. Yes, you need to make sure you have a good shot, but then you simply need to perform your shot sequence as you have practiced. If you try to eliminate all possibility of an undesirable outcome, you will never drop a string. It is true that all deer with trad tackle are trophies, but it is you alone who can decide if you are being too picky.

[bear bowman]

I may have confused some on here. When I was stating too small, I was speaking of yearling doe. I've never been able to shoot those little buggers and live with myself. It's purely a personal thing for me.

[Shadowhnter]

There is a certain amount of risk, even with the best shot opportunities. When its right, its ok to methodically and with purpose, to risk it. We all do, with every shot we take. You have done all you can do at the target in preperation....its time to make it happen.

[woodchucker]

"If you want to kill deer... You gotta put wood in the air!"
Joe Skipp, Dear Friend & fellow TradGang Brother

Joe gave me this advice years ago... Best I've ever gotten!!! Missed a lot of deer at first, but the funny thing was, after the shot, I always new why? Lol  Then one day it happend... And I can't even remember taking the shot, lol  Just the arrow hitting the spikehorn... I guess that's why they call it, "instinctive"

[Doc Nock]

BB,

Not that it will help, but I kept staring at a deer's hind quarters...and imagining what meat I'd get.. (OMG)... if it wasn't in keeping with the last deer I shot, then I wasn't shooting.

I think it was a cop out cause I had fear of failure with my trad gear those first 4 years.

It took 4 yrs to drop the string and when I finally did, it was on a yearling doe..

I think she gained 5# on her way from where I spotted her to me as she was foraging heavily...

I shot her, cut the artery below the spine and she took 3 steps and keeled over.  

After that, 2 days later, with success under my safety belt, I shot a buck.  Tough shot too!

There are many things that can contribute to our reluctance.  I process my own deer and I knew it'd take as much work on a wee one as a good size one, buck or doe...

After that, PA went to 3 or 4 pt rule, depending on area.  I still like a nice fat ole doe for eating... and yes, as I age, the work is a factor!  i care for my critter and if I can't or am beat up, I won't shoot.

I don't take risks, that are unnecessary, but archery is a "game of inches" and will remain so... inch off or they move, no surety in archery.  All Calculated risks...

You'll figure it out and then you'll wonder where the hesitancy came from... Smile, it's about the journey, not the destination!

[Keb]

You can't regret shots you don't take, been there done that. I'd rather sleep with dreams of tomorrow than nightmares of bad shots and regrets.

Take your time, take the shot that feels good, don't rush it.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I am also very picky but I refuse to take shots at deer that are straight on or away, quartering toward me or require acrobatics to wrap around the tree and hang upside down.

Although I am not waiting for a  slam dunk opportunity, I would rather not shoot if I am not 100% certain I can make the shot.

Keep doing what feels right to you. Youre getting into deer which tells me its only a matter of time.  One thing you may consider is tree stand placement/orientation and how you might adjust your set up slightly to allow for better shot angles.

[bucknut]

I try to fire a shot nearly every time i'm in the stand. Whether it be a squirrel, chipmunk or random leaf. I use these as confidence builders and good practice at awkward angles. I also agree with putting wood in the air. Don't overthink it and don't be afraid to make a killing shot. The perfect shot rarely presents itself.  Let em rip!
John

[Whip]

It's hard for us to know if you're being too picky,  but mostly it sounds to me like you are making good decisions and the right opportunity just hadn't presented itself yet.

I'm with you on the yearling fawns of the year.  Easy pass for them.  Bad angles will result in bad shots most of the time.  Broadside or quarter away are the only shots you want to take.  Body language is what I'm wondering about.  Do you mean they are on high alert?  What you want are relaxed unalarmed deer that is standing still or moving beer little.

It will happen!  In the meantime,  enjoy the close encounters.  That is really what is all about.

[Krex1010]

One thing I've learned in hunting is to be ready and as soon as you decide you want to take the animal, take the shot at the first oppurtunity, if a good shot presents itself, don't hesitate because the deer is one step away from giving you the perfect shot. Be ready and let it rip the instant the sight picture looks good. I missed out on a lot of deer I could have taken because I passed makeable shots waiting for the deer to take one more step.

[Hud]

Try hunting small game, or varmits.