Was I right to pass on this shot?

[Raineman]

"If you have to ask, you should pass"

Having had a questionable season so far with some poor shot selections, this is my new motto.

[rolltidehunter]

its not all about the kill! you got that deer so close you could spit on its back!! awesome dude!
your doing it right!

[Sam McMichael]

Any time you have doubts, it is a probably good idea to pass and wait for a better opportunity.

[Friend]

In a trial that truly tested your ability to stick to what you yourself believe was unethical, you came thru a better man and a better hunter.

I applaud you.

[Dave Worden]

Even though I read your intro, it wasn't necessary.  If you are not dead sure of a shot, you should pass.  You weren't sure, you passed.  You did the right thing.  Period.

[NYAntler]

You already knew the answer when you passed on the shot.. you should feel good about your decision

[Worm5503]

You definately made the right decision. I was able to stalk within twenty yards of a really nice buck last week and passed because of the severe angle of the shot...with a perfectly placed shot, I would have only got one lung. The good news is that I get to keep hunting him.

[EL Mejor]

PASS IT UP,A GOOD CHOICE,,,WAIT TILL NEXT TIME,,,

[LKH]

I took that shot on a buck 25 years ago in Idaho.  The arrow missed the spine and took one lung, then lodged in the brisket with just a tiny hole.

Thankfully there was snow since the buck went over 400 yards and never left a single drop of blood.  

I won't do it again.

[LONGSTYKES]

Good choice, you did good. But you know it already.

[smilinicon]

It was six months ago.. I'd say he is over it by now...

[huntmaster80]

prob would have ended up hitting the spine, or one lung.

[Mint]

Yeah i'm over it and the good news i saw him late in the season so i am hoping that I get a crack on him when this year season starts.

[tradshooter]

Yep, you're over it now, because you followed your first impression to pass on a marginal shot. That was a good call on your part. If you had taken the shot and one lunged him and then lost him, you would be bugged about it for a long time. I know this is an older post, but it is good to be reminded of these situations. The fact that you saw him in the late season will keep you pumped for a chance at him next Fall. That's got to be a good feeling and no regrets.

[joe ashton]

Yes you did the right thing for sure.  I'll pass that shot up every time.. One lung is the beginning of a bad day!

[BradLantz]

My friends say I should have taken the straight down shot but I always heard that was the shot to avoid. Am I wrong?

you take the shots you believe you can make, pass the ones you cannot

all you can do is shoot the best setup you can that gives you the best chances to make the shots you take ... thats bowhunting

[toppredator]

I hunt with a guy who has taken "iffy" shots and has been unable to recover the poorly hit animals, believe me you are much better off letting them walk if your not 100% sure.

[dixiearcher]

Great call! Have heard several horror stories of shooting big deer straight down like that and never finding them...I will not take that shot and I think you did exactly right!

[dixiearcher]

Plus now you have something to look forward to on your next trip!

[George Vernon]

Only take the shot you're confident you can make.  Even then, you'll be wrong a percentage of the time.  Doubt in the back of one's mind can wreak havoc with a traditional shooter's ability to deliver.  So when in doubt, pass.