Missed

[Lowrider]

Had an 8 point come into my stand this afternoon and shot right over him. This is happening way to often.Shot was about 12 yards out from my tree stand. I picked a dime size dark spot of hair right in the crease of the shoulder and concentrated on that. After he dropped and bolted I remembered that somewhere between drawing and anchoring in the corner of my mouth I stopped looking at the spot and was looking at the whole deer. He lived for another day and I just smiled. Had a great experience and about all I could do.

[Stump73]

You'll get him next time. That as close to catch and release as can get in hunting.

[Msturm]

it happens. no worries.

[VA Elite]

nice job on getting close! you are doing something right

[Homey88]

Great encounter! You will get him!

[Michael Arnette]

Yep, you are winning half the battle getting close like that. Good luck.

[bear bowman]

Been there, done that. It'll all come together.

[Basinboy]

I've been there done that lol
Don't give up, it will happen!

[dirtguy]

Glad you are smiling.  Good bucks seem to be able to distract me too!

[Tajue17]

I always pick for the bottom edge of the armpit on what i think is a nervous deer,  BUT one time my arrow went right there and the buck never even dropped,,clean miss but when he jumpped he broke my Arrow then stopped and giggled at me before ducking back into the swamp.

a clean miss is a good miss and good lesson!

make sure your bow is as quiet as possible and pick spots lower if your deer seem nervous,, I've seen countless videos of where deer drop up to a foot in milliseconds and beat compound arrows.

[Bob Moran]

I just came in from missing a buck from my ground blind. He strolled exactly where I wanted, at about 15 yds, and when I shot, the arrow went over his back by about 3ft and flying erratically! When I reviewed what went wrong, I realized that the stool I was sitting on was lower than the one I usually use and the broadhead must have glanced off a branch. I've shot judos from the same place, (but from the taller stool) and always cleared. Lesson learned -

[highlow]

We all know nothing is guaranteed in this business. Part of what makes it so addictive. I would like to know the percentage of TGers to which this exact thing has happened. Have a feeling it would be pretty high. As said, you must be doing something right to get that close a shot. Only a matter of time.  

[mh2324]

I know the feeling. As embarrassing as it is to say, I missed two deer from the same stand with the same arrow in less than 30 minutes last season. Both shots right over their back and clean misses thank goodness. I will say that ever since then I carry two blunt tips and once I'm settled in my stand I pick a leaf, stump, etc and take a shot to make sure I'm dialed in. Same thing when I am ready to climb down. Good luck to you. It'll happen!

[newhouse114]

I made the mistake of commenting to my son that it had been around six or seven years since I had missed a deer or an elk. No sooner said than done. I managed one successful stalk on a mule deer buck, took tthe shot, and never touched a hair. Not real certain what I did wrong but that was my only opportunity.

[newhouse114]

I made the mistake of commenting to my son that it had been around six or seven years since I had missed a deer or an elk. No sooner said than done. I managed one successful stalk on a mule deer buck, took tthe shot, and never touched a hair. Not real certain what I did wrong but that was my only opportunity.

[Cwilder]

It sucks. It won't be the last time be thankful for the experience and try to remember your shot sequence the next time

[Sam McMichael]

A while back RC made a post on a similar thread and described his shot process. He states that he shoots very low, about even with the line between the brown hair and the white belly hair (and sometimes even lower). He says that he seldom misses from shooting too low due to the way deer often crouch as they make the lunge in response to the sound of the bow. His opinion is one worth listening to. Keep at it and it will work out fine.

Hope you get another crack at him!

Bisch

[TooManyHobbies]

Missed a doe two weeks ago...3x. Every shot was over her back. Welcome to the club.

[RedStag5728]

Yeah it sucks...missed a doe at 7 paces from my stand Monday night; shot right under her. Thinking back on it, I gap shoot, and when I placed the broadhead on her I placed it at her feet (too low obviously) when I normally place it halfway up the leg for shots less than 20 yards.

That's why it's called "hunting" and not "killing"