So I ended the 2010 season (my first season to really hunt) on a high note, took a nice 8pt around Christmas and dropped a couple hogs in January. The 3 kills were w 3 shots (rifle) and the furthest tracking job was about 30 yds. Then this past June my buddy Birdman bought me my first bow, a Bear Carnage fully loaded for my bday. I practiced frequently and was in my tree stand for the opening weekend of bow season. An hour later I had a decent 7 pt on the ground, good shot from 34 yds, he only ran 40 yds and crashed over. My first bow kill a nice east tx buck, so at this point I'm feeling pretty good as a hunter, I was dropping everything I shot at, gun or bow. Then it started going south. Chris and I had green hog lights installed on our bows and took them to my place that night to hunt. I guess I should have practiced more...missed a hog at 25 yds, I chalked it up to not being used to shooting at night. Fast forward to late Dec, I have my rifle w me and was gonna try and walk a creek bottom while step son was in his blind. I shot a big spike at about 80 yds. I didn't have a gun rest, but still felt like I made a good shot, deer actually dropped twice, then ran a lil further where I couldn't see. Waited for my buddy then we went searching for him. Found blood for 100 yds, no deer. Searched 3 hours, then again the following morning...no deer and blood trail stopped. It was my first time to not find an animal and I was bummed. Then, last Sat, I'm in tree stand again w bow and had a hog come out at 40 yds. I should have been more patient bc he prob would have came in closer, but I'm not a patient person sometimes..so I of course rushed it and took a shot when he turned broadside, shot hit right at his feet and slid under him. Pig runs off laughing at me. So for 2 years when I shot, something died...then for past 2 months I'm 0/3, and def not feeling on top of my game like I had been. I may have to practice on some coins and find my rhythm again, I feel like I did when I played basketball in college and coach benched me for screwing up! Please tell me I'm not the only one who misses. Guess I just gotta keep practicing.
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I meant practice on some coons..not coins. -
If you don't miss it wouldn't be called hunting. You're going to get on those streaks. It's just like in sports when you screw up. Forget about it and focus yourself on the task at hand, shooting. Did you misjudge the range on the little pig with your bow?
Worst day of hunting I ever had is when we went predator calling with a new varmit rifle I purchased, we sighted it in and were ready to hunt that next day. I ended up missing 2 bobcats and 2 coyotes with it that day. I felt just like you do. Don't worry though, it can only get better from here.
Just keep practicing on the hogs too in the off season. You should be ready to go for deer next year.Comment
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Appreciate the comment, I def plan on practicing on some hogs in the next few months. I realized after I shot Sat that I didn't use my 40yard pin, I used the top one which is for 20, explains why I was low. I think I just need to relax and take my time more, I get excited and rush things.Comment
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You're fine. Your mojo is intact.
In the words of the great one...
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x-fkSYDtUY"]Snap out of it Moonstruck - YouTube[/ame]Comment
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hahahaha.....now thats funnyComment
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SB09 is right. Two years ago, I made my first year to hunt in Texas with a crossbow I taged 7 hogs within a week, the first of which was a 220# boar at 30 yrds. Then feeling good about my hunting success, I bought me a new Barnett Jackel crossbow in preparation to kill a ton of hogs. Since then I added to my list, 1 mesquite limb between me and a nice boar standing broadside at 5 yrds, 1 oak tree limb hanging from a tree between me and another boar at 20 yrds.Originally posted by SB09 View Post
And haven't fired a shot at any living critter since. I console myself with the thought that I'm still out hunting, and one day I'll get that monster boar. C'ya
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I had a spell like that, last like 18 months. I killed everything i shot at. felt like coulda shot behind my back and made a kill........ then a swith flipped and I missed like 3 shots in a row.... bow and gun. then everytime i picked up a rifle or bow i was anxious......
anyway took a couple months to work through it but im back on track now.
2 deer with my bow, and 4 hogs this season......Comment
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