Bow hunting: Harder than I thunk it...

[Lost Arra]

Time and more experience seeing deer in the field (close to you) will help.

^^This ^^

For me (and I hate to miss anything) a clean miss is the best miss.
A lot more sleep is lost over wounded and unrecovered deer.

[HoustonHunter]

If hunting/or taking a deer is not that big of a deal anymore to you, then that may be your problem. I think bow hunting is something you have to take seriously, it obviously requires alot of practice, patience, and attention to detail.

Think you misunderstood him.. He means with a rifle.

[Wiggins]

Yes, I was elevated 18 feet and sitting down. Just dropped my arms. Why?

saving you the nerdy scientic reasons, it basically changes the geometry, anchor point slightly, etc from how you normally practice standing. try to keep everything from the waist up exactly the same regardless of elevation or shot orientation, if that makes since. Practice from an elevated position.

Of course it does change things up when you want an animal at the other end of the arrow.

[Shinesintx]

saving you the nerdy scientic reasons, it basically changes the geometry, anchor point slightly, etc from how you normally practice standing. try to keep everything from the waist up exactly the same regardless of elevation or shot orientation, if that makes since. Practice from an elevated position.

Of course it does change things up when you want an animal at the other end of the arrow.

Thank you! Gonna try practicing from my stand or the roof of my home. Maybe I should/could shoot from my parents two story?

[ETexBowAddict]

I guess I don't really see the problem. You got so pumped up and had that adrenalin rush we all want. That's the reason we hunt. The reason we climb 18 foot up in a tree in 80 plus degree weather, swat mosquitos, spend countless hours preparing, buy all the stuff we do. Just to get so pumped up when a deer comes out we lose ourselves in the moment. I say enjoy it, understand we all miss, and don't beat yourself up. I'm 40 and have been bowhunting since I was 15 and every time I see a deer my heart beats so hard and loud I know the deer have to be able to hear it! That's why I love it so much! So congratulations on a great experience with God's creatures and may you have many many more opportunities to redeem yourself.

[sneaky freak]

Keep in mind if bowhunting was easy everybody would do it, it takes trial and error, ups and downs but when it all comes together it makes it all worth it.

[M.E.B.]

When I quit getting excited I'll quit hunting.

[scissorhands]

Yes, I was elevated 18 feet and sitting down. Just dropped my arms. Why?

bend at the waist.

[SwampRabbit]

Last year was my first year to bow hunt. Shot a couple hogs and even killed a bobcat. In the back yard, I slap em and stack em...starting to think I should enter some competitions because I am such an amazing shot. Yes, I'm really that good.

Tuesday evening a nice spike shows up. My place is in an AR county, so I was pretty excited to see him. His rack looks just like last year on the trail cam. I was a little nervous but thought I was able to calm down enough for the shot. I'm in my 40s and have shot many a deer with a rifle, it's not really that big a deal any more. (Edit: not a big deal with a rifle) using a bow is a different story.

Long story short, I shot under the spike and he just walked off like nothing happened. I don't understand why I got so jittery and excited...and the experience was VERY humbling. I am nowhere near as awesome as I thought I was. Nowhere near where I need to be to take a deer. Did I mention how humbling the experience was. It was still awesome, just disappointed in myself.

So, let me have it. What kind of advice do Yall got? I don't know what to do or how to change things. Appreciate yalls help.

Alot of people are going to analyze why you missed and give you strange advice for something you didn't ask for....

I am in my 2nd year of hunting. I hit a doe opening weekend last year and didn't recover due to the weather. Fatal hit... but still disapointing. Had some success on a TBH Javi/Hog hunt that really helped... but this season, the deer come in and I'm still on edge. I'm pretty sure it's natural.

My plan... is to continue hunting...

[BallisticHunter]

I guess I don't really see the problem. You got so pumped up and had that adrenalin rush we all want. That's the reason we hunt. The reason we climb 18 foot up in a tree in 80 plus degree weather, swat mosquitos, spend countless hours preparing, buy all the stuff we do. Just to get so pumped up when a deer comes out we lose ourselves in the moment. I say enjoy it, understand we all miss, and don't beat yourself up. I'm 40 and have been bowhunting since I was 15 and every time I see a deer my heart beats so hard and loud I know the deer have to be able to hear it! That's why I love it so much! So congratulations on a great experience with God's creatures and may you have many many more opportunities to redeem yourself.

Excellent statement

[Atfulldraw]

take a deer target to your stand, or practice off a stand in your yard.

or set up a pop up.

it changes things when you aren't just standing still shooting at a target.

[G MONEY]

I always considered myself a good hunter. But when it comes to Archery hunting, I have missed more than I have connected by a long shot.

[boomerball]

Sometimes i can get the "fever" by closing my eyes and visualizing the scene. Im going to try this before i practice 3d next time. Ive only shot 2 deer (does) bowhunting, but both times what i thought were blown/non opportunities suddenly turned around. I think that had me a bit more relaxed ... until i heard the "thump". .... then i shook like i was wearing a swimsuit in antarctica

[TEXICAN]

Close you eyes take a deep breath, exhale quietly open eyes lay pin where it needs to be, release.