Long story but I figured I might as well tell it. Maybe someone can learn from my mistake.
Been bowhunting for three years now and passed on lots of does and a few small bucks. Really wanted to wait for an older deer. Lots of people in my area take anything with horns and it'd be nice to try to fight that. Decided this year I was going to take a doe. Opening day I missed one. Had her in about a three foot wide window in a spot I didn't expect and didn't have time to range her. Shot for 40, she was at 33, right over top.
Next night I figured they'd be back. Heard footsteps and saw a deer coming from the same spot but took a turn before it got to my shooting lanes and went kinda behind me. All I could see was feet and figured it was a doe since that was all I had pictures of in that spot. Got to full draw while the deer was still behind a cedar. Finally comes out and I see horns. Really wasn't nervous or shaking but I just remember being surprised that it was a buck. I could tell he wasn't very big but I really couldn't get a good look at the rack. Tried stopping him twice to get a better look (while knowing he wasn't what I was looking for) and next thing I know I'm letting it fly.
Put a good shot on him but as soon as I let it go I was confused as to why I shot lol. My mistake was making a decision to shoot that deer when I thought it was a doe before I could see him. I think I was so amped up after thinking the doe was back and I was finally gonna arrow my first deer, that I couldn't stop myself even though this buck wouldn't have been my first choice.
I was really frustrated and disappointed in myself for a few days for being somewhat impatient, but I figure you've gotta start somewhere, and at least I put a good shot on him. Went about 40 yards.
And made another mistake in leaving the head sitting outside when I was about to boil it - my dog enjoyed the nose.
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Been bowhunting for three years now and passed on lots of does and a few small bucks. Really wanted to wait for an older deer. Lots of people in my area take anything with horns and it'd be nice to try to fight that. Decided this year I was going to take a doe. Opening day I missed one. Had her in about a three foot wide window in a spot I didn't expect and didn't have time to range her. Shot for 40, she was at 33, right over top.
Next night I figured they'd be back. Heard footsteps and saw a deer coming from the same spot but took a turn before it got to my shooting lanes and went kinda behind me. All I could see was feet and figured it was a doe since that was all I had pictures of in that spot. Got to full draw while the deer was still behind a cedar. Finally comes out and I see horns. Really wasn't nervous or shaking but I just remember being surprised that it was a buck. I could tell he wasn't very big but I really couldn't get a good look at the rack. Tried stopping him twice to get a better look (while knowing he wasn't what I was looking for) and next thing I know I'm letting it fly.
Put a good shot on him but as soon as I let it go I was confused as to why I shot lol. My mistake was making a decision to shoot that deer when I thought it was a doe before I could see him. I think I was so amped up after thinking the doe was back and I was finally gonna arrow my first deer, that I couldn't stop myself even though this buck wouldn't have been my first choice.
I was really frustrated and disappointed in myself for a few days for being somewhat impatient, but I figure you've gotta start somewhere, and at least I put a good shot on him. Went about 40 yards.
And made another mistake in leaving the head sitting outside when I was about to boil it - my dog enjoyed the nose.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
. Way to go!
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