Poor shot decision - my my recovery rate for bowkills is no longer 100%

[jerp]

Since I started bowhunting I've shot at 15 deer and due to careful shot selection - and some good luck - recovered all of them. That changed this weekend and I am kicking myself. I was hunting at a feeder that has no bow blind so I put on my leafy suit and backed a chair into a clump of small mesquites about 30 yards from the feeder. Right at last legal light a fat mature doe came in and worked her way around to my chum corn at 25 yards - perfectly broadside. When her head was down I drew. Sensing my movement she raised her head and stared right at me and tensed up. I had my pin settled on her vitals and a voice in my head said "let down - she'll jump the string." Not sure why - maybe my judgement was clouded by not having killed anything this year - I touched off the shot anyway. I saw her wheel at the sound of the shot, then heard not the satisfying THWACK of broadhead hitting ribcage, but the sickening THUMP of a gut shot. She ran about 75 yards, stopped then turned and looked back for a moment then walked off. When she got out of sight I walked to the spot and my worst fear was confirmed. No blood, just a large glob of half digested wheat and corn. It was almost completely dark so I went to camp. I know how long they can live with that type of wound and I didn't want to push her so I decided my best chance of recovery was wait till morning. By pure luck I found her about 300 yards away where she had bedded down under some brush. The coyotes had gotten to her and there wasn't much left. I tell this on myself just as a reminder of the danger of shooting at a hyper-alert deer with a bow. I should know better.

[scooter1982]

live and learn

[Shane]

Those danged old does. They are on just edge ALL of the time. Tough to get a good shot on them with a bow if they're past 15 yards.

A tiny part of me doesn't feel too bad for the jumpy ol' wench.

[Bisch]

That stinks! Better luck next time.

Bisch

[El Coyote]

sorry to0 hear Jerp, good write up though...

[northtxhunter]

Sorry about your deer but thanks for the reminder for all of us.

[Howard]

sorry to hear you didnt find her in time, but your efforts would still make me feel you have recovered 100% of your deer still- Just not in the fashion you would want. Move on and smoke another one!

[buzzcut]

Dam wolves have gotten so bad I guess we're gonna have to keep tracking right after we shoot.

[Meatatarian]

I had a shot from a treestand at 30 yards last year at an alert doe looking at me. I thought she was no match for my Katera. I was WRONG. Fortunate for me she totally jumped the string and the shot zipped less than an inch above her back. That was my first lesson in jumping the string 101.

[tookeymonster]

it happens to the best sometimes

[Maroon Blade]

You're still at 100% and you helped feed some yotes...

[keep]

Tough deal but you had no choice to leave her. Sorry the meat wasn't salvageable.


BTW, was that you at the movies Sat. evening?

[Ricky T]

Great reminder, Jerp. Those old does can be tough.

A tiny part of me doesn't feel too bad for the jumpy ol' wench.

Have to say I agree with Shane, despite not being able to salvage the meat.

[gatt40]

I don't know the feeling, but I hear you. Not have had the opportunity to shoot a deer yet, I wouldn't want to face that either.

[native_texan]

Since I started bowhunting I've shot at 15 deer and due to careful shot selection - and some good luck - recovered all of them. That changed this weekend and I am kicking myself. I was hunting at a feeder that has no bow blind so I put on my leafy suit and backed a chair into a clump of small mesquites about 30 yards from the feeder. Right at last legal light a fat mature doe came in and worked her way around to my chum corn at 25 yards - perfectly broadside. When her head was down I drew. Sensing my movement she raised her head and stared right at me and tensed up. I had my pin settled on her vitals and a voice in my head said "let down - she'll jump the string." Not sure why - maybe my judgement was clouded by not having killed anything this year - I touched off the shot anyway. I saw her wheel at the sound of the shot, then heard not the satisfying THWACK of broadhead hitting ribcage, but the sickening THUMP of a gut shot. She ran about 75 yards, stopped then turned and looked back for a moment then walked off. When she got out of sight I walked to the spot and my worst fear was confirmed. No blood, just a large glob of half digested wheat and corn. It was almost completely dark so I went to camp. I know how long they can live with that type of wound and I didn't want to push her so I decided my best chance of recovery was wait till morning. By pure luck I found her about 300 yards away where she had bedded down under some brush. The coyotes had gotten to her and there wasn't much left. I tell this on myself just as a reminder of the danger of shooting at a hyper-alert deer with a bow. I should know better.

Sorry about the doe, brother. I know the feeling at the sound of the "thunk". The buzzards got mine instead of the yotes. Feeling is the same. I love your quote. It says it all. I hope your next one is successful. God bless.