Some of ya'll saw my post on Facebook earlier but I figured I would share the story here too. With rain moving in this afternoon it wasn't worth driving to the camp so I loaded up the boat and headed to my old honey hole in the lower delta with a buddy. Got settled in a tree before daylight and hogs were all around us. Sun had just come up when I see what I think is a big hog step out of the palms 30 yards away behind some brush. Then I saw horns..............

The deer was no world record but a pure STUD for the delta, all 6 points of him. I eased up while he was feeding on acorns and passing to my right. My heart was beating 100000000 beats per second. I was going to have about a 20 foot window of opportunity when he cleared the brush with a shot about 25 yards long. When his head was behind a tree I decided it was time to draw on him....and that's where things went downhill. I was shaking like Michael J Fox after a 12 pack of red bull and I couldn't get my release clipped onto my string! Finally did and as I was drawing back my finger hit the release and made a "pop" sound.

The bucker jumped back a few steps, sat around on high alert for a few minutes then fed a little bit more out of range and wandered off. I've never killed a good buck with a rifle, much less a bow. I'm still kicking myself fin the ass but it goes down as one of the best hunts ever in my books.

That sucks

Rookie.

I won't argue with that. I'm going to kill one with this damn bow if I have to beat them with it.

I've gotten jelly legged, shot a sapling or two, but never bumped the trigger on my release. I'm actually calmer shooting at a buck. Get in the habit of drawing with that finger behind the trigger, Josh.

Hate it for ya.

Here's what I did once to myself, and it has worked to this day. I literally jumped all over my own azz for messing up a hunt once where I missed a good buck. I told myself that I had waaaaay too much into this gig we call hunting to screw it up when a good buck finally comes along. Believe it or not, I'm Mr. Cool now when bucks come along. Once I've confirmed that it's a shooter, I no longer look at the rack or focus on it. Instead, it's all about the kill shot/target area on the buck.

Now I will say this - once I've got a buck on the ground I do get weak in the knees and usually sit down in my stand before I fall out of it! Give it a try, and maybe that'll help.

Its all part of the learning curve. It will all come together one day. Just stay after them and dont give up. Better luck next time.

If it helps your feelings any most of us have been there. I once bumped a light trigger on a muzzleloader and just fired down thru the woods over the back of a big 11 and a big 8 running together. It wasn't buck fever. Just a screw up. Had on those stupid gloves with the mittens that fold over the fingers. Never wore them or cared for that gun after that. Would have been my biggest deer. Never killed one with more than 9 points still.

With this being my first year bow hunting I had a big bodied 4 pt walk out on me at 20 yds. He finally turned and gave me a shot but he was making a bee line for he woods so I didn't take the time to try and stop him and I didn't bend at the waist so my arrow went over his back. Still kicking myself for that.

He kept feeding, so he aint too scared. Go back to that spot as soon as you can. You will get another chance if what hes eating is still there. Good luck.

Dadgum-it!
Go back and get him!

that's tough

My legs are what get me when I get nervous. They go to shaking and I can't make them stop. I've had deer coming in before and my legs start shaking so bad I can hear the stand start going..... "Ding,ding,ding,ding!"

Being cold just makes it that much worse. Hang in there, you'll get them. It's always good to try and have a routine that you can mentally go through before the shot.

One time I was in my stand and this big 8 poi......wait no....I still hardly see deer. I've only seen 1 doe this season, and it was at dark, but man I got excited and was shaking, even though I knew I couldn't shoot!

It's going to be rough if I ever see a buck. I know your pain.

Ahhhhh grasshoppa..

You disappoint me..

Hugs and kisses...

Massa.

What shaw said. Every time I draw my bow, I am pushing the trigger forward with my index finger. Ive flung an arra off through the woods too buddy. You'll get one.

Where at on the lower?😀 You know so i know to stay out of there. Were killed 3 hogs yesterday and had a few deer blow at its but never saw them on the lower also.

Black creek. I never see people where we hunt cause most of them are lazy

Hate to hear that. Never hit the release on the draw buying used to get so nervous, like CNC said my legs would start shaking and I had No control over it. I would litterally shake the leaves of the trees. It took me milling a few from the ground before I could get control of the shaking and get one close to me while in a stand. Now it's nothing at all until the shot and I know I made a good shot, that's when I loose all my chit and go to shaking. Dam I love bowhunting.

Well, get your crap together man. We gotta get some points!

I always push forward on the trigger during the draw as well. Also try concentrating only on the spot you wanna hit.

Micheal J Fox you'll get him next time! You have to look at it as at least you learned from a mistake now you will be ready next time!

Blowed it a few years ago on a sure noof big un! As they say! Hear something walking and the biggest deer I ever shot at came into the clearing. Don't know who was more surprise me or the deer! Deer had bases size of a drink can and antlers went straight up. Guy shot him that year. Get after that deer!

Yeah, the way he came out he was right on me and I had about a 20ft window of opportunity. The pressure got me but I will be back to get his ass Wednesday.

I had a moment like that last season with a big doe on the edge of a green field. She came in and hung out just out of range. I had my bow in hand to be ready but she hung up feeding. I was shaking so hard I thought I would fall out of that tree. Never did get a shot on her bit it was an awesome feeling.

Sounds like you're in the perfect spot. Hopefully he'll come through again for ya. Don't worry about what size the antlers are. Killing a mature buck with a bow is a damn hard thing to accomplish.

When that feeling goes away, i will stop hunting.

"shaking like Michael J Fox after a 12 pack of red bull" that is funny

Shaking like Michael Jackson Fox after a 12 pack of rd bull is the rEason I hunt!!
If I could bottle that feeling up and sell it there would be no such thing as a crackhead!

Josh. Dont really hunt that area much. If you ever need someone though let me know and if i am able i will go. This is a bad year though with remodeling and baby due in january but if able ill go. We mainly hunt north of there to the dolly parton.

trials and tribulations of bowhunting if it was easy a caveman could do it

Used to hunt along the pipeline from Dead Lake. Enjoyed tromping those swamps. Never saw a good buck there but was still fun. Enjoy the adrenaline rush. It's awesome!