I had the absolute worse day hunting in my life yesterday and I'm seriously considering putting the bow up.

I was at our lease in KY yesterday morning and about 6:45am a stud 4.5 yr old buck comes easing by and gives me a 20 yard broadside chip shot. I was relaxed and felt good about the shot but it hit him high shoulder in the scapula. Broke my arrow off about 3.5 inches from the tip of broadhead. We looked for him for long time but ended up not getting much blood and I'm pretty sure he walked it off.

I was so dejected I was going to pack it up and come home but decided to go out and shoot a doe to get my mojo back. 5:00PM yesterday a big nanny walks by me a 15 yards and stops. I let the arrow fly and felt like it was a 100% solid double lung shot. Waited a bit and got down to look at my arrow and it was a liver/paunch shot. I gave her two hours to lie down and started looking for her and 20yards in to tracking it comes a downpour and washes all the blood away. Looked last night and this AM and could not find her.

I absolutely despise wounding a deer and to do it two times in the same day is about to make me sick. I'm thankful I can get out and do this but really hate to lose a deer. I might have to hang the bow up and dust off the rifle for the rest of the year.

Man don't give up. I think all you need is to stick a deer and make a recovery and you'll get your confidence back. It sucks losing deer but it's going to happen. Just try to stay positive cause no confidence in your shot is probably the worst thing that can happen to your shot

My son shot and crippled a squirrel this weekend. Had to shoot it again and he felt bad. I told him its going to happen. If you havent done it, then you havent been hunting long. Learn from your mistake and do better next time.

That's hunting. It happens. Don't give up. I've had similar experiences but you can't let it get to you. I hunted four years and missed a bunch and shaved a few backs or bellies. I had one similar to you that was a paunch/ liver shot and, just like you, it started to rain. I never found it either. Just have to relax and come back at it again. Maybe take a short break but don't just put it down for season. If I gave up, I'd never harvest one with a bow. That's why archery is hard but it's also fun and a challenge. Hang in there.I know how you feel and I'm sure others do too. No one wants that to happen but it does to everyone at some time. I'm like you in that I hated wounding the deer and losing it in the rain. I saw it as a waste. I stewed about it for a week and almost quit archery but I didn't. You'll get them the next time. Hang in there.

I know your frustrated right now but I've learned that I will eventually get over frustration with time. It sucks when you're feeling it at the time though. Give it a little while and you'll probably be ready to get after another one! Sounds like you've got some money invested in the lease so don't give up!
Good luck!

I almost gave up on bowhunting.

I went back, looked at pictures, and realized I was aiming to far back, and I was a hunter of 10-15 years.

We are human, and we make mistakes.
I picked up the longbow, slowed down, and picked my shots, following the leg straight up, and anchoring slightly towards the chest (1/2"), and holding 4-5" above the armpit.

Give it time. Think about it. Practice, and use a rifle if need be, but don't give it up just yet.

I've actually just switched to a compound again, for whatever reason, just to try something different again, after 12-14 successful years of using traditional equipment.

God Bless,
David B.

I shot and hit my first bow deer a couple weeks ago. An older buck that has been a 4 pt for the past few years. He was one I wanted to kill very badly, especially with my bow, and worked hard to pattern him and hung a set to get after him. When the time came, I shot, he ducked, and the arrow hit him right in the shoulder. Searched for 6 hours with no recovery. I thought I was going to give up the bow hunting thing, and actually did skip out the following day that I had taken as vacation to hunt. But I got back out there and ended up killing my first bow deer yesterday, and it was awesome. And even yesterday, there was a lot of questioning of the shot and lots of rushing back of negative thoughts. But I did recover her and all turned out well. Still pretty bitter about that first buck though.

I know how you feel. Last year I wounded 3 good bucks and missed another. Worst season for recovering deer I have ever had. It happens from time to time but don't give up. Confidence is very important in archery whether hunting or tournament shooting. A good way to get your confidence back is to is to target practice. Go out and shoot with field tips and broadheads. Practice until you're confident in your shot placement. You may find out that it isn't you and that something with your equipment is causing your shot to be a little off.

Thanks guys and I appreciate the feedback. I have killed several deer and a few bucks with my bow but got really serious about it a few years ago and have done tons of shooting.
Been practicing weekly since April and have a lock on at my house to shoot from. I still don't know what I did incorrectly as both of these shots were broadside and under 20yrds and felt good when I released.

Don't give up. Things could always be worse!

Out of the goodness of my heart, I'd be happy to take any/all bowhunting-specific gear you have, so you don't have to look at it anymore....that's just the kind of stand-up guy I am.





In all seriousness, shake it off. you hunt long enough, it happens. part of it.