I started deer hunting last December. I have missed 3 with the bow so far. 2 last year, 1 this year. My first 2 misses were from bad form and nerves. The third was because of a dumb mistake. I have yet to harvest a deer.

Miss #1: 6 pt. Clipped a limb at 20 yds
Miss #2: 6 pt. Shot from a sitting position (with bad form), shot the wrong pin 20yds
Miss #3: 6 pt. 15 yd shot. I believe that I either bumped my bow against my climber, or my bulky cold weather clothing got in the way (shot went low)

First deer I ever shot at was in my third season and I missed. I shot it for the wrong yardage back before laser rangefinders were readily available and shot under her. I gut shot the second one I ever released an arrow on. That was in my fourth season. I really didn�t have enough light to the be attempting a shot that morning. I killed my first one the very next morning out of that same stand. She was 33 yards and I was aiming for center lung, but hit her right through the neck. She was DRT. I didn�t get a shot at one the next season, but I�ve killed at least one every season since. Up to 21 straight seasons now.

I�ve missed and boogered them up because of about every excuse imaginable. Just when you think you�ve got it figured out, you�ll screw up because of something new. The only thing you can do is learn from the mistake and move on. Anyone that tells you they�ve never missed or boogered one up hasn�t shot at very many with a bow. Hell, I�ve missed them at 12 yards. Yes, 12 YARDS!

My first year, I was shooting a used bow. I didn't know anything. The bow fully drawn stopped behind my ear. I shot over the only deer I drew on that year. Opening day of my second year, I had a new bow and left the camp at 3 pm. I was back at 3:15 with a doe. I heard her running to the chestnuts before I got up the tree. It happened fast in 1991. I remember it like yesterday! What a rush!

5 years ago when I started, my first deer was my first shot a doe at 30 yards (lucky as hell). From there it was no deer for 2 years. Over that time I screwed up on 3 nice bucks and a few does. This year I am 2 of 4.

My usually mess up when I miss is I am too high on the body. I forget to factor in the string jump (deer squatting down before taking off). So they fly right over their backs.

1965, I missed one with a bow, 10 yard shot on a six point. I "think" I shot 6 feet over his back due to terminal buck fever. Killed the next four or five I shot at w/o a miss.

Been bow hunting for three seasons now, first deer I missed was opening day, I was sitting in a ladder stand, rushed the shot and didn�t bend t the waist. Arrow went just over his back. Ended up killing three that season which included my best deer to date, I missed two more deer; on one I had on thick gloves and torqued my bow(arrow passed only about an inch from his nose) the last one I missed was a pie bald doe I missed judged the distance so when she ducked my arrow missed her by a good foot.

Last year, I shot at my first deer with a bow and completely shot over it's back because I forgot to bend at the waist. The next week, I went back and smoked a doe.

I've killed 3 with a bow this year, all heart shots.

Only deer I have let an arrow fly at was in Buttler county I was hunting a SMZ between 10 year old planted pines. I hadn't been in the stand 10 minutes when 6 does walked out . I was so nervous that I actually hit my release before o was ready to shoot. And shot over the deers back

Miss? The Rob don't miss.

I don't remember exactly how many I missed before I finally contacted, but let me tell you, there was quiet a few. I missed'em for shooting the wrong yardage, hitting unseen limbs, not aiming, shooting when they were on alert, etc, etc.

The thing is I learned from each and every Deer encounter I've ever had and over the years my misses have gotten fewer. Bowhunting, much like in life, don't always turn out like you planned. We all make mistakes, but we learn from them and get better. The key is to stay with it. And trust me, every bowhunter has walked in your shoes. Just stay the course and you'll be fine.

I missed 3 the first 2 years I hunted in 1959-60,shooting a recurve from sears, shot over them , so shook-up I couldn't hold on the deer, but those are no the only ones ive missed, that's bow hunting, and if you don't get excited when you shoot one, its time to quit !!

The first deer I shot at, prob 120" 8pt, stuck him right in the shoulder no penetration, and never found him. I blame it on having all hand me down equipment that wasn't fit for me and everything I bought was the cheapest stuff you could buy cause I wasn't sure if I was going to continue bow hunting.

After that happened I got a brand new Mathews and all new gear. Killed 2 my next time out. I thought I missed the first one so I shot at another to make sure I got a kill. They were laying right next to each when I found them

When I was 18 I believe I missed 7 before I killed one (with my bow). Shot over nearly all of them.

Killed the first one I shot at 33yds when I was 13yr old. Wish I could say I had maintained that percentage! Nothing like walking up on an arrow stuck in the ground that's clean as a whistle.

i missed the 2nd deer but not the first one i ever shot at ... on the 2nd one, i mis-judged the distance (on the short side) & knocked every flea off it's belly under its armpits; it jumped straight up into the air, blew & landed behind a bush, looking around like WTH?!?!? LOL i quickly reloaded, knowing the mistake i had made -- but it didn't give me a follow-up shot opportunity ... i haven't missed any since then but i don't bow hunt once boom stick season comes in ...

bow hunting is significantly more challenging - but not impossible ... know your distances, maintain your form, and go through a "routine" where you harden/calm yourself for the shot & let it flow ... try not to think about the result at all ... hope that helps; don't give up ... it's super rewarding to take a deer w/a bow ...

I missed a doe the within 10 minutes of being settled the very first time I sat in a stand with a bow. Believe it was 10/1/94. I shot way over her.

About 5 minutes later another doe came in and I shot her for 20 yards. She was 9. I spined her and had to put another one in her.

Went on a pretty good run through the mid nineties and up into about 2010 before hunting with my kids took over. Killed a bunch, missed a bunch. Nothing like having them spitting distance and trying to outwit them.

Just one for me.

I missed my very first attempt, but killed her the second chance 15 minutes later. She turned around and came right back. My second deer with a bow was a few days later, and was a small 2 year old 8 point. I was thrilled to connect on that deer, and he�s mounted with all the big ones I�ve killed. Just as proud of him. I�ve missed several over the last 19 years.

PSE nova, age 14.

Aimed at vitals and dropped first one stone cold dead..... in the neck

I was shaking bad. Got real lucky.

Have killed 25 or so since then, missed 2. Both high, one mis judged distance. One (3 weeks ago) ducked me bad on a still day.

First season bow hunting was last year. Shot over a once in a lifetime buck in late December. I did not take my time and I released to early. Nerves and inexperience.
This year I shot a doe on opening day afternoon and another doe the next morning in the same stand. Both ran less than 50yds. Double lung shots. I have seen 2 deer since then with no shots. Hoping to get one more before the season is over.

First one I ever shot at was way way too far.

I nailed the first I shot at, at 28 yards in 1992. But since then, I have missed some alot closer. No shot is a gimme.

First time I ever went bowhunting I was 16 years old,1985. I was using a Jennings bow with Easton 2117 arrows and razorback five broadheads. I went to the club by myself in my mom's vw beetle cause dad had to work. I killed a spike at 40 yards. I gut shot him but still got him. I thought " There's nothing to this bowhunting". Boy was I wrong. I didn't get another shot that year and missed several the next two seasons. It was 1988 before I killed another one with a bow but since then I have killed at least one a year. One year I killed 17 deer with a bow. 10 bucks and 7 does and missed 3 more bucks that I should have killed. Over the years I've missed a bunch and wounded a few that I never recovered. Most of the misses and poor hits were my fault whether it be buck fever or just taking shots that I shouldn't have. But you can't kill em if you don't put an arrow in the air. Stick with it you'll get one.

Age 10... Upper Delta WMA had just opened to the public. We were hunting by boat. My first season bow hunting. Dad took me in and helped me get up a fairly large chestnut oak, surrounded by 2 other huge chestnut oaks. The deer were hammering them. About 5 minutes before it was too dark to shoot, I heard my dad, and a friend of his that was hunting with us in the distance coming my way (dragging a deer he'd killed). They were talking fairly loud but were still 200 or so yrds away. About that time, a doe and a spike came running in under the oaks from the opposite direction and started chowing down on acorns. Almost like they just had to get a few acorns down before dad and his buddy got there. I drew back and took aim on the doe...and let one fly. The arrow flew over her back and she quick hopped about 5 yards and just stood there for about 20 seconds looking around. She quickly went back to eating and I quickly knocked another arrow. I drew back and took aim again, and let her fly. It stuck about half way through her and the famous THAWAAAP rang out. She let out a little grunt and ran directly towards my dad and buddy. She had to have ran right by them. When they got there, we tracked her about 100 yards and found her.

To answer your question.. I missed one deer, before killing her 30 seconds later

I went the first few years without missing one-I credit this to using a pendulum sight and not shooting past 30 yards. I "lost" one of the biggest bucks I've shot with a bow or gun. By lost I mean I stuck him late one evening-on public land- and went back the next day to track, only to find that someone else had already tracked and drug my deer out for me. I quit hunting for 15 or so years, since getting back into I've missed a doe over the back-sitting down-, shot between a spikes legs-sitting down, stuck a real nice buck that crossed the property line-the owner of the property it crossed onto doesn't allow you to track ontp his land, attempted a shot wayyy to late only to watch my arrow hit a limb and head off into the abyss.I normally air on the side of caution, try to keep within my limitations and don't force shots. Still doing all that I'm by no means perfect or anywhere close to it.

I have missed two in the last two seasons. One doe last season where I just made a bad shot right under her. I had another doe jump the string on me a couple of weeks ago and I skewered her right through the front shoulders. She left a good blood trail but Woodrow couldn't even find her. Hopefully, she made it.

It hurts the soul haha

3 and none of them were my fault...

I missed my 1st doe at 40 yards. I do not know deer can jump the string. Sailed right over her. My 2nd miss was because my bolt was not seated correctly. The bolt went maybe 2-3yds and stuck in the ground

Killed my first at about 10 yards, then promptly missed the next three.

Sorry for long post.
Uncle gave me an old Bear Blacktail Hunter, with wheels. I practiced all summer and opening afternoon of bow season i have a doe walk out at what i guessed was 25 yards. I emptied my quiver while she stood there wondering what was going on. When I climbed down to collect my muddy arrows she was actually 45 yards away. Next morning I have a beautiful 4 point walk out in a food plot at 15 yards. Arrow left the bow, turned on its left blinker, and went three feet in front of the deer. The same afternoon I'm hunting another food plot and have a doe come out at 15 yards again. Shot two arrows at her and never came close to hitting hair. I was so mad at myself I said I will not shoot another arrow at this deer. About that time I hear what sounds like a herd of cattle coming through the woods towards me. An entire bachelor group walks out into the plot from right under my stand. The biggest buck was a very large 6 point so I decide to let my last arrow fly. My last arrow missed him by at least 6 feet but I almost got him with my bow as I threw it out of the tree. Needless to say I've worked hard over the last 19 years to become a better archer. I've had a few more misses in the years since and more to come I'm sure but I will never forget my first weekend of bowhunting. That's why I love it so much, its hard.

In 1982 I bought a Bear Whitetail II from the Army Barn. Learned to shoot it with pins at a hay bale. I climbed a cedar tree and straddled a limb that fall. Had a couple deer come down the trail and I was so nervous the end of the limb I was standing on was shaking so bad the deer saw it. Got a shot off and dead centered a sapling by the lead doe. Looked to my right and a spike was standing 10 yards away looking at me. Never saw him earlier because he came thru pines to get there. I've killed truck loads of deer since with a bow but fast forward to this year and I missed the first deer I shot at. Nervous doe in a greenfield so I aim at the hairline on her belly thinking she will crouch when I release. Nope, cut hair but no blood. I've done this more times than I would like to admit but aiming low has helped just as much as it has hurt. Like Shaw said earlier, if you claim to not have boogered up some deer and made some bad shots then you are lying. The good thing is that you learn to be a really good tracker if you shoot like I do. The best improvement I ever made was going to a pendulum sight. My problem is that I was missing deer under 20 yards consistently. I can usually hit any leaf out there now from 3-35 yards. Problem now days is that there is usually multiple deer on a field and getting drawn is the hard part. Heck, the shot is easy once you get anchored.

I needed this thread back in October. Ive missed 3 so far with 2 being this year, back to back days. 1 being 14yds. I just cant settle myself down enough. 1st deer this year jumped the string. Shot was there but she just ducked it. 2nd, she was so close i felt like i could reach out and touch her and i sailed it. Had the shot been there she wouldn't have time to duck. Hunting with a gun this evening but the last few hunts i have left will be with a bow. Starting in the morning. Hail mary hunts i guess.

Killed the first 2 I shot at. Years later I emptied my quiver on a spike @25yards.

My first deer .. I was 11, by myself behind the house. killed a doe sitting on the ground at probably 15 yards, old bear compound, no sights, no release. that was over 20 years ago but I remember like it yesterday. It took me 4-5 years to kill another one with my bow. Every one I've missed has been right under the tree or way too far to shoot at to begin with. Just about every one I have missed has been from a limb/twig that I didn't see or just choking from my nerves.

The third being the charm is a lie. I too will be hail marrying this last week.

Hey buddy, at least you're seeing deer and having the opportunities to shoot!! Wish I could say that! I can honestly count on one hand the number of deer I've seen in the woods in the past 4 seasons!! Still green as he'll learning how to hunt public land.

Started bow hunting in 2007. First year and first shot opportunity I shot over her back at 18 yards. Saw all three pins in her vitals and released. HA!

Next year was at full draw on a doe at 15 yards who was starring straight at me! Busted me drawing. I did not shoot!! Wish I would have now. Some say I did the right thing, others not.

2009, first kill at 18 yards, doe. Next year, second kill at 21 yards, doe. I have not killed a deer now in 7 years!

I've had three opportunities to shoot at a deer that I didn't attempt for various reasons. Then I've had probably three more opportunities where I could have shot at or killed a deer but couldn't because of club rules. All small bucks.

Started hunting public land in 2014. IT SUCKS......or either I suck at deer hunting!!! LOL

So stay at it! Hell, I just love being in the woods. Eventually, hopefully, I will get another opportunity.

Dont remember now but i think i missed 4 3 times apiece. One of which times i climbed down and shot a 4th and 5th tim after i walked over and picked up my arrows. It was a 3 pt and probly the dumbest deer ive ever seen...id shoot an hed run in a circle an start blowin at me. When i climbed down he just started blowin an pitchin a hissy fit an goin nuts but he stayed bout 25 yards away or closer. I was 9 or 10 at the time an shooting a jennings micro light. All good memories

Just posted a thread on a miss last night. Well not really a miss, but I didn't recover the deer. That was my 3 shot on a deer with a bow. Started bow hunting last year. Dropped my first 2 (a 6 pt buck and a doe) and found them within 30 yards. I have been working it hard this season with no shots. Finally got one last night and definitely had buck fever. Been hunting that 8 pt for a month. I was puckered up tight. Biggest issue was the buck quartering slightly toward me. So not a perfect broad side shot. I rushed the shot for sure. Had the right wind to let him come by to a much better quartering away shot in front. But it was a thick area with only 2 or 3 really good open lanes. I grunted him to a stop in the best one. Going to have to think long and hard about that angle of a shot. Definitely takes out the margin for error. Trying to decide if I will even hunt again this season. Looks like Redstone limited out on bucks yesterday, so no doubt I will see a monster 10 pt if I go back in LOL.

Great thread. This is good therapy after last night!

Oh Lord. I bow hunted for 6 yrs before getting my first. Missed several and stuck several in the shoulder with minimal penetration. Took 3 bows before I felt comfortable but the real change was I quit aiming right at my perfect spot near the shoulder. Once I started aiming a little low for a double lung shot I started dropping them. I feel more comfy now at a 20 yd shot with my bow than I do with any rifle.

Been 40 plus yrs but I think I missed 3 before my first with a bow.

I'm curious what bow you were shooting in 1965?

Long time ago, I think it was with a Colt, a Ben Pearson recurve, 40#. First "real" bow I had. Got a Pearson Golden Soverign Conqueror, 47#, soon after that. Then a Howatt Hi-Speed at 55#(too much!!!). Then a 1969 Bear Takedown at 52#, still kill stuff with that one.

BP made some good bows. Wish I still had my first bows.

I actually killed the first deer I ever shot at with a bow. 100lb doe. Shaking like a leaf.

0. Nailed the first I ever shot at at 35 yds . Old Bear Bow whitetail legend or something. Had just sighted it in the day before. Reason= PURE DUMB LUCK. Missed a spike 3 days later at about 25.

One but I missed her 7 times. That was way back in 1987. Sitting on the ground and she kept coming back to a small patch of clover in the greenfield. Finally I just stood up and walked off with my last arrow in hand while she kept feeding. Haven’t missed anymore that gave a second shot and haven’t missed a hand full since that first one.

I’ve definitely missed a few deer with a rifle but I seem to be a killer with archery equipment. Missed 1 and lost 1. Killed the first 2 I ever drew back on at age 11. No idea how many I’ve killed now, I never was one of the folks that kept count.