Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer Bow Talk How many deer did you miss before your first & why?

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.