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Someone make me feel better...
#940768
10/03/09 03:35 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 168
fireflyandrew
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 168 |
So, I'm new to bow hunting, but have put in a lot of time practicing. I've taken rabbits and other small game and am confident in my aim and technique. This morning I took a shot at a deer at 20yds, the same shot I have practiced from the same tree into my Block numerous times before. The shot looked good, right behind the shoulder, foot forward while standing broadside. I got complete pass through but this deer took off running like I've never seen. As this would be my first deer taken with a bow, I waited nearly an hour before going to take a look. I found the arrow at an awkward angle nearly parallel with the ground. The wet grass had removed all but the blood on the fletching and knock. It smelled like meat, not foul. Before I had a chance to get a good look around, it began to pour down rain. I found a couple of specs of blood, but not the amount I expected to find. Of course, minutes later, even the blood I had found was gone. I went to the last place I had seen the deer and began searching accordian style. My search covered and area approximately 500yds from my stand by 500yds wide and took about an hour and a half, but to no avail. I can't remember not recovering an animal I was sure I'd hit. Conditions couldn't have been more ideal which makes me wonder if I should continue to explore bow hunting or stick to long guns...
The thrill is in the hunt, but maximized by success. You define success.
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Re: Someone make me feel better...
[Re: fireflyandrew]
#940784
10/03/09 03:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 503
james77351
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 503 |
keep bow hunting the first deer is the worst. i had to shoot at mine 3 times before i hit it! so keep at it and it will all come together
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Re: Someone make me feel better...
[Re: james77351]
#940820
10/03/09 04:13 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 577
Bear Creek
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 577 |
Instead of talking to us you should be out looking for that deer. He's down somewhere and it's your responsibility to find it.
KEEP LOOKING!!
Good luck!
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Re: Someone make me feel better...
[Re: james77351]
#940823
10/03/09 04:15 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 371
rico334
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 371 |
stick with it. I'd also recommend using Rage 2 blade broadheads, there will be less than a 50 yd track with them.
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Re: Someone make me feel better...
[Re: fireflyandrew]
#940840
10/03/09 04:28 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,166
Brother in-law
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,166 |
Keep looking. He will probably head toward water if you have any, especially a creek. Losing them is part of it. The worst thing you can do is be scared to shoot again. It is completly different than shooting the block. I have personally let my biggest deer to date go with a bow so that I could shoot him with a rifle. The reason is an hour before or morning before I lost a doe with a "good hit" I thought. Good luckk
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Re: Someone make me feel better...
[Re: Brother in-law]
#940863
10/03/09 04:45 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 168
fireflyandrew
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 168 |
Thanks for the words of wisdom. I came in for a quick cup of coffee and am heading back out with a friend to help. We'll see...
The thrill is in the hunt, but maximized by success. You define success.
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Re: Someone make me feel better...
[Re: fireflyandrew]
#940962
10/03/09 07:24 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 121
MTA0019
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 121 |
well, i lost a hog this morning. it's nothing like losing a deer (i've lost 2 the past 2 years). it still sucks though. good luck on finding your deer.
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Re: Someone make me feel better...
[Re: MTA0019]
#941214
10/03/09 11:03 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 690
jigfish
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 690 |
Keep your head up. We all have done that and those that haven'y will. At least you had a shot. That is more then the rest that didn't.
Thanks, Jigfish
The weak call it obsession, the strong call it dedication!!!
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Re: Someone make me feel better...
[Re: fireflyandrew]
#941338
10/04/09 01:13 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,841
twice70
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,841 |
Had pretty much the same thing happen to me this afternoon, only with a hog. It sucks.
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Re: Someone make me feel better...
[Re: twice70]
#941958
10/04/09 04:46 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,547
BMowatt
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,547 |
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Re: Someone make me feel better...
[Re: BMowatt]
#942074
10/04/09 06:19 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 52
dc83169
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 52 |
IMO I have had bad shots over the years some I have found and some I have not found. I have hit deer behind the shoulder 1/4 away and have had no blood but was able to recover by not giving up and doing a grid search. I have shot deer with my rifle and lost a few as well. I have been hunting for 20 years and considered my self a ethical hunter. Loosing game will be apart of hunting forever. always give 150% trying to recover even if it is looking for buzzards a week later. onething I do know I know people that have made there hunting worse by always worrying about will they make a bad shot again so as long as you pratice and make good choice on your shot trust yourself and the deer will come. good luck
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Re: Someone make me feel better...
[Re: dc83169]
#946854
10/06/09 08:35 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 481
Rickey Hunt
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 481 |
It is always an awful feeling when you loose a deer, hog or anything else. It does happen from time to time. I own a bowhunting ranch and I have seen just about everything. Everything can be perfect and you still may not find the animal. We use a dog (Jack Beagle) now, and have had a 100% success on our ranch in finding our animals. Many times animals will bleed inside and not leave a good blood trail. They can be tough to find and many times they will be in clumps of grass or brush piles when you find them.
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Re: Someone make me feel better...
[Re: Rickey Hunt]
#949342
10/07/09 10:08 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 466
Smoker1
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 466 |
This is a good read! I lost a sow last Saturday and I am still bummed about it!
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