what is wrong with me.

let me start by saying that after reading the post about doe in a can yesterday i had to buy one on my way out to the stand. at about 6:10 the wind died down to just about nothing so i decided to give it a few turns. not 2 minutes later i can hear the leaves crunching sounded like a deer running my way. i clipped my release on and just as i went to stand up i see a deer coming, dead run. i didnt see any antlers so i think it was a doe (maybe could have been a small spike) anyways i am still looking for my first deer with a bow. this is my third year bow hunting, i missed 2 my first year then i missed 3 last year and 1 earlier this year. well the deer stopped right in my little clearing and walked into the trees, i could still see it as it walked right to my shooting lane. i got stood up pulled back and it stops perfect right in my lane 15 yards away, put my pin on it, and let the arrow fly. what do you know i missed again. right over top of it. this is starting to kinda urine me off a little. i can shoot at my block and have absolutely no problem with shooting at all but as soon as i get a deer in there i cant do it. i dont know why. any suggestions?

How much are you practicing with your bow? Do you go throw a routine every time before you release your arrow?

How much are you practicing with your bow? Do you go throw a routine every time before you release your arrow?

Are you hunting from a tree stand? If so, are you practicing from a tree stand or an elevated platform. Also make sure you know the exact distances to different spots around your stand. Its amazing how easy it is to misjudge distances when your all excited and trying to get a shot at a deer. Good luck.

Are you hunting from a tree stand? If so, are you practicing from a tree stand or an elevated platform. Also make sure you know the exact distances to different spots around your stand. Its amazing how easy it is to misjudge distances when your all excited and trying to get a shot at a deer. Good luck.

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this is starting to kinda urine me off a little.

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I’m sorry but I had to laugh when I read your post. Only because it seemed that I was once in your shoes. I missed 4 times AT ONE DEER on a nice Sunday morning. But I agree. Routine is the best. And maybe think about getting a deer target to shoot at. It may feel more natural to you when you’re in the woods.

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this is starting to kinda urine me off a little.

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I’m sorry but I had to laugh when I read your post. Only because it seemed that I was once in your shoes. I missed 4 times AT ONE DEER on a nice Sunday morning. But I agree. Routine is the best. And maybe think about getting a deer target to shoot at. It may feel more natural to you when you’re in the woods.

Pick a spot where you want your arrow to go and don’t concentrate on the whole deer. Imagine a target just like you shoot at projected on the side of the deer and go for the bullseye. It is easy to allow the adrenaline to take over – you just have to learn to control it more… but if you ever reach the point where it doesn’t kick your adrenaline up a notch to prepare for a shot then it is time to quit anyway… Practice makes perfect… Keep practicing after the season starts too. Good luck – hunt safely – Chuckles

Pick a spot where you want your arrow to go and don’t concentrate on the whole deer. Imagine a target just like you shoot at projected on the side of the deer and go for the bullseye. It is easy to allow the adrenaline to take over – you just have to learn to control it more… but if you ever reach the point where it doesn’t kick your adrenaline up a notch to prepare for a shot then it is time to quit anyway… Practice makes perfect… Keep practicing after the season starts too. Good luck – hunt safely – Chuckles

Go home tonight set your block out 20yrds ..go to an elevated stand and shoot ONE arrow…where does it hit…many people I shoot will “settle in” after shooting a few arrows and the first ones are way off. Hunting is different then just shooting and you always have to make the first one count..At least your missed these deer and didnt injure them..gotta look at the bright side…keep practicing and good luck

Go home tonight set your block out 20yrds ..go to an elevated stand and shoot ONE arrow…where does it hit…many people I shoot will “settle in” after shooting a few arrows and the first ones are way off. Hunting is different then just shooting and you always have to make the first one count..At least your missed these deer and didnt injure them..gotta look at the bright side…keep practicing and good luck

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this is starting to kinda urine me off a little.

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I’m sorry but I had to laugh when I read your post. Only because it seemed that I was once in your shoes. I missed 4 times AT ONE DEER on a nice Sunday morning. But I agree. Routine is the best. And maybe think about getting a deer target to shoot at. It may feel more natural to you when you’re in the woods.

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I laughed to Been there! I think every bow hunter has been there.

Dont what else to say that has not been said. I shoot from the roof on the house a lot. I always try some crazy angles to see where they are going.

Another thing I do is if I missed something I am shooting at I pick out a small traget on the ground and try to drill it. Maybe take your block out to your stand and let a couple fly???

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this is starting to kinda urine me off a little.

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I’m sorry but I had to laugh when I read your post. Only because it seemed that I was once in your shoes. I missed 4 times AT ONE DEER on a nice Sunday morning. But I agree. Routine is the best. And maybe think about getting a deer target to shoot at. It may feel more natural to you when you’re in the woods.

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I laughed to Been there! I think every bow hunter has been there.

Dont what else to say that has not been said. I shoot from the roof on the house a lot. I always try some crazy angles to see where they are going.

Another thing I do is if I missed something I am shooting at I pick out a small traget on the ground and try to drill it. Maybe take your block out to your stand and let a couple fly???

Don’t worry man just set a routine when you see a deer and take a DEEP breath and calm yourself into the shot. I have been bowhunting for 10 years now and I will say I missed 2 deer myself this year as well even after over a dozen deer taken by archery. I know for a fact this last deer I missed I got over excited with the situation and did not settle in I let the excitment get to me! It is part of the game but once you connesct and you get the pressure off your back it will go much smoother.

Don’t worry man just set a routine when you see a deer and take a DEEP breath and calm yourself into the shot. I have been bowhunting for 10 years now and I will say I missed 2 deer myself this year as well even after over a dozen deer taken by archery. I know for a fact this last deer I missed I got over excited with the situation and did not settle in I let the excitment get to me! It is part of the game but once you connesct and you get the pressure off your back it will go much smoother.

I used to take a field tipped arrow with me, pick a leaf on the ground about 20 yards out and shoot at it. Typically I would be within 3 inches of the leaf. This did 3 things for me, it boosted my confidence, gave me a 20 yard reference, and it made sure I didn’t bump my sights off.

big g

I used to take a field tipped arrow with me, pick a leaf on the ground about 20 yards out and shoot at it. Typically I would be within 3 inches of the leaf. This did 3 things for me, it boosted my confidence, gave me a 20 yard reference, and it made sure I didn’t bump my sights off.

big g

Sounds like it might be a combination of not practicing enough and BUCK FEVER! I know I would be getting a little pumped if I had a deer come running into my call! There is nothing in the world that will make my heart pound more than hearing the crunching of leaves and knowing a deer is on it’s way towards me.

Keep practicing and don’t give up!

Sounds like it might be a combination of not practicing enough and BUCK FEVER! I know I would be getting a little pumped if I had a deer come running into my call! There is nothing in the world that will make my heart pound more than hearing the crunching of leaves and knowing a deer is on it’s way towards me.

Keep practicing and don’t give up!

Make sure your using the same anchor point and placement of your holding hand. Squeezing the grip too hard or too light will twist your bow and change your placement. Same with anchor point, it will mess you up.

Make sure your using the same anchor point and placement of your holding hand. Squeezing the grip too hard or too light will twist your bow and change your placement. Same with anchor point, it will mess you up.

Had the same problem as well… i dont’ know if you have an archery shop around you that has one, but have you ever tried shooting at a simulator screen? I found this very helpful, as it gets you used to seeing the deer in your sight picture, and at different angles as well.

Had the same problem as well… i dont’ know if you have an archery shop around you that has one, but have you ever tried shooting at a simulator screen? I found this very helpful, as it gets you used to seeing the deer in your sight picture, and at different angles as well.

Everything that has been mentioned is a good idea. The other thing that screwed me up was wearing heavy clothes to sit in stand, but only practicing with lightweight “summer” stuff. It changes things when you have heavy sleeves getting in the way. Take a few practice shots with the clothes you are hunting with.

I got into the habit of leaving the stand in the morning, getting home and popping a few dozen arrows into the target. It keeps your mind fresh, and gives a little extra practice. A lot of guys practice religiously before season, but sit in stand for 3 months without shooting an arrow.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out

Everything that has been mentioned is a good idea. The other thing that screwed me up was wearing heavy clothes to sit in stand, but only practicing with lightweight “summer” stuff. It changes things when you have heavy sleeves getting in the way. Take a few practice shots with the clothes you are hunting with.

I got into the habit of leaving the stand in the morning, getting home and popping a few dozen arrows into the target. It keeps your mind fresh, and gives a little extra practice. A lot of guys practice religiously before season, but sit in stand for 3 months without shooting an arrow.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out

Good points Farmboy. I always shoot a couple into the block before heading out. Come to think of it, maybe its the difference between field point and broadhead ??? Seems simple, but could that be it ?

big g

Good points Farmboy. I always shoot a couple into the block before heading out. Come to think of it, maybe its the difference between field point and broadhead ??? Seems simple, but could that be it ?

big g

All good points that have been mentioned already. A few things that came to my mind though.

Differnce in field tips to broadheads
Are your pratice tips the same grain as your hunting tips?
Your in a tree stand and when elevated you will most always shoot higher than intended
Noisy arrow release= deer “jumping the string”

Just a few things that came to mind. Hope it helps and good luck and stay with it.

All good points that have been mentioned already. A few things that came to my mind though.

Differnce in field tips to broadheads
Are your pratice tips the same grain as your hunting tips?
Your in a tree stand and when elevated you will most always shoot higher than intended
Noisy arrow release= deer “jumping the string”

Just a few things that came to mind. Hope it helps and good luck and stay with it.

Have you ever tried shooting with both eyes open? I know i used to shoot w/ one eye closed and the field of view was limited, especially when seeing game I know that the second i draw back on a deer, i make sure that my arm is bent and out of the way from the string just in case there could be wrist slap I takes a second to do and most of the time you wont be able to feel the string hit your arm because of the heavy jacket and adrenaline etc. Good luck and don’t give up