ORIGINAL: Bob H in NH
YES it happens, but how often is it used as an excuse when it didn't happen, the guy just flat out missed? I watched a bowhunter once take the shot, deer never flinched, arrow went right over his back, deer didn't even move when arrow buried in the ground. He DID move however when the guy tried to reload for the second shot. Ran into him on the road and he told me all about it, we had never met and he didn't know I was in my tree when he came in and setup 75 yards away.
I've wondered this same question for quite a while. Yes, it dose happen but I agree that probably 50% of "string jumpers" were just poor shots. In 12 years of bow hunting I've yet to have a deer jump the string. I have however, when I was younger (and I'm sure it'll happen again) misjudged yardage and over shot on an animal.
Excellent point Bob