Well, as of last night, my cousin has now missed two nice bucks in 2 weekends of hunting. Last year he killed his first deer, but it wasn't exactly a good shot, hitting it about 8 inches in front of the tail, but got the spine. Anyway, my question is, what advice could I give him to help calm down. I bowhunt and I know to keep controlled breathing through the shot, is that the same for rifle hunting, or should he hold his breath? Maybe chew gum, lol I am at a loss here,but Idon't want him wounding deer, for the deers sake and his.

And also, he said this deer jumped, fell over, then got up and ran after the shot. When he got to the place the deer was when he shot it, the deer blew from about 30 yards up in the woods, as it got up and ran off. He checked the "bedding" spot of the buck and said no blood was anywhere to be found, and they scoured the woods until dark, about 2 1/2-3 hours. What does that sound like to you? I think he hit it. Thanks in advance for all the advice