Two things keep me coming back to this thread. First, and most importantly to me, is I know without a shadow of a doubt the equipment was not the problem, and I don't want anyone that might not know any better to get that impression.

Second, I'm really curious to know what happened. Honestly, based on my own experience and stories of others, I think it boils down to operator error.

Judging arrow flight with our eyes is not reliable. Sure, you can usually see it if the arrow is putting on a gymnastic display on the way to the target, but real fine tuning has to be done with bare-shafting in a soft target and paper tuning. These will tell us things we can't see when the arrow is in flight.

Second, we know the shot wasn't perfect. Maybe it was a lot worse than suspected. I KNOW our eyes can fool us here, based on my own experience. When I shot my TN deer, he dropped within 30-35 yds. When he reared up and fell over, I would have about bet my right arm I saw my arrow (bright yellow from the nock to the base of the broadhead) sticking out of the deer's side. I have no idea what I saw (or thought I saw), but my arrow was stuck in the ground just past where the deer was standing. On a little pig I shot last FebI just knew my shot was way back(bright feathers, nock, and cap)--it was a little back, but the arrow came out tight behind the shoulder. It's happened other times as well, on different critters--I know my eyes aren't reliable when it happens in an instant, especially under pressure.

I can understand the concern and loss of confidence, and respect the decision (if made) to swap weapons after bad experiences, but the equipment is not at fault. That's the main point I want to press.

Chad