I've got to say I'vealsonoticed alot of the 'can't find him' threads thathave been on here the last couple weeks butI certainly don't judge the guys that are having problems and I could care less about the tree-huggers. I simply hate to see an animal go wounded and unrecovered.

While nobody wants to make a bad shot, they unfortunately happen from time to time. By posting these threads they should serve notice to everyone to minimize the chance of a bad shot by:

1) Practice every spare minute youhave to fine tune your skills. Even if you think you are ready it may have been weeks or months since you last shot your bow. Be prepared.

2) Practice with all of your gear on that you'll be wearing on stand. Know your gear and make sure it works.

3) Practice from an elevated perch from every conceivable position and angle that you may decide to take inthewoods or from your actual ground blind depending on how you hunt.

4) Shooting at a block or bag is different than a living animal. Know your vitals and shoot thru them, not at them. I little bit off or a slightly bad angle is the difference between sucess and failure. Bowhunting is a game of inches.

5) Realize the responsibility you have as stewards of the land and wildlife. If the shot isn't there, don't take it. If the animal won't stop or provide an ethical angle, simply let him go. This is probably the hardestrule for some hunters to follow.

I know some will read this and think this is allcommon sense preparation, but we all need to keep drilling the basics into our heads so when the time comes, we know how to repsond.

The last thing one of our fellow hunters needs in a time of crisis is to be kicked down by his brothers. If I am correct the purpose of this forum isfor help, learning, and sharing, not togripe and bash.



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