No disrespect here. This is a serious question/issue I' ve been struggling with and I hope you can help me. I want to bow hunt. I bought the equipment for myself two years ago and practiced all summer, planning to use it in the Fall. But when the time came, I didnt feel ready to take a shot on a live animal even though my practice indicated I probably could. I read this board quite a bit and I see more than enough stories about wounded and lost deer, or deer that have to be tracked for hours (or days) and finished off...I dont want to do that to an animal. So I practiced a lot over the next summer..even bought my son a set and he practiced with me...we both have a great time target shooting. But sure enough, when the time came, I couldnt bring myself to give it a try. I' ve gun hunted all my life, so its not the idea of harvesting an animal that turns me off..I' ve taken plenty. The deal is I' ve never lost one, and I' ve never felt like one suffered for even a few seconds. My question is: how do I develop any confidence I can take a deer with out losing it or causing it to suffer unecessarily--or is that just an unavoidable part of bow hunting? If it is, I guess maybe I' m just not cut out for it. I just re-read this and I really hope none of you think I' m just slamming your sport...I' m not. I WANT to take a deer with a bow for the challenge of it. Thanks.
SC in LR