6 years and sill nothing
 

I cant say theat I have never had the oppertunity to shoot one. In fact last year opening day of shotgun I had one within 20 yards......I know, I Know. It was my first year with my gun and I forgot to chamber a shell!!!!:(
my first bowhunting experience was cruel as well. I had a TROPHY buck RIGHT under my stand. I grunted him in. He had a little scrapper with him. I was shaking so bad........as I drew on him, my finder slipped and released the arrow about 50 yards into the air. But that only told him where I was. He stayed almost till dark looking at me and stomping and grunting. I didnt want him to see me get another arrow out so I just sat there calling myself every name in the book.

This year, first day hunting, I had a nice buck walk by on the wrong side. The next day another walked straight at me so I didnt take a shot. Then a spike walked by me a few days later. I took his pic. Is this the only chance I will get!!! NO!!! I had ANOTHER really nice buck walk just out of range two days ago. I almost druled on myself [X(] We moved my stant to the back of our land right over the trail hbe used and hope I will get at least a shot at him. K, my question is. (I have never shot my bow sitting down.) Is ita lot different than standing up and what do you say. Is it bad to sit and shoot???? I obviously need help when it comes to KILLING a buck so any advise would be apprechiated. No help on spelling please LOL

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

OK first of you need to PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. No really everyone makes bad shots. If you want to shoot sitting down then just grab a chair and go out side a shoot sitting down. Then you will know just how well you can shoot sitting down. Well it sounds like you have a great spot to hunt with a lot of bucks so you should have no problem getting them in close once the rut starts going. But the main thing is you can never practice enough. I try to shoot my bow every day, and about 30 arrows per day at that. Now im not saying shoot you bow every day, shoot as much as you can. I am in college and can shoot my bow every day because i have a lot of time on my hands.:) So go out there and get those big bucks. Good luck.

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

I don't know what advise to give you but kudos on sticking with hunting after 6 years of being shutout.

That will make the first deer you get feel even more fantastic.

Good Luck.

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

You definately need to practice sitting down before you shoot a deer that way. For me it seems like the torque on my back is different than when I am standing.

As far as going 6 years and still no deer. Keep you chin up. It will happen and when it does it will be that much sweeter.

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

I didn't kill a deer with my bow until my tenth season...missed a couple of years with college and missed one due to an injury. Once I got the first one.....it got much easier to realx and enjoy hunting w/o any pressure to kill one. Good luck to you.

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

I went boar hunting this summer in Fl and the stand I was sitting in kept me sitting up straight and my target was on my right. (Im a lefty). When the boar came walking past I didn't have time to stand and didn't want to be seen so I just drew and shot. I saw no difference but I would practice sitting and shooting if I were planning on doing it a lot.

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

Just to make you feel better, a friend of mine has been bowhunting for 9 years w/ nothing to show for it!

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

That's why it's called hunting and not killing. Keep at it. I feel confident that as persevering as youhave been that it will all be worth it when you get 'ol mossyhorns. Good luck!

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

6 years? Hey, I don't feel so bad... This only is my 4th year with zero success (so far).
I know exactly how you feel though.... I got "buck fever" really bad last season when I had a beautiful 8 pointer come sneaking in behind me from 20 yards away (another hunter spooked him and he tore off up the ridge, leaped over the trail, and landed 20 yards behind me). I don't know who was more startled, him or me! ;) Long story short, I went to full draw when he put his head down to sniff for danger, but I started shaking so bad and had my heart in my throat, I couldn't even think... I ended sailing the arrow right over his back from 20 yards away! Man, I was just sick for weeks over that! [&o][:-][:'(]:(

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

I practice sitting and shooting, really helped but its not that easy unless you are either tall or, you have a short axled bow. With a short bow its really easy to draw sitting down. Also, you may have trouble if you are one of the "my bow shoots 1,278fps" guys and have your bow cranked up to "did you eat yourWheaties today"Icankill deer all day long with 60#-65#s which is easy to drawwhile sitting.

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

I have had that feeling soooooo many times. Im just not a lucky hunter. I am a cosmetology instructor and all the girls ask me it I would be able toshoot one.. I just laugh and say " Ive tried many times to shoot and kill one, it just isnt working out" now im afraid that the deer have sent out a bullitan sayin "SHE'S OVER HER, COME THIS WAY YOUL BE SAFE" LOL

Standing in a treestand after a badly screwed up shot can be brutal one morning comes to mind when i didnt chamber my shell, i remember looking for any sharp trees i could hurl my body onto. No luck there either. HAHA

I think everyone is right though. My husband has hunted all his life and gotten some awsome bucks..his ex friends would shoot anything that had nubs on its head. I want a nice mature buck that I can be proud of. Just last week my husband Passed up a spike buck cuz he new it was headed to me. I took his pic and let him walk away. "mad spouse" oops does that make sence. should I have taken the spike or is it ok to be picky. and do you thinkget the "first one" that you can is the right mentality. PLEASE keep in mind I want to make sure the shot I take will KILL the animal.. I dont want to be the one that says "ya the buck with the arrow sticking through his ass is the one that got away"

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

I don't think it's bad to sit and shoot at all. This year I set-up all my stands so I can take sitting shots in the direction I think the deer are most likely to pass. I don't think you'll have any problems shooting from a sitting position, the main challenge is shooting from an elevated position. It's not that strange to bend at the waist when you're standing, it's a little less natural to bend at the waist when sitting. A good idea is to draw like your target is on a level plane from you, when at full draw bend at the waist until your on your target, this keeps your upper body form the same as when you practice in your backyard. Unless you practice from an elevated position. Good Luck, Get some pics on here when you stick on!

Paul

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

First of all, you can be proud of ANY animal you take, regardless of what sex or how big it is.

Also, when you're just starting off hunting there is no need to go for mature bucks only. You need to start small with does and little bucks and slowly work your way up from there. I can guarantee you that there is no trophy hunter out there who started shooting monster deer right out of the gate. Everyone has to start small and build themselves up over time.

Keep in mind that a successful hunt isn't about having bragging rights to a monster buck. Its' about the experience in the field, the meat on the table, and the memories that will last a lifetime.

So the next time that spike walks by your tree, send an arrow his way and go home a happy hunter!

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

When you quit shaking is when its time to quit hunting.

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

Do this.... sit in your stand and tilt your head way back until you're looking straight up. Is there a big Black Cloud up there??? I thought so.[8D][8D] Joe Blitzgreig comes to mind.

If it's any consulation. I knew a guy that went 22 years gun hunting before he shot a deer. OH, he had shots and misses and all that. I was there the day he finally got one. I was walking out some fresh snowed up blowdowns. He was posted on a ridge in some pines. I jumped a herd of 4 or 5 that went right up his way. He said he pulled right behind the shoulder of the biggest doe when they stopped 30 yards away. He hit her right in the eye. Go figure. I thought he was going to die from happiness.

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

Dude, don't worry about it. My first shot chance was a few years ago, scouting for gun season and had my bow. Heard something in the leaves, I knew it wasn't a tree rat, got by a tree and a little spike came by, STOPPED for a perfect broadside 15-20 yd shot, started to pull back and my arrow came off my rest, metal against metal, he threw up is head right away, ran off.

Last year I actually got my first shot at a doe, shot over her back actually giving her a haircut.

I've been bow hunting for 7 years I think and still haven't killed a deer. I did kill a rabbit last year at the house.

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

Nothing wrong with shooting sitting down, I would just practice shooting while sitting......from an elevated position. It's a little different from up there. But just a thought for you: I prefer to shoot standing up, it allows me the mobility to adjust my body to shoot almost all the way around the tree if I have to. Sitting down, you can only cover so much area.

Take any deer that gives you your shot!:D You'll be even more hooked!

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

I'm still looking for my first bow kill. I don't have alot of QUALITY hunting time in with a bow. So far this year I've seen more deer than I have in the previous 3 seasons put together. That is primarily because this year is the first in a VERY long time that I'm hunting private land.The last time I bowhunted before that was 15 years ago. This year I took a shot from my treestand sitting down, I shot high over her back. I have practiced shooting while sitting and am dead on from ground level, I'm pretty convinced that my miss was due to not bending at the waist and shooting from a reasonably high position (about 25'). I did have another shot opportunity, but passed on a spike buck.

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

10-4

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

Someone shot their first deer this year, after 28 years of hunting with a bow! Give it some time, and if all else fails, buy a BowTech!

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

dont give up! it took me 6 years and 2 states to get one on the ground, and that was with a shotgun! i am new to this archery hunting game and can already tell you that no matter how many i get with rifles or shotguns, my first with a bow will be amazing.

good luck to everyone

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

I have to hand it to those of you who keep on trying year after year. You can pat yourself on the back for that. Good luck to all of you this season.

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

EVER THOUGHT OF TAKING UP GOLF ;>))

ROLL TIDE
DD

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

I feel sitting down and shooting is actually easier then standing and shooting. You do need to practice it but you will probly find it to be easier. Good luck this year hope it comes through.
JOE

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

thought about it but i cant stand all those tight ass DR types braging about how big the balls in their pocket is. I didnt come here for negative feedback. golf is for old people! besides that you can have more fun in a tree stand than you can on the greens!!!

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

MTNHOTBABE WHO TOLD YOU I HAD BIG BALLS IN MY POCKET ..GOOD GREIF MY REPUTATION HAS FOLLOWED ME HERE TO ..

ROLL TIDE
DD

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

dr.even though you poke fun i am ROFLMAO

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

I have hunted for 3 years with a bow and gun and i have yet to take a shot. I see deer but there always too far or something happens. Last season i seen a buck on opening day of gun season but i was in a earn a buck zone so i couldnt shoot it.

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

welcome to the forums mnhotbabe, like mentioned earlier, practice a sitting shot, i prefer to stand and if anyway possible i will do so, i have never shot at one sitting, got a friend that does though, something he always told me toremember is watch where you bow limbs are when sitting/shooting, ie they can hit the climber /stand rails and the results will be another lost arrow[:-]or worse[&o]

also shoot a few does to "break the ice" anything you kill with a bow is a trophy in my book, not meaning that every deer will be a trophy but every deer you kill with a bow will stick in you mind, and like most on here slowly raise your standards

BTW from your handle i'd guess your from MN. how many deer have you let walk, here our limits are unbelieveable and where your at may be 1-2 deer, here i try to kill 3-7 does every year with my bow, goin sat, wooohoooo

best of luck it will happen, i'm thinking soon;)

hey mizunomx17, welcome to the forums

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

hey thanks for that.....

I have had 4 bucks by me this year, one on the wrong side. one walked straight at me then under my stand. A shot I will never take. one nice one just out of range (though I did think about taking off my harness and soing a mid air sideways shot like angele jolene, but the straps were to short. and one my husband passed up so i could take it......I um tooka PICTURE of it!boy was he hot under the collar

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

When it comes to shooting while sitting.I have found there to be little to no differnce.The only thing is to make sure you have the bow away from your stand so it doesnt hit anything after you release the arrow.I would of had 4 does opening weekend if I made sure my stand wasnt in my way.I had to shoot sitting.I would practice a few shots but like I said I find it no different then standing.I have shot more deer sitting then I have standing.I have one on my wall that when I saw him coming in my legs went jello on me and I couldnt stand.I had to shoot him sitting.Even after I made a great shot I still couldnt stand for 3 or 4 minutes.I have NO problems in shooting while sitting.I think after a little bit of practice to see if you have to do anything differently you will come to the same conclussion.

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

Your time is coming and it will be that much sweeter when it happens!

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

Dont feel bad, it took me 6 years to get my first deer. Even after i had a nice buck during the 1992 gun season come 10 feet from me and i missed. Lol, i look back on it and the entire thing makes me laugh, heres what i learned from the experience...DOnt put doe in heat on your clothes!!!!

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

MN - First - welcome to the forum. Your post interested me because I was in the same boat as you at one time - a lot of us were so DONT be discouraged - the very good news here is if you are seeing lots of deer your doing more good things than I did early on.
Now that being said I must say I thnk a standing shot is a MUCH better way to take a deer for the simple fact that it is a natural shooting position. I always sit with my bow in my lap-arrow nocked AT ALL TIMES NO EXCEPTIONS - Do the same - you will be one step ahead when a buck shows up- as soos as you see ANY buck, slowly stand - and you will be ready, its lots easier to shoot various shots standing....Next advice is to learn to shoot faster .... develop a 'killer instinct' You said you would not shoot a buck headed straight at you - well I would - in fact the deer in my avatar did just that - walked off the trail - headed straight for me and I shot straight down to get him and did it fast...

Learn to draw, aim, release in 2-3 seconds, and PRACTICE it- draw, aim, relax,followthru all while counting out loud "one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three......by then the arrow should be gone. Pracitice this at TEN yards, to build confidence in your 'snap shooting' then move on to 20.... This will also help you to concentrate MUCH more which will eliminate the shakes etc...
Next advice - learn to DARF... huh you ask ?
D.A.R.F.-Draw, Aim, Relax,Follow thru.... I think this on every shot - DRAW the bow, AIM (put pin on target-think about opposite shoulder/exit hole), relax (am I rigid, am I torquing the bow), follow thru on my shot- (keep pin on target-dont try to watch the shot) Doing this in combo with a fast shot will help eliminate if not entirely eliminate you over thinking the shot and getting "BUCK FEVER" I never get it any longer until the arrow fllies then I get all shakey and excited !

This is my advice - sorry so long winded but try what I am telling you - it really can help........

Good luck, be safe, and keep us posted.......

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

MT I am always trying to have a little clean fun ... I think most of the guys in the forum will tell you I mean nothing by it ... I hunted 5 yrs here in Alabama before I took a decent buck and hunted very hard .. just so you know in the future ... I like to cut up some ...good luck !

Roll Tide
DD

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

weren't me, i know you to well to take you too seriously,,,BTW there is still time to come top the other sideAU, you'd look good (better) in blue & orange, all that red just matches yor nek:D:D:D:D:DJ/K

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

practice every shooting scenerio you can think of . sitting , standind , i even practice sitting cross legged on the ground. you never know.

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

I COMPLETELY disagree...no spike deserves to be killed just because you are a little inexperienced. IMO you are doing the right thing. Don' sell out to becoming a "happy hunter" because you won't be if you plug a little spike. Harvest a doe and get one under your belt and some meat in the frig, and then hold out for daddy rabbit...no arguable reason not to. I harvested does for 4 years before I finally connected with a PY buck and have maintained that standard for 15 years...some years I eat my buck tag but almost all years I get a doe for the freezer. You will gain much more experience hunting mature deer period...does or bucks...let the little ones go so they can grow. No arguable reason not to.

And FYI...anyone who has a username with "hotbabe" in it, is required to post a pic of themselves.

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

I would consider that "trophy hunting" MN, but really, that's your perogative... if patience is your virtue, then keep plugging away at it, it will come sooner or later...

My outlook on it is, a deer in the freezer is better than no deer at all, so be it a button, spike, sasquwatch, doe, etc..., if I have a tag for it, it's going down (provided I make a good shot lol). I too am on the lookout for a biggun' too, but if lil' miss taste's good on my table comes along, she's a dead doe.

As for sitting vs. standing, my hunting season would have been soooo much easier had I practiced sitting and shooting as I have had a couple opportunities for a sitting shot. I just won't take it because I haven't practiced it. I say practice makes perfect, so get out there and take some shots from your toosh and see how it works out for ya!

RE: 6 years and sill nothing
 

And remember, if you havent practiced shooting from a stand, you have to aim low. For me it's like 6" at 20 yards. Otherwise, you'll have that sucker dead to rights and your arrow will sail right over his/her back.

Good Luck