I have to be honest, and wanted to tell my story even thought it is a sad one. I have bin hunting the last 4 weeks with a bow. This was the first season i ever tried to bow hunt. I have bin going to long island new york the last three weekends and saw nothing. Then this weekend i went to hancock new york to a spot my friend goes to with his dad. the first day as we pull up we scared up a pretty big spike, i was really excited. We stood in our stands all day to come up short and have no luck. Then today we are up bright and early, and into the woods before sun up, all morning nothing, then we went scouting. We ended up in the same area as before but i used my brain this time. I saw a nice trail that seemed to be heavely used, i set up about 25 feet right about it where i saw droppings. three hours latter here comes a big doe, my hart was pounding i was so excited. i drew back to early and rushed the shot and missed i could not beleive i missed, i never shot these broadheads before (not making excuses). i am dead on when i practice. then the deer only jumped a little and stood there, i rush to get another arrow i bang it on my bow, the deer takes ten steps gives me and even better broadside shot. i draw back and a thick branch was in my way a little. i leaned a few inches and my stand made little creek sound and off she was. i was so upset the whole ride home.

Well i had hoped to put a better story but this is the one i have.

Hey, I'll tell ya what: That is a successful hunt. Yeah, you made some mistakes, but even those of us that have been at this a while make mistakes. It's a lifelong learning process. Those emotions are hard to control come judgement time. That's why practice is so critically important. First, you want the confidence in your equipment to get the job done ( PRACTICE WITH YOUR BROADHEADS!) and you want the motions to be automatic. That excitement is what keeps us going back. Pat your self on the back for doing good, cause you did. It'll happen.

Don't worry about it. I waited a couple years before I got my first deer with a bow. Normally it takes people anywhere from 2-6 years to get their first and only about 16% of bowhunters harvest a deer each year so don't sweat it.

Oh man!!!! Stick with it and learn from your mistakes, be it in practice, trimming limbs, judgement, equipment, or whetever. I know of a couple thing I'll never do again in the woods! You'll get your turn!

I agree with mobowhunter, it was a succesfull hunt! I amalso new to bow hunting, this is only my second year at it. We all make mistakes, the key is to learn from your mistakes. You probably won't ever be able to calm yourself down all the way before the shot and that's what keeps us all going out there time after time. Don't worry about the mistakes made, just learn from them and it will all come together sooner or later. Good luck and happy hunting.

You still had a blast right!!! Happened to me tonight also. 35 mph Winds here in Michigan!! im not gonna use it as an excuse but im pretty sure it is mine. I was hunting from 4-530 about 515 a buck shows up out of no where. He is 25 yards broadside so i go to take my shot and MISS!! It feels horrible in your stomach doesnt it?? The wind was just to strong i dont know why i even hunted but it was deff worth it seeing that buck and almost bringing one home. Im just glad the wind didnt make me wound him.

Want to hear a better story...my second year hunting i missed a doe that was literally 10 ft from me...no ****...10 feet@!! I could have reached out and touched her. Worst part my dads buddy was in a tree stand watching me screw up and miss 40 yards from me. I was sleeping on the ground when two does came running out of nowhere. I awoke to them 20 yards from me...i scramble to get set...draw back.she walks 10 ft braodside looking the otherway..i lean to my left to get around the sapling in my face and shoot right under her! Talk about being sad! Lessoned learned! It wont be the last time you miss or get busted.

Ahhhhhh... the growing pains of a rookie. I guarantee ya', if you hang in there with the bowhunting and practice more, you'll be laughing about this one someday. You'll think back and make some remark like, "I didn't have a clue, but I got hooked".[8D][8D][8D][8D] The one constant from bowhunters, we tend to learn from our mistakes more than others. AND,... 20 years from now when you're laughing about it, you'll do something stupid again and say, "I have no clue".

Thanks for all the good encouragment, i will not be giving up on this no time soon. That feeling i had in that stand took over me. i do not know if i even want to use my gun anymore. opening day is coming and all i am doing is looking for broadheads., well thanks again.