I am a fairly new bowhunter. I have hunted about four years now and taken 6 deer, all cleanly with good shots and easy blood to follow when needed, and never lost an animal. I am a good shot and have no problem with nerves etc.. Well, Sat. morning at 7:30 a lone does comes in and feeds on some acorns. At first I am unsure if I am going to take her because I've seen another doe about her size with a spotted fawn (yes, spotted this late). Anyway I watch for half hour and confirm that she is alone and decide to take her. I get drawn, no problems she is quarting away, maybe 50 degrees or so. She is fine, not nervous, the shot is excactly 22 yards, I settle my pin to exit on the opposite leg and make a smooth release. I am shooting a Mathews FX pushing about 290 with Golt TIp XT's and 125 grain steelheads. Anyway it hit like a mac truck sound wise, she made a little half circle and hit the tree line. Arrow hung out of the opposite side for about two strides, I am guessing the opposite shoulder hung the arrow up slightly. Well, it is now drizzling as I make the shot. About 5 minuites after it begins to pour. So I went against my habit waiting half an hour and I got down to inspect the scene, not to track, but just see the arrow before it gets washed off. Long story short, arrow looks not to good, just smeared blood, fletches torn up by bone but no good pink bubbly stuff. I go get the jeep and my buddies because I know the blood trail is being wiped out by this rain. Anyway, two days on hands and knees in the pouring rain and no deer. This is the first one I have lost and I feel terrible. The worst part for me is that I know that I made a good shot. Here is my question for you all. My buddies asked me where the arrow hit. The truth is, I cant say. I am not an arrow watcher. I mean that even in the back yard I do not see the arrow impact the target. I concentrate on form and my pin, follow through and thats it but my attention never goes to the arrow in flight. Is somthing wrong with me? Accuracy wise I am by far the best shot in my little circle of buddies but they all claim to watch every impact. Is this somthing I should learn to do even if it cost me some accuracy. My point to all of this is that I can not confirm the hit. Did she jump string making hit, back, etc.. I cant say. All I can say is that the shot was good from my standpoint. I can say that I learned a valuable lsson about shooting in potential rain fall conditions and I dont think I will anymore. Any opinions or advice is greatly appreciated. I have a great deal of respect for the knowledge I have seen presented on this board and Thanks ahead of time for your comments.

It happens.I commend you on spending 2 days looking under miserable conditions and not just saying "Oh well" and shooting at more deer like a less responsible person would do.

blindsquirrel, don't feel bad about it. it happens to everbody that
hunts, not just bowhunters either. way to hang in there trackin.

daytona 500 winner- Ward Burton
go Cat-22

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I have learned to shoot my bow with both eyes open. This will
only work if your dominate eye is also the eye you would site with with the other eye closed. With both eyes open I can site my target and watch the flight of the arrow.

blindsquirrel, unfortunate, but you can only do so much to recover a deer. It appears you tried and put in the effort. I think seeing the arrow hit tells allot about what to expect next. I shoot with both eyes open, and can see the arrow hit. I don't, however, peak. If you shoot one eyed, try with two.

Phil.
&quot;Could you guys be quiet, my dad's trying to shoot.&quot;

blindsquirel I really do not feel you did anything wrong, although I have not had my first bow kill from talking to a lot of bowhunters occasionaly you will lose one. The whole thing is you did what any ethical hunter would do, you busted your butt trying to recover this deer, you looked for two days in pouring rain, I don't know what else you could have done. The important thing is you did not just blow it off and continue to hunt. Considering I have not had my first bow kill I would hesitate hunting if I thought heavy rain was coming, but how the heck can anyone predict something like that. You tried, that is what is important.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

Did you take a good shot ? Were you 100% sure you could make the shot you took ?

If yes and yes, don't feel bad - its called hunting. Only worry when you take not so good iffy shots that you aint sure you can make ....
Stealthycat's Photo's

I really appreciate everyones consoling remarks, however, I would really be interested in everyones shooting habits. What happens in your minds eye at the moment of truth? What do you see and when do you see it? I am just trying to figure out if I need to change my routing to become more effective.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> My buddies asked me where the arrow hit. The truth is, I cant say. I am not an arrow watcher. <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

Blindsquirrel, my advice to you is not to get too hung up on this. You are practicing what you need to. I admit, that when I practice, I can ussually follow the arrow. But in the woods it is a whole different story. Some may say, and I've heard them say that you have to pay attention. But to tell you the truth, I don't believe that. It's not always that simple. Especially when you are shooting near dusk, or in shadows. I would try to keep both eyes open if you can, but don't sacrifice any accuracy. That should be your main attention. Things like this happen sometimes, and you learn. But remember that the reason that this whole thing happened was not because you didn't see your arrow in flight. Best of luck.

It happens! Sooner or later most of us are going to lose one. I went to crested arrows this year and you sure can see the arrow. I never thought it would be that bright shooting. I think crested is a good thing. I always look at lost deer as something is going to eat tonight and never goes to waste, just part of hunting!