Missed - Help
 

I am a newB to bowhunting (started last year) and finally last night I had an opportunity to shoot a doe @ 22 yards. Well to make a long story short, the arrow skimmed off the top of her back. My question is .... should I have been aiming low on the deer at 22 yds..??? I had the pin in the middle of the vitals and she dropped before the arrow ever got to her. Now I'm questioning my shooting skills, but I think I may need to question my "archery hunting skills" - if that makes sense. Thank the Lord it wasn't a nice buck.

Any advise is appreciated ... Shaggyman

RE: Missed - Help
 

were you shooting from a treestand 9 times out of 10 its best to aim lower than where you expect to hit, usually an inch or so depending on your height and distance. I always aim lower, this usually helps when the deer ducks the arrow.

RE: Missed - Help
 

You shouldn't have to really aim low, I'd hit the practice range and possibly resight in....a deer shouldn't be able to jump the string that much, unless your bow is extremely slow or something....what's the poundage at?

Another thing could be your form, you could have pulled in some way with the excitement of taking your first shot.....

RE: Missed - Help
 

was the deer alert??? i learned my lesson LAST year..my first as well. the buck was alert and ducked. learned not to shoot alert deer....something noone ever tells you and you never read about really

you should most likely be aiming at the bottom 1/3 of the deer unless your angle is real steep...

good luck...go get the next one!

RE: Missed - Help
 

Did you mouth bleat to get her to stop?

RE: Missed - Help
 

Practice from a tree stand if you haven't already.

RE: Missed - Help
 

They will drop. Sometimes a lot. Sometimes not at all. Those 18-25 ish yard shots seem to be the worst for that. Aim a little lower next time. Have you practiced from a tree? Often poor form from shooting up a tree can lead to a high shot.

RE: Missed - Help
 

And remember to bend at the waist!

RE: Missed - Help
 

The pin you shot..what distance is it sighted in for? In the excitement did you choose the right pin?

RE: Missed - Help
 

Thanks for the advise ... I have not practiced as I should from a tree stand. Most of my practice has been from my deck at home. I have shot some from a barn. I shoot a 67lb. Mission bow. She was standing still broadside at 22 yds. I used my 20yd. pin. Man it looks easy on T.V!

BTW ... how many pins do you guys use on a hunting setup and at what yds. Assuming a farily fast bow. Thanks