so today i saw this huge buck that i have been waiting for while checking on cattle. it was about 20yrd's away in the brush. don't know why i didn't bring my bow. well anyway so after that i went home got all geared up in my camo and went out. i sat in my stand all afternoon with no hopes of seeing anything. and then i heard the inevitable crunching of leaves. and here comes two does. they knew i was there don't know how they knew but they did. one came within 20 yrd's and i took the shot. heard a deep thud. and then i watched the deer walk around for like 1hr in the wood's up the hill from me. guess i shot over it's back. it was my first time ever getting the chance to shoot at a deer with a bow. i'm thinking i was so rushed with my adrenaline that my distant judgement was very very much off. does anyone have any pointer's for holding this stuff down??

How do you not KNOW if you missed? What did your arrow look like?

ONLY way to learn to control it is to put yourself in that position over and over.

Yeah I'd make sure you didnt hit her. Od that she walk around for a while if she was hit, but just make sure.

As far as the adrenaline? ENJOY IT!!! You cant beat getting nervous, rapid breathing, your legs shaking after the shot....I've calmed down over the years, although I still get excited, but what has helped me is if there is a deer I know I'm going to shoot, I close my eyes and just take a deep breath for about 5 seconds to focus myself and then go to work.

no i'm sure i didn't hit her. cause i never found my arrow. and i watched the deer very very closely it acted like the other one and i saw her runnin on the way back to my atv about 2 hr's later. i guess i just need to go find the arrow. i looked for blood for about 45min's and didn't find the arrow but i would say i over shot. and i'll prolly never find the arrow.

what i do it take a deep breath and hold it while you are holding your bow back it settles the body down and you can aim better. brother taught me that he is in the marine corps and it works all the time. bow never moves when i do it
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Don't sweat it bud, I missed a beautiful 8 pt. this afternoon.... TWICE!! [:@]I'm still sick! We'll get em next time though or else I may need some serious counseling if I don't redeem myself by seasons end.

If you hate that feeling then you need to find another pass time.. other than that....it will come in time brother....

well went out again today found my arrow in a tree root about 5 yard's behind the are that i shot i guess it went under her leg's. saw a medium sized 9 point at 70yd's tried to grunt at him to c if he would get any closer no luck he keep on going.

to practice for that moment, i will run around the house then pickup my bow and take a shot. then do it again. by the second one you will notice the faster breathing and faster heart rate. you will learn to take your time and take deep breaths.

well i did like i u said huntinman23 i just held my breath made a bad shot on a nice 10pt. it was the deer's fault he lunged and i put the arrow in his hind quarter. looked all morning and never found him.