My first archery season
 

I was pretty successful in seeing the deer.8 different buck and 2 doe. but unfortunately all were out of range. Then finally toward the end of archery a six pointer came running in so i tried to stop him by bleat calling. He did stop but behind a tree and all i could see was his back legs. I had a ski mask on becuase it was a cold and windy day. When he walked out from behind the tree i went to take a shot. I put my face toward the bow and the ski mask slid to far to the right and i was not able to really see out of my right eye. I guessed with my left on where I was aiming. I took the shot and ended up missing him. The shot was on but a little too high.[:@] It was a fun archery season but still wish i would not have put on that ski mask.

RE: My first archery season
 

I wish you wouldn' t have taken the shot.

Please don' t shoot, and hope to hit something.

RE: My first archery season
 

Ditto on Plaid Dad' s comment.

RE: My first archery season
 

I agree, only take shots you know you will make. That said good season. My first two seasons were spent watching deer. I always found a way to not get into a shooting position. Then my third year I harvested a 7 point buck on public land and it was Jan to boot. I was very cold but that day I made no mistakes. Every year since I have harvested no less than 2 deer per year. I shot a Pope&Young WT and a P&Y Antelope last year so it seems in bow hunting success begets success. Keep at it but don' t take low percentage shots. You should buy a " Balaclava" (?spelling) they are warm and can be used in many ways. With mine I can slide the part covering my nose and mouth down with my thumb as I complete my draw cycle. Then I just put my kisser button in the corner of my mouth and shoot. Hope this helps!
Bill

RE: My first archery season
 

Thats a pretty good first season if you ask me:D:D

RE: My first archery season
 

Deadlyrifle, I have to agree with the other guys. I am not in anyway trying to put you down, but you really shouldn' t have taken that shot. Thank goodness that you missed, and didn' t hit the deer with a non vital or crippling hit. Hopefully you will take these posts as a learning process and constructive criticism. As hunters, no matter what weapon we choose to hunt with, we owe it the game that we hunt to be as proficient with our weapons as possible, and to only take shots that we are 100% sure about. We should never, ever release an arrow or pull the trigger if there is any doubt in our minds about the effectiveness of the shot that is provided. There have been alot of situations that I have had shots at some really quality animals, but passed because there was a chance of a marginal shot. I would much rather let an animal walk than to take a chance and hope for the best. I lost a buck years ago when I was a younger hunter because I shot when it was right at the point of the evening of being too late. It ended up being a gut shot. I spent two days searching for that buck and never found it. A farmer found it while picking corn on an adjacent peice of land a week later. I still to this day struggle with this incident. It was an agonizing experience. Our game deserve better than that. Please chalk it up to learning. Just practice, practice and practice some more. And make it a goal to nevcer take a shot that you aren' t completely confident in. Good luck in all your hunts. Bowhunting is a great thing!!!

RE: My first archery season
 

Please guys, get off your ethical soapboxes, PLEASE. It was his first season, beginners make mistakes. True " ethics" are learned by trial and error. Most of us here made some bonehead moves when we first started bowhunting, hell I still do bonehead stuff sometimes and I' ve got 10+yrs of bowhunting. You live and learn. Good luck DeadlyRifle, you' ll get' em next season. One hint, you should practice with the same clothes you plan on hunting with, ie. face mask, gloves, etc. GOOD LUCK.

RE: My first archery season
 

Im with Belle. First season jitters get the best of almost everyone. We make mistakes and learn from our experiances. Its what mold us into better hunters. Im sure ethics arent the issue, just nerves. Keep on them Deadlyrifle. You' ll get' m next year!

RE: My first archery season
 

[The shot was on but a little too high] Sounds like you misjudged the yardage,I think most of us would have done the same thing our first season. Only 50% would admit to it though. The other 50% are lying to themselves. Keep at it sucess will come through practice and mistakes. Good Luck Next Season.

RE: My first archery season
 

Amen:D

He will learn more from that FIRST season error than any thing he hears on these boards about ethics. I am glad he took the shot, if there are ethics in him, he will learn, and I am sure he will do his best to not make that mistake again.

I personally am glad there wasn' t a camera above me my first few years;)

RE: My first archery season
 

The thing about bow hunting---WHEN you actually get that chance to take your FIRST shot at a live animal you suddenly forget the distance for each pin you forget to breath you forget to follow thru as you would when practicing you forget your name and after the shot you are trying to figure out WHAT WENT WRONG?The first shot of my bowhunting life was at a very BIG buck--when i did release the adrenaline took over--i pulled the release trigger and actually lunged forward sending the arrow several feet from where it was intended to go--the only way to control the heat of the moment is to go through it and learn from mistakes--the key word here is LEARN.

RE: My first archery season
 

jsasker, very well said!!! There is no shame in making mistake' s or taking bad shot' s when a bowhunter is just starting out, as long as you learn from the experience. I think we have all been there and done that. Pike

RE: My first archery season
 

Hey Deadlyrifle, I meant no disrespect at all. Sorry if it came across that way. I know how it is at the heat of the moment. I didn' t mean to get on an ethical soapbox. I just know that when I started out and made alot of mistakes that my dad and a few others were there to help me. I was just always taught to be sure of your shot before you ever take it. But, I also know that all you ever learned can go right out the window when you get so excited. I remember when I shot my first buck, I watched him fall about 40 yards away. Then I almost fell out of my treestand because my legs were shaking so bad. Then got down and had no idea where the deer was. Anyhow, you will learn as you go. Man I have been bowhunting for about 18 years now and those darn deer teach me lessons every year. I guess that if we ever figured it all out it wouldn' t be fun anymore. Anyhow, to you and the other guys, I am sorry if I came across wrong. Just trying to help out a fellow hunter. Hope the apology is accepted. And Deadlyrifle, i hope that you have as much fun and enjoyment that I have been blessed with out in the woods. Your in for alot of fun!! Oh Yea, alot of frustration also:D

RE: My first archery season
 

Hey DR now ya know, learn from your mistakes! I missed a huge 8 point @ 20 yds season before last and it still haunts me! Good luck hunting and always be opened minded and learn! Wait for the best shot and it should pay off in one form or another! I need to go hunting NOW![:-]

RE: My first archery season
 

Sounds like a good first season to me! You saw deer and had a shot opportunity. Bowhunting is a humbling, takes patience and persistance. You can' t beat yourself up, learn from your mistake and move on because it won' t be your last!