New Crossbow Hunter -- very down
09-26-2009 | 06:17 PM
#11
Dominant Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,199
Likes: 1
From: Blossvale, New York
Gee, who misses a deer with a broadside shot at 20 yards??? Ahhhhhhh, everyone if they hunt long enough. How about getting one of those shooting sticks or trigger sticks or something like that to help you hold and settle the bow? Just a thought. Of course you don't remember the shot. It takes a couple shots and a couple misses and a couple kills to settle down. My thing is to draw, get ready and then stop myself for a split second and ask.... "Is this the site picture I want"? It helps me to tune in to what I'm suppose to do. I've killed so many deer with the bow it's automatic for me now... the shot sequence.... but I still always ask myself... Is this the site picture I want. It brings everything back in focus.
09-26-2009 | 07:14 PM
#13
Spike
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Nora Springs Iowa
Dude
My first year with a bow i missed a doe twice at maybe twenty within like a minute my second year i missed an 8 point at maybe thirty twice in a minute year 3 didnt see a deer close enough year 4 none close enough. Last spring i took my shot at turkey hunting and missed one at 15 on film. I hear you when you say your luck sucks but for me i just keep on keeping on this year i bought two new tree stands a half dozen new arrows spent countless hours on the targets did tons of pre season scouting got new spots and new camo and new sent control and i still have the feeling that im not sure i did enough to pull it off but one october 1 when iowa season opens i am going out in my tree stand and im gonna do my damdest to stick my first iowa whitetail then if i cant get em in the wild i qualified for a hunt inside a state park with bunches of deer so i always can get more practice. Just keep your head up calm yourself and kill it!!!!
09-26-2009 | 07:16 PM
#14
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,087
Likes: 1
From: Almost Heaven,WV
Thanks CritterGitter. If I am unsteady during my aim, is it better to not take the shot or take the chance? Also, what can you do to get over the nerves and the problem of not following through with the shot because you want to see if you hit the deer? It is so mach easier while targe practicing. Also, how often are bow hunters not able to find a shot arrow or bolt that misses a deer? I don't want go to the poor house from the purchase of bolts 
09-27-2009 | 01:23 AM
#15
Typical Buck
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: Fraziers Bottom, WV
Hey man! be easy on yourself. It happens, more that most people will lead on 
Just to prove that you don't suck and nerves CAN get the best of you read this:
Two seasons ago during RIFLE season. I had a decent six point come looping out of a hollow straight to me. He trotted to about 30 yards. I raise my RIFLE. Aim squeeze and boom. Deer bounds off TOTALLY unharmed!!! I CLEAN MISSED A DEER BROADSIDE AT 30 YARDS WITH A RIFLE THAT SHOOTS 1 1/4" GROUPS AT 100 YARDS ALL DAY LONG!!!! Clean missed! With a Rifle!!! I can shoot a gun better than average, but I clean missed a deer due to buck fever!.
It happens bro. chin up and keep twangin!
Just to prove that you don't suck and nerves CAN get the best of you read this:Two seasons ago during RIFLE season. I had a decent six point come looping out of a hollow straight to me. He trotted to about 30 yards. I raise my RIFLE. Aim squeeze and boom. Deer bounds off TOTALLY unharmed!!! I CLEAN MISSED A DEER BROADSIDE AT 30 YARDS WITH A RIFLE THAT SHOOTS 1 1/4" GROUPS AT 100 YARDS ALL DAY LONG!!!! Clean missed! With a Rifle!!! I can shoot a gun better than average, but I clean missed a deer due to buck fever!.
It happens bro. chin up and keep twangin!
09-27-2009 | 05:14 AM
#16
Fork Horn
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Hi everyone:
I am a disabled man with cerebral pasly. I went riffle hunting a few times many years back. I shot at a couple deer with a 30/30. However, I missed both shots, mainly because of the open-sights and my balance issues, do to the kick of the gun.
This past July, my friend suggested that I purchase a crossbow and get back into hunting. My friend is a Parker bow sales rep. After only a few shots at his yard target, I was hooked, and I purchased a 2008 Cyclone crossbow.
After only a few weekends of practice, I was able to hit a deer (photo) targert 57 out of about 62 shots in the kill zone at 10 and 20 yards.
I went on my first hunting outing last night. Using a ground blind, I was able to get a broadside shot at a smaller sized dow at about 20 yards. In order to get the shot, I waited about 15 minutes to get the shot as the deer moved into shooting range while eating. During this time period, I drew my crossbrow into the shotting position 3 times before deciding to take the shot. I was a shakey before the shot, but I felt like I was still in the kill zone when I pulled the trigger. However, I don't remember much before the shot, my heart was pounding and I was breathing very heavy. Needless to say, I missed the shot and lossing my 15 dollar bolt made things even worse. Who misses a broadside deer at 20 yards! I must really suck.... I don't want to give up hunting. I love being outdoors, and I love the stories with friends. However, I feel like I am always going to be the guy who always misses the shot and losses arrows in the field. I have no confidence in the field. During target practice yes, but in the field no. Any advice would be great. Maybe I should just stop hunting.
I am a disabled man with cerebral pasly. I went riffle hunting a few times many years back. I shot at a couple deer with a 30/30. However, I missed both shots, mainly because of the open-sights and my balance issues, do to the kick of the gun.
This past July, my friend suggested that I purchase a crossbow and get back into hunting. My friend is a Parker bow sales rep. After only a few shots at his yard target, I was hooked, and I purchased a 2008 Cyclone crossbow.
After only a few weekends of practice, I was able to hit a deer (photo) targert 57 out of about 62 shots in the kill zone at 10 and 20 yards.
I went on my first hunting outing last night. Using a ground blind, I was able to get a broadside shot at a smaller sized dow at about 20 yards. In order to get the shot, I waited about 15 minutes to get the shot as the deer moved into shooting range while eating. During this time period, I drew my crossbrow into the shotting position 3 times before deciding to take the shot. I was a shakey before the shot, but I felt like I was still in the kill zone when I pulled the trigger. However, I don't remember much before the shot, my heart was pounding and I was breathing very heavy. Needless to say, I missed the shot and lossing my 15 dollar bolt made things even worse. Who misses a broadside deer at 20 yards! I must really suck.... I don't want to give up hunting. I love being outdoors, and I love the stories with friends. However, I feel like I am always going to be the guy who always misses the shot and losses arrows in the field. I have no confidence in the field. During target practice yes, but in the field no. Any advice would be great. Maybe I should just stop hunting.
09-27-2009 | 05:43 AM
#17
Typical Buck
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
As you can see we all miss, it's part of the experience. If you hit everytime you shoot, well, then it would be to easy.
For me and my nerves, I usually let a few deer go by first before taking a shot. You will find that just having deer around you will settle you down over time. This has to do with the adrenaline in your body wearing off/decreasing. After a while you will start to regain your composure and then you should be able to make that shot you dream of.
Best of luck to you!!!!
For me and my nerves, I usually let a few deer go by first before taking a shot. You will find that just having deer around you will settle you down over time. This has to do with the adrenaline in your body wearing off/decreasing. After a while you will start to regain your composure and then you should be able to make that shot you dream of.
Best of luck to you!!!!
09-27-2009 | 07:03 AM
#18
Banned
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,145
Likes: 0
From: IOWA/25' UP
Hang in there!! The only way to get over the "buck fever" is to get a bunch of kills under your belt. Then, and only then, will you be calm and relaxed during kills. For now, just pretend the deer are an IRS agent or a nasty ex you had, or both. A buddy of mine gets over his buck fever by getting mad when an animal walks in.
09-27-2009 | 07:13 AM
#19
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,420
Likes: 0
From: Where the ducks don't come no more
Ummm.... everyone who has ever hunted for any period of time. If you've never missed.... then you probably ain't hunting or have just gotten lucky a few times.
I shoot my bow almost every single day year round. I can hit baseballs at 70 yards.... last season... first opportunity I had was on an urban doe hunt. Had a deer standing in the middle of the yard.... 22 yards... full broadside... sun shining on her back.... looked like a scene from bambi.... I shot over her by a foot.....a FOOT! All I could do was laugh like an idiot... thats part of hunting and part of what is so fun about it. You cannot put so much pressure on yourself that it isn't fun anymore.
I cannot tell you how many times I've hunted with my friends (I'm a big duck hunter) and had a single mallard drake come into the decoys and just hover like a helicopter looking for a spot to sit. 10 feet off the water.... we take turns shooting... and not a single one of my hunting buddies at some point in time hasn't totally wiffed that shot with all three shells. Sometimes the excitement just takes hold.... and thats why we do what we do my man.
I don't want to give up hunting. I love being outdoors, and I love the stories with friends. However, I feel like I am always going to be the guy who always misses the shot and losses arrows in the field. I have no confidence in the field. During target practice yes, but in the field no. Any advice would be great. Maybe I should just stop hunting.
My advice would be don't give up hunting!!!! Thats the last thing you should do!!! So God gave you a disability.... it is what it is. You have no doubt learned how to be patient and how to cope with it... and this is no different. If you quit... you will lose those precious moments with your friends and not have any stories of your own to share. When you do connect.... it'll be the sweetest feeling of success. "You get what you put in... and people get what they deserve...." its my favorite quote... and its true.
09-27-2009 | 08:06 AM
#20
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 0
From: Damascus MD
Good for you getting out there and hunting! Killing a deer is NEVER a gimme no matter how close they are, how good a shot you are when practicing, or how many years youve been hunting, so many variable come into play. It happens to the regular joe's, and it happens to the paid professionals, believe me. I do know one thing that really helped me was switching from shooting block targets to shooting 3D deer targets. I sure hope Im wrong, but if I was a betting man I would say I will miss a few more deer in my lifetime. Just get back out there and try again. I was just reading a post on another web site where they had video of a doe at 15 yards drop to the ground, shot righ over her. Who would ever think at that close range they could react that fast?? Amazing.