NJ8pointer

In my back yard I am like robin hood. 20-40 yards 4 inches and less. Elevated, flat shooting right on. Well today a doe at 15 yards and i hit the shoulder. I could not believe I did not hit vital after practicing hundreds of shots since august. Last year I got two with bow but missed 2 more. Is this normal? Am I just nervous? Is 50 % a good average??

DaveC

You don't mention it in your post, but I hope you found her. A deers body can do a lot of unexpected movement after the shot, before the arrow gets there. I've had them lunge foreward (gutshot), spin around (friend stabbed it through the nose and into the neck) and the traditional duck and run.
As far as shots fired vs. hits I'd say I I have missed two. But as far as shots not landing were I planned them to, thats a different story. A couple of shoulder shots (unrecovered), a front leg hit that directed the arrow toward the heart(got it) and two spine shots (doa) are on my record. Don't feel too bad, just try and do your best and shoot at relaxed deer.

Ken/WV

I took three deer last year with a bow, but I also missed five. Nothing easy, just plain out bad luck. First a 8pt got spooked and trotted behind a couple trees, as he stepped out I shot and my bow limb hit a tree limb that was above my tree stand. Another time my bow cable guard cracked as I came to draw and spooked a doe. Another time I under shot a deer due to a hump in the road. I mean it was just repeated bad luck. But I guess you'll have seasons like that. But I was very excited to see so many deer throughout the season.

This season also looks very promising.

Tree climber

I have shot and missed two,one doe , one buck.shot and hit one in the shoulder and lost.
Took two last year and two year befor last. over the years I have taken a lot of deer ????????I would say my average is about 90 to 95%.
I know that sounds high,but I don't take a lot of shots.if the deer is nervous I wait,maybe don't get another chance but I wait.

I am not a hunter I am a whitetail population reduction specialest

remember keep your back to the sun, your knife sharp, and your powder dry.

bogobble

I took 2 last year and missed 3. everbody misses from time to time.

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mr4pt

I missed the first five deer I shot at with a bow then killed a few before missing again. Lately I have been on a good streak, taking 6 or seven in a row without missing. Last year I missed a doe at 26 steps, fawn bleated and she walked right back to where she was standing when I missed. I didn't miss the second shot....
<img src='http://communities.msn.com/_Secure/0KwAAADsOaDdtgkcDr1nY4RcAK6lPF*ayvmG!e6*iM1LTmQvlc 54Zk6fPpfu!2ro8DHlXdaP1DG0/4pt.jpg>

Rob/PA Bowyer

This will be my 20th season bowhunting. I've missed as many deer in those 20 years as I've taken so in my life, I'm probably 50%. I post that number so some realize, we live, we learn, we improve with experience. In the last 10 years I'm probably more like 90% and the other 10%, the deer jumped. Hitting a target is easy, even at unknown distances but deer, they are magnificient animals wired to react. Missin's gonna happen, the important thing to remember is what to do after the shot.

<font color=blue>Good Luck and Good Shooting</font id=blue>

<font color=red>Rob</font id=red>

Wash

Let see, been bow hunting for 6 seasons now, and this brings the grand total of misses to 3, one per last 3 season! The only problem being they are usually the only shots I got that season. 3 years ago it was a cow elk at 40 yards, last season it was a dandy mulie buck at 35, and already this season it was another cow elk at 35 yards, standing broadside, and unaware of my being, shoulda been a slam dunk...shoulda... woulda... coulda

James Vee

Not to sound conceided anyone....but I haven't missed! Once in a while in the yard I'll have a stray arrow, but when it comes to animals...I haven't missed.

Deer: 6 for 6 with rifle
2 for 2 with bow

Caribou: 2 for 2 with rifle.

I haven't taken many animals, and I'm sure that's the reason for the non misses. I'm sure my day is coming....opening of bow season is this Saturday here....(knock on wood, lets hope not)