Loser

[GFNER]

How many sleepless nights will it be this time? Had a nice 140 class 10pt right in my shooting lane licking a branch, picture perfect.All the things I kept telling myself- put the pin low,follow through,take your time, all went right out the window and I put the arrow 4" over his back! To really rub it in he didn't run off but instead walked around me at about 30yds. for the next 5 minutes showing off that rack, too thick to get another shot. Life is over.

[DonBo]

Ha! Join the club. If you think that's the last time you're going to miss a slam dunk, think again. Happens to all of us. At least it doesn't sound like you spooked him at all, you MAY just get another chance.

Just kidding. He's gone for good. You'll NEVER see him again!

[tunrevir]

Hey it happens, don't beat yourself up over it. Use the miss as a teaching tool for the next time. Part of what makes bowhunting so much darn fun is getting in close to your quarry. A multitude of things can happen before the arrow gets to its target including a case of the nerves. I have missed at the moment of truth on big deer before and what it comes down to for me most of the time is operator error, that is why practice, practice, practice is so important even for accomplished shooters. He may be back or he might not but that's what makes great hunting stories

Tunrevir~

[GFNER]

Ya thanks guys,it wasn't the first or the biggest I've missed but hopefully the last. I'm running out of years. It's been 30 yrs. since I've had my last shot at such a quality deer. After just returning home this morning from my 3rd funeral this month I realize it's all pretty insignificant. All in all it was still a pretty awesome experience and I'm thankful for it.

[Scoot]

Huh... given the title of this thread, I figured it was someone looking for me...

Yep, anyone who's done it long enough has completely blown a can't-miss opportunity. I've blown too many of them to even remember or count. Some of them on dang nice bucks. Part of the game. I'd tell you to not beat yourself up, but you still will anyway. At least that's what I've done in the past. Best cure is to get back out and make good on your next opportunity.

In the meantime, be sure to get some shooting in- could be that something has moved or changed with your equipment. That happened to me on a nice buck at the end of the season one year- no chance for redemption on that one and I had to sit on that crummy thought all off season.

[delmuts]

It happens!

What i ended up doing to help is; go shoot some practice arrows. Talk yourself thru each step of your shot.I.E. come to draw slowly, find your anchor, pick a spot, settle your pin on the target, make a smooth/clean release. I started out saying those things out loud, then after a few shots did so in my mind.

[Rippinlip]

Isn't archery great!

We have all missed slam dunks, sometimes too many.

1 thing I always do is take a shot out of my stand before leaving for the day, helps to become acquainted with angles and it sures up any issues that come up during deer hunting.

All the clothes a person wears, the way the stand and rails may affect your shooting is why I take a shot everyday, plus it keeps me in shooting shape.

[Archerysniper]

Go out and shoot your bow to rebuild your confidence. It was so nice today I went out and shot for about 2 hours in the yard today it felt great. However I'm glad I did it was shooting 9 inches high at every range and had to resight it in. Know idea what happened but got it back to driving tacks at 50 again.