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Moment of truth

203ntyp

203ntyp

PMA Member
We'll, long story short, I have for the first time patterned a nice buck for the past 5 months. I knew every time he went in to bed (usually before daylight) in a wooded draw behind my house that he would pass my camera that evening with about 15 minutes of shooting light left.

I checked the camera this morning and he went by at 6:00 am so I knew for sure he would come back by this evening and conditions were perfect.

The moment of truth, all of the sudden there he was at 20 yards right on time. My stand was on a small hillside above him but when I went to draw I couldn't get the bow back. Panic sets in and the next opening was coming quick but again I couldn't draw the bow all the way. Now I'm freaking out and have one more chance, went to draw for the 3rd time and got stuck at 3/4 draw and mustered enough of what I had left in me and finally got it back. Now he only needs to take one step, I release and off he goes, clean miss. The trail cam is on video mode and I caught the miss, clipped a stem and went under him. Probably the last time he will travel that path?

My question is has anyone else ever had this issue and how do I mentally overcome it? I taken over 40 deer with the bow and only had that happen once in very cold weather. Don't know what you'd call it, never had buck fever, why now!
 
I cant help you much but I'd like to see the video. I also bet you get another shot at him in there around the end of October.
 
A good carpenter doesn't blame his saw for a crooked cut, BUT did you shoot your bow again when you got home? Are you sure your bow doesn't have an issue?
 
Those things are sure hard on a guys confidence. Just got to stay focused on the prize and brush it off. As mentioned, check your gear. I would give him a few days and try again. You got him pegged right now, and I think if you wait too long his pattern will be changing here pretty soon as we get closer to prerut. Best of luck!
 
That is strange. I feel the opposite, seems like adrenaline makes the bow feel like a kids toy. Maybe better things are to come. Keep at it!
 
How did he run off? Like he knew something was wrong or like a twig broke and spooked him a bit? If it was the latter, he may very well be there again tomorrow. I can remember one time having a little struggle pulling the bow back when the situation was live but other than that it has not even been a thought.
 
203ntyp said:
We'll, long story short, I have for the first time patterned a nice buck for the past 5 months. I knew every time he went in to bed (usually before daylight) in a wooded draw behind my house that he would pass my camera that evening with about 15 minutes of shooting light left. I checked the camera this morning and he went by at 6:00 am so I knew for sure he would come back by this evening and conditions were perfect. The moment of truth, all of the sudden there he was at 20 yards right on time. My stand was on a small hillside above him but when I went to draw I couldn't get the bow back. Panic sets in and the next opening was coming quick but again I couldn't draw the bow all the way. Now I'm freaking out and have one more chance, went to draw for the 3rd time and got stuck at 3/4 draw and mustered enough of what I had left in me and finally got it back. Now he only needs to take one step, I release and off he goes, clean miss. The trail cam is on video mode and I caught the miss, clipped a stem and went under him. Probably the last time he will travel that path? My question is has anyone else ever had this issue and how do I mentally overcome it? I taken over 40 deer with the bow and only had that happen once in very cold weather. Don't know what you'd call it, never had buck fever, why now!
Click to expand...

Turn your draw weight down , I can't believe how much more enjoyable shooting my bow is ...
 
isu22andy said:
Turn your draw weight down , I can't believe how much more enjoyable shooting my bow is ...
Click to expand...

Agreed! Had to turn mine down significantly last year while trying to rehab from shoulder surgery...liked it so much I haven't turned it all the way up even now that the shoulder is fully healed.

Stay positive...leave the spot alone for awhile and I'm betting you'll see him again.

NWBuck
 
isu22andy said:
Turn your draw weight down , I can't believe how much more enjoyable shooting my bow is ...
Click to expand...

I do agree with this. My dad and I are down hunting right now and I told him the story and we both mentioned the same thing...turn draw weight down. I'm shooting around 63# and there is plenty of zip on my arrow. I mainly cranked it down for late season hunts when it's below zero and you have 7 layers. I liked shooting at that weight so I haven't cranked it up since dropping it down. That would be your easiest fix to not being able to draw the bow back during the moment of truth.

Get back out there and take him down! Best of luck.
 
I wasn't sure if all the anticipation of him coming by caused the issue or not but I took some of the advice posted here and cranked the bow down about 5 lbs. and re-sighted in today. Made a big difference so I think I got some confidence back. I guess the days of shooting 70# draw weight is over, must be an age thing since I turned 60 this year. Here's the video which is hard to see since I only had about 12 minutes of legal shooting light left. Not a monster compared to the mid-west deer but a good one for this area of PA. Right at the 3 second mark he ducks and bolts and you can see a small branch moving that the arrow clipped. Hope he makes that mistake again!
http://s1027.photobucket.com/user/203ntyp/media/EK000001_zpsezdh96p8.mp4.html?sort=3&o=0
 
Here's a pick of him from August.

925-pict0483.jpg
 
Sorry to hear about your misfortune. I remember my dad telling me a story about that happening with uncle on a buck many years ago. They figured out he was pushing the bow more with his left arm instead of pulling with his right. Not saying that is what happened but lowering the draw weight will help. Thankfully with how fast bows are these days 60# is more than enough. Good luck the rest of the season.
 
Sorry for the miss. Been there. My 2 cents is that you just missed. Happens and keeps us coming back. I wouldn't over think it. Get back out there. They all even out in time:)
 
I'm guessing it was nerves. Not from the buck itself, but from all that led up to the encounter, including all the pattering and the realization that it was coming together for a big opportunity.

If we don't get excited about the whole experience, then it's time to quit. Good luck with him.
 
Always stop them before shooting. It helps make for an easier shot.
Sometimes I get too excited and don't stop them, that's when I usually miss!
Turning your draw weight down the way you did should really help.

Give him two days and get back in the game!
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Definitely nerves played a major role combined with either too many pounds or the shoulder muscles not being in shooting shape.

I've had it happen in my first deer and in cold weather. I attribute the cold weather to also being out of shooting shape at that point in the season.
 
I agree that my nerves probably got the best of me since I knew he was going to show up and like mentioned above we do tend to get out of shape when not shooting regular like we do before the season. Never the less I dropped 5 lbs. on the draw weight just to make sure and gain some confidence back.

It's been 4 days since then and there has been no sign of him on any cameras. That could be normal for this time of year, they seem to go underground for a couple weeks before the rut, once that kicks in he will travel far and may never be seen again, who knows. Good luck to all and keep those muscles in shape so when cold weather kicks in you don't experience stalling out at 3/4 draw!
 
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