I was out hunting tonight, and missed what should have been an easy shot. I am fairly new to hunting, but i was hiding in some brush beside a game trail and saw a nice doe about 20 yrds away. Now in a range i can put arrow over arrow at 20 yrds no problem, but there was some light brush between me and her, and i figured i had an easy shot, but the same thing happens every time. i draw back and immediatly start to shake. i have shot large game before, but when im 20 yrds away with my bow, i cannot stay sturdy. i am brand new to bow, but i wanted to know, is this something that will go away after one or two kills with the bow? does everyone get this?

I have been Bow Hunting over forty years, If that feeling ever goes away I will hang up my Bow. Thats what ist all about, you where in the animals zone, not 200 yards away with a rifle. Next trip, take a deep breath, hold it aim and concentrate on that crease behind the shoulder and let your arrow fly. Honestly that feeling you had is why many of us Bow Hunt! Good Luck! And thanks for sharing your hunt! you will remember it always.
:rockon: :peace: :wave:

Part of the excitement.

Just take a few deep breaths next time and it will get better.

Thats a nice hunt if you got that close on the ground.
DB

I have been Bow Hunting over forty years, If that feeling ever goes away I will hang up my Bow. Thats what ist all about, you where in the animals zone, not 200 yards away with a rifle. Next trip, take a deep breath, hold it aim and concentrate on that crease behind the shoulder and let your arrow fly. Honestly that feeling you had is why many of us Bow Hunt! Good Luck! And thanks for sharing your hunt! you will remember it always.
:rockon: :peace: :wave:

You said it Grizz.....anybody can hit the vitals on a target at twenty, it get tougher when that target has a heart beat.

I know it's a bummer and a let down to all the hard work you put in over the last year to even get to the point where you can take that shot on a deer but it makes sucess all that sweeter when you do connect, whether it's your 1st or 50th deer.
If you didn't miss once in awhile you would never know what you accomplished when you did connect.

That is what make bow hunting so much more fulfilling to me...I started losing the nervous shakes hunting with a rifle. I don't think I will ever lose the shaking/rapid heartbeat when I have my bow in hand! Especially when a nice buck walks into range....hell I am at 150 bpm before I even draw! I go next weekend...can't friggin wait!

I've been back to bowhunting for 6 years after 20+ years layoff. I missed 3 deer before my first kill with a compound. I've increased my practice to nearly every day for the last 2 years. I practice from my backyard treestand year round and every day for a month or more prior to season opener. I practice in the wind, rain, snow, sub zero temps and my hunting gear, especially head wear and gloves. I'm very confident out to 40 yards from my tree. I still get very excited, especially the first deer I draw on of the season. I've never had a wounded deer go unfound that I shot, untill this year. I was following a doe circling out 20 yards. She spotted me in the tree and didn't know what I was. I drew when she went behind a tree and followed her as she entered an opening. As I released the arrow I lagged long enough to shoot her through the stomach instead of the lungs. I realize most bowhunters have this happen, but it really bothered me for couple days. How could this happen to me after all that practice? Jitters, that's how. I got back in a tree 2 days later and arrowed a doe perfectly through the lung and heart. No matter how prepared I am, stuff happens I can't plan for. That's why we call it deer hunting, not deer killing. Exciting, ain't it? :faint: