Advice needed to get back in the tree

[mn.moose]

Wanted to say that I missed my very first kill with a bow the other week and having troubles dealing with it. I have been a long time hunter and thought after 2 year of practice thought I would try the bow. Scoped out my location and came up with a game plan. Cut a small lane for identifying then I left a big section of tall weeds as a natural screen. Then I cut a wide section for the kill, followed by another screen of weeds before another small shooting lane. Behind me is a creek with a steep bank, followed by my 23 yards of woods that leads to a bean/corn field. So just as I planned a real nice shooter buck comes out of no where and is in my first cut and looking right at me, I wait for him to get in the screen area and stand up and draw. At this point 30 seconds has gone by and he has his full body into my shooting lane. I give a quick grunt noise to stop him and release the arrow. At this point I cannot believe that my plan has worked as designed, I have spent only 3 hours in the tree total! BUT... I stuck it right in the should bone and barely penetrated. Needless to say the deer is still running and counting it's lucky stars. Everyone keep telling me that it happens to every bow hunter but I cannot help but feel irresponsible for my poor shot. Any advice that can help me get back in the tree?

[Hawkins305]

Most archer's that have hunted the white tail have a story of what has happen to them as you have told on hear. It happens, that is about all one can say of it with hunting with bow and arrow. But the excitement of the heart pounding in your chest and the great thrill of it all would not keep me out of the woods. As the old saying goes if you fall of that horse than pick you butt up off the ground and try it again.... Hope you find your way back out there sooner than later friend.

[red44]

The odds of hitting that spot again is pretty slim. Review deer anatomy and get right back in that stand. I know from where you speak, I have seen it happen from a 70/29 modern Hoyt with plenty of zip and a popular 3 blade expandable. Like it hit a solid stump. You pretty much have to hit the joint of the two upper bones to have it happen. A shoulder blade itself is not thick enough to stop an arrow. Lower, then it turns into a thick bone. Get back out there. You only missed by an inch.

[Gator eye]

Really???

A poor shot choice is irresponsibly. A deliberate gut shot, shooting for the axx, shooting through brush, shooting father than your ablity, not practising, ect.. those are irresponsible, making a bad shot is human. If you hunt long enough sooner or later a bad shot is going to happen, only on TV and AT is every hunter perfect.
So lets move this pity party out of namby pamby land and get out there and hunt.

Good hunting!!

[mn.moose]

Went back up this weekend... Didn't see anything but it felt right being back in the tree. Thanks for the talk.