Mistakes you have made bowhunting?

[Rainier10]

 
Great advice for all hunting.  I can't count the number of times that game has just appeared when I am taking a snack break.

[seth30]

Not setting my stand up properly.  Had a doe walk in under me and when I pulled back my bow, it was catching the branches above.  Made a lot of noise and impossible to shoot.  Now I either trim a few braches or position my stand a little better.

[Firedogg]

 Moving too fast. Once I got to where I could really slow down I started seeing pieces of ear, eye, legs in the thick stuff that I normally would have walked by. It was surprising how well hidden they can be and how close you can be and they stay still.

[whackmaster]

can't think of any 

[IBspoiled]

All of them

[pianoman9701]

All of them

  ..., and you're not alone, either!

[GameHunter1959]

I made lots of mistakes as a first year archery hunter. One thing that hurt me was inconsistent mechanics and a slow range finder.

[Igottanewknee]

Dont wait to long to draw !

Two different 5 points at 50 yards. They step into the open and then I realize that I should have drawn my bow.  ... Busted both times....

[RadSav]

Thinking a two blade broadhead would work just as well as a three or four blade.

Most of my hunting mistakes are due to impatience.  "Right spot/right time" and "Right spot/wrong time" are often only a moments difference.

[Mongo Hunter]

Bow string hitting the sleeve of my rain gear and dumping all my arrows about 10yrds in front of me...I couldn't figure out why the deer wasn't running away or falling over. 3 arrows latter I gave up when the deer finally had enough of me. I then found all my arrows, one was imbedded in a big chunk of bark and ruined the broad head.

[WapitiTalk1]

Not being patient long enough during cold calling setups for elk.  Almost every single year, I leave a setup too soon and get busted.   

[medic6]

Thinking someone else in or around your hunting area will lower your success.  Be on alert at all times. 

[splitshot]

   buying the wrong arrows.  they don't go where they are intended to go.  so I went back to powder, plus you are to be quiet and that sucks.    mike w

[RadSav]

Splitting the pins due to being unsure about the distance to the target.   Don't do it, you'll miss every time (I did anyway).   Now I just pick a distance, pick ONE pin and let the arrow fly.  It's a much more effective way to kill a deer.

so what do you do it you have a deer at 45 yds?  Me being a somewhat competitive shooter at 3-D shoots split pins all the time.

As a person who is Target Panic challenged I love to split pins!  I like round donut apertures too!

[Rainier10]

Not being patient long enough during cold calling setups for elk.  Almost every single year, I leave a setup too soon and get busted.   

What?! I am not the only one that does this?