how to cope after missing a buck of a lifetime?

[addicted2hunting]

yesterday put a stalk on a solid 180" buck, had him at 38 yds downhill (range finder with angle comp) drew the bow nestled my 40 pin behind the shoulder and shot over by about 3 inches. saw 7 nice bucks in this bachelor herd. After a night of freezing temps and a ripped sleeping bag I was deflated! I am super accurate and comfy at shooting out to 50 yds and missed a chip shot... biggest buck I have ever seen in the mountains. after all my mishaps I decided to hike out of the backcountry and come home. How do you get over missing a buck like that with such an easy shot???

[Taco280AI]

Just learn from it and apply what you learned next time. If he is 38 and downhill, depending on how far downhill, you should have used your 30 yard pin on him. Or did your RF say 38 with the angle factored in? Either way, go practice on some hills and get him next time.

[addicted2hunting]

yeah angle comp on range finder said 38, but yeah 30 pin would have pinwheeled him.

[notellumcreek]

  

  That is tough one to swallow. I would try and get back out there, and learn from the mistake. Still can't be too upset that you put yourself in a position to even have a chance at a buck that big, let alone see one that big. I honestly doubt I will ever see one that big in my lifetime- well maybe in my dreams!

[cbond3318]

You don't, trust me.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Be proud of the accomplishment you did have.  Getting a pig in close range.  Learn from the miss practice at steep downhill / uphill .  When you pinwheel a good one it will make it that much more sweet.  It's the guys who quit and let that miss defeat them that never get the glory.  Even during the hunt you have to learn to shake off the mistakes.  They can ruin the hunt if you dwell on them.  Those animals live there. You are just a visitor.  Capitalize on every mistake they make and antlers will hit the ground. 

[Netminder01]

You don't, trust me.

 

[Johnb317]

You had opportunities and gave up out of frustration?! Perseverance and learning from mistakes. 
 screwing up is (sadly) how I learn best.   

Btw - one miss I had 35 yd down hill on an Elk - I didn't bend at the waist   
       - friend of mine missed a no brainer, then realized his sight had loosened in transit.   (I try to always carry a target block in the back of my rig)

[addicted2hunting]

good points guys... ya I went home mostly cause of my sleeping bag failure and the 30 degree weather up there. it was a long nasty night that night. but ya next week will not be the same outcome hopefully...

[fishngamereaper]

Sux for sure but the way I see it is a clean miss is better than a bad hit and loosing the animal. Its still alive, which means you have a chance. Redemption is the sweetest part of failure.  Learn from it, move on and enjoy the ride. Bucks don't get 180 being stupid, you must of done something right.

[stew pidasso]

He will be back in the same area, give him a day or two and go find him. Id say its pretty awesome you were so close and got a shot of in the first place. Next time he won't be so lucky.

[Eli346]

Don't give up. There's a ton of us hunters who would have loved to had the same experience; even if we missed. That's why they call it hunting and not shooting.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

If you had killed that buck I bet you loved that sleeping bag that night. 

[bucksbearsbeers]

You don't, trust me.

 

[M_ray]

The best way to get over him is to go get your hands on him!  You know where he is at now go back and get him!