Son had his first miss today...

[lokidog]

and then a second one....

He's using a crossbow.  We had several does come by and passed in the hopes of getting a buck.  Finally a spike/crab claw came in with his nose stuck in a doe's butt.  He tried mounting her but she was definitely not ready, though didn't smack him around.  Unfortunately, all of the broadside opportunities at 20 yards had her right behind him.  She finally moved off and he wandered around and around only stopping facing us or away.  As he moved off to our left, I thought he had maintained about thirty yards distance, the last he had been near one of our reference points.  He stopped at the last possible place my left-hand shooting son could swing to his left and I told him thirty yards.  Turns out the buck was at twenty and went a hair over his back... my bad.....  The buck only ran a little ways, ate some Alder leaves at 44 yards and then moved off.

A while later, another doe showed up coming up the path toward the few apples we tossed out this morning, I could see a buck down the hill behind her, a real nice fork.  They kept looking back into the brush and a smaller spike/crab claw came out following another doe.  He offered a shot right away at 30 yards but my son decided to wait for the bigger one to come up.  The two does moved to about 20 and 25 yards, they kept glancing at us, but did not seem to be overly concerned.  We had set up with our backs to a big stump and, unfortunately, little cover in front of us.  The little buck moved past the does into a little bowl, the big guy just stood there looking at the others.  I could see my son shaking a bit, but he had the crossbow resting on a tripod.  The buck started up the path, but then turned and moved toward the little buck.  He stopped at about 35 yards, behind several trees, and spent about ten minutes raking a vine maple. He moved back and forth finally, but stayed at 42 yards.  We haven't shot 42 yards this year, but the other crosshairs have been on target. The farthest one was  marked 42. The does started to move away after eating four or so apples so my son decided to try the shot... right over the big guy's back.     I sure do like the lighted nocks!

Anyways, the first miss did not seem too upsetting, he could blame dad after all.      But this one really bummed him out.  Hopefully, he will be able to redeem himself this evening since I saw five deer in the spot where I put our blind and it is where he shot his last two bucks.

I told him the misses are what make the successes all that much sweeter.   

[andr3wxmma]

I started my hunting career with some misses as well. He'll forget about them / turn them into a positive memory once he finally connects. Just have to learn to control the buck fever 

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

I missed a lot when I was younger and starting.  Hell one time I started ejecting shells and I wasn't even shooting.  I also missed 7 bucks in one day.  Just be patient and let him learn from his misses.  It's all part of becoming a hunter. 

[DoubleJ]

I lost 7 arrows before I shot my first archery deer.  Keep plugging away

[lokidog]

I lost 7 arrows before I shot my first archery deer.  Keep plugging away

Only 7? You're good. I bought a second dozen arrows mid way through my first elk season....

Uuugh though, "miss" number three.... Ten or eleven yards, buck would not clear the window for him, when it finally did, it was hidden by a bunch of grass.

Forgot to remind him to aim low, looked like he just creased the buck's neck. Just a hint of blood on one vane nothing on the ground. Video verifies.  Will post later.

My wife just texted... buck down. 

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[fishnfur]

At least it's a target rich environment.  Pat your boy on the back.  It won't be his last miss if he keeps hunting.  It may turn out well too.  Perhaps the brother of your 2016 buck will show up tomorrow.     Could happen!

[trophyhunt]

Damn, I'm 48 and been hunting since I was 18.  I missed a doe today at 150 yards!  Granted I had to shoot free hand but still, missing happens, it is part of hunting.

[lokidog]

At least it's a target rich environment.  Pat your boy on the back.  It won't be his last miss if he keeps hunting.  It may turn out well too.  Perhaps the brother of your 2016 buck will show up tomorrow.     Could happen!

I tried to remind him of the positive of missing three bucks in one day... many people don't see one shooter buck in a season, let alone three in a day.  I guess he's been spoiled a bit....   

[Elkcollector82]

I lost 7 arrows before I shot my first archery deer.  Keep plugging away

Only 7? You're good. I bought a second dozen arrows mid way through my first elk season....

Uuugh though, "miss" number three.... Ten or eleven yards, buck would not clear the window for him, when it finally did, it was hidden by a bunch of grass.

Forgot to remind him to aim low, looked like he just creased the buck's neck. Just a hint of blood on one vane nothing on the ground. Video verifies.  Will post later.

My wife just texted... buck down. 

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Buck down..... can’t wait to read this story. 

[lokidog]

Here is her deer, not much to the story, first day hunting for her this year, she didn't want to wait for a bigger one (hates tracking in the dark...). 

[JakeLand]

Nice !! Tall spikes and good eats 

[lokidog]

Nice !! Tall spikes and good eats 

Yep, about ten pounds heavier hanging weight than my nubbin mule deer this year.   He seems pretty average for here, I'm guessing 2 1/2 yo.

[Widgeondeke]

I truly believe everyone misses at some point. Tell Z to keep his head up and he will get his.

Congrats again K

[lokidog]

Here's the video.  I do get pretty intense in it....   

[The scout]

it will help him down the road when he thinks about that feeling of the miss. he can be thankfull it was a clean miss also, the feeling of wounding an animal is much worse.

[Jpmiller]

I missed three deer last year in less than 24 hours. Found out my pins got screwed up on the drive to my old man's. Now I always double check to tighten all the bolts on the bow. There's always something to gain from a miss, plus it just means you get to keep hunting!

[lokidog]

I missed three deer last year in less than 24 hours. Found out my pins got screwed up on the drive to my old man's. Now I always double check to tighten all the bolts on the bow. There's always something to gain from a miss, plus it just means you get to keep hunting!

My son does not like the hunting part as much as he likes the tracking.  Give him a blood trail to follow and he's loving it (ironically, my wife's least favorite part).  I reminded him you need to shoot them first though....