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Author Topic: Bow Shot Dilemma  (Read 4936 times)

Offline freshwateroctopus

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Bow Shot Dilemma
« on: September 04, 2020, 11:42:41 AM »
Hey guys,

I was doing a side hill stock on a nice boar with my bow in the cascades and found him just below me in some brush. I could just see his head and he was eating in decently thick stuff and had no idea I was there. He was at about 19 yards and I delayed the shot because deep down it didn’t seem ethical to just whip an arrow into the brush and hope for the best. My buddy started walking over not realizing I had a bear and spooked him.

He says I should have shot. I’m bummed I didn’t get the bear, but was hoping I made a good ethical decision for not shooting because I didn’t have the shot.

Thoughts?
"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." - Henry David Thoreau

Offline pianoman9701

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Re: Bow Shot Dilemma
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2020, 11:46:55 AM »
You've absolutely done the ethical thing, especially where a bear is concerned. An arrow is easily deflected by a twig, not to mention "brush". Going in after a bear on which you've not confirmed a good shot is risky business.
"Restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens based on the actions of criminals and madmen will have no positive effect on the future acts of criminals and madmen. It will only serve to reduce individual rights and the very security of our republic." - Pianoman https://linktr.ee/johnlwallace

Offline Fatherof5

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Re: Bow Shot Dilemma
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2020, 11:51:14 AM »
You've absolutely done the ethical thing, especially where a bear is concerned. An arrow is easily deflected by a twig, not to mention "brush". Going in after a bear on which you've not confirmed a good shot is risky business.
:yeah:

Offline freshwateroctopus

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Re: Bow Shot Dilemma
« Reply #3 on: September 04, 2020, 11:53:19 AM »
Thanks - I keep playing it over in my head and feeling bummed. I appreciate the feedback.
"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." - Henry David Thoreau

Offline huntnfmly

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Re: Bow Shot Dilemma
« Reply #4 on: September 04, 2020, 11:56:19 AM »
Absolutely the right ethical choice good on you
I'm your dam tour guide Arnie please don’t wonder off the dam tour.
Take as many dam pictures as you want ....
Are there any dam questions ..

Offline BULLBLASTER

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Re: Bow Shot Dilemma
« Reply #5 on: September 04, 2020, 12:02:01 PM »
Id say right call. Best not to send a shot unless you are close to positive what the outcome will be.

I regret shots i Didnt take much less than shots i shouldnt have taken.  :twocents:

Offline pianoman9701

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Re: Bow Shot Dilemma
« Reply #6 on: September 04, 2020, 12:02:47 PM »
Thanks - I keep playing it over in my head and feeling bummed. I appreciate the feedback.

Talk to your hunting partner about ethics to make sure you're on the same page. Spending time in the woods with an unethical hunter not only isn't fun, but can cause needlessly long tracks after bad shots. I've had such a partner. No es bueno.
"Restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens based on the actions of criminals and madmen will have no positive effect on the future acts of criminals and madmen. It will only serve to reduce individual rights and the very security of our republic." - Pianoman https://linktr.ee/johnlwallace

Offline 10thmountainarcher

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Re: Bow Shot Dilemma
« Reply #7 on: September 04, 2020, 12:09:39 PM »
Thanks - I keep playing it over in my head and feeling bummed. I appreciate the feedback.

Arrows do weird things with brush. I missed a 6pt bull in 09 because my arrow deflected off a small, I mean smalllll branch I did not see through my peep. A fifteen yard shot and the arrow went way over his back after glancing off the branch. You absolutely did the right thing in this case. Could it have worked out, yes... but I’d bet money it had a higher chance on going the other way.

Offline mburrows

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Re: Bow Shot Dilemma
« Reply #8 on: September 04, 2020, 12:15:10 PM »
Id say right call. Best not to send a shot unless you are close to positive what the outcome will be.

I regret shots i Didnt take much less than shots i shouldnt have taken.  :twocents:

100% agree

Offline Rainier10

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Re: Bow Shot Dilemma
« Reply #9 on: September 04, 2020, 12:25:45 PM »
100% without a doubt you made the right call.
Pain is temporary, achieving the goal is worth it.

I didn't say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it.

Every father should remember that one day his children will follow his example instead of his advice.


The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HuntWa or the site owner.

Offline npaull

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Re: Bow Shot Dilemma
« Reply #10 on: September 04, 2020, 12:30:32 PM »
Zero doubt, absolutely zero, that your move was the right move.

Offline Davo

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Re: Bow Shot Dilemma
« Reply #11 on: September 04, 2020, 12:56:57 PM »
No question you made the right call. 100% good job

Offline HikerHunter

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Re: Bow Shot Dilemma
« Reply #12 on: September 04, 2020, 01:02:55 PM »
Your buddy didn't see what you were looking at. You went with your gut and it sounds like that was the ethical and right thing to do.

Offline idaho guy

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Re: Bow Shot Dilemma
« Reply #13 on: September 04, 2020, 01:14:51 PM »
 :tup: GOOD decision especially archery where weird things happen sometimes with what appears to be a good shot

Offline Rainier10

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Re: Bow Shot Dilemma
« Reply #14 on: September 04, 2020, 01:31:16 PM »
I never second guess anyone who doesn't take the shot.  Never.

I had a youth come through hunter ed.  On the course we had a deer decoy broadside at 60 yards.  She said no shot.  I said you have a gun.  She said it needed to be closer.  Her dad chimed in that they hunt out of a blind.  Right you are young lady.

You made the right call, your partner wasn't there, didn't see what you saw and he wasn't shooting.  It's your call and you made the right one, not a doubt in my mind.
Pain is temporary, achieving the goal is worth it.

I didn't say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it.

Every father should remember that one day his children will follow his example instead of his advice.


The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HuntWa or the site owner.

 


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