Bad shots on animals

[Matt]

Unfortunatly there are those in all the user groups that take shots way out of their range of ability.  This will never stop.  I see archers all the time that have no business taking a shot more than 30 yards.  But lets face it these guys aren't they guys that have the ability to get with in 30 yards either.  They do get lucky once in awhile but unfortuantely they will end up losing some animals.  Just like there are rifle hunters that take a 350 yards shot across a drainage and if it doesn't drop in it's tracks then they assume that they missed and won't take the time to go see.  Too many animals are lost every season in every user group from poor decisions.  No one is going to be able to police this. It has to be learned early to stay within your ability.

I am a tournament archer and I shoot over 20,000 arrows a year.  I do tune and sight my hunting equipment to shoot out to 100 yards.  I do this because I can and not because I take that shot.  But I do have the ability to hit anything in the open with no wind or obstructions and using a range finder from 0-100 yards.  Even though I have the ability I have never taken a shot over 70 yards.  But my average shot is probably around 30 yards.  I have been lucky to have only lost 1 animal but I have had several poor shot placements, for whatever reason.  So anyone can make a poor shot with ideal conditions. 

I am not ragging on archers but they do upset me sometimes because they do not stay within their abilities.  Too many never shoot their bow til right before the season, they flood the archery shops 2 weeks before to have their bow tuned.  I see and hear way too many stories every year about lost animals.  Some are honest but lets face it there are a lot of just plain ignorant shots.  I have to somewhat agree with jstone about the riffle hunters comment.  Only because I see guys coming in the archery shop all the time switching over because of the generous huinting seasons.  This is great.  I encourage everyone to try archery.  But if you do, take the time to be profficient at it before you go into the woods.  You owe it to the animals.  This goes for every user group too.  Don't abandon archery and pick up a rifle because you can't get close enough.  Unless you take the time to be profficient at 300 yards you have no business shooting that far.

[wints13]

I found one of the biggest bodied bulls i have ever seen this pass week with his head cut off.The shot placement was on the upper back above his hind legs. The hunter must of found it to late and just took the head! that thing smelled.

[Michelle_Nelson]

I do believe that we all do need to stick together and be on the same page.

Stick together, YES.  Being on the same page, NO.  Archery, Rifle, and Muzzy hunters will never be o the same page.  The point I am trying to make is that if the greenies start attacking one user group we all need to back up that user group reguardless of whether or not we agree. 

I am also not just talking about Rifle, Muzzy, and Archery hunters either.  Don't forget about Water Fowl hunters, Upland bird hunters, Hound hunters, Bait Hunters, and Trappers.  Hound hunters, Bait Hunters, and Trappers in this state have been seriously screwed.  Why?  Because the user groups don't stand together.  It doesn't matter if baiting, hound hunting and trapping isn't your thing.  It is someones thing and they enjoy that method of hunting.

[WASHBCBOOK]

FOUND A HUGE COW BEHIND THE COWLITZ RIVER HUGE LEAD COW PERFECT SHOT = YOU STILL CAN LOOSE ANIMALS WHAT A SHAME I BET THE HUNTER WAS SICK I WOULD BE.. GOOD LUCK LATE SEASON

[Sneekee23]

    Every bow hunter has had the oops shot...  What I do have a problem with is when shooters try to convince themselves that it was a good shot and have the audacity to not learn by the horror story that they just took part in.     Sure I would love to have meat on the the table every year but if that means taking bad shots I can do without.  For taking a frontal or ass shot no thanks I'll wait for a broadside or quartering away shot.

[WASHBCBOOK]

but take it from me what i found you still can loose the animal sooo i guess you cover all basis and do your best and learn every year
from mistakes i will learn this early season not to rush be patient