Hi Jance. First off, thanks for signing up to our site!

Second, congratulations on getting the shot off, some hunters spend a few more than 2 years waiting to get a shot.

Now from what you've told me I can't really figure out what's going on in your situation. But I do know of a few common trip ups that will get new hunters everytime.

First of is you may have been suffering from what is known as "Buck fever." It's a the jitters and pounding race of adrenaline that you likely experienced when you saw a buck. The fact that you didn't spook the deer tells me that you must have been relatively in control and calm enough to draw the bow with out giving yourself up. That's good. However if you are not used to shooting with a racing heart, that could have thrown your holding arm and caused the arrow to stray a bit. To practive try running before target practice to get the blood flowing.

Also, you may want to look into a 3d target to help yourself get used to shooting at deer. If you can't afford one, try setting targets on boxes to elevate them, or get a paper cut out and tack it to your target.

Seeing as you were bow hunting, I'm gonna guess you were sitting in a tree. If I'm wrong, feel free to correct me, but a lot of bow hunters enjoy waiting in a tree, I know I do. If that is the case though, remember that it will change the distance of your shot. Remember the Pythagorean theorem? A2 +B2 = C2. This is a classic example of having to use it. Turns out when you sit in a tree you are actual creating a triangle and changing the distance of your shot. So the distance you are shooting is actually the square root of the length from tree to target squared PULSE the height of your stand squared.

Do I expect you to do that math on the spot? No, but if you plan on shooting from a stand I suggest you practice shooting in one. You should really practice as close to field conditions as you can.

Sorry I didn't give much detail. I was about 10 feet up, shot was about 10 yards off. Using fixed broad heads with a 65lbs draw.

I think i figured out what I did though. I think I may have rushed my shot, or was aiming at too big a target. Anyone have any ideas to help?

well, i don't have any tips personally because i don't hunt or use a bow period. my boyfriend is pretty good with the bow though, so i can ask him and get back to you later.

and do you watch the history channel at all? about a week ago or so, there was a special or something on shooting (so it also included guns). it was interesting and i think the guy who had the bow had presented some tips, but i could be wrong. so if i am, i'm sorry about that it was still rather interesting to watch though. and i recommend it to view.

lynette the moose

Your right, that was a very interesting show to watch. Some quick tips the guy shares is the point of concentration he uses, most people use a 50-50 approach, meaning they have 50% of their concentration on the arrow, 50% on the target. He uses i think it was about an 20-80. So most of his concentration is on the arrow. I believe that is what he said, i could be wrong, and if I am, feel free to correct me. He mentions how he developed that from another championship bow shooter and changed it to suit his style. I think it also said he shoots around 40,000 arrows a year, so a lot of it is practice.

Those shows were Extreme Marksmen, and More Extreme Marksmen. Good shows.

Keep the faith man, you'll get one.