Well that didn’t go how I planned it!

[WildRose]

I was thinking about all the success we see on here and how little people mention their mistakes. So I wanted to add this thread for some stories about how stuff doesn't always go just right.

My first time archery hunting I was driving down the road to an area we like to glass. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a buck and decided to hop out go see what I could do. My buddy who is an amazing hunter jumped out to tag along. We went through the trees where the buck had gone and popped out of some oak brush to see a TOAD of a buck. I had seen this buck scouting, but hadn't found him since the hunt began. Big ole 4x5 we figures scored 185, that's huge to me. So I try to notch my arrow, but I am shaking so bad I can't hardly get the arrow out of the quiver. When I finally get it nocked I hear my buddy gently laughing, the deer had gone but in his place a decent 3x3 had replaced him. I try to pull back but I hadn't set my release so it wouldn't grab the D loop. I continue to fumble and drop the arrow on the ground and make all kinds of racket. I finally get pulled back and miss by a mile…I mean it wasn't close. I was pretty embarrassed but my buddy just told me to laugh it off and not take it all so seriously. I ended up getting a little buck later with a 70 yard shot. So I was pleased with my shooting, but hate that I missed the opportunity.

Even worse was my sable, kind of embarrassed just to tell this one. I didn't bring my gun to SA as I really didn't want to deal with it. However once there I realized that was a big mistake as their guns left a lot to be desired.
While out hunting we saw a bunch of Sables a ways off. So we snuck in and made a great stalk. Once there, they were all laying down and I was setup and waiting for the one I wanted to stand up. I looked down at my hand and I was shaking, I mean really shaking. That hadn't happened since my first archery hunt (see above). I took a few breaths and tried to relax but it just got worse. Then the sable stood up, I put the cross hairs on the animal and shot and hit him high, shot again hit him almost in the same spot. He took off and I figured I was SOL. We moved just a bit and he had moved a bit but was still there and he was hurt but not horrible. He acted like he was in shock more than anything. So I shot again, this time all I had was butt with some side and figured I might get a shot into his vitals if I angled it just right. Well fortunately this shot made it into the vitals but really still wasn't great. He went laid down in some trees and we moved closer. With one bullet left I shot again…..I freaking missed him at 80 yards off sticks!! That was the last bullet I had, so the guide took off into the trees back to the truck in the mean time this sable keeps trying to stand up. SMH! Man what a mess, he got back and I put a final shot in him. I was so embarrassed I almost didn't take pictures. Some times stuff just doesn't work out!

Anyone else have a fun story, don't add to this thread to make fun of ppl or act like a jerk. Just honest ppl telling their stories of mistakes or funny experiences hunting.
I also once got to the top of the mtn without my tag, that was a bummer!

Mistakes are what teach us. Buck fever can hit at any moment on any hunt when something magnificent is standing in front of you.

If I ever lose that charge, It's going to be my last hunt.

I've shared a lot of my blunders here over the years. I've even been know to pick up the phone and call Mario when I've done something stupid like forgetting to dial for the range and shot right over a 170+ eight point which is a great eight point in Texas.

Everyone needs a good laugh now and again and there's nothing better than having one of your best friends to laugh with you.

 

[Muddyboots]

Mule deer bow hunt 2018 in Medora, ND area. Hunting near Initial Rock, found a really nice spot where three heavy trails came together one evening. Got there at daybreak, got perfect spot behind thick stubby cedar. Like planned, big velvet stud buck comes in walking real fast and is going to pop out in front of me 41 yards. Ranged it prob 10x times plus other spots so I could just let er rip. Buck pops out at fast walk, grunted, he doesn't stop, blatted real loud, he doesn't stop, I yelled and he stops! Put 40 yd pin and let it go! Simultaneously, as arrow is releasing in slow motion in my mind, I scream NOOOOOO! In my mind! He stopped at 53 yards which I knew from ranging but I still used my 40 yard pin!Absolute brain cramp! He never flinched, drop or anything so my fletch brushed his brisket which encouraged him to warp speed! Bow hunted over 50 years, first step is range and I blew it! Only decent buck I saw entire trip in range

 

[WYO300RUM]

Morning Found a job for you guys. If I was 15-20 years younger I'd be all over that. Great job for a single man. And a dog... Great pay !

Wanted: grizzly bear conflict manager – grappling with bears not required

Successful applicant will patrol Montana wilderness to reduce friction with humans, rather than referee grizzly v grizzly sparring

www.theguardian.com

 

[WYO300RUM]

Mule deer bow hunt 2018 in Medora, ND area. Hunting near Initial Rock, found a really nice spot where three heavy trails came together one evening. Got there at daybreak, got perfect spot behind thick stubby cedar. Like planned, big velvet stud buck comes in walking real fast and is going to pop out in front of me 41 yards. Ranged it prob 10x times plus other spots so I could just let er rip. Buck pops out at fast walk, grunted, he doesn't stop, blatted real loud, he doesn't stop, I yelled and he stops! Put 40 yd pin and let it go! Simultaneously, as arrow is releasing in slow motion in my mind, I scream NOOOOOO! In my mind! He stopped at 53 yards which I knew from ranging but I still used my 40 yard pin!Absolute brain cramp! He never flinched, drop or anything so my fletch brushed his brisket which encouraged him to warp speed! Bow hunted over 50 years, first step is range and I blew it! Only decent buck I saw entire trip in range

I did that on a cow elk in Az. But I never ranged anything. I got out of my tree stand and was walking back up hill to camp. Thick trees. I heard something coming down the hill on my right but couldn't see it. I turned around and drew back on the path I was on. About a 5 ft. Window. A cow elk came into it and stopped right in it. I let arrow fly and I watched arrow drop and thought was going to go underneath chest. It went in right above sternum. Hit bone and popped out other side. She turned and ran like a race horse straight away from me on the trail. I pulled out cow call and started blowing on it . I thought later, dam, I held my 20 yd pin on her. She was 45 yds.... I walked over and blood was gushing out all over.I thought this will be easy. Found arrow about 50 yds. She didn't go 80 yds. She had turned and was running back to me when she dropped. I always remembered to blow my cow call after I arrowed a bull the year before and it stopped and dropped also. Worked on 5 cows and a bull in same archery area. That cow had an arrow sticking in it's hind quarter *** end. How does that happen... When I was cutting it up a hunter walked up Said oh you found it. I said no I shot it. Is this your arrow ? Said yes . I said nice shot. He said it hit a branch and got deflected. I just shook my head. He walked off. Now it takes 18 pts. To draw that area ! Too old for that. Burned them on a rifle hunt in a different area this year. Maybe when my finger gets un cramped I'll tell the story of the archery bull. It's shorter

 

[cornshank]

Didn't go as planned , but I'll take it.

My first mule deer with a bow , I had my 10 year old son with me and we were in an x zone area, my younger brother was a 1/4 mile away ,hunting also .
My son and I were making a semi sneak on a fork n horn , when we got to 25 yds ,the buck was standing on a logging skid road , with a big dirt burm / water diverter ,between him and us .
I pulled back and right when I let go ,the arrow fell off the holder , then it hit the top of the dirt burm , ricocheted off and hit the buck square in the neck.
It ran 20 feet and dropped dead , my son was jumping up and down ,yelling , you got him , you got him .
My brother was upset he hadn't got a shot the whole trip, and he had all the camo paint on his face and camo clothes .
I was wearing shorts and a surfer shirt !

 

[Don Titus]

Five years ago I was hunting in north central CO for elk and mule deer. Shouldered my rifle on a really nice mule deer at 100 yds through wooded area and couldn't get the scope close enough and steady enough for a good shot. (Had failed to account for heavy winter clothes.) With each shot he whipped his head around but stayed put until he dropped like he'd been poleaxed on the 3rd shot.
My guide and I "high fived" and headed toward him. About half way there he jumped up and took off !
Unbeknownst to me, a buddy and his guide saw the whole thing from a tree stand about 200 yards to the left of where we were standing. They saw him drop and lay still for 45 seconds, then he began to shake before jumping up and taking off. The guide said he saw a patch of fur pop off the top of his neck on the third shot. ****, I was ****ed off…but I learned a valuable lesson, make sure you practice shooting while wearing the stuff you plan to hunt in. When I got back I moved the scope back about an inch (actually as far back toward my eyes as the rings would allow) before I was able to get it to focus without having to struggle to get it into focus.

 

[WYO300RUM]

Didn't go as planned , but I'll take it.

My first mule deer with a bow , I had my 10 year old son with me and we were in an x zone area, my younger brother was a 1/4 mile away ,hunting also .
My son and I were making a semi sneak on a fork n horn , when we got to 25 yds ,the buck was standing on a logging skid road , with a big dirt burm / water diverter ,between him and us .
I pulled back and right when I let go ,the arrow fell off the holder , then it hit the top of the dirt burm , ricocheted off and hit the buck square in the neck.
It ran 20 feet and dropped dead , my son was jumping up and down ,yelling , you got him , you got him .
My brother was upset he hadn't got a shot the whole trip, and he had all the camo paint on his face and camo clothes .
I was wearing shorts and a surfer shirt !

Lmao what x zone was it? Not Cal I'm sure.

 

[WYO300RUM]

Five years ago I was hunting in north central CO for elk and mule deer. Shouldered my rifle on a really nice mule deer at 100 yds through wooded area and couldn't get the scope close enough and steady enough for a good shot. (Had failed to account for heavy winter clothes.) With each shot he whipped his head around but stayed put until he dropped like he'd been poleaxed on the 3rd shot.
My guide and I "high fived" and headed toward him. About half way there he jumped up and took off !
Unbeknownst to me, a buddy and his guide saw the whole thing from a tree stand about 200 yards to the left of where we were standing. They saw him drop and lay still for 45 seconds, then he began to shake before jumping up and taking off. The guide said he saw a patch of fur pop off the top of his neck on the third shot. ****, I was ****ed off…but I learned a valuable lesson, make sure you practice shooting while wearing the stuff you plan to hunt in. When I got back I moved the scope back about an inch (actually as far back toward my eyes as the rings would allow) before I was able to get it to focus without having to struggle to get it into focus.

Dammit !

 

[COBrad]

I'm sure we all have a bunch of these but I'll share another. Sitting over a small bowl when a big 6 point bull came walking out of the timber 300 yards away and into a small draw. A moment later he walked up out of the draw and I fired. He flew back into the draw and a few seconds came running back for the timber. He stopped for an instant and as I found him in the scope he stepped into the timber. When I got over there I found his tracks easy enough but no blood… and after an hour of searching no elk. What the heck?! My shot felt right on, so I went back to where I shot him and there lay a nice 5 point in the draw. Fine bull but I really wanted the big one!

 

[cornshank]

Lmao what x zone was it? Not Cal I'm sure.

Yeah , in calif, x 6 - B

 

[WYO300RUM]

Ok. My finger is loosened up now. This isn't a blooper story but it's the archery elk hunt the year before the cow I arrowd story. I was up in one of my tree stands and I can see a bull on other side of the canyon about 1/2 to 3/4 mi. away. He's just standing there soaking up afternoon sun I guess. I pulled out my cow call and started calling. He starts to walk down the hill towards bottom . Stopping for awhile now and then. I'm changing tones back and forth from cow to calf and turning my head different directions to try and sound like a few elk. He got to bottom and couldn't see him for awhile. I figured he either lost interest or still coming up.
I guess about 20 min. or so I see him through trees. I'm still calling but less and quieter. He keeps coming up a little and stops and looks around . He eventually gets right in front of me and I'm think crp. He's looking up hill right at me. I'm frozen. Then he continues up slowly and turns to my left. He stops right next to a tree I had ranged at 20 yds already.
I have arrow knocked and release on string . I had aluminum arrows back then. My arms are up halfway just waiting for him to stop. He does and looks right at me ! I'm thinking we'll here he goes. I can hear my arrow ratting on my rest. I was trying to not blink or breath so he wouldn't see movement. He finally turned his head back and then whipped his head back at me again ! I thought busted. He looked for about 5 seconds or so then put his head down to feed on grass , I drew back and let it rip. Saw arrow go right through his lungs and out other side. He turned and ran back down hill. I pulled out my cow call and started calling. I heard him stop. Then heard antlers hit rocks in the drainage. I stould there in disbelief of what just happened. He only went about 60 yards before he stopped and dropped. Then the work began cutting and packing back and forth up hill to camp. Last two loads were in the dark. Got done about 10pm. Was starving. I cut a piece of back strap and cooked on a stick in the campfire. Little pepper. Best steak I ever had. Felt primal. The arrow was perfectly straight . Broadhead sharp as new. Only know came off. I guess it slipped ribs both sides ? I used same arrow to kill the cow elk year after in other novel. Different broadhead tho. Bull a Sattilite Titan 4 blade. Cow was a Vortex 2.5 in. Expandable 2 blade. They cut wicked huge holes. Why that cow bled so much. I wish I had a video of that whole bull kill from begining to end. Oh well. I can still play it in my head and write a novel telling it ! Lol. Sorry !

 

[WYO300RUM]

Oops

 

[WYO300RUM]

Yeah , in calif, x 6 - B

I hunted D14 for 40 years. D16 for 28 of those years also. D7.D15. D12. B2. X8.X10. X9B. X9A and may favorite X12. Like X9A second.

 

[COBrad]

I hunted D14 for 40 years. D16 for 28 of those years also. D7.D15. D12. B2. X8.X10. X9B. X9A and may favorite X12. L

Ok. My finger is loosened up now. This isn't a blooper story but it's the archery elk hunt the year before the cow I arrowd story. I was up in one of my tree stands and I can see a bull on other side of the canyon about 1/2 to 3/4 mi. away. He's just standing there soaking up afternoon sun I guess. I pulled out my cow call and started calling. He starts to walk down the hill towards bottom . Stopping for awhile now and then. I'm changing tones back and forth from cow to calf and turning my head different directions to try and sound like a few elk. He got to bottom and couldn't see him for awhile. I figured he either lost interest or still coming up.
I guess about 20 min. or so I see him through trees. I'm still calling but less and quieter. He keeps coming up a little and stops and looks around . He eventually gets right in front of me and I'm think crp. He's looking up hill right at me. I'm frozen. Then he continues up slowly and turns to my left. He stops right next to a tree I had ranged at 20 yds already.
I have arrow knocked and release on string . I had aluminum arrows back then. My arms are up halfway just waiting for him to stop. He does and looks right at me ! I'm thinking we'll here he goes. I can hear my arrow ratting on my rest. I was trying to not blink or breath so he wouldn't see movement. He finally turned his head back and then whipped his head back at me again ! I thought busted. He looked for about 5 seconds or so then put his head down to feed on grass , I drew back and let it rip. Saw arrow go right through his lungs and out other side. He turned and ran back down hill. I pulled out my cow call and started calling. I heard him stop. Then heard antlers hit rocks in the drainage. I stould there in disbelief of what just happened. He only went about 60 yards before he stopped and dropped. Then the work began cutting and packing back and forth up hill to camp. Last two loads were in the dark. Got done about 10pm. Was starving. I cut a piece of back strap and cooked on a stick in the campfire. Little pepper. Best steak I ever had. Felt primal. The arrow was perfectly straight . Broadhead sharp as new. Only know came off. I guess it slipped ribs both sides ? I used same arrow to kill the cow elk year after in other novel. Different broadhead tho. Bull a Sattilite Titan 4 blade. Cow was a Vortex 2.5 in. Expandable 2 blade. They cut wicked huge holes. Why that cow bled so much. I wish I had a video of that whole bull kill from begining to end. Oh well. I can still play it in my head and write a novel telling it ! Lol. Sorry !

Great story! I was out hunting bear when I spied one coming toward me through the quakies. He didn't quite get into bow range before he turned back down the hill. I walked back into the horse pasture and called a friend to tell him of this beautiful bear and to settle down a bit. When I walked back into the forest I stopped to look around just in case he was still nearby. Pretty quick he comes back up to the flat I'm on, hops up on a fallen log and starts walking down the tree directly at me. I knelt behind a little bush and now he's in range. I'm thinking when he steps off the log he'll go to one side or the other and I'll get a shot from behind my bush, but he didn't step off. He walks off the end of the log and continues walking right at me. When he got to my bush he turned right and stepped out and looked straight at me. I was at full draw and triggered the release. He flinched as the arrow passed through him, turned around and walked 30 yards before collapsing. Range of the shot was three steps. The arrow was undamaged and two days later I killed the biggest cow I've ever got with the same arrow and broadhead. That was my luckiest bow hunting season ever, I got a bear, a buck, and a cow in a 5 day period.