bcvd45

Also you can learn more from a failure if you know why you failed. A rookie shooter might take a shot maybe he shouldnt have and loose a deer. By asking what he did wrong, or explaining his situation maybe some of the more experienced guys can lend a helping word to him and he wont make that mistake the next time. If he never learns then it will happen over and over. I would rather sit through the countless "OMG I lost another" threads then have that same person wounding deer season after season.

kickin_buck

I get tired of seeing the "I hit one but can't find it" threads also. However, they do serve a purpose. These threads can help the newbies learn from other people's mistakes and bad luck. I have been hunting for 25 years now, but there are a lot of people on here who have been hunting (or bowhunting) for less than 5 years. Those are the guys that these threads can help.

Gundeck

As was stated before, this is a site by hunters for hunters. If we conduct ourselves based on what others think, they win. It is no different than the terrorists (which I consider the extreme antis), if you change your activities based on their actions, they win. People come on here for many reasons (brag, pout, learn, and teach). Often, it is just to talk with other like minded people. I don't think the "lost deer" threads are any worse than the bad shot threads or the Rage wound threads. It is what it is. It is a part of hunting.

Think about it this way, if a person is blasted for a poor shot or lost deer and that makes them wait for a better angle or a closer shot next time, isn't that a good thing?

muzzyman88

While I totally agree that we have seen a lot of these threads and it is "annoying", we all need a place to come when we're down in the dumps, frustrated, need some advice, etc.

As one poster stated, if you don't like the title, don't open it.

Don't get me wrong, I hate the threads that say "shot a deer, can't find it", and open it to find out the guy did very little in the first place to try to find the deer. Please, spend a whole day on the trail, collect as much information as you can, spend some more time looking, then come here for advice.

As I said before on another post, this is supposed to be a community forum as well as an informational one. Many of us think of this as our hunting camp and enjoy the company of fellow hunters.

IAhuntr

I've got to say I'vealsonoticed alot of the 'can't find him' threads thathave been on here the last couple weeks butI certainly don't judge the guys that are having problems and I could care less about the tree-huggers. I simply hate to see an animal go wounded and unrecovered.

While nobody wants to make a bad shot, they unfortunately happen from time to time. By posting these threads they should serve notice to everyone to minimize the chance of a bad shot by:

1) Practice every spare minute youhave to fine tune your skills. Even if you think you are ready it may have been weeks or months since you last shot your bow. Be prepared.

2) Practice with all of your gear on that you'll be wearing on stand. Know your gear and make sure it works.

3) Practice from an elevated perch from every conceivable position and angle that you may decide to take inthewoods or from your actual ground blind depending on how you hunt.

4) Shooting at a block or bag is different than a living animal. Know your vitals and shoot thru them, not at them. I little bit off or a slightly bad angle is the difference between sucess and failure. Bowhunting is a game of inches.

5) Realize the responsibility you have as stewards of the land and wildlife. If the shot isn't there, don't take it. If the animal won't stop or provide an ethical angle, simply let him go. This is probably the hardestrule for some hunters to follow.

I know some will read this and think this is allcommon sense preparation, but we all need to keep drilling the basics into our heads so when the time comes, we know how to repsond.

The last thing one of our fellow hunters needs in a time of crisis is to be kicked down by his brothers. If I am correct the purpose of this forum isfor help, learning, and sharing, not togripe and bash.



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GMMAT

I posted my thread on Friday.....after exhausting myself in searching on that same day (6.5hrs in really thick cover). I posted my thread to actively seek help in the search for a deer I thought was down.

I got from that......a contact for a blood tracking dog....and a fellow member to aid me in that search. We searched (I did) 9 hours that day. The dog found no sign of a dead deer.....but I felt better knowing I'd gone that (not "extra") route. I went back on the third day and searched 9 more hours. I said it in my thread.....but I didn't want to let the animal, myself, YOU GUYS or anyone else down. I gave him all I could....and he deserved that....be him alive or dead.

I don't think (personally) that keeping all such occurrences to ourselves helps anyone. If we all thoght that (on the internet, seemingly) ALL bow shots were 100% ethical and resulted in a 100% recovery rate.....we'd have a rosy picture of reality. It's simply not that way in some instances. Does it show "character"? I don't think so. Does it show respect....or the lack thereof? On occasion, yes.

Would I feel differently knowing my "board hero" had an "unknown" (or 2 or 3 or more) on his bowhunting resume'? No.

But let's not fool ourselves......if you bowhunt long enough....and you're presented enough opportunities....it's gonna happen. I wish it on no one.....but it's reality.

If the threads bother you....skip them.

Gundeck

IAhuntr has made one of the best posts I have seen in recent memory. I know that the number of "lost deer" threads I have seen has pushed me to practice more than I ever have. Good points throughout.

bigtim6656

why do people post about what other people post about these posts do nothing.

I will post if i shoot a deer and do not find it. i feel if someone is on here talking day after day they should post about there mistakes and accomplishments. I for one will not think twice about letting you guys know i mess up so you can tell me what i did wrong.

WV Hunter

I will agree, it does get old...but I believe there is a place and time for these. What I hate is seeing folks that are on here shortly after shooting. It's like they ran home to get online and talk about the one they gimped-- when they should be out looking for the deer. Hopefully we all learn from what happens, cause you go at it long enough - its gonna happen. We've seen it alothere this year for sure. I also don't care what the peta types think. They can get so much crap for their agenda online, one more thread ain't gonna matter.

virginiashadow

"Has anyone on here EVER found the deer because they made a post about it and was given advice in that post that led to them finding the deer? Would they have not otherwise have found it if they would have stayed out looking?

I don't know, just asking."

The first deer I ever arrowed I came on here and asked for help. That was in 2002. I couldnt find the deer and had noone to help me look. The guys on here gave me a ton of help and I found the buck the next day.