1. Shot timing is an oft overlooked critical aspect of shooting a deer, especially with archery tackle. Compared to any firearm, archery gear requires at least 25% more movement (move to position, draw, aim, then release as opposed to move to position, aim, squeeze the trigger) and all while doing this with an implement with its surface area at least 50% squared to the animal compared to perhaps 1% -2% max with a firearm (muzzle and front of scope). The opportunity for prey species’ eye catching ancillary movement goes way up. Couple that with issues like buck fever, shot anticipation, jumping the string, distance judging errors and unseen obstructions, low light, etc. It’s a wonder we get it done at all. That’s why I stress to new archers to shoot a lot of deer to get those nuances all worked out.
It is exponentially more beneficial as a bowhunter to practice this skill than shooting at a target face at known distances. Still do that to get your form and shot process system down but either shoot a lot of game and/or do video leagues or just video shooting practice to understand how to relate to animal movement and mannerisms all the while with the dynamic need to ready for the shot and do all the other possible contortions while in bow range of a super sensed game animal. At a minimum, factors like waiting for a slight turn of the head, or eyes behind a tree or thick brush, then stopping the animal, position of animal for proper access to the vitals and so on all are happening in real time. My best advice is to not let this control you by t you control as much as you can to minimize the other factors that can arise and oftentimes will arise. Cool as a cucumber. Cool as a killer. We all have it in us. It’s ok to be a predator, focus on developing those instincts. Shooting groups is fine but learn to shoot game to be a more effective hunter.
2. Too many people think of game recovery as a chore or boring. To me, this is often the second hunt. And it’s exciting because one typically has a pretty good chance at finding it if the vitals were slIced. A lot of getting number one right pays you dividends when at the recovery stage. My best advice is to embrace the blood trailing process as a necessary part of the hunt. It’s not or it shouldn’t be an afterthought. I do occasionally now but especially when I was first learning to bowhunt, I found it an honor to be able to help someone blood trail. I do now and always have told many friends, family and acquaintances to consider calling me if they would like help with blood trailing. I’m seeing more and more people just not doing it at all and calling in the dogs. I’m not anti dog whatsoever and have used them a couple of times myself in the past. But this trend that I see and sense that this part is “for the dogs” is saddening to me. Understanding what game does when wounded is essential woodsmanship in my experience.