More. Knowledge and skill take time. This will be my 6th year getting better each year.
1st year, I got my bow in the last 2 weeks of season. Up in my summit climber, I shot a doe quartering to me. perfect placement, but still a poor shot choice. I went looking for her too soon and lost her.
2nd year, I shot 7 arrows and harvested 5 doe. I got busted a lot, sometimes from long distances. By the end of season, the local herd was on edge.
3rd year, learned some about wind and scent control. Passed on the does. I shot 2 arrows and harvested (2) 2 year old bucks. I got busted much less.
4th year. Took 3 shots at (3) 3 year old bucks. All 3 went high, love that adrenaline! Occasionally got busted.
5th year. Dedicated much of the season to helping wife and 3 daughters learn their way. Wife got 2 out of her ghost blind. My 14 year old passed a few does and missed a young 6 point due to the adrenaline dump. One of my 10 year old twins got a young 4 point from a surround view blind. This was the first year for all of them. Thank you crossbow! I hunted less than I planned, but what a great trade. I passed on several of deer, including a few 2 year olds and 1 super nice 3 year old. I nearly got a shot at a boss, he left me at 35 yds. to kick a subordinate bucks butt. I hunted about 10 times and never sent an arrow. Seldom got busted.
I'm optimistic about this year. In the first years I never saw a decent buck. Now I know that there are many. I have more stands and prepped trees than before. I have learned some of the things that the deer do and don't do on our property. Our mistakes are the only thing we can truly call our own. I haven't made them all yet, but I have made a lot. Good luck everyone..