You need to learn how to execute a proper shot sequence. Your brain turns to mush and you throw up a hope and a prayer. Until you learn how to do this, you’ll keep missing.
I’m not sure which one.
I could care less about trophies. I’m not spending money on taxidermy. Antlers become dog chews and hides go in the garbage.
I could care less about method. Never got into muzzleloaders and I sold my bow last year.
I like hunting new places as a challenge to translate...
Practice sitting, standing and kneeling in the offseason.
I’m pretty comfortable shooting out to 400 yards from a seated position, over the top of my pack. If you can get a front rest and a pack at the rear it’s even better.
I find it’s pretty rare for me to be able to shoot from prone...
Yeah, you can not let them have the retrieves. I think that’s a step or two down the road though. The water bottle squirt works, or you can just pinch the lips into their teeth until they open their mouth.
Whenever one of my dogs is a dink in the field I’ll take the bird and then give it right...
With all due respect, you sound like a head case and a cacophony of self fulfilling negative prophecy. If you aren’t having fun, quit. Don’t let a hobby make you an Eyore.
Keep a fresh bird and do some work in the yard. Take the bird, give him a treat. Then, give it back. Repeat. Do this a few times, give it back, make him follow you at heel and then take it and give him a treat.
He will absolutely die and you shot too far back on a quartering to shot.
Edit: I read further and saw your updates. You said afterwards it was a broadside. I don’t know, my speculation is his body was bent in some way. Arrows can do funny things, but a 90 degree turn is hard to believe.
It’s...
If you have to be tuned into your phone to endure the sit, you aren’t tuned into what’s around you and you’re likely missing stuff. It sounds to me like you don’t honestly enjoy the time in the stand.