Bad day in the field

[MuleyFever]

Lost a deer today. I haven't lost an animal in over 15 years. I made a stupid mistake and made a bad shot, at short range, too far back. So pissed off at myself. I sentenced that animal to a slow painful death. Not sure why I feel the need to share other than to chastise myself. I won't make the same mistake again.

 

[180ls1]

I'm guessing you were on limited time? All of my bad shots were rushed.

 

[MuleyFever]

I don't want to make excuses. I screwed up. Made a bad decision.

 

[justin davis]

Things happen

 

[MTtrout]

Been there and so hasn’t every hunter that has time behind them. Those situations are never easy though

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Sucks man, but don't beat yourself up over the past. All you can do is be sure you don't repeat it in the future.

 

[MuleyFever]

This was on a landowner tag and he was with me. I felt like an ass wounding a deer. He just said lets move and shoot another one. I told him my tag was punched and went home. I need to beat myself up for a bit so I remember what not to do.

 

[Matt5266]

If you did what you could to recover the animal and learned from it there is nothing more to do. Ethical move on punching the tag. I understand still sucks. Been there.

 

[Scoot]

MuleyFever- sounds like you and I handle this scenario similarly. I beat the hell outta myself for this kind of mistake. I'm pretty darn selective on the shots I take (and I bet you are too based on this post) but it certainly has happened a few times in my 41 years of bowhunting big game. I hate it. I feel absolutely terrible. I struggle to forgive myself.

Kudos to you for not taking it lightly. Good luck letting it go.