I'm taken back by

[deerhunt45]

all of the threads about wounded/lost deer. Comments like....
"If I hit him this is what he looks like on trail cam, I looked for 2 hours and couldn't find any blood, buck down I hope I'll find him tomorrow, I'm not sure of the shot, should I look some more, the coyotes got him because I waited until morning to track him, I missed a buck I think and then shot a doe I couldn't find...

What is the purpose of starting threads about "oh I wounded a deer and could not find it, which one should I fling an arrow at tomorrow :coco:

By all means, share the bad and the good. I have experienced both hunting while the elusive whitetail deer...I will share a comment, something learned from a mistake. My view is this, we may all experience some misfortune while afield, lets don't accentuate it and blog endlessly about it. Learn from it and move on, please don't start individual threads about wounded/lost deer. Think about it.

[Lucky]

No need to be sorry 45, I agree with you. Although we all like sharing our experiences whether it be good or bad. I just think sometimes we emphasize too much on the bad. I personally would rather refrain from exploiting my mishaps on shots and recoveries. It makes me cringe (Sp) when I hear of these stories. I have even heard of guys shooting a deer that they realized wasn't the deer they were after so they just gave up and went on to hunt other bucks. This is wrong and hopefully no one on here would do that. I guess it is personal preference on what stories to share and which ones not to.

[Dissident]

My take on the issue is this.. Its important to post such happenings such as wounded and lost deer. Just as important as it is to post sucessful kills. Although its hard to read, i find i learn more about lost deer stories than successful ones. Bowhunting, as we all know, is a sport of skill and experience and unfortunatlly learning from our and others mistakes will help us in the long run.

[ncboman]

Before posting, I think everyone would be wise to ask the question, 'Is this good for the sport of bowhunting?'

One only has to look at the bowseasons in Europe to see how outside perceptions can ruin it for all of us.

[tuffshot]

The first question to ask is why did this happen?

Not enough practice from shooting from an elevated position?

Not enough practice all together?

Or, I took the shot hoping to post a picture on a forum tonight?


Like 45 stated: learn from it.

[ohioarcher]

The first question to ask is why did this happen?

Not enough practice from shooting from an elevated position?

Not enough practice all together?

Or, I took the shot hoping to post a picture on a forum tonight?


Like 45 implyed: learn from it.


I think alot of time's new hunters post subjects such as this hoping to receive help from more seasoned hunters simply because they dont want to make the same mistake again. On the other hand the experienced hunter that makes a post like this should think about what was quoted above by tuffshot & others. Do post like this become fuel for the fire for "others", that think we are unethectical in our means for harvesting animals, you be the judge, i like to err on the side of caution.

[bowhunter1023]

I had the same general thought on Thursday Charlie. Most of the posts in question have come from young guys and newbies to OS.com who have probably not figured out what is cool to post, and what you may want to keep under wraps.

As a general rule around here to protect yourself, if you wouldn't be 100% comfortable telling the story, or showing the picture, to a DNR officer, don't post it here. The are guys that love to point out the smallest infraction, no matter the significance of it.

But the most important thing to keep in mind is this is a public forum. Anyone can see it. Even PETA and the USHS. Every post you make repsents us a bowhunters and sportsmen. Take that into consideration each time you post...

[deerhunt45]

Before posting, I think everyone would be wise to ask the question, 'Is this good for the sport of bowhunting?'

One only has to look at the bowseasons in Europe to see how outside perceptions can ruin it for all of us.

Very well put , exactly how I feel and all that we ask people to do. Anything posted in the public forums can and will be found by internet searches for just that kind of ammunition to arm the anti crowd.

Thanks for your understanding.

[eschatts]

Good thread 45, thanks. I was thinking the same thing.

[geezer II]

I had the same general thought on Thursday Charlie. Most of the posts in question have come from young guys and newbies to OS.com who have probably not figured out what is cool to post, and what you may want to keep under wraps.

As a general rule around here to protect yourself, if you wouldn't be 100% comfortable telling the story, or showing the picture, to a DNR officer, don't post it here. The are guys that love to point out the smallest infraction, no matter the significance of it.

But the most important thing to keep in mind is this is a public forum. Anyone can see it. Even PETA and the USHS. Every post you make repsents us a bowhunters and sportsmen. Take that into consideration each time you post...

Agree - i think pics of animals with their gutz hangin out goes a long way towards influencing the public - there is a way to pose a harvested animal and will..................... the rest speak fo themselfs :whistle:

[Lundy43123]

However,

Not talking or posting about a touchy topic doesn't make the problem go away, the problem still exists.

Hunters, especially bowhunters have a responsibility to teach, train, and police or own.

There are poor experiences relayed here and every hunting site each year. The posters relaying these experiences come from all experience levels but many are very new to the sport. It is important that these new ones be able to discuss their misadventures and learn from their mistakes. Other newbies may learn from these mistakes and be saved from having these same problems themselves.

I realize that these are not fun to talk about and reflect poorly on the sport, but I feel it reflects even worse to not address problems and try and keep them hidden from view.

You and I both know that we read about some bowhunting exploits and wonder where the guys head is. Some of these people should not be hunting much less bowhunting, but who is there to teach them????????? The salesman at Walmart??????? It is up to us to try and teach those that would listen to us. A site like this, and the members, may be the only guidance they will ever have access to.

I very much hate to read all of these accounts each and every year also, but it is reality. I know it reflects very poorly on me and each of you as hunters. We can't fix every poorly trained hunter that exists, but maybe, just maybe, we can help out a few or them.

As far as PETA and the rest of them they don't need or use facts anyway. They are an emotionally based propaganda machine. Lets always together fight them, but lets fight them head on, by teaching, training and policing or own ranks at every opportunity provided to us.

Just my opinion,

Kim

[Thunderflight]

Lundy's post pretty much sums up my feelings towards this subject.

You can sweat what the anti's and no hunting public all you want, but it wouldn't matter. They have plenty of other data to use for their agenda and a few internet message boards are not going to solidify their cause.

A friend once told me something that has always stuck in my head. Killing is an ugly thing and sometimes bad things just happen.

Advice given to a novice or even season hunter can go along way in helping. I know it has helped me in the past.

[Andy Gehle]

My peeve is always the follow up after the shot....or lack of follow up.
2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours....if you haven't found it yet, it aint enough time.

Someone told me once, tracking a wounded deer doesn't take an expert woodsman or super experienced tracker. But that tracking a deer is simply 99% persistance.

There are many stories that boil down to someone just giving up too soon.

[deerhunt45]

My peeve is always the follow up after the shot....or lack of follow up. 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours....if you haven't found it yet, it aint enough time.


Correct!

I admire that attitude. Good to hear from you!

[archer1983]

lack of preparation...