Here’s a made-up statistic: 90% of all hunters admit to missing a deer, and the remaining 10% are liars! While this statistic is fictitious, it holds at least a kernel of merit. Most hunters (including myself) know all too well what it feels like to watch an arrow sail inches over a buck’s back, or worse yet, injure a deer with a non-lethal shot. These experiences can leave haunting images in our minds. In this post, I share some tips and techniques to help you rebound from missed opportunities. These suggestions just might make the difference between an isolated misfortune and a series of unfortunate events.

Before proceeding, a disclaimer: I believe in doing everything you can to prevent poor shots. I strongly encourage every hunter to prepare physically and mentally for challenges in the field. However, it’s called ‘hunting’ for a reason — there are no guarantees. So, should you miss this season (or if you missed last year), here are some suggestions.

First and foremost, ready yourself for another shot. If you miss, immediately reload and be prepared; now is not the time to beat yourself up or get emotional. I once missed a nice Pennsylvania 8-point at a distance of no more than 10 yards. The buck spooked, but had no idea what happened. He ran about 20 yards, but to the other side of my tree, which meant he was still within 10 yards. My point is this: if you miss and then react by yelling or getting so frustrated that you forget to reload, you might miss your first chance to wipe that shot off the books.

Other times, deer run out of range. When this happens, scan the woods with a keen eye, and after you know for certain that there are no deer in site, try the following:

1. Put your hunt in perspective. You need to have perspective. Otherwise, you will fool yourself into believing that your missed shot is the most important event that occurred in the entire world. As soon as you are certain that a deer is no longer in site, remind yourself that you’re lucky to be hunting. It’s okay to look back at the event and laugh! Look around at the beauty of the wild. Think of your loved ones. You might find that it takes a missed shot to open your eyes to the true purposes in hunting.
2. Process what happened. Once your initial reactions subside and you are calm and relaxed, process the experience. It is very important to study the experience so you can learn from it. Reenact the event in your mind so you can discover what went wrong. Did you use the wrong site pin? Was the deer out of range? Were you distracted? By processing the event, you will learn how you can improve (through future practice). Further, replaying the event in your mind right after it happens will actually help you forget it later on. This might seem counterintuitive, but if you initially avoid thinking about it, you will find that it creeps back into your mind (again and again). When you choose to process a missed shot, you exert control over your own thoughts, instead of letting them control you.
3. Think Positively. Now that you’re calm and you have actively processed the event, it’s time to rebuild your confidence. Start thinking about all the things you do right. If you’ve harvested a buck before, replay that memory in your mind. Remind yourself that you are a good shot and that you have what it takes to harvest a buck. You’ll need this confidence to endure the wait until your next opportunity.

Personally, I have one specific memory that I always replay when I need a confidence boost. I was 14 years old, and it was the opening day of rifle season in Pennsylvania. I was hunting alongside my father, who harvested his buck in archery season that year. We were hunting on a rolling hill that overlooked a field of young Christmas trees. A shooter came bolting out of a patch of thick pines and then slowed to a trot about 300 yards away. Knowing one of us might have to make a long shot, we practiced shooting in this field during the summer months. I knew right where to aim the sites of my Remington Model 7 at this distance. Result: lung shot and a trophy for the wall (not to mention lots of jumping up and down with my dad)!

4. Practice as soon as you can. Mental imagery is a very powerful tool, but it only takes us so far…and it does very little if your equipment is malfunctioning. You have to convince yourself (body and mind), that your equipment is sited properly and that you are shooting properly. Practice shooting your bow in a contrived hunting situation. If you hunt from a tree stand, shoot from a tree stand. The idea here is to make sure you are shooting properly from the same vantage in which you hunt. Doing this will permit you to make any adjustments and to build some confidence. You can then visualize these recent shots to replace the images of your missed opportunity.

Let’s face it, I hope you never have to use the techniques just described. I wish each and every reader nothing but the best of hunting successes. Think of the aforementioned tips as tools for your toolbox. You can stash them away, and maybe you’ll never have to use them. But, if something goes wrong, you’ll know where to find them…and you’ll know how to use them.

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