A bad hit-Double check your gear!

by B.R.Yanney
(Athens PA)

I have been posting a lot of stories and comments on this site.I'd rather tell stories of my mistakes than my good hunts, so maybe younger and novice hunters don't make the same mistakes I have.In the 95 season I hadn't seen many bucks on my uncles farm, so I decided to concentrate on a group of does.I seen them in the evening working there way along the susquehanna river , next to a harvested corn field. I got in my stand pulled my bow and gear up and didn't double check my gear, first mistake.I see this group of does and a big one lines herself up for a 30 yard shot. I release my arrow and shoot over her back and a little to the left. to my surprise she moved in closer to give me a 20 yard shot. I release my arrow and hit her above the right leg in the spine, down she goes and shes just a blating,how horrible. I nock my third and final arrow"thinking I practiced my ass of all summer- how come I'am shooting so badly."I released my arrow and as I did my quiver fell off my bow, It hadn't been snapped into place. Perhaps I bummped it when I pulled it up in the tree. Anyway the last arrow hit right next to the other arrow, now she has 2 arrows in her, both non lethal but paralizing hits. I'am truly sickened by my poor preperation.I think that loose quiver was making my bow shoot funny, because latter at home I lossened my quiver and took a shot, and sure enough high and to the left.Anyway I got out my stand and tried to find my first arrow, all the while the doe is still suffering. I couldn't find my first arrow. I couldn't let her keep suffering. So I pulled out my knife and started to move towards her, she seen me coming and tried to get away, blating the whole time. I jumped on her back and did the dirty deed, all the while she was kicking. Thank God my knife was sharp. I slit her throat and held onto her as she went limp.I through my knife to the ground and shouted to the sky, God why do I do this.So please double check your gear and hopfully this will never happen to you.