I had two golden opportunities at my first bow kills ever last night. Both shots at two does completely broadside at 30 yards. First shot, the doe ducked the arrow. Wasn't too upset. 5 minutes later, all the deer came right back. They had no idea I was there. Second shot, same 30 yards broadside. Ducks the arrow again. I was pissed for a second, but now am determined to kill something with a bow. It is very addicting, and I have only missed so far.

It's all part of the deal. Hang in there and hope you get one!

Yep, I've been there. I missed the same doe 3 times on the same hunt. I got her on the next hunt, just aimed a little lower to anticipate her ducking the arrow.

Had a very experienced archer tell me, "Hits are those little miracles that happen between all your misses."

Better a miss than a foul hit and lost deer. Keep flinging arrows & good luck!

was she alert and looking around when you shot? try to wait until she is "busy" eating or something with her head down. Then aim at the lower portion of the body, still in the kill zone if she doesnt drop, and a little higher in the kill zone if she does again.

Oh yeah, and welcome to the obsession!

It happens, remember to pick a spot and take your time rather than just shooting at the "whole" animal in a rush. I know that is easier said than done but you will get better at it with practice. One thing that helped me a lot was taking the ear plug (the bullseye on my target) off the block and what it did was force me to pick a spot on my target to shoot at and it also made me follow thru to see if I hit that spot. Its a good way to prepare yourself for the moment of truth.

Took me forever to get my first, but when you doooo you'll feel like baddest dude to ever hold a bow

It was two different does with the same result, ducked arrow. Both were eating with thier heads down when I released. Didn't realize how quick they are. They can drop to the ground like a sack of bricks.

im not an expert by any means, but do you think the bow your useing makes noise, I was useing a PSE last year that was really loud on the drawback and also pretty loud on the release it just had allot of Limb noise and I couldnt hit a deer if it walked into my arrow. Funny thing was is that my groups were real tight and the bow was shooting fast but becasue of that noise I would get busted every time.

You will never forget that first impact sound of the arrow hitting the deer. Pretty much awesome and very distinct sound. Good luck and keep trying!

THIS

Have you taken your bow to an archery shop to see what if anything could be done to quieten the bow. I know that mine was very noisey until I had it in the shop and the tuned it up for me.

Def hang in there. It never hurts to aim a little low. You will redeem yourself if you keep trying.

I have the same question about your bow loud.

What kind of bow are you shooting?

30 yards for the first one is a bit far yes you can group great at 30 yards but making a kill is not the same try to wait to get a 20 yard or closer
IMO

She probably heard you before you ever shot. Keep your head up, happens to us all

At least you had some doe to shoot at I've been a couple times so far this year, still waiting on my first doe to show up so I can take my first crack at my first.

Matthew Drenalin bow. Pretty quit. Been to Smithfield archery and they told me it didn't need a thing.

Missing does feel bad but a clean miss is much better than a bad hit and another plus side of the miss is you get to keep hunting.

There are a lot of factors that come into play when you shoot at a deer, and it's only a success when everything kind of falls into place, and that is why any deer taken with a bow is a big deal.
20 yards might as well be a mile if the deer is skittish and there is no breeze and the woods are dead calm and 30 yards is going to be tough even aiming low. Any slight sound can be heard by the deer and they are super alert when it's still.
If there is a slight breeze enough to rustle the leaves or other woods noises, they are alert but your chances increase.
It's best to wait until the deer calm down before attempting a shot, and then try to remember to aim a little below where you want the arrow to hit.
Missing is part of it and anyone that says they never miss hasn't hunted very much.

You are correct the Mathews Drenalin is pretty quiet. Maybe she heard the rustle of your clothes against the tree. First time I bowhunted I bumped the stand when I was drawing back, Doe was gone in a flash. Keep at it cause it will come together one day.

I'm right there with ya buddy. Still trying to get that first one. I bout walked right into a doe this morning with a stalk around a barn. Thankfully she never made me. Another problem I have is every one I see has a baby with her and I just can't do that. Keep ur head up and it sounds like ur arrow down buddy!