Another Cocked Bow/Time concern

[Carphunter]

This year, i've had two bad hits on deer. Both were muscle shots..guessing either high or low from poa from what i've seen in the blood/hair. (don't know actual point of impact).

I always blame the indian, and not the arrow... but in this case... after two, decently concetrated and aimed shots...i'm starting to look for other answers.

Target shooting the bow, it's a tack driver to at least 50 yds... within a 2" bull reliably at all ranges...smaller the closer i get. repeatable.
But target shooting is done cock and bang... no delay from cock to shot.

My deer shots have been taken at least an hour after bow cocking... so i'm starting to wonder if i haven't got an issue where i've got a significant poi change.

I will be doing tests this weekend as i can... poi at cock and shoot, poi at 1 hour, poi at 2 hour, poi at 3 hr... to see if i see anything.

I've seen another forum post where someone did this, and the velocity loss wasn't huge...but was there... i just want to see at 20-40 yds just how much shift in poi i've got.

[mr meat]

Are you sighting in with your broadheads!

[robertyb]

Length of time bow is cocked while hunting should not effect POI.
My guess would be follow through. You are probably lifting your head at the shot to see the arrow hit and do not even know you are doing it. Just a guess but it happens a lot.

[Hunt it]

Are you shooting at deer from tree stand or ground?

[nchunterkw]

What is your POA on the deer?

Midline of the body and behind the leg should center punch the lungs. IMO aiming at the heart is less forgiving, and a low hit would be as you described.

[Carphunter]

yep, sighting with the actual heads to be used.

point of aim midline behind knee/elbow to get lung (i don't aim low for heart because of higher chance of miss and slimmer angle from elevated stand). Elevated stand.

Follow through is an option on this. I'll have to pay attention to that and see if i can tell what i'm doing there

[Deaf jeff]

Are you sighting in with your broadheads!

practice arrows/hunting arrows the same exact arrows?
buck fever?

[xcaliber]

The only way leaving the bow cocked could affect shot is if the string stretched considerably while cocked. This would be a far reach however. I think verifying your poi from an elevated platform is where I would start. Then, lighten up on the coffee!
Good luck!

[Carphunter]

yep all materials are hunting materials.

coffee... hmmm

i do intend to do an elevated test too...but unlike regular bows... that really shouldn't be the issue here.

[xcaliber]

I have very little change with several models from an elevated platform 18' tall. It is the exit side you really are aiming for.

[Carphunter]

yep... we're all on the same page here... i shoot to go through the most vitals i can... adjusting angles etc.

we'll see when i do a few more tests.... otherwise sure it's gotta be brain fart.

[nchunterkw]

During target shooting are you shooting off of something like sand bags and then in the field off of a hard rail? The bow might "jump" a bit off of something hard.

[Carphunter]

i shoot from a rest when target shooting.... i use a firm forearm grip because i know this bow can buck if it's left to move freely. while hunting, i try to maintain firm shoulder and forearm pressure to prevent issues.

[nchunterkw]

Well, I for one will be interested in what your "time cocked" experiment results show. I've not experienced a change in POI while hunting but anything can happen I guess. But I would be surprised if that actually happened....

Although....have you checked all of the fasteners? I had the bolts that hold the stock to the rail come loose and it gave me some fits on my Micro. I'd check those and the trigger screws.

[Normous]

During target shooting are you shooting off of something like sand bags and then in the field off of a hard rail? The bow might "jump" a bit off of something hard.

Keith has a point, try shooting as you would in the field to determine your exact hunting POI.