Trad Gang

I went hunting a little before 10 a.m. this morning at an undisclosed location in Oklahoma. Since I got up late, I decided to spot-and-stalk instead of hunting out of a stand. I would like to note that I truly enjoy spot-and-stalking and still-hunting! I managed to get about 100 yards into a finger of timber that I was carefully stalking when I caught something out of my peripheral---a doe! I turned and saw her jump a fence about 200 yards to the east and run roundabouts in my direction. I immediately did a 180 and carefully stalked to the edge of brush, about 30 yards in. I saw her again, running through an opening and right past a stand I had hung a couple of weeks before. However, this time she was followed by an abosolute MONSTER of a buck. We are talking great mass, 20"+ spread and good tine-length! He was at least an 8 pointer, possibly a 10! They were headed right towards me! She ran into the timber and right out and only 20 yards! The big boy followed her like a heat-seeking missile! I bleated desperately, trying to get him to stop, but he never did!

So, here's the dilemma! Should I have shot at him, running, unobstructed at twenty yards? I didn't. Now, I regret it! I've killed tons of small game running; squirrels, rabbits, etc. I even managed to shoot a quail out of the air one time! I am confident with my longbow out to about 30 yards, so range is not an issue...did I goof? I'm beginning to think that I missed the opportunity of a lifetime! Any thoughts?

  :bigsmyl:

Only you can answer that.
For myself, nope.

That helps...       :p  

I know that, but what if you were in that situation?

I'm not confident enough to take a shot like that.  Others, I'm sure, could make the shot easily.  Just not me.

ch

Thats a tough one? It must not have felt rite to ya or you would have given it a wirl. I know its easier said than done but I wouldn't second guess yourself. You would really feel bad if you made a poor hit on such a fine animal.
                 KY  :archer:

I think you did the right thing not shooting.Be thankfull to see a nice buck that close and get back out there and get him.

Only you can really decide if you should have shot or not. I'm sure there will be others on here that will praise you for your restraint. I can only say "that's hunting." For me sometimes the answer is to shoot, other times it's don't shoot. All depending on my confidence in the shot. The only ethics you should really be concerned with are your own, only you can truly comment on that particular situation.
In any case it sure sounds like you had a great hunt. I hope you get that big boy so we can see some pics.

nope, no shot there doe or big buck.  Just too low a chance of doing good and a big chance of doing bad.

Mike

Anyone have any experience shouting at deer? Does that work any better than bleating?

I think what might be bothering you is that it was a nice buck.  You need to ask yourself if you would have taken the shot if the doe had been alone.  A deer is a deer and if you wouldn't take the shot on a doe then you shouldn't take it on a buck of any size. A bad shot is a bad shot. As for me I don't feel that I shoot well enough for a moving shot, and as Ybuck said only you can answer that.

No way. If I wounded a big deer like that I would first puke then stop hunting (at least for a week or two).

Buckeye is right...but there are extenuating circumstances. My hunting location is in the middle of a county renown for poaching and road-shooting and I've got at least another week of classes before I can get back into the woods...

A shout, whistle, grunt...I've used all those to stop a running animal and get a shot. Give it a try if the opportunity comes around again.

It is a tough call and only you can answer it.

Back in 1989, I shot at a running mule deer buck that was in the middle of a group of 4 or 5 bucks. When I shot, the buck was around 10 yards. The shot turned out to be high and far back.   :banghead:  I was very fortunate to have recovered that buck. Would I do it again? Depends on many things only I can answer at that particular time. It is a personal decision for any of us when we decide to loose the arrow and take the life of any animal under any hunting situation.

bhfp

I passed on a buck of a lifetime last year at about 10 yards that was walking and thought was just a little too spooky to shoot at.  I didn't think it was a hard decision at the time, thinking back I would love to have another crack at him under different circumstances.  Never seen him again.  Just the way it goes.  I would probably pass in the same situation when it happens again. dino

You did the right thing. Let your intuition be your guide. don't second guess yourself.

If you've practiced it, heck yea.

Nope!  You did the right thing, "Horn Porn" will get you in trouble all the time, make you think you can get away with anything!

You did right.

You also said:  "Buckeye is right...but there are extenuating circumstances. My hunting location is in the middle of a county renown for poaching and road-shooting and I've got at least another week of classes before I can get back into the woods..."

That's just making excuses.  You could just as easily say something like "If I don't poach him, someone else will."  Not saying you would, just that an excuse is just well, an excuse for doing something you know you shouldn't have done.

Take the stand next time your out, you are blessed to have seen him. another time maybe.  And the story will be better,and sweeter, with photos !

Carl

Heh - every time I pass on a shot that I might have made (too much obstruction, light a bit too low, deer just a bit out of range or moving too much) I second guess that decision for weeks.  It's still the right decision though.

If the shot isn't high percentage for you (and it sounds like, in your judgment, this one wasn't), then don't take the shot.  You seem to have made the right choice.

You did the right thing .....I did the wrong thing.

Three days ago I took an ill advised shot through some brush at a walking 8 pt buck. I saw good antlers and got so excited I took what amounted to a circus shot. I missed clean with no harm done to the deer. Fortunately, he and I both learned a lesson with no bad consequences.

I also took a 20yd running shot at a coyote last night. Again I missed clean and learned a lesson with no harm done.

Earlier, I posted on here that I wouldn't take more than a 12 yd shot, but broke my word on that. I HAVE learned my lesson....and you did the right thing. I would have been upset had I wounded either animal. Luck was with me and them.

-Charlie

The regret you feel is nowhere near as bad as how you would (probably) feel if you had hit him too far back, or too low, or too high and lost him.  To those who say "you can't kill 'em if you don't shoot" I say there's worse things than not killing them. The futile 6-hour search resulting in no dead dear is a real bummer.

I agree...

I am pretty conservative with my shooting, but lately have been thinking along the "you can't kill 'em if you don't shoot" and it is a dangerous mentality.

Buckeye, sorry to hear about the miss!

No way  

You made the right choice...imagine the one time that it did not come together and you end up wounding a deer like that.  Sometimes the ones that get away are more memorable than those that don't.  For some strange reason they only seem to get larger in our minds as time goes on...

Yeah, I just can't believe I passed up a caribou in Oklahoma!    :biglaugh:

Divinecedar,Dino...and all others who have the stones to pass on a questionable shot.I would like to shake your hands for your integrity. When it comes to wounding any game animal, it is better to be safe than sorry. I know of a local "bowhunter" who shot at 3 walking deer under 20 yards in the last 3 years and hit them all in the butt. Recovered none!!
I had a dandy buck walk past my ground blind at 15 yards with his nose to the ground. I whistled to stop him. He didn't pause a second. I whistled again and he didn't even look up. By that time he was behind brush and out of sight. I have never regretted my decision for a moment.
Those of you who "just say no" are tops in my book!

the answer is no- you shouldn't have shot; because you didn't shoot.

5 things could happen, 4 of them are bad.

It's hunting! Now you know he is there It's time to hunt him!!!!!

If it was a mistake, it didn't have a negative outcome...not like taking the shot when you shouldn't have.  Stew on it, but sleep well knowing, no harm, no foul.

Todd

You dun good!  :thumbsup:  And like you said the rut is in full swing, get back out there, maybe you'll see him again  :archer:

If you had felt good about the shot I think you would have taken it at the time. Especially with your experience on moving game. You did the right thing by not forcing the issue.

You did the right thing. To quote Reg Darling's current TBM article.....  

"I have taken some shots that I have regretted. But, I have never regretted passing on a shot".

I passed on an 8 pointer earlier this season. He came around a deadfall, and I figured the minute he does, I'll drop to one knee, draw and release. The buck immediately jumped at my motion, and I  immediately let my draw down at his jump, he only went 5 yards, had I remained at full draw for a couple more seconds I probably would have had him. He only went 5 yards... but then the stare down started. Oh, well.. I have no regrets, he lived to pass on his genes another day. And I was blessed by the experience.

Only you know if the shot was there or not.  I never know if ill shoot or not till the time comes.  Ive passed on deer standing 10yards away cause it did'nt feel right and ive shoot at running deer at 30yards cause i knew i could make it.  Shot a running deer this year at 25yards perfect shot, dead deer but it felt right.  I had another nice buck standing broad side at 15yards that didnt and passed.  I pratcice on moving targets, and from different possitions, but when hunting i cant say if i would shoot at this or that untill i have to make that shot on game then i know if its a good shot or a bad one and to take it or pass on it.  If it did'nt feel right at the time you prob did the right thing,  Now go back out and get him, good luck

I have passed on a lot more shots than I have taken on deer.    You did fine by me.     :thumbsup:  

I'd rather read this thread then a "I took a shot I normally wouldn't have and can't find the deer" thread.