I figured I would share the encounter I had last night with everyone. I had only been in the woods and set up for about 15 minutes when I look north of my position and all I can see is the sun reflecting off of antlers bouncing through the thick brush. I instantly knew this wasn't a small buck and my heart started pounding as he was coming right to me on a game trail I had set up off of.

He gets closer, at this point I realize this deer is a giant.his body looked like a horse and he had a perfect typical 10pt rack with bases the size of pop cans. As he is working to me I think to myself "god,are you really gonna let my first shot opportunity with traditional equipment be on the biggest buck I've ever encountered hunting?!"

He worked down the game trail towards me and then much to my disappointment he veers off on another game trail that makes a large circle around my position. For about 2 minutes I had this deer at 30 yds before he walked away. If I had a compound or a gun this story would have gone different, but I'm OK with that. I beat myself up for not taking a shot for the rest of the hunt but at that moment and time I knew better. I knew that 30yds was outside of my personal range for an ethical shot.

I do remember a huge smile on my face once this was all over and how great it was to have this encounter hunting on the ground.

I think gods response was, "not today, today will be a lesson in patience".

Don't you love those? I had a similar thing happen to me earlier in November. I had just set up in my tree and I turned around to see the biggest buck I've ever seen in the woods standing 40 yards away from me walking right at me.

Unfortunately my story ends with him catching a glimpse of my movement and swinging wide of me, but I still know that feeling. The whole time I was thinking the same thing, "Is this really going to be my first opportunity with trad gear?!". Those moments are awesome and definitely ones we'll never forget even if they didn't end with a harvest.

It was an hour or so before shooting hours. My son and I were walking around the edge of the timber we hunt. He was just ahead of me and in middle stride. We heard the growl of a mountain lion. His growl was blood curdling and very loud. It was too dark to see, but I would guess he was within 20-30 yards of us. My son stopped and turned to me and asked if I heard that. I said yes I did. He asked what do we want to do and I told him I came to hunt and keep moving. Never saw the cat when it got lighter. But we know he is in the area.

Awesome story!  I had the same thing happen to me.  For my first shot ever with trad gear, the biggest buck I had ever seen came down the trail I was set up on and stopped about 30 yards out.  You are better man than I.  I took the shot and whiffed. I will never forget the moment though.

That's awesome!!! Way to make a good call to! Knowing your limitations is a huge part of this game IMO

It is the journey, not the destination, that is important.  Sometimes you get em, sometimes you don't.  I am near 60, been hunting all my life and have never seen one like that.  Feel blessed that you got to enjoy that thrill.  Learn to feel blessed by the little thrills too cause they add up to a smile.

ChuckC

That sounds like a great encounter and one you will remember till the end of time.  Hope you can spend more time in the woods with the stickbow and get another chance.

Glad you had such an awesome experience, and I am sure that it won't be the last.  Don't beat yourself up.  Even if you are confident in your shooting ability to 30 yards, at that distance the  deer can do alot of things before the arrow gets there.  Good luck with the rest of the season.

Maybe you will meet at a closer encounter.

Call/coax him in. . .  I do it often.     Good integrity/decision.

I feel lucky just to view a deer like that at any time.

awesome story, and that's pretty much exactly how my season has went as well.

thanks guys! i work all weekend but i will be back in the woods monday! im the only one hunting my area so i hope hes locked down and doesnt venture too far! of course if i have a doe in range monday ill still take the shot. ive never been a trophy hunter but he would sure look nice on the wall!