I spent the entire summer scouting and setting up on a nice buck.  I have his shed from last year, a heavy 10 pointer with excellent mass.  He is old, and has gotten a little smaller this year, but still has very nice tine height.  I have patterned his movements and know where he beds ... nearly un-huntable.  There is a stand of pines he travels through that is connected on top of a steep thicket coming out of his bedding.  Does cross here morning and night.  

I have scouted from a distance and spent untold hours preparing for him.  My stand has been in place for months.  Sunday morning the fog rolled in, the wind was slight and out of the correct direction.  I snuck into my stand an hour before first light.  I watched a fawn and doe for 20 minutes, electing not to shoot.  Then at 7:30, he walked in, on the trail I suspected.  He stopped 3 feet short of my shooting lane.  He looked up at me, but through me.  Turned and paused.  I had a small window to shoot, but thought the angle was makeable.  I pulled back and shot ... just over his back.

I am struggling to deal with the heart break.  I am a hunter and this is part of the deal.  But this buck was personal.  I did everything right but seal the deal.  I should be excited just for the experience, but I am having difficulty getting over the miss.  I guess there is a difference between hunting and harvesting.

Bob.

QuoteOriginally posted by Bob B.:
  I pulled back and shot ... just over his back.


Bob.

GAMBATTE!!! Is a Japanese word of consolation- akin to "keep going" or better luck next time.

I feel you as I have been there a few times and spent a season (3months here in GA) to get on a single buck... However, you soon find that they get that old because of a six sense... And they react in ways you don't normally imagine. They are survivors who rarely move during the day... Even during the rut, they are guarded while good albeit lesser younger bucks run around like fools, they keep their wits...

I have won and lost and became a better hunter for it... They will drive you nuts... You'll want to hunt him every opportunity... I envy you yet pity you as I understand it completly...    

A clean miss can be a blessing vs a very poor hit.

I don't think this hunt is over.

Good Luck.

you are still very much in the hunt.. like a game of chess.. get in there and re figure him and kill him..

I was told an old saying by an old gentleman and distinguished Tigerhunter of his time(he shot 82 tigers)raza,kaza aur khijan,literally translated:
Raza=God's blessing for you to get a kill.
Kaza=the one being shot's time has come
Khizan=that you are destined to eat it.
unless all three things are willed by the lord we return with a smile.
Better to have taken a shot and missed than to lose it to coyotes,maybee his time will be tomorrow.That's hunting.
good luck

Ive seen bucks not use the same trail again and Ive seen B&C bucks come right back on the same trail.  All may not be lost he is there for a reason.  

Though I would say the same tree is out of the question.  To arrow him after that will be even sweeter.

Sounds to me like you think he is your buck. He is just another animal like any other. You missed. Guess you were not as prepared as you thought. I'd be grateful just to have that shot opportunity. Chalk it up as an experience.

Quote He stopped 3 feet short of my shooting lane. He looked up at me, but through me. Turned and paused. I had a small window to shoot, but thought the angle was makeable. I pulled back and shot ... just over his back.  

The part of this quote that says He stopped three feet short of my my shooting lane tells me that maybe you should have been more patient and waited for another day and another chance for him to stop were you wanted him to.

I will tell you a little story.

I used to be the same way. Then about three years ago I was hunting with my Dad. Keep in mind that his dream is to harvest a pope and young bull elk. in thirty years heas not had the chance. Though he has many other animals that are incredible.

We got on a huge bull. I mean huge in the 370 range. After following him for about four miles and three canyons we found him bedded. Dad moved in to 23 yards and I called and got the bull to stand up.

My Dad drew and released. His shot was deflected by a branch half way there. It hit in the dirt at the bulls feet. There where the initial words as most have.

Then he came back to where I was. A smile stretched across his face. He said that was one of the most SUCCESSFUL hunt he had ever been on.

I leared alot about what hunting should mean to me that day.

We will have bad things happen we just have to remember why we do what we do.

RANDY

Keep after him.


JDS III

Randy, that is exactly why I hunt and why most people do the opposite and suffer thru their experiences instead of enjoying each and every one whether successful or not.

Harvest is only a very and I mean very small part of the hunt. I hunt to kill stuff not harvest it, that is for fruits and veggies. Pick yourself up and go and try to kill that deer. The fun is in the trying not the actual kill. Shawn

QuoteOriginally posted by Shawn Leonard:
Harvest is only a very and I mean very small part of the hunt. I hunt to kill stuff not harvest it, that is for fruits and veggies. Pick yourself up and go and try to kill that deer. The fun is in the trying not the actual kill. Shawn

Never been said better.

Bob
I also had the one I was after come close enough for a good shot this week. I didn't get him. You have company. You will have another chance.

I am in 100% conjunction with Lost Arra.
Good luck, stay safe and strait shooting.

It's the one's we don't get that we always remember.

I also hunt to kill game I have learned to pratice and when to draw and shoot but if I miss a shot I try harder to ambush my prey try again move your stand as the first time in any stand is the best or Just wait for the rut and Rattle and grunt him in Good luck !

Ah, but you gave him another day to be alive.  If deer could be happy, I am sure he would be.  I usually feel a little bad for a deer after I kill it - especially a big, beautiful one.  I wonder how much more beautiful it might have become if I hadn't killed it. Don't get me wrong I would be kicking myself too.  Best wishes,

If killing is the only thing that matters, then go back and kill the doe.  Just enjoy the experience.

The hunt is over when we give up! If you can live without something you generally will! Our bigest gains are usually after our biggest losses!  Stay in the game

blueline