Should I be scolded?

[beaunaro]

Yesterday's WI opener was a beautiful crisp, clear afternoon near Madison, and my Grandson and I were in our carefully chosen trees. He in a pine at 15' overlooking a small waterhole, and I, 20 ' up in the Triple Cherry at the edge of a small soybean food plot. We were about 600 yards apart.
I wanted Luke to have another opportunity at his first archery deer. His 15 year old enthusiasm was at an all time high, but victory had eluded him on three attempts last year due to classic "Buck Fever". He did manage to harvest a turkey...that was a thrill.
As it turns out, today we were both just observers.
I do not have a traditional whitetail bow kill to my credit as of yet. I've shot quite a few hogs,  (wounded some too) and have been carefully working my way up the skills and confidence ladder to the point where I now feel I can take an ethical shot and not worry about wounding a nice tasty deer.
So...soon a hen turkey upped my awareness, and I let her pass. Then as often happens...I look behind me (the tree is between me and the food plot), peer around the tree and silently, there are two of Wisconsin's most gorgeous females, filling up on the soybeans.
Interestingly enough, they were no longer devouring the forage of the green leaf as Summer scouting trips had proven, but now were going for the dried stalk and actual bean even though the shaded half of the plot still offered the tender greens.
Doe fawns they were, with ribs showing...and I think, "Yes, I could easily make this 15 yard shot." But, having shot many whitetails for meat with my previous (unmentionable) archery weapon, and still in freezer possession of almost two complete deer from last year, I'm thinking these two deserve to just keep on feeding and enjoying their afternoon as much as I am.
So I take out the cell phone and shoot them...several times, till I'm sure they are well shot.
After 30 minutes of chowing down, they amble off and I am satisfied my scent control program is working as I watch them traverse my inbound trail.
They head for Luke and shortly he texts that he saw them through the trees, but could not get a shot.
It's now 6:40 PM, and anotheer field check reveals Momma Doe, a much larger, well fed girl, greyish, proud, relaxed, but also hungry.
When she poses for me, well within my effective range, I'm still not in kill mode, although here is my most perfect chance at my first trad whitetail harvest.
SO...HERE'S MY QUESTIONS.
Do I deserve to go deerless this year?
Did I just commit the most unspeakable sin?
Should I have been a "MAN" and shot her just to say I did, and earn the bragging rights with "passage"?
Am I getting soft to just wanting simply to reflect on all our hard work in property management that earned Luke and I these memories?
For those of you who will chastise me, I apologize sincerely.
I'm sure however, that at least a few of you might have "been there...done that", and to those of you I thank you for not judging me.
I know I perhaps wasted my best harvest opportunity.
I know that we may now have laid down some human scent, noise, or intrusion making our next adventure a little tougher, but I'm very grateful and pleased that the Good Lord has granted us this peaceful and rewarding day to be in the woods with his creatures.
Our ending score totals one hen turkey, 6 does and one decent buck. He was seen from a long way off.

Thanks for listening...probably not as exciting as relating a regular hunting harvest, but I wanted to share with you, none-the-less.
Irv Eichorst
www.truesouthadventures.com

[medicineman]

Irv,      You done good and besides there is plenty of time left.

[BDann]

A day in the field is never, ever wasted.  Plus, your 15 year old is always watching you, and learning from you.  He probably tucked away a pretty good lesson today-it's OK to let shot opportunities pass when you don't feel like shooting.

[Stephengiles]

Heck if you got two in the freezer already I wouldn't worry at all. No point in getting greedy. Most of us don't have to depend on killing what we eat it's just a bonus. Maybe next time if you pass on one it will head straight to your boy which will be just as good as getting one yourself. Good luck. I still got a month to wait.

[Sean B]

Hey Buddy, nothing wrong with letting them pass.  If you didn't feel it, you didnt feel it!!  I've seen you shoot, so theres no doubt in my mind they would have been dead deer had you chose to do so.  If you left the stand that evening feeling good, then thats all there is to it!!  Good luck!

[Jim Boettcher]

Sounds to me like you're just a down right good, ethical bowhunter. It would have been just fine to take that doe too. Hunting is a very personal endeavor, as long as YOU feel like it was a successful day afield, then all is good. Some of my finest days hunting did not involve killing anything. My best to you.

[hitman]

You should take the shot whenever you have the urge to, when you feel the moment is right. Some of my most fun hunts had no shot or kills. Just being out in the woods and fields is enjoyment at its best.

[Digger_JC]

You did well! Look forward to your next hunt. Can't wait to hunt with my grandkids!

[slowbowjoe]

Scolded? Heck no! I honor your judgement and respect for the deer.

[coyote30]

If you feel good about your decision that is all that matters. I let any deer walk when the shot doesn't feel right, nothing wrong with doing so.

[Jake Fr]

My best hunts are when i shot nothing at all, but had several in range. There is no shame in that at all even if it was the last day and no meat in the freezer

[gringol]

Yes, shame on you for having so much fun and having the grace to let an animal walk.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

No shame in letting deer go. Besides there is more season left and a young Man also trying for his first 600 yards from you.  I know many Fathers who have let easy shots go in hopes for their kids might have an opportunity.

 

[Thumper Dunker]

Way to go. If you wanted to you could of . So really you did it.   Good thing it was not a coyote.   :rolleyes:   LOL.