I blew it

[tradarcher816]

Made it to my stand this morning, and ran a few deer out of my food plot on the way in. Kinda thought the hunt was over when they went crashing off. But I got settled all the same. Around 7:45 or right at 8 a beautiful spike came walking in like he owned the place and caught me off gaurd. So what was my knee jerk reaction ask you? Stand up, quick! Ok so maybe not that quick but quick enough he caught some movement.  He did a quick hop and started craning his head trying to figure out what was in the tree. To my surprise, he turned and started back towards my plot. By now I'm certain he can hear my heart thumping out of my chest. So he comes in hesitantly turning broadside at around 12-15 yards. But he is wired when he stops he even crouches alittle as if loading his legs for a sprint. He only paused for a moment then turned up the hill to follow a doe that came up to my right. So there was my first perfect shot angle of the year, the first in a couple in fact (been in a rut) and I pass on the shot because he's wired up. It sucks not having taken the shot, but I've wounded enough deer to be patient. My time will come. The experience was awesome though! Maybe next time..... I won't sit down  

[mcgroundstalker]

You did the right thing by not taking the shot... That fellow was ready to bolt... Next time you'll be ready!

... mike ...

[TJK68]

Don't give up. it will happen. You did the right thing.
Tom

[KentuckyTJ]

Good on you

[RETARMY06]

Your internal "red light/green light" switch is working just like it should! Be lucky you have one - too many people shoot first then regret it.

[Atennishu]

One good thing about archery season, there is always tomorrow

[Bernie B.]

You definitely did the right thing in letting him pass.  Wired deer are not good targets.  Keep after them, you'll get a better chance.

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin

[joe ashton]

I'm proud of you...  for not pushing your luck at the expense of the deer...

[Frank V]

It was a great experience & one you will remember with fondness.
It's great you didn't try a shot you are not comfortable with. A lot of us don't have to put a Deer in the freezer to have had a successful hunt.
  Keep at it & one day it'll all come together. Trad archery is a lot more difficult than other methods & I think a lot more rewarding.

[r-man]

I will not take a shot at an alert deer over 30' away, my chances of a clean kill go down fast, I had a simular thing happen saturday. I passed on a frontal shot of a alert buck .

[LB_hntr]

Great way to handle it. I would of done same thing.
It will all come together for you.

[1kwikstik]

Self control is a big part of it. Good job!

[Mudd]

Your welcome in my camp and    anytime!


 

[ARCHER2]

 Good for you!

[stujay]

All part of the process...you'll get one!

[BowHuntingFool]

Good times, well done brother!

[Stone Knife]

Wise choice made by a true sportsman.

[VictoryHunter]

Always be ready for a shot. You did the right thing by passing the shot.

[tomsm44]

That's not "blowing it", that's ethical hunting and knowledge gained by experience.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Good decision. Still a cool experience none the less!