The beginning of the story....

[caleb7mm]

  I will begin the story by telling you I am a meat Hunter through and through 100% and always have been. I do however, still have two deer worth of meat in the freezer from last season(I had a banner year). This has put me in a position to be picky the beginning of this season.

  Because of that I put trail cameras out on two different properties and have found one wide eight point on one property and one tall eight point on another property. I have dubbed them both my target bucks for the archery season.

  I had one of my “target” bucks in front of me as close as 10 yards this morning with another smaller yet older buck for close to 30 minutes. There was nothing but air between them and me for 20 minutes. After that 20 minutes and getting a REAL GOOD look at his rack, I was able to finally stand up. This is the one place I hunt from a tree, I’m so use to shooting from a blind sitting down. So at this point I’m rattled to say the least.

  I wait for 17 eternity‘s before both deer have their heads behind cover so I can draw. I come to half draw and the tall 8 looks right at me!! He’s got me dead to rights! I hold half draw and try not to shake the tree roots loose with my sewing machine leg.

  He calms down and looks behind him, I come to full draw!! He is 18.5 yards away and 100% broadside!! I pick my spot....pull through my shot....and my top limb hits a tree branch!!

  I watch the arrow sail about 2” over his back with perfect left to right. The buck walks off, never raises his tail and never makes a sound. I watched him  meander up the hill and into the next drawl with the smaller buck in tow.

Till we meet again tall 8....till we meet again.

[Bully]

The best part of bow hunting in general and traditional in particular, is how darn quiet it is. It’s honestly why I’m drawn to it.

I mean, you hit a branch with your limb and they still didn’t run. Try that with a missed rifle/shotgun/muzzy shot.

[arrow30]

that's when you smile and just shake your head...

[Homey88]

Great encounter!

[caleb7mm]

Ended up seeing 17 deer today from the stand. Back after it in the AM

[Kopper1013]

Thanks for sharing! I’ll be waiting on the ending 

[SlowBowKing]

It’s small consolation, but at least the deflection caused a clean miss rather than a really poor shot. Glad he didn’t spook. It’s early, so I bet you’ll meet him again.

[Orion]

Bummer.  Better luck next time.

I'm always amazed at the number of folks who stand to shoot out of a tree stand.  Why not shoot from a sitting position?  It reduces the shot angle, less movement, more solid position, etc. 

[caleb7mm]

Bummer.  Better luck next time.

I'm always amazed at the number of folks who stand to shoot out of a tree stand.  Why not shoot from a sitting position?  It reduces the shot angle, less movement, more solid position, etc.

He was to my right. I’m right handed no shot without standing.

[caleb7mm]

I’m not bummed about the miss in the least. I won, he never knew I was there for 30 minutes in his own house. I saw him again today walking toward bedding on a different trail. We will meet again

[supernaut]

A clean miss sure beats a poor hit any day! Great encounter and I'm betting and hoping you'll meet again. Best of luck this season and thanks for sharing your story of a "good miss". Looking forward to a successful follow up 

[ron w]

Nice encounter.... 

[Sam McMichael]

Seeing 17 deer in one hunt seems to indicate you have a good place to hunt. Good luck!