Jon reminds us that missing is part. . . how about too close?!

[KSdan]

Long season, tough times. . . . Amazing last day of our season on Dec 31st!!! Wind in my favor, AM hunt, 7 bucks show up- text book. 6 of them under 8 yds from me. A nice 5 x 5 (145ish) was less than five yards, under a limb, facing me, feeding, just off to my left- perfect. I was only 12 ft. in the air in a cedar tree- he never knew I was there. Ready to shoot. . .All the deer stepped out one by one on my left giving me possible shots (including a 4 x 4 PY).  I sat totally concealed and comfortable waiting for the 5 x 5 - the last to step out.  Would be a 6-8 yard shot as I sat there. . . just pull bow and shoot- like "fish in the barrel." Already envisioning the arrow through his chest. Then. . . while all others stepped out from under the limbs into the field, the 5 x 5 stepped UNDER the limbs of my cedar tree and walked on the backside of the trunk as I looked down on his head and back. I could spit and hit him!  He walked behind me and off to my right where. . . I had no shot! Unbelievable!!! Last day! Slam dunk! WAIT, wait!  Turn clock back 60 seconds! NOPE. . . . Some things are just not ordained! (of course- the 4 x 4 probably went and got hit by a car because it was his day to die apparently- no one told me!) My last day. . . no buck this year. One of those years.        

January Doe season is on.  Maybe a little redemption of the season over the next 2 weeks.

[Mike Vines]

If you want TOO close, get a ghillie suit.  It is crazy how close you can get.  Actually it is to good, to the point where your affraid to move close.  Play your cards right and you can scare the crap out of guys who are walking by (I enjoyed that moment)

[maineac]

Oh so close

[mountain lion]

Wow, that is close!! Too bad you didn't get a shot off

[Jake Fr]

Well I feel.your pain lol I just missed this year but it wasnt cause he was to close it was I failed to pick a spot

[kennym]

I know yer pain, the last buck I wanted, drifted up the slope 4 yds so a limb covered the vitals as he swaggered past. Haven't seen him since!    

Its all good, I love em!!

[Hoyt]

I know the feeling. Second wk of Nov. I had one come out of some thick stuff at 10:30am about 18 steps. He came straight towards me. So close I could hear the hooves clomping like a horse. The twigs not snapping, but muffled crunches with his weight. He got about 3 steps from my tree. looked up and saw me. Easy 150" and possibly more.
Almost as big as the one at 10 steps earlier that morning with no shot. Not over yet..20th.

[Manitoba Stickflinger]

Bummer!

[jonsimoneau]

Oh man!  That sounds like a satisfying end to the season.

[ddauler]

Cool man 20 years ago I was hunting a farm same nice 4x4 four days in a row cross fence. Moved stand to tree with fence nailed to it. Saw buck coming walked right up to back of my tree like a foot away fixing to hop fence then he exploded out of there. Moral of that story is DO NOT touch fence wire with bare hands I am certain he smelled my scent on the wire. I learned in my trapping days how good steel holds scent. Had the same happen with a doe sniffing my screw in steps.
My cousin blasted him with a rifle a week later.

[rraming]

I missed this year because it was too close and I didn't pick a spot - so close it was like missing a building, but I managed to miss the building!

[Hawkeye]

Like I say in my signature...

"Traditional bowhunting is a game of seconds... and inches!"

Still sounds like a great hunt to remember.

[MR BILL SHORTY]

Just got in shaved hair off it's back. How can that happen at less then 12yd!  :eek:  Still haveing fun till the end of the month.

[Mint]

I feel your pain, I had a nice 130 class deer withing 15 yards twice this year but got nailed both times before i could get a clear shot. In total 15 deer this year within shooting distance but no shot until they busted me by smell or sight.

[tuscarawasbowman]

I had a 150" on the ground at 20 feet with no shot this year. Just one more step was all I needed..... I feel your pain.