D'oh !! Morning

[Got2strum]

I had the most excitement and biggest D'oh!! moment of my season this morning. I had the biggest buck I've ever seen while hunting come right into my lap! I set up on the ground by a power line tower with lots of brush behind me and cut corn in front of me. I saw a deer move about 50yrds off to my left early when there was barely any light. About 5 minutes later it appeared again and was working my way. I could easily see at 40 yrds it was a dandy buck even in the low light. He kept facing me head on and just would not give me a shot. I had hoped he would turn and walk out the field crossing in front of me but he must have had his nose in something good. I was afraid he was going to disappear down over the tower bank into the brush so I decided to make my draw while he was less than 5 yrds! I thought for sure it was gonna be game over but he didn't mind one bit and moved a bit closer still! I think at one point he had to be 8 or 10ft from me. I ended up having to hold my draw a long time as he just would not turn, just kept facing me. Finally he must have caught a glimpse of me, jumped and started trotting away. I followed him while still drawn and frantically did the best buck grunt I could. He stopped facing fully away from me and proceeded to take what seemed like forever to turn broadside. My mind was a mix of emotion and excitement as I released the string....AIRBALL!! The arrow hit the dirt 15 yrds behind him and he again trotted off, still not in any big hurry or concern. I wanted to be 100% sure of my complete failure so I went to find my arrow. Sure enough it was stuck in a dirt bank, completely clean. I was and still am so sick about blowing it that I came back home for a nice warm breakfast. I just couldn't concentrate after that. I feel sick with frustration that I blew that chance! Man that was a beautiful buck!! Not at all what I had hope for on the last day of PA archery.

[njloco]

Don't be too hard on yourself, it happens a lot. Maybe he'll last until next year and, you'll get another chance.

[daveycrockett]

It was still fun and something you'll never forget. You gotta love it!!!!  

[ChuckC]

At times, it is those exciting moments, even those that include a Mmmmm,  Mmmmmm,   one of those things, that you remember most dearly (pun intended).

You did something right to have gotten that close and to have gotten a shot.  Do it again!
ChuckC

Sounds like an awesome morning!

Like mentioned above. IT HAPPENS!

Good luck next time!

Bisch

[Jayrod]

You can get em all....it happens sometimes the easiest of shots can go south REAL QUICK!

[mahantango]

Sounds like a fantastic encounter! If I had that kind of action, I'd be thrilled. You were definately doing something right to get that close to a big old buck on the ground, so don't beat yourself up too much. We learn something from every encounter, whether it's a success or failure. Think about what you could have done differently and maybe next time it will come together - there's always the late season.

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

Sounds like a great morning with a bow in hand , always next time .....

,,,Sam,,,

[KyStickbow]

Being that close to a buck like that on the ground is accomplishment in itself brother. Sounds like a great morning even if the arrow missed its mark.

[Ric O'Shay]

Sounds like too much time to think about what you wanted to do and how you wanted to do it. Then the left (analytical) side of the brain too over and governed the actual shot. The right (automatic) side of the brain that lets the shot happen, didn't stand a chance. Happens to me all too often.
I watched two does a few weeks ago for almost half an hour. Finally one turned broadside to me at just under 15 yards. After two (yes 2) shots that sailed a foot over her back, she finally walked away as I kicked myself.
So, be thankful for the experience and enjoy it in your minds eye forever.

[beendare]

Hey we have all done it. If i posted a pic from the video of me on a logging rd 16 yds from the biggest 7'+ black bear I have ever seen walking right towards me....you would think "how did he miss that shot?????"

 Well of course animals move and they don't always offer you a good shot...in my case he never offered me a good shot. He cam straight on and only turned a little once, I came to full draw and then he turned back facing me seeing me draw as I was so close kneeling in the open. At that point, I pretty much shot a warning shot over his back as the jig was up! I didn't want to wound an incredible animal like that...

After that, I did re- evaluate the way I was shooting/hunting...and that really helped me be successful.

[Big Ed]

If you haven't missed you haven't hunted!!!

[beemann]

Life goes on Will chin up bud.

[sheepdogreno]

Such is hunting

[threeunder]

Will,
It happens to everyone.

Last year I had the greatest, most intense 15 minutes of my hunting life.  But I also missed a mature whitetail doe and the biggest Sika Bull I've ever seen.  The doe at 14 yards and the Sika at 18 yards.

I'm thankful for that experience.  It made me a better hunter and I still count that morning as one of the greatest I've ever had.

Appreciate what you've experienced, learn from your mistakes, and accept that it is hunting.

Congratulations on having such a mature buck right on top of you.  That is a huge accomplishment.

[Caleb the bow breaker]

keep after him.

C

[bofish-IL]

Sorry to say but speaking from experience, it probably won't be the last time a shot is blown.

[Got2strum]

Ha! Yea, I'm sure I'll blow more chances. Just a very disgusting feeling. I was only able to hunt Saturdays this season and maybe 1 1/2 - 2 hrs some evenings so when I got my chance on the last day and blew it I just had to vent. Thanks guys for listening and empathizing. Hopefully that guy is still around. I'll be back out in two weeks when rifle season opens, bow in hand