Wow, what an afternoon. I got into my stand at 2:38. I immediately texted my wife "In my stand". Barely hit 'send' and I heard footsteps. Look to my right and there's a buck heading my way. He walks perfectly down the trail in front of me. At ten yards, I stop him with a quick 'meh'. Put my one 15 yard pin on the bottom of his chest and arrow away. Whack....hit him in the upper leg, below my aim point. Usually I hit 5-6 inches high with that shot.
He runs 20, maybe 25 yards. Stops and looks around. After a minute or so, he COMES BACK. Now I'm sitting again, to get a better look at where this wounded deer was going to run to. At 7 yards, I draw but hit my leg. Move my bow between my legs, aim low and release. OMG, I missed him low again. Must have tickled his armpit fur. He takes off again.
He stops again, at the same spot he stopped previously. Looks around and COMES BACK a second time. This time I slowly stand up. Again at 7 yards, his head behind a tree, I pull to the wall, bend at the waist, aim low and send my third arrow through his upper right rib cage, exiting low on the off side. He runs off. I hear him stop. 20 seconds later I hear him run into the thicket for a short sprint and it's quiet. I didn't hear him crash, but that was where I found him.
I waited about an hour and 20. While waiting, another buck comes from the spot he ran into the thicket. This one is a symmetrical six point with long g2's and short brows. Real pretty deer. He's sniffing the blood trail and almost commits to the opening at less then 10 yards. I only have one arrow left, and he was going to get it. But, he looks up at me and jumps behind a thick cedar tree. Starts to come out again, but turns and walks around me through the thick stuff and walks off.
I found 2 1/2 arrows. All three were broken. Lost one broadhead. Expensive deer. He was busted up on both sides. 3rd for the year. Been a great season. One tag left.