I'm 65yrs old, been bowhunting for 42yrs. God has blessed me to have been able to hunt every season since I started, without missing one. Even the year I had a broken arm, but that's a story in itself. I don't take this for granted. I am truly thankful. Most of my bowhunting friends don't hunt anymore and haven't for awhile. In recent years the passion just hasn't been there like it once was, but this year was different. I was excited about the upcoming season. Making plans on where to hunt, where to place my stands and where to build brush blinds. I was feeling a little more passion than what I had in a while. I looking forward to hunting and spending time in the woods. With my stands set and brush blinds made, I was ready. My second or third time out I had a shot opportunity at a lone doe. The shot was 17yrds broadside. I picked a spot low on the vitals anchored and released. The arrow went low, just missing her. DANG! I hated missing but it was a clean miss. That was good. In a different stand one week later a buck came strolling by at 20yrds. I picked a spot low on his vitals, anchored and released. Low again. A clean miss. Disappointed yes, but I didn't beat myself up too bad. I'd missed before, I'm sure I'll happen again. That's just reality. I told myself "It happens, just concentrate harder next time " there's plenty of season left. I had one particular stand that I really wanted to hunt. Tree rubs and scrapes all around, it looked real good. The wind just wasn't cooperating. Then one day it was. Sitting in my stand, not much going on other than watching the squirrels play. An hour before I mailed saw a fork horn buck pass through. Out of range, but still good to see. I was running out of daylight. Checking my watch, I told myself 5 more minutes. 2 minutes later I seen antlers through the trees. A buck, and he was heading my way. If he continued on his course he would pass by me at 15yrds. That's exactly what he did. As he was walking through my shooting lane, I picked a spot "mid vitals this time " anchored and released. The shot was good, right where I was looking. His front legs went out from under him and he skidded for a ways. Once he regained his footing he took off. 50yrds latter he stopped. He stood there for a few seconds then went down for good. It all took less time than it does to tell it. I waited a few minutes, then got down to take a look. A small 10pnt buck. What's not to like. A good stand location, a good shot, an easy recovery, what a great hunt. Those missed shots are a distant memory. I've been redeemed. Looking forward to next year.
Topic: My "Redemption Buck" (Read 1369 times)
