Shot Ethics --- What would you have done?

[Divinecedar]

I went hunting a little before 10 a.m. this morning at an undisclosed location in Oklahoma. Since I got up late, I decided to spot-and-stalk instead of hunting out of a stand. I would like to note that I truly enjoy spot-and-stalking and still-hunting! I managed to get about 100 yards into a finger of timber that I was carefully stalking when I caught something out of my peripheral---a doe! I turned and saw her jump a fence about 200 yards to the east and run roundabouts in my direction. I immediately did a 180 and carefully stalked to the edge of brush, about 30 yards in. I saw her again, running through an opening and right past a stand I had hung a couple of weeks before. However, this time she was followed by an abosolute MONSTER of a buck. We are talking great mass, 20"+ spread and good tine-length! He was at least an 8 pointer, possibly a 10! They were headed right towards me! She ran into the timber and right out and only 20 yards! The big boy followed her like a heat-seeking missile! I bleated desperately, trying to get him to stop, but he never did!

So, here's the dilemma! Should I have shot at him, running, unobstructed at twenty yards? I didn't. Now, I regret it! I've killed tons of small game running; squirrels, rabbits, etc. I even managed to shoot a quail out of the air one time! I am confident with my longbow out to about 30 yards, so range is not an issue...did I goof? I'm beginning to think that I missed the opportunity of a lifetime! Any thoughts?

   

[Ybuck]

Only you can answer that.
For myself, nope.

[Divinecedar]

That helps...       :p  

I know that, but what if you were in that situation?

[Clay Hayes]

I'm not confident enough to take a shot like that.  Others, I'm sure, could make the shot easily.  Just not me.

ch

[KYArcher]

Thats a tough one? It must not have felt rite to ya or you would have given it a wirl. I know its easier said than done but I wouldn't second guess yourself. You would really feel bad if you made a poor hit on such a fine animal.
                  KY  

[GAstumpshooter]

I think you did the right thing not shooting.Be thankfull to see a nice buck that close and get back out there and get him.

[Deadsmple]

Only you can really decide if you should have shot or not. I'm sure there will be others on here that will praise you for your restraint. I can only say "that's hunting." For me sometimes the answer is to shoot, other times it's don't shoot. All depending on my confidence in the shot. The only ethics you should really be concerned with are your own, only you can truly comment on that particular situation.
In any case it sure sounds like you had a great hunt. I hope you get that big boy so we can see some pics.

[wingnut]

nope, no shot there doe or big buck.  Just too low a chance of doing good and a big chance of doing bad.

Mike

[Divinecedar]

Anyone have any experience shouting at deer? Does that work any better than bleating?

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

I think what might be bothering you is that it was a nice buck.  You need to ask yourself if you would have taken the shot if the doe had been alone.  A deer is a deer and if you wouldn't take the shot on a doe then you shouldn't take it on a buck of any size. A bad shot is a bad shot. As for me I don't feel that I shoot well enough for a moving shot, and as Ybuck said only you can answer that.

[Cherokee Scout]

No way. If I wounded a big deer like that I would first puke then stop hunting (at least for a week or two).

[Divinecedar]

Buckeye is right...but there are extenuating circumstances. My hunting location is in the middle of a county renown for poaching and road-shooting and I've got at least another week of classes before I can get back into the woods...

[non-typical]

A shout, whistle, grunt...I've used all those to stop a running animal and get a shot. Give it a try if the opportunity comes around again.

[bowhunterfrompast]

It is a tough call and only you can answer it.

Back in 1989, I shot at a running mule deer buck that was in the middle of a group of 4 or 5 bucks. When I shot, the buck was around 10 yards. The shot turned out to be high and far back.    I was very fortunate to have recovered that buck. Would I do it again? Depends on many things only I can answer at that particular time. It is a personal decision for any of us when we decide to loose the arrow and take the life of any animal under any hunting situation.

bhfp

[dino]

I passed on a buck of a lifetime last year at about 10 yards that was walking and thought was just a little too spooky to shoot at.  I didn't think it was a hard decision at the time, thinking back I would love to have another crack at him under different circumstances.  Never seen him again.  Just the way it goes.  I would probably pass in the same situation when it happens again. dino

[smokin joe]

You did the right thing. Let your intuition be your guide. don't second guess yourself.

[Danny Roberts]

If you've practiced it, heck yea.

[tim roberts]

Nope!  You did the right thing, "Horn Porn" will get you in trouble all the time, make you think you can get away with anything!

[Dave Bulla]

You did right.

You also said:  "Buckeye is right...but there are extenuating circumstances. My hunting location is in the middle of a county renown for poaching and road-shooting and I've got at least another week of classes before I can get back into the woods..."

That's just making excuses.  You could just as easily say something like "If I don't poach him, someone else will."  Not saying you would, just that an excuse is just well, an excuse for doing something you know you shouldn't have done.

[DeerSpotter]

Take the stand next time your out, you are blessed to have seen him. another time maybe.  And the story will be better,and sweeter, with photos !

Carl