I missed!! is he gone forever???

[Scott E]

I had the best and worst hunt of my life today. This is a piece of private property I have permission to hunt but because Ive been at school I havnt been able to hunt it until this weekend. Friday was the first day I had hunted this place and so i still hunted found lots of good deer sign and on my way out 4 does busted me. I took note of where they were and figured out a good place to ambush them. So today i got there around three and made a makeshift ground blind overlooking a creek bottom. behind me was a large open field. Around 4:00 I look behind me and something catches my eye. it looks like a deer about 200 yards away in the woods on the other side of the field. at first i thought my eyes were playing tricks on me like they often do but soon realized that it was a deer and it had antlers!!! I have never even seen a buck while hunting so I was thrilled. so now how was I going to go all the way across an open field and get within longbow range. VERY SLOWLY. I belly crawled about 50yds when i looked up and saw the buck was feeding in the opposite direction of me and was going to disappear behind a small hill in the field. When he did I got up stayed low and walked really fast to the hill. It was getting dark quick so with an arrow knocked i made my way slowly up the hill the buck should be right at the top so my shot is going to be quick. I peeked over the top and there he was perfectly broadside 25yds away. A shot I could make but with one fluid motion i drew and released the arrow and it flew harmlessly under his chest he ran off into the woods but didnt snort. Im not going to be hunting there for 2weeks do you think Ill see him again?

[Scott E]

ps this was a very large buck i think an 8 pointer. I cant sleep all I can think is if only I had shot 6 inches higher i would be telling a much happier story.

[Dave Bulla]

He'll still be around if nobody else gets him.  Can't really count on seeing him in the same spot, but he'll likely be in the area still.

[Stone Knife]

If that was the most pressure he has had on him this season, and your waiting two weeks to go back, if he isn't around there will be others. An area that has low pressure will be full of deer.

[Lechwe]

I doubt he is gone. I missed a 130" deer twice in 4 days at under 20 yards and had him within 12 yards on another day. They can be kind of dumb sometimes.

Good luck

[Whip]

Deer have fairly small core areas, and if that was his he will be around.  They will tolerate a lot of pressure and still won't leave.  

The cool thing about misses is that the memories burn bright for the rest of your life, sometimes even brighter than the ones that connect.  They are special moments - treasure it!

[sgrogg]

Scott,

Sounds like you had a lot of fun!  I don't think you've spooked him out of the area.  Hopefully you'll get another crack at him.  Were you hunting with the Pinnacle I sold you?  Best of luck for the rest of the season!!!!    

[GingivitisKahn]

He'll be somewhere so now you get to find him (also known as 'hunting').

     

You missed him - so what. You missed him cleanly and now you have a good area to hunt *and* a specific animal you want to take.  Sounds to me like you had a great day hunting and that you have set yourself up for more.  

Hey - if it makes you feel better, I missed a nice buck a few weeks ago at about 15-20 yards (was sitting cross-legged on the ground and my longbow's lower limb hit my pack and rattling bag which, for some reason I left on my LEFT side).  Here's a fresh rub not 20 yards from that spot...

 

[buckeye_hunter]

Jim(Kahn) is right! It gets even more fun from here on out! Now you know he is there and every leaf or snapping twig will get your attention. Go get 'em he won't be too far!

-Charlie

[Shape Shifter]

If you have the deer patterened you may be able to get another shot at him. Be patient and he will probably show back up again. He may be a little wiser but a shot just may present itself again.

[Scott E]

Thanks guys I feel a little better but that shot keeps replaying in my head. Sgrogg it is the Pinnacle you sold me its a great shooter when i do my part. Ive been hunting with it most of the season and im really happy with it. And look for a happy hunting story in a couple of weeks      

-Scott

[sgrogg]

Good luck on the deer.....and the finals!!!

[pipe]

youwill have another shot at him and others.
Good huntimg to you.

[Onestringer]

Like every ones says don't sweat it, he will still be there.