I passed up shots on four smaller bucks in October, then had four additional times when does needed to take one-more-step (or in two of the cases, a half step) that simply did not happen.
Saw only two mature bucks all season, which is very unusual. I averaged four hunting attempts per week in Illinois' long 3 1/2 month season, and saw a decent number of deer, but it was a year where they were mostly from 50-250 yards away. No matter what wise or off-the-wall tactic I tried, they were somewhere else!
Last night, I had my most encouraging scenario in in two months as the final 20 minutes of the season wound down, as a doe and two fawns zigzagged my direction from 150 yards out. They stalled out about 50 yards from me, and turned into the woods before slipping out of sight. The season had ended with a whimper. It was 17 degrees with 15 mph winds, but I felt warm to have been there to close things out.
No arrows fired after a LOT of hunts this year, but it was a beautiful season, and a privilege to spend so many hours with recurve in hand enjoying the wonder of God's creation.
Maybe we should get together for a "Tag Soup Supper"!