Had a good encounter yesterday, but like my dad always told me growing up, almost doesn't count like horseshoes and hand grenades. I was set up with 2 scrapes on either side of me at about 20 yards. When I got into the woods I refreshed the two scrapes with some Tinks Power Scrape and some #69 Doe Estrus. Also treated some trees in the surrounding area around my set with some EverCalm. As soon as I get into my stand and sit, I look out straight ahead of me and see a deer cruising at about 75-80 yards, but can't make it out. So I just sit patiently waiting. I rattled once already at this point in my sit. I took a look at my phone and saw that sun set was approaching quickly. I decided to hit the grunt tube a couple of times and tickle my Black Rack together. Not even 10 mins later I look to my right and here he comes, a young 8 pointer. He's on a mission with his head down. I get up grab my bow and try to get into position for a shot. He finally stops quartering away hard, so I range him at 31 yards, grab my release and start to draw. BAM he turns to the right and is facing straight away from me now, so I don't even bother to draw at this point. Hoping he will turn back the other way to check and work the two scrapes, one of them being 10 yards to his left, which would have given me a great opportunity at him. But of course not. Continues on straight away, I grunt a few times in attempts to try to get him to come back and check things out, but this is hunting and not killing and he obviously had a different agenda. He wasn't the biggest deer in the woods but still would of been nice for me and make me proud as for any deer with a bow in my eyes is a trophy. But I'm looking at it in a positive manner and saying it was meant to be and there is a bigger one out there with my name on it maybe his father or uncle lol Hopefully! Keeping at it over here, as for everyone else still hunting hard good luck in the rest of your season, shoot straight and be safe!!!
