To say that I have had troubles in the past deer hunting would be an understatement. Some of my most inglorious mistakes include missing a doe at 2 yards with 5, countem 5 shotgun slugs my first year of hunting. Not paying attention and having and nice 8 point stare at me while i was looking the other way spraying doe estrus wondering when they will show up (also my first year). Drawing back on a doe two years ago, and thinking she would jump the string and drop down. She didn't. I missed low. Drawing back on a doe last year and having my lighted noc pop out mid draw, while she and 3 other doe were 8 yards away laughing. I did however manage to schlock a dumb doe last year, in revenge. Not that it made up for any of that other stuff. So needless to say I did a lot of soul searching after last year. Put in more time this summer, shooting and sighting and practicing than I have in the past 3 years total. I decided i was going to be religious about scent control, making the right shots, knowing when to pass. All of the basics that any joe schmo should know and follow. About a week ago, I went scent free, showering, deodorant, clothes, towels, the whole works. I waited for the perfect day to go out this year. Which was this morning. First cold front in Iowa in a while, about 44 this morning with an 8 mph west wind, not the best but Ill take it. Im anxious. when i was out.I got to my stand at quarter to 7. It was still pitch black out. I sat down, and waited. Around 8:25 I realize the stupid mistakes I have made this morning.... 1. Left the range finder on the tool box of the truck, Turns out I was the toolbox. 2. Binos, see mistake 1. 3. Left the gloves in the truck. Thinking oh well, none of it is dire need stuff, woods are thick and I'm fairly decent and judging distance. The stand I'm in is one we always thought wasn't good for bow but good for shotgun and rifle, and the only reason we left it was because it has an evergreen growing right up the back of it that covers us, and is on top of a highway. About this time, I hear crunch crunch crunch crunch behind me. First thing going through my head is the meme of the squirrel that says, oh your bow hunting? let me sound like a deer. As its getting closer I realize, wow this is loud, way to loud to be a squirrel. Im not moving at all, looking straight ahead. As i hear the steps pass me over my right shoulder, I slowly move my right eye and see white tips through the pine needles. Great a buck. Not only do I not have a range finder, Im still sitting, and can't make a move because he is literally at 0 yards right now. I could have dropped down out of the tree, and rode him to the truck. So he takes 2 steps out further and I see his rack. Its not a huge rack, probably mid 130's to 140 if I am lucky. At this point, I think I'm going to have a heart attack. It felt like my heart had been switched to fully automatic and was just pumping out rounds as fast as it could go. It was racing so hard, I could hear it in my ears. 2 more steps, I see the back of his huge, wrinkly neck, and the rest of his rack. Good looking deer. Would be a great first buck. 2 more steps. Im fearing the worst, Im stuck sitting down, I see his lips curl, he's scent checked me. He's alert. Not full on panic like me, just alert, knows that something is out of the ordinary. 2 more steps, Im halfway stood up now, he's fully out of the pine tree, he has a big body. I would guess him to be 5.5 years old. Probably on the downward spiral of his illustrious career in my woods. He takes 4 quick trots and turns his head and stares at me. Im still fearing the worst, and now my legs have begun to shake, the hair on my arms and legs and back of my neck has stood up in applause. To my amazement, he does nothing. He stares at me, turns his head away and trots over the hill, never presenting me with a shot, other than the back of his head. He stayed perfectly angled until he reached a tree to hide just enough of him behind that he could turn and look at me. That sit is by far the most incredible, amazing, mind blowing thing I have ever had happen to me. I have goosebumps right now typing it. To say that I am proud of how it turned out would be nothing more than the truth. I did everything right, scent control was good, he didn't know I was there until it was too late. I didn't spook anything in the woods coming in. I had him at 0 yards, which isn't that the ultimate goal? To get a mature buck to your stand without him knowing your there. I didn't alert him until he was past me and smelled me. Even though I didn't harvest this buck today. I still feel like it was one my best hunting moments so far in my short hunting career. It was the first time I feel like I did everything right, but I just never had a shot. Which brings me back full circle. What an adrenaline rush that was. I am returning to my stand next weekend with hopes that the rut is in full swing, and that the action is even better. With hopefully better results. None the less it was still an amazing experience and I feel truly blessed that God put me in that spot to experience it. Good luck to everybody out there and I hope you too can experience what I did this morning, because it was exhilarating. -Mike
I am in the same boat as you just different skipper. I have only hunted 3 years now and had the best year this year seeing more deer than I have ever seen. I had a doe and fawn right behind me and it was the best thing ever. I hope we never loose that rush and buck feaver. I love that feeling and this sport.
Well written Sir. "Not paying attention and having and nice 8 point stare at me while i was looking the other way spraying doe estrus wondering when they will show up" Hilarious.
Great read!! Thanks for sharing. Super well written. I could imagine myself right there through the whole thing. What a great experience you had this morning. It's not always 'just about the kill'. I enjoy all those experiences, too
That is the best story! I have lived that except it was a 30-30 and he was 25 yds. 6 shots in the open and nothing to show for it except a branch I shot off when I tried to lead him when he was on a dead walk. Thank You for sharing what we all go through!
You know, the worst part is, Im not even mad I didn't get a shot. Im overjoyed that I experienced it. But now 8 hours later, Im driving myself up the wall thinking about if he gave me a shot and I just missed it. Its on a continuous loop in my head. Not that its a bad thing. Just could drive a man insane. Gotta love this sport. :p
Some encounters just make it all worth it! Yea you didn't harvest him, but now you have and excuse to watch the sun come up from your stand one more time
I have definitely spent the last day and a half running it over and over in my head. Im officially mentally exhuasted. Spent the afternoon smoking some mac n cheese. Relaxing. and playing with the pup.
Great story, very well told. I was riveted the whole time, actually. I've had some similar experiences, so was able to put myself in your story - a true sign of great writing. Thanks for sharing your tale, and (I want to say, "better luck," but you did great, so that wouldn't be quite right) I hope you get him next time!
Wait. A week ago you took a scent free shower and then you waited for the perfect morning (yesterday) to hunt? No wonder you got busted! Haha good experience and good story!
Like the others have said, great story and well written. I commend you for not taking an unethical shot. It's better to let him walk than injure him and never get another shot again
Trust me, it was the not the easiest thing in the world to just let him walk away. It haunted me for the rest of that day and half of yesterday. I kept replaying over in my head asking if he gave me a shot and I just missed it. Or if he didn't. I'm almost positive that he didn't. So here's to hoping I see him next week on vacation.
