Tony, man that sucks. You can shoot a 1000 arrows in the yard and nothing can equal that moment. I'd like to say you'd get over, but I'd be lying. I remember my close calls as vividly, if not more, than I do my kills. Stay in the saddle, use it as motivation, and know you were there for the chance at that deer. He's still out there. '05 I missed a stud 8 pointer only to have him come back in range 2 days later. While I didn't get another shot, things can turn the other way.
It's never easy, but it will get better, and like what was said, there's still a chance at him again. He's about to get really stupid I know the feeling, though. Missed an piebald 8 last year that was 120"+. I still get sick thinking about it.
Tony try to get out there and put dominant buck urine in his scrapes. He will forget all about that stick hitting him in the back and return looking for a fight.
I really appreciate the comments, guys....well most of them. The only way that this would be turned into a sweet memory is if I kill him...and that is just what I hope to do... My wife said I better...lol (she wants his heard on the wall)
Who knows what happened. He could have ducked a tad, your aim coulda been off a smidge, anchor or aim points not quite right. All sorts of things happen when we shoot at a live animal, and it seems the bigger they are the more opportunity for things to go awry. I've shot alot of deer over they years...but never even had a chance at one like that. Not sure I could keep my cool under that type of pressure. Hopefully someday I'll get to find out. :D One positive I see in this, you only nicked him and know he's still alive. I hope you get another shot. Do you have cameras in that area?
I had one out ...gonna put one up when I go back out Monday ....all day sit Monday and Tuesday ... what a way to turn a sour situation sweet ....
PT, I concur with Tom, this feeling doesn't really leave ya....it gets perhaps less sharp and dulls out a touch but never goes away. I can remember hunting just a mere 40 yards from my father, hand signals from him tipped me off to a buck behind me, missed the buck cleanly save for a few hairs.....would have been a 125-ish but would have been one we got working together more than any other...will never forget that. Be thankful it's been 34 years before you missed a big one, I'm betting most guys have this happen if patient enough once every 10 or 5 years. Get back out there brother, it's the only therapy!
Ty, it has been 34 years that I got a shot at a buck like that, let alone saw one for more than a few seconds....I don't want to wait another 34 years...I will be 82
I admit that I didn't read the entire thread, but if you sit at home and dwell on what happened you won't get another chance. Get back out there and get after him. A flesh wound won't bother him at all and he may be back in the same area again today. If your at the house you won't know. Shake it off and get back at it, he did.
I am only not out there because of the heavy wind and rain ... today and tomorrow ...Plus the wind is wrong, and I want HIM .... the good news is the prevailing wing is a SW wind so I can hunt him hard during the rut
Been there Tony. It hurts bad. I skipped the arrow off the back of this 10 point a few years ago. He is still the largest typical I have ever had a shot at. He was a giant, that would score high in the all-time typicals for bowkills in Iowa in my opinion. Not gonna sugar coat it, it really is tough. I never got a chance to redeem myself on this one, I hope you do!
Holy **** Fletch, no exaggeration there! That is world class. I missed a similar buck when I was like 14 with the shotgun in Illinois "Triangle". That was over 30 years ago and I still remember it like it was yesterday, and yes, it still stings. To this day, I haven't seen one that even compares.
Been there PT! It sucks. Good news is, I got a second chance a week later. .... I won't remind you of the bad news Get out there, because he still is
Dang Fletch! That is a hammer for sure! I bet that does still hurt. I won't ever have to worry about botching a shot on one like that... they don't exist around here LOL
