AAAARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!

[davep]

Buck.
Big buck.
Big,BIG buck.
Missed.
Inside of 4 YARDS!
Had to lean out and around stand to shoot,almost straight down.
Put pin between shoulder and spine,and proceeded to bury the arrow right under it. Didn't allow for the SEVERE angle.
Sad part is, I've done the exact same thing before.From the exact same tree. Have killed a few there, two within 10 FEET of the tree.
Have also missed a few. Same way.
It came in late.Had no idea it was a buck or a BIG buck until within 20 yds.Then it disappeared in the leaves of high brush. Leaving a wake where it was passing. Then stopped in the only real place to shoot (I was leaning so far around the tree, I couldn't swing any farther)

At the shot it jumped about 10 feet then walked a few steps.Then started to come back!
I nocked another arrow, but couldn't draw.After a few minutes it started to head off. I mouth grunted, and it stopped for a while, then headed on off.

Don't think I'm going to get this one out of my head for a while.
(20"+ inside,and tall)

At least he wasn't really spooked. With all the wind and leaves swirling around, I don;'t think it bothered him all that much.
At least I HOPE!

[Hardcorehunter]

Clean miss is better than a botched shot. You might have another shot at him in the next two weeks. Good luck Dave, I know that feeling well.

[THE DEER HUNTER]

Like was said...a clean miss is better than a bad hit. Doesn't sound like he was too spooked or he would have high-tailed it out of there, at least you would think. Hopefully you are just a stop in his daily routine & you'll get another shot in the next couple weeks.

Good luck

[busco]

I dont think there is an experienced bowhunter out there who doesnt feel your pain.... you will either get over it and get on with it or be upset for a long time.. sh_t happens... every day in the field is a good day! not my quote but true

[jlwade]

I have a lot of empty spaces on my walls where there should be a nice trophy hanging at all because of misjudged distance, a STUPID STUPID TWIG, a deer jumping the string, or me freaking out the nanosecond that i hit my release, 3 years ago i sent an arrow ricocheting off a 10 points right main beam at about 20 yds all because i twitched at the release for some reason, i think i wake up at night thinking about that one, probably scared the hell out of the deer too but im glad i didnt hit him in the side of the head

[busco]

well I belong here already.... 510pm had a what I thougt was two does come in after watching for 20 minutes I popped one turned out to be a decent sized button buck. I stilll need meat for the freezer.. got down retrieved decided it was still early so I got back in the stand no sooner than I got setlled a real nice 8 point came up at 30 yards.. watched him coe threw the thick stuff and stop at a scrape and freshen it. he started walking threw the opening and I watched my arrow fly right underneath him.. I walked the shot and it sure was a long thirty yards...