Guys, I'm so upset with myself right now, it is not even funny.
Tonight was the opener here in MN. I went out, with the sole purpose of harvesting a doe. I ended up shooting a button buck. I have no idea what I was thinking. I thought it was a doe, I really did. It was legal shooting hours, but it was low light. I glassed and didn't see buttons, and I elected to shoot.
30 yards, and he went 10 yards and dropped.
I really have no idea what was going through my head. Yes I thought it was a doe, but it was low light, and I didn't make 10000% positive. I never should have shot.
I know they say "be proud of what you shoot", but I am not. I am proud that it was a quick, clean kill. I really truly am. But NOT the fact that I shot a button buck.
I went out tonight thinking I had to shoot a doe, I wanted to take a doe, and I thought I took a doe. I did not.
I will never again go out hunting thinking I HAVE to shoot something, just because it's what I'm there to do. I think I got caught up in the kill, and not the hunt. And usually I'm not one to do that, and I can tell you will never happen again.
I'm not even mad at the fact that it is horrible for our managment program (I have developed and put into place), at all, actually nevercrossed my mind until now. I'm mad that I let MYSELF down, not taking the time to be certain, and not thinking about what I was doing, HUNTING (not killing)
Sorry about the rant, I had to get it off my chest. I'm going to skin out my deer. I'll check back later.
Location: Heaven is my home, temporarily residing in WNY :)
Posts: 6,661
RE: Caught up in the Kill.
Kyle .... lighten up! You are taking this too seriously, kiddo
Congrats on your deer!
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A Trophy is highly personal and is often determined by the circumstances, events, and the individual feelings of accomplishment and not by a score card. - Greg "Doc" Caldwell
for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks!
I did that last year on my Wife's Uncles property... He didn't want to me to shoot a buck unless he was "deformed." The sun was setting and I thought a nice sized doe surprised me crossing the lane I was hunting. I looked up once it was clear, look up again and there "she" was... Pulled up my rifle and didn't see antlers, it's head was in some light twigs. I drew up looked, and fired a clean shot. When I tracked "her" I rolled "her" over to see the exit wound, out of curiosity since High Powers aren't legal in Indiana. When I went to roll "her" over her head stuck to the ground...Shot a dang spike...Upset with myself for taking a buck, and not sure how her uncle would react I was a little nervous... They just laughed at me and gave me hell about it the rest of the week.... That rack is hanging above my door into the house from the garage...lol