Not actually shooting the first shot I did not have the oppurtunity to follow the shot all the way through. From my perspective I wrongly thought the "hit" had been low and automatically went for the follow up shot that was a prayer at best. I think that subconsciously I was aware that another friend had shot a buck earlier this season that we never got after trailing for about six hours and little to no blood.

In retrospect, I think I would not be having such a hard time if we had just let the deer lie down and die. But instead we pushed it and then had the miserable experience of having to put it down 20 minutes later. This is the part that is eating me the most.

I thank all of you for your replies.

I will be taking next weekend off for sure but hopefully I'll get the drive up to get back out before the season is over. Just not to eager to go through that again and now with my confidence shot, I feel I would be better off cooling down before going back out and possibly making a mistake due to nerves and having to go through another ordeal.

If I ever hear of someone making a shot at 70plus yards again I don't think I'll ever look at them the same. I definately have a new perspective on life and hunting now. For better or for worse I can now say been there, done that, don't want to do it again.