RE: There goes my chance at a brute!!
Your story describes WHY I bowhunt to a tee. I think this is a great bowhunting story that matched you against the deer and his senses on his grounds, he won this time, but hopefully you'll get to play again. I am sure you could have pulled the trigger on a gun and he would have dropped right there, but you still would have wished you would have shot him with your bow, atleast I would.
I know it stinks that you didn't get the shot, but man you got a good thrill!!
good job on not taking a marginal shot, I know it must have been tough.
Chris