i was pondering my hunting season the other night and couldnt sleep. i had a shot at a nice 2.5yo 14-16 wide 8-10pt this year. he ducked and took it high. i know he didnt die from it. but i should had him killed. i used my top pin set at 15yds..he was 20yd. i aimed a hair above the top of the heart. i knew my arrow would fall right into his heart. WRONG. he ducked.[:@] i still blame myself though i feel i did everything perfect.

and the rifle opener..same spot i got caught off gaurd by an absolute WHOPPER and another buck. the whopper was a BEASTLY 11pt..big nasty lookin rack. i know all this because he was killed the next weekend by some kid that purely got lucky. we called that buck the "turkey watcher" i watched the turkeys come into the field and KNEW he couldnt be far off..he ALWAYS laid on the edge of the field and watched them for some reason..sitting there in my tree with my rifle waitin on him..the dogs started barking across the driveway a couple hundred yards away..i knew he was coming...but he didnt come down the trail the deer always use. he came out of nowwhere. i looked to my hard right and there he stood..lookin like somethin on a magazine cover..25-30yds away in the only opening on my right. i could see the other buck behind him. gun in my hand..couldnt move..he started walking..i stood up to get a shot...i coulda dropped him..i know i could have. i just didnt feel comfortable shooting him walking..while i was standing, shaking like a leaf through the woods 30-35yds away. i kick myself..i know i coulda dropped him..just didnt like the shot...he was a true beast of a buck.

i dont know if ill ever sleep right again...no reason for me to be eating tag soup...but thats why its called hunting. i had a very exciting season and feel it was very successful..seen 3 2.5+yo old bucks and atleast that many 1.5yos. and many does..live and learn...